Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

That night, when Song Shulan went to Wutong Garden, he was turned away for the first time.

Looking at the tightly closed door, Song Shulan summoned a maidservant in confusion, but the maidservant also didn't understand why. "The princess returned in the evening and locked herself in her room, leaving only Sister Qingxue to serve her."

Song Shulan couldn't understand who had angered the princess at today's banquet.

He knocked on the door, and after a long while, Qingxue finally opened it.

Qingxue said that the princess cried a lot, but she couldn't say it directly, so she could only hint that "when the Marquis was talking to the eldest mistress today, the princess went to look for him, and she was like this after she came back."

Song Shulan's brows twitched violently. Oh no, could it be that he overheard his conversation with Cui Lingrong?

He tiptoed into the room and saw Princess Rongjia slumped over the table, her long black hair disheveled, sobbing uncontrollably, which evoked pity in him.

"Princess."

"Why is Song Lang still here? I was forced upon you by the Emperor. How can our relationship compare to your more than ten years of marriage with Sister Cui?"

"Princess, you've misunderstood."

Song Shulan reached out to hug the princess, but she pushed him away. He then forcibly pulled her into his arms. "All those words I said were just to appease Cui Shi. When I went to ask her about the profit sharing, she suspected I wanted to use her private assets. How else could I keep her calm?"

Princess Rongjia's cheeks were flushed as she gazed at Song Shulan with tender affection. "Are you just trying to coax me with these words?"

"I swear to God, if I have ever lied to you, may I not..."

"Don't say anything unlucky, I believe you."

Princess Rongjia leaned against Song Shulan's chest and immediately believed him when she heard him swear an oath for her.

She and Song Lang,

She is indeed incomparable to others.

"After all, Cui is my first wife and has borne me three children. I should give her the respect she deserves." Seeing the smile on Princess Rongjia's lips, Song Shulan knew that everything was alright. "Princess, please rest assured. I don't want to repeat the misunderstandings of the past and separate from you again."

Princess Rongjia also expressed regret when talking about her youth.

Fourteen years have passed, and so much has happened in that time; just thinking about it makes Princess Rongjia feel bitter.

The two quickly kissed, and as they breathed heavily, Song Shulan's outer garments were completely removed. Princess Rongjia, knowing the situation, began to manipulate him. In order to please Song Shulan, she was very uninhibited in this matter.

After being married to Cui Lingrong for so many years, Song Shulan's biggest dissatisfaction was with Cui Lingrong in bed. Despite having an excellent figure, she always held back, even her moans, never finding any pleasure.

When Princess Rongjia clung to him, Song Shulan recalled Cui Lingrong's angry expression earlier that day. The wooden girl had a temper, which actually made her more charming.

He picked up Princess Rongjia, but what he was thinking about was Cui Lingrong's lowered eyes and reproachful look. Just as he was about to call out "Lingrong", the person in his arms trembled, causing him to instantly lose control.

After a night of passion, Princess Rongjia brought up the matter of painting butterflies the next day, saying that the date had been set and asking Song Shulan if he wanted to be there.

"I won't go into that. The government offices have been in turmoil lately. A lot of year-end taxes haven't come in, and the Ministry of Revenue is running around like crazy. I even ran into your elder brother the other day; he's been doing quite well lately." Song Shulan intentionally mentioned the Rong Prince's residence. "Did you send an invitation to the Rong Prince's residence for Mother's autumn banquet?"

"I'll send someone to deliver the invitations as soon as possible, Song Lang. Don't worry, my mother and the others will definitely come. I'll toast my mother and father a few more times then, and I guarantee your wish will come true." Princess Rongjia helped Song Shulan get dressed and saw the people off before arranging the painting.

Cui Lingrong was also the principal wife of the first wife, so Princess Rongjia informed Cui Lingrong on the day of the tea ceremony with painted butterflies.

Accompanying Cui Lingrong was Aunt Zhang, while Aunt Zhao went to Wutong Garden first. This shows the fact that the two aunts had chosen sides.

Cui Lingrong and Princess Rongjia sat on either side of her. Huadie was particularly happy today. After serving tea to the two mistresses, she also bowed to the two concubines.

Aunt Zhang rarely went out. Except for the first and fifteenth of each month when she came out to pay her respects, she usually stayed in her own courtyard, nodding to Huadie without saying much.

Aunt Zhao looked Huadie up and down. Seeing that Huadie was young and beautiful, she felt a little uncomfortable, but she smiled and said, "Huadie, you are really good-looking. In the future, you will be one of the Marquis's women. You are the youngest. When the Marquis dotes on you, don't forget to promote your older sisters."

Hua Die was so flattered that her eyes crinkled with laughter, completely oblivious to the hidden meaning in Aunt Zhao's words.

As Cui Lingrong was leaving, Aunt Zhang caught up with her, saying, "It's been a while since I've had tea with Madam. I hope Madam doesn't find me bothering you?"

"Won't."

Cui Lingrong walked ahead, "I've been away from the Marquis's residence for a while. You're someone who doesn't cause trouble, so how have you been these past few days?"

Aunt Zhang was sensible and not petty. Cui Lingrong had no reason to make things difficult for her, a kind and honest woman with a hard life. Instead, she would send her things from time to time.

Qiushuangzhai was very close; they could get there by turning a corner on a stone-paved road. However, they encountered the Jiang sisters on the way.

However, Jiang and He Pingping had their backs to them and had not yet noticed Cui Lingrong and Aunt Zhang.

