Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

As soon as Cui Lingrong arrived at Qiushuangzhai, someone came to deliver a message that Wang Shanxi's wife had intercepted Li Fugui at the gate.

Autumn's mother snorted coldly, her eyes filled with undisguised disgust. "I'm afraid she's going to sow discord."

"The princess is too arrogant and looks down on ordinary people. But often, these are the most numerous and most likely to influence the outcome." After sitting down, Cui Lingrong looked at the fallen begonias, which made the courtyard more desolate, and sighed, "Wang Shanxi's family is indeed a good help. Only she would think of asking Li Fugui to make things easier for her."

"Without her, the princess would be like a headless fly," Qiu's mother added.

"Yes, anyone would be thrown into disarray if the most important person in their life is gone. But Wang Shanxi's wife is the princess's most trusted person, and she's not so easily moved. Let's wait and see who the princess can push out to take the blame after this incident." Cui Lingrong was not in a hurry.

She can wait.

When the princess was at her wit's end.

She waited for Song Shulan and the old lady to come and beg her.

If you take something from her, you have to pay a price, otherwise how will you know to regret it?

Five or six days later, on a sunny day, when Cui Lingrong was returning home with her daughter after buying jewelry, Zhang Yiniang's maid Xing'er came over and said that Zhang Yiniang was ill and wanted to call a doctor.

Cui Lingrong: "Now that she's the county head's housekeeper, have you gone to see her? Did she forbid it?"

"Reporting to Madam, I was unable to see the Princess. It was Wang Mama who relayed the message. She said not to call a doctor for such a trivial matter, as the Marquis's mansion's money doesn't come from thin air. Since she's not feeling well, she should rest in bed for a couple of days. Only call a doctor if she becomes too ill to get out of bed." Xing'er was almost in tears. "Madam, you know my concubine. She's usually very low-key. She endured so much before letting me go and call a doctor."

Cui Lingrong frowned slightly. The princess had gone too far this time. "Aunt Qiu, go and invite Doctor Zhou over directly, without even asking Wutong Garden's opinion."

Xing'er was extremely grateful. "Thank you so much, Madam. I will always remember your great kindness."

Aunt Qiu left with Xing'er, and only returned after Doctor Zhou finished examining Aunt Zhang.

"Aunt Zhang's cough is quite severe. Doctor Zhou said it has indeed dragged on for several days. This old servant took the prescription to Wutong Garden, but they wouldn't accept it, saying that since you invited the doctor, it can't be accounted for through the public funds, and you have to pay for it yourself." Aunt Qiu became increasingly angry as she spoke. "Listen to this, what kind of logic is this?"

She argued with Wang Shanxi's family for a long time in Wutongyuan, but still couldn't get the money back.

Caiyue couldn't stand it anymore and said angrily, "Madam, we have to get the money back. If Wutong Garden refuses to give it to us, we'll go find the Marquis and the Old Madam. The Princess's behavior is so disgraceful; if she's not afraid of losing face, we'll make a scene!"

Cui Lingrong shook her head. "The Marquis hates noise in the manor. If I complain, he'll blame me for being ignorant." She thought for a moment, realizing she couldn't just suffer in silence. "Caiyue, go tell Qingshan that I haven't seen the Marquis for a while. Ask if he can come over for dinner tonight. I'll cook for him myself."

Caiyue knew her master was about to use a trick, and thinking that Wutong Garden would suffer a setback, she happily went to find Qingshan.

As for Song Shulan, upon learning that Cui Lingrong had taken the initiative to invite him, he thought that Cui Lingrong still had feelings for him. Since she was willing to try to please him, he would give her face.

In the evening, Song Shulan arrived at Qiushuangzhai on time.

Seeing that Sister Yu was also there, Song Shulan was a little surprised, but Sister Yu was very considerate today, which pleased him greatly, and he sat down to eat in a good mood.

"Father, knowing you were coming, Mother specially made your favorite braised chicken with dried bamboo shoots, and this white jade meatball dish, which you also like." Song Yu kept saying how thoughtful her mother was. She hoped that her father could treat her mother better, or at least not be too biased towards Princess Rongjia.

At this moment, the sunset glow slanted into the room through the window, and under the reddish halo, Cui Lingrong smiled gently, so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

Song Shulan wanted to stay tonight. After dinner, although his daughter was talking about recent events, he wasn't in the mood to listen and kept glancing at Cui Lingrong.

After Song Yu left, Cui Lingrong went to see Song Shulan again. "We are very happy that the Marquis could come today. However, you should also go and see Aunt Zhang and Aunt Zhao. They are old servants of the Marquis's mansion. After all, they served you. If you go and sit with them, their lives will be much better."

Mentioning only Aunt Zhang would seem strange, so I'll talk about both of them together.

Aunt Zhang's and Aunt Zhao's courtyards are next to each other. As long as Song Shulan can go there, no matter whose place she goes to, Aunt Zhang will always find a way to see Song Shulan.

Song Shulan frowned slightly. Cui Lingrong used to be like this too. She seemed magnanimous and never got jealous or envious. She was just plain boring.

He hadn't been to Cui Lingrong's place for a long time, but he still wanted to stay tonight. "Then I'll go see them tomorrow, Lingrong. I want to stay tonight."

Cui Lingrong lowered her eyes slightly, "But I just got my period."

Upon hearing this, Song Shulan instantly lost interest.

It's always like this.

If you can only look but not eat, what's the point of inviting him to dinner?

How utterly boring!

"Is the Marquis angry?" Cui Lingrong asked, feigning distress.

Song Shulan said no.

Cui Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. We've been husband and wife for over ten years. Your Excellency is understanding, and I'm willing to cooperate. It's getting late. Why don't you go and see your concubine?"

She dismissed him, and Song Shulan, feeling awkward, left.

The next morning, Cui Lingrong learned that Song Shulan had first gone to Aunt Zhao's place, then to Aunt Zhang's place for a while, and finally stayed at Huadie's place instead of staying at anyone's.

The next morning, Wang Shanxi's wife came to deliver the money, smiling as she said to Cui Lingrong, "There was a misunderstanding yesterday. This old servant is old and didn't hear clearly. Next time, Madam, you can just have someone make the trip again. There's no need to trouble the Marquis."

Early in the morning, the Marquis sent someone to ask why a doctor hadn't been called for Consort Zhang. The princess didn't understand at first, but Wang Shanxi's wife helped reply, saying that they were preparing to call one, and that Xing'er hadn't understood.

After asking around, I learned that Xing'er had gone to Qiushuangzhai, and now I understood everything.

Princess Rongjia was so angry that she smashed her teacup. Wang Shanxi's wife tried to persuade her again and again, and Princess Rongjia had no choice but to take some silver from the account.

Cui Lingrong knew that further discussion would be a waste of breath, so she didn't argue with Wang Shanxi's family. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

After Wang Shanxi's family left, someone from Shou'an Hall came and said that the old lady had nothing to do and asked Cui Lingrong to come over and play cards.

Cui Lingrong brought Qiu's mother over, but she didn't play, saying she wasn't feeling well and asked Qiu's mother to play for her.

Old Madam Song also knew about Consort Zhang's situation. Seeing Princess Rongjia enter, she put down her playing cards and asked, seemingly casually, "How is Consort Zhang's illness?"

Princess Rongjia was stunned. She didn't look at Aunt Zhang, nor did she ask about her condition, and she didn't know how Aunt Zhang was doing.

Wang Shanxi's wife quickly chimed in, "It's said to be a cold. Let's rest for a few days and see how it goes." Actually, she wasn't quite sure either, but the old lady knew. If the princess didn't know, then the princess wouldn't be a competent housekeeper, so she could only give a vague response.

"In a family like ours, it's not good to mistreat the servants. The concubines have served their masters; even if they haven't done anything meritorious, they've still worked hard. If they're sick, we should call a doctor promptly to avoid them harboring resentment." As soon as Old Madam Song finished speaking, she immediately put on a smiling face. "Why is the princess stunned? Quickly sit down and play a few rounds with me. Yu'er is very lucky today, she keeps winning, quickly help me win some back."

Song Yu laughed and said, "It's not that I'm lucky, it's just that you, Grandmother, let me have some money to buy candy."

"You little rascal, you have such a sweet tongue." Grandma Song chuckled twice, knowing that her granddaughter was saying that on purpose, but she was very pleased.

Princess Rongjia finally sat down, forcing a smile. But in her heart, she couldn't help but grumble. The household income had dwindled significantly, the old lady still needed the finest sandalwood incense, and the silver charcoal for winter still had to be prepared. Money was needed for everything. Now, these accusations implied she was mistreating her concubines—why not send her some money if she dared?

Princess Rongjia was in a bad mood and had no interest in playing cards. She lost several rounds in a row and couldn't even smile anymore.

Autumn's mother and Yu'er won a fortune, and when their eyes met, they almost couldn't hold back their laughter.

Fortunately, Grandma Song got tired quickly, and the card game ended, but she didn't let anyone leave, keeping everyone talking.

Cui Lingrong was somewhat exhausted, especially with Princess Rongjia present, she had to keep her spirits up. Just as she was pondering what excuse to use to leave, a servant rushed in with a message that the tenants on the estate had started a disturbance.

Grandma Song glared at her. "What's going on?"

"I don't know either. The head of the estate said the situation is urgent and we must see you, Madam and the Princess, immediately."

Old Madam Song glanced at Princess Rongjia, her brows furrowed, and ordered someone to bring the estate manager over.

Cui Lingrong was no longer sleepy. Good, good, they've finally started making a fuss. She'll sit for a while longer, watch the play, and then go back.