Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"I'm so sorry, my hand slipped. You won't hold it against me, will you?" Cui Zeyu couldn't bring himself to say the word "mother," let alone call Qin Shi "mother."

Qin Shi already disliked Cui Zeyu, and now she was even angrier. "I think Shu Yang is right. You're full of bad intentions. You can't even make a mistake serving tea to a child like Wei Jie, so why did you spill the teacup? Did you do it on purpose?"

"Madam, you're wronged! I'll be your and the Duke's child from now on. Why would I offend you?" Cui Zeyu looked completely innocent. He was handsome, and even if he was just putting on an act, it was easier for others to believe him. "It's just that I'm timid. This is my first time witnessing the grandeur of the Duke's mansion. You're a magnanimous person; you won't hold a grudge against me for such a small matter, will you?"

Qin held Liu's mother's hand tightly.

The elders of the Lu family didn't think Cui Zeyu needed to offend the Qin family. In their view, Cui Zeyu was petty and uncouth, and he really did spill the tea.

"Let it go, sister-in-law. Today is a wonderful day for you and your son to reunite. Don't take it to heart." Someone spoke up, and immediately others chimed in, "Yes, sister-in-law, let it go. I don't think Zeyu did it on purpose. You should be happy today."

Qin was furious; she was certain that Cui Zeyu had done it on purpose.

Unfortunately, the elders of the Lu family were all blind and incompetent, unable to see that Cui Zeyu was doing this on purpose.

If Qin Shuyang hadn't caused a scene, making the Lu family elders have a bad impression of the Qin family, she would definitely have lashed out by now.

Seeing the mockery in Cui Zeyu's eyes, Qin Shi left the scene immediately.

She lacked manners, which angered the elders of the clan.

Moreover, the adoption was also due to Qin's jealousy. Now they had to watch Qin's expression and turn to Cui Zeyu and the Duke of Dingguo to exchange pleasantries.

Regardless, the Duke of Dingguo has finalized the adoption today, meaning Cui Zeyu and Lu Weijie will now belong to the Duke of Dingguo's household. They must curry favor with him, as the Lu family relies entirely on the Duke of Dingguo's household for support.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion held a family banquet today, and Cui Zeyu was forced to drink a lot of wine, and he was indeed drunk.

When he woke up the next day, he saw the Duke of Dingguo sitting on the edge of his bed. Startled, he immediately sat up and asked, "What...what are you doing?"

"I was so excited last night. This is something I've been thinking about for so long, and it's finally come true. I'm so happy." As he spoke, the Duke of Dingguo couldn't help but laugh. "My son, you've finally been recognized as part of the family."

Once a name is recorded in the family genealogy, it becomes an indisputable fact.

"You don't need to worry about Weijie. He's still so young; he can't compete with you for anything. The entire Duke of Dingguo's mansion will be yours in the future. And you don't need to worry about Qin Shi either; she's too old to manage so much." As he spoke, the Duke of Dingguo expressed his deep gratitude to Cui Lingrong. "Speaking of which, you owe your survival to Lady Song. Now that your status is settled, shouldn't we pay her a visit to express our thanks?"

Cui Zeyu said that it was indeed the right thing to do.

"Alright, then I'll have someone prepare a congratulatory gift." The Duke of Dingguo was particularly pleased, and that afternoon, he took the gift to the Marquis of Jiangyuan's residence.

However, he also remembered Song Shulan's instigation of Qin Shuyang to cause trouble, so when Song Shulan came out to greet him, he didn't even give him a smile, and directly mocked, "Lord Song, have you been eating too much salt in your residence?"

Song Shulan was puzzled.

"When did it become your business to meddle in my family's affairs?" Duke Dingguo sneered, raising his hand to indicate that Song Shulan didn't need to explain. "I don't want to hear any excuses. Qin Shuyang admitted it himself, and I've remembered this debt. I'm here today to thank your wife, not to argue with you. I'll settle the score with you later!"

Song Shulan was in a complete mess; he never expected Qin Shuyang to betray him!

What an idiot!

Seeing the Duke of Dingguo's sour face, Song Shulan was filled with regret. He tried to force a smile and talk to Cui Zeyu, but Cui Zeyu ignored him.

When Cui Lingrong arrived, Cui Zeyu immediately put on a smiling face, and the Duke of Dingguo also came over with a smile.

"Zeyu told me that if it weren't for you, he would have starved to death by the roadside long ago." Duke Dingguo sincerely thanked Cui Lingrong. "You are his second parent; his ability to be recognized by his ancestors is largely due to you!"

The Duke of Dingguo became more and more excited as he spoke, and he ordered all the prepared gifts to be brought up.

There are top-quality ginseng and deer antler, as well as real gold and silver.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion was wealthy, so the Duke's gifts of gratitude were all truly fine items, dazzling Song Shulan.

Cui Lingrong was a little embarrassed to accept it, "I didn't do anything. I would have saved anyone else anyway."

"It is your kindness that is truly admirable." The Duke of Dingguo became more and more satisfied with Cui Lingrong.

Cui Zeyu also said, "Yes, sister, these are all my father's good wishes, please accept them."

Upon hearing his son call Cui Lingrong "sister," the Duke of Dingguo suddenly thought of something. "These things are all worldly matters. Your kindness to Zeyu is as great as the heavens. How about this: I will adopt you as my daughter, and from now on I will be your godfather. You and Zeyu can then be siblings."

Being recognized as related to Duke Dingguo greatly elevates Cui Lingrong's status. Cui Lingrong said that no matter what, she is Cui Zeyu's older sister.

"That's different. If you and I become relatives, then we'll be true family. From now on, the Lu family will be your maternal family. Isn't that wonderful?" The Duke of Dingguo genuinely thought the suggestion was good. He turned to look at his son, "Zeyu, what do you think?"

Cui Zeyu couldn't laugh. He had never wanted to be siblings with his sister. If his father were to adopt his sister as his goddaughter, wouldn't his thoughts be even more despicable?