"I've told you several times, don't always stay cooped up in the house. All that talk about predestined marriage is nonsense. You have to believe that human will can overcome fate." Jiang was furious at her lack of ambition, speaking through gritted teeth. "Forget about wealthy families, how about the families of minor officials? Pick one with a decent background and respectable appearance. Then you can ask your brother-in-law to help you out, and maybe you can make a name for yourself."

With a sigh, Madam Jiang said earnestly, "On Mid-Autumn Festival, that poisonous woman Cui Lingrong specifically mentioned you, which prompted the old lady to speak up. If you don't settle the marriage, I won't be able to explain it to the old lady."

The Marquis's mansion can't support He Pingping forever.

Jiang was so engrossed in her conversation that she didn't notice the maid giving her a meaningful look. By the time she realized something was wrong, Cui Lingrong had already walked up to her side.

In that instant, Jiang felt the air freeze, and she couldn't breathe.

Cui Lingrong had always known that Jiang Shi disliked her, so she wasn't angry. Instead, she smiled and said, "I'm a poisonous woman? It seems my second sister-in-law is particularly unhappy with me."

"Sister-in-law, I...I didn't." Jiang lowered her head guiltily.

He Pingping was also intimidated by Cui Lingrong's aura. She glanced at her and then lowered her head, inwardly blaming her cousin for speaking without thinking.

"No need for explanation, I heard it with my own ears. You are the master of the Marquis's mansion, you should set an example. To insult your elder sister-in-law behind her back, I'm sending you to kneel in the ancestral hall for three hours, isn't that reasonable?" After Cui Lingrong finished speaking, she looked at Qiu Mama, "Keep an eye on Second Madam. If Second Madam doesn't comply, go and tell the Old Madam, let the Old Madam handle it."

When the matter reached the old lady, it wasn't just a matter of kneeling for three hours anymore.

Jiang was filled with remorse and pleaded softly, "Sister-in-law, I really didn't mean it. I promise it won't happen again."

"Whether it was unintentional or not, you know in your heart." Cui Lingrong emphasized, "Jiang, when I was in charge of the household, did I ever shortchange the second branch of the family's allowance? Or did I ever poison you? How dare you call me a poisonous woman. Just you wait, now that you're in charge of the household affairs for the county magistrate, do you think your life will still be as comfortable as before?"

After saying that, Cui Lingrong left with her people.

Back at Qiushuangzhai, Cui Lingrong took a long breath.

Aunt Zhang silently drank her tea, not participating in the grandmothers' quarrel. After finishing her tea, her maid brought two pairs of knee pads, which she had made for Xuan Ge'er and his brothers. "The weather is getting colder and colder. I had nothing to do, so I made some little things. Please don't find them offensive, Madam."

"How could that be? Your hands have always been nimble. I'll have someone send you to the Imperial Academy later." Cui Lingrong was a little tired. "If you need anything, just come find me. I've been in the Marquis's residence for so many years; I can still take care of you."

Aunt Zhang is getting old and unable to have children. To live a stable life in the mansion, she needs a powerful figure to rely on. Although the princess has only been married into the Marquis's mansion for a short time, she can see that the princess's actions are unpredictable and unlikely to last long. The eldest mistress is a more reliable choice.

After Aunt Zhang returned home, Princess Rongjia and Huadie chatted for a while at Wutong Garden. However, they were too tired to continue the conversation, so they sent the two girls away.

Qingxue brought in a brocade box. "Princess, Yu'er refuses to accept it, saying that the jewelry you gave her is too precious and she cannot accept it without having done anything to deserve it."

"No reward without merit? She's quite the tough nut to crack. It's alright, she's just a daughter anyway. Since she can't be used by me, she'll suffer later." Princess Rongjia, having slept poorly last night, changed the subject after yawning, "Why haven't the taxes from the estate been collected yet this year?"

The Marquis's mansion owns farmland and shops, and the family's annual expenses depend on the income from these properties. This quarter, with the loss of dividends from the cloth shop, Princess Rongjia urgently needs new sources of income.

Qingxue said this year's harvest was average. "The manager said there wasn't enough rain, which led to a reduced rice yield. In previous years, Qiushuangzhai would waive 30% of the rent at this time. I'd like to ask your opinion: should we follow the usual practice, or what should we do?"

"Do they think I have too much money? How can the Marquis's mansion survive if we reduce the rent by 30%? If they can't cultivate the land well, they'll just replace them with a new batch of people. Go and tell the steward that not a single penny less is acceptable. Don't think that just because I'm a new bride, I can be bullied!" Princess Rongjia hadn't eaten bird's nest for three days.

Before marrying into the Song family, she thought their considerable wealth would be enough for her to live a life of luxury. Little did she expect that it was that vile woman, Cui Lingrong, who was supporting them; she had already used up a significant portion of her private assets and could no longer contribute to the public funds.

Qingxue felt it was inappropriate, but she wouldn't contradict her master, so she simply replied, "Yes."

"Wait a minute!" Princess Rongjia clicked her tongue. In the past, when Wang Shanxi's wife was around, she always had her do the work because Qingxue was too dull. "When you pass on the message, say something nice. Say that the Marquis's mansion isn't having an easy time either. If they pay in full this year, they'll definitely have a good harvest next year. Don't just pass on whatever I say, understand?"

"Your Highness, I understand."

"Oh, when will Wang Shanxi's family get better?" Princess Rongjia missed her.