Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Zhuangzi is located in the outskirts of Bianjing, and it would take quite a while to travel back and forth. Liu Zhuangtou and the others will not be able to return today.

After leaving Shouan Hall, Cui Lingrong took her daughter back to Qiushuangzhai.

Song Yu was puzzled. "Why didn't Mother send someone along? Perhaps they could pinpoint the Princess's mistakes. She's mismanaged the household, repeatedly disappointing Grandmother and Father. If this isn't handled well, Father and the others can't possibly side with the Princess again, can they?"

Cui Lingrong smiled faintly. She had left her daughter at Shou'an Hall precisely so she could analyze the situation for her at this moment: "Li Fugui dares to cause trouble like this because he's acting on my orders. If we send Aunt Qiu to the estate, Li Fugui will inevitably want to find her. Once Li Fugui has that thought, do you think your grandmother is someone to be trifled with?"

The old lady has been detached from affairs for years, but she was a formidable figure in her youth, controlling the entire Marquis's mansion tightly. The only son born out of wedlock, the Third Prince, was born when the old master was sent away to serve in a distant post. As for the concubines in the Marquis's mansion, none of them were allowed to have children. The old master had sons and daughters, so he didn't care about this and let the old lady have her way.

"What if Wang Shanxi's family really manages to quell this matter? Wouldn't all your efforts have been in vain?" Song Yu asked again.

Cui Lingrong took a sip of tea to moisten her throat. "This matter must be resolved. Your grandmother will not tolerate those who keep causing trouble, and the tenant farmers don't really want to cause trouble. I'm doing this simply to let the old lady see the princess's management style and ability, rather than letting Li Fugui and the others really turn the estate upside down."

If the land becomes unmanageable, the Marquis's mansion will no longer rent land to Li Fugui and his group, and the tenant farmers will have no harvest the following year.

Hearing this, Song Yu gradually understood. "I understand, Father and Grandmother are biased towards the Princess. However, the turmoil in the manor is something that Grandmother and Father will not care about. But now that other families know that the Princess is harsh in her dealings, which has affected the reputation of the Marquis's manor, Grandmother has to seriously consider the matter of managing the household. Your goal has been achieved, so there is no need to trouble Aunt Qiu to clean up the mess. Just wait for Father and Grandmother to make a decision."

Cui Lingrong said that this made perfect sense.

"Your mother praised, 'Yu'er has really grown up. She can see the good intentions behind Grandma's actions.'"

Song Yu smiled bitterly. Before Princess Rongjia, her parents were loving and she didn't have to be careful in the Marquis's mansion, so she didn't have many tricks up her sleeve.

She was forced to grow up. During this period, the attitude of the people in the Marquis's mansion towards her mother, Princess Rongjia's overtures, and her father and grandmother's favoritism all made her understand that her mother was in a difficult situation.

"What I want to say today is that if you encounter someone competing with you for something in the future, you must be calmer than them. When making a decision, think it over and over again, and make sure that the other party can't find any fault with you before you act. Take Princess Rongjia, for example. If she were smart, she could have consulted me about these matters within the household. If something went wrong, she could say that she was new and didn't know much, and that she only listened to my advice. But she can't let go of her pride, and she feels that my background is far inferior to hers, so she doesn't dare to openly oppose her." Cui Lingrong had been back home for some time and had gained a certain understanding of Princess Rongjia.

As I said before, even though she was in Qiushuangzhai, there was nothing in the Marquis's mansion that she didn't know.

Song Yu said she had written it down.

The mother and daughter ate together, and then Grandma Song called Song Shulan over.

"I originally thought that since the princess came from a royal family, her methods and upbringing would definitely be superior to Cui's. I never expected that she would be inferior to Cui in every way. Look at how many things have happened in the mansion since she took over the household management!" Old Madam Song was going to hold an autumn banquet in a couple of days, and the invitations had already been sent out. Now that one thing after another had happened, how could she face her relatives and friends?

Seeing her son remain silent, Old Madam Song snorted. "I know you liked Princess Rongjia when you were young, and now that you've finally become a couple, it's a wonderful thing. I won't stop you from doting on her; on the contrary, I look forward to your sweet and loving relationship. But Shulan, are you still thinking, like when you were eighteen or twenty, that love is the most important thing in the world?"

Song Shulan opened his mouth, then fell silent again.

"You've turned thirty, and you should take responsibility for the honor and disgrace of the family. You should also raise children to take over. Go and tell the princess that if she's not capable of managing this family, let Cui Shi manage it. She'll still be given the respect due to her. You can dote on her if you want; I will never interfere." After saying so much, Old Madam Song's mouth was dry, and the maid beside her immediately brought over some warm tea.

Song Shulan knew his mother was right. His third brother hadn't pursued a career in government, and his second brother had been busy having sons these past few years, so he hadn't paid much attention to official matters. He needed to rely on the Rong Prince's Mansion to get promoted, but his reputation was the most important thing.

If someone doesn't have a good reputation, and a censor impeaches them, they shouldn't be promoted.

Song Shulan went to Wutong Garden in a rather unhappy manner.

Princess Rongjia carefully observed her, served her tea, and even took the initiative to help her undress.

Seeing that Song Shulan remained silent, Princess Rongjia became somewhat flustered. "Did Mother call you to discuss the tenant farmers?"

Song Shulan hummed in agreement. "You might not understand, but Mother values ​​her reputation most. Especially with the Autumn Banquet approaching, if word gets out that the Marquis's mansion is cruel, how will she face everyone at the banquet?"

"It was my oversight. I didn't expect the tenant farmers to be so bold," Princess Rongjia said, bowing her head.

"Even a rabbit will bite when cornered. The tenant farmers must be having a really bad harvest to be acting like this. People only become desperate when they can't survive." Song Shulan sighed. "I know you've been working hard managing the household; you look much more haggard these days."

Princess Rongjia said she wasn't tired, "I'm happy to be able to share Song Lang's burdens."

Seeing Song Shulan begin to hesitate, Princess Rongjia became uneasy.

Since marrying Song Shulan, Princess Rongjia has always been extremely cautious. She knows that people's hearts can change, especially after they have been separated for fourteen years.

Therefore, she observed Song Shulan's changing preferences and worked hard to please him in bed, and even managed to get Song Shulan to accept Huadie as his concubine early on.

Princess Rongjia did all this so that Song Shulan would fall in love with her again.

But now, she feels that Song Shulan is disappointed in her.

This feeling is very unpleasant.

Unable to catch or understand, Princess Rongjia lost her confidence.

"I know how you feel, but you don't need to force yourself." After a pause, Song Shulan still said tactfully, "The Cui family's housekeeper has always been good. If you're really tired, you can quit and let her take care of it. My feelings for you will never change because of this."

Princess Rongjia's heart sank heavily.

How can she feel at ease without real power?

She wasn't an naive young girl who would believe that a man's promises would never change. After all, her ex-husband had also said he would love her for a lifetime, but in the end, he still secretly kept a mistress.

"I can do it well. Even if I don't do it perfectly right now, I will get better and better in time," Princess Rongjia refused to admit.

Seeing Princess Rongjia's insistence, Song Shulan couldn't bear to say anything harsh anymore. He hugged Princess Rongjia and said, "You should rest well. I will help take care of the tenant farmers' affairs."

After saying that, Song Shulan left. He did not stay overnight at Wutong Garden, but went to Huadie's place instead.

The warmth from Princess Rongjia's embrace gradually faded, and her heart tightened. She stammered, "Qingxue, why do I feel so uneasy? Tell me, how much of the Marquis's affection for me is genuine, and how much is feigned?"

Qingxue, unaware of the situation, reassured her, "Princess, don't overthink it. The Marquis still values ​​you more."

"Really? Then why didn't he stay?" Princess Rongjia sat on the edge of the bed, hating herself for having to pretend to be magnanimous.

When will Song Lang finally belong to her alone?

Princess Rongjia didn't sleep much that night.

The next morning, she asked Qingxue to bring Huadie a bowl of medicine.

Hua Die was stunned. After a while, her face turned pale, and she stammered, "Wang...Wang Mama...and me...the Princess also hoped that I could give the Marquis a son or daughter, so I wouldn't have to eat this. You...you must be mistaