Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Before Qingming Festival, my cousin sent a letter, mentioning some things about paying respects to my aunt.

Cui Lingrong also wanted to go back to offer incense to her aunt, but Bianjing was too far from Suzhou, so she could only wait until the first anniversary.

Upon opening the letter, just as she had expected, her cousin-in-law had passed away.

Tears streamed down her face like pearls from a broken string. Cui Lingrong didn't know why she was suddenly so heartbroken; she couldn't control herself.

Autumn's mother was also wiping away tears, "What a good person she was, how could her health be so poor?"

"Perhaps, it's a relief. My cousin's wife has been sick for so many years. Last time I went to Suzhou, she was bedridden and needed to be taken care of every day." Cui Lingrong wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Aunt Qiu, tomorrow you can ask Ershun to make some preparations. I'll go and tell the old lady to ask Xuan-ge'er to go to Suzhou for me."

If she can't go, her son has to go in her place.

"Will the old lady and the Marquis agree?" Qiu's mother asked. "Xuan-ge'er needs to study, and it will take at least a month for him to come and go."

"The old lady cares most about her reputation. If she doesn't agree to let Xuan-ge go, then I'll go and see what she chooses." Cui Lingrong was determined to send someone back.

The next day she went to Shou'an Hall and mentioned the matter to the old lady.

Sure enough, Old Madam Song immediately frowned. "Although the provincial examination is next year, the study load is heavy. You're sending Xuan-ge'er to Suzhou, which is a long and arduous journey. Can you really trust him?"

"My cousin-in-law is an elder. If the old lady thinks it's inappropriate for Xuan-ge to go, I can go instead," Cui Lingrong said.

"No way!" Old Madam Song immediately refused. "You're a member of the Song family, just a cousin-in-law, not your own sister-in-law. When your aunt was critically ill, we only let you go to Suzhou because of her kindness in raising you. You're the head of the household; if you leave so easily, what will people in Bianjing think of the Marquis's mansion?"

Old Mrs. Song firmly disagreed with Cui Lingrong going to Suzhou.

Cui Lingrong sighed, "In that case, let Xuan-ge go. It's impossible for no one from the Marquis's residence to go; isn't the Old Madam afraid people will say she has no manners?"

Old Mrs. Song's face darkened, and she really couldn't think of anyone more suitable. She glanced at Cui Lingrong out of the corner of her eye, feeling very angry. "Don't try to pressure me with rules. Go talk to Shulan. If he agrees, I'll go with you."

With the old lady's permission, Cui Lingrong went to see Song Shulan in the afternoon.

Song Shulan didn't really want Xuan Ge'er to go to Suzhou, but he heard that Cui Lingrong's cousin had done a good job in managing the Grand Canal and was likely to be promoted to Bianjing.

Therefore, he didn't refuse. "You've taken a liking to your cousin's family, so it's only natural to let Xuan-ge go. However, Xuan-ge is still young, so we'll need to send a few more people to take care of him."

Cui Lingrong was surprised by Song Shulan's easygoing nature. "Don't worry, Lord Marquis, Xuan-ge'er is my son. I will definitely make proper arrangements."

She immediately had someone call Xuan Ge'er and his brothers back, and the next morning, she personally escorted Xuan Ge'er out of the city.

"When you get to your cousin's house, kowtow properly for me. Your cousins ​​are all very good at studying, so you can chat with them. They will also be coming to Bianjing for the imperial examinations later." Cui Lingrong gave many instructions, but she was still a little worried.

However, it was getting late, and she didn't want to waste any more time.

As soon as Xuan-ge'er boarded the carriage, Cui Lingrong caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.

When Xie Yunting learned that Xuan-ge'er was going to Suzhou for a funeral, he immediately selected a few soldiers, saying, "They are skilled in martial arts, let them go with him."

"Will this work?" Cui Lingrong asked.

"If I say it's okay, then it's okay. My brothers are no match for even a hundred bandits!" Xie Yunting insisted on arranging manpower, and Cui Lingrong was grateful.

After watching the group leave, Xie Yunting said, "Sister Cui, are you getting distant with me? Didn't I tell you to contact me if you need anything? Xuan-ge'er is still young, and he's going on a long trip. Could you send someone to let me know so I can make arrangements in advance?"

Cui Lingrong truly hadn't expected to trouble Xie Yunting, and now that Xie Yunting had helped her, she was very grateful. "I will remember General Xie's kindness. Thank you also for what happened with Zeyu."

"Brother Cui and I... I should call him Brother Lu now. Brother Lu and I are good brothers. His business is my business. Sister Cui, you don't need to be so polite with me. I'm a very rough person, and I don't have any family or friends, which is why I consider you and Brother Lu the most important people. Sister, please remember me next time, or I'll get angry." He stood there with a radiant face, his thin lips curving into a carefree smile beneath his high, straight nose. His smile was more than just sunny.

When Cui Lingrong looked up, she met Xie Yunting's bright eyes.

If it were someone else, they certainly wouldn't have looked at her so directly.

However, considering Xie Yunting's background, she figured he probably didn't understand the distinction between men and women in wealthy families, so she didn't take it to heart.

After saying "okay," Cui Lingrong got into the carriage, while Xie Yunting rode into the city together.

Unbeknownst to them, Gao Jingzhi watched for a while, and he immediately spotted Cui Lingrong and Xie Yunting, both of whom were exceptionally beautiful.

What's going on? When did Cui get so close to Xie Yunting?

He saw the two of them chatting and laughing, which seemed odd.

Gao Jingzhi was torn about whether or not to bring up the matter with Song Shulan.

However, at this moment, Song Shulan was watching Princess Rongjia re-enter the courtyard. Qingshan said from the side, "I sent people to check, but they only...only saw a scholar, who was very young."

Upon hearing the word "scholar," Song Shulan immediately frowned.

He had been holding back for so long, and every time he saw Princess Rongjia, he couldn't help but want to ask her what she was doing there.

Today, he's going to go and see what's going on himself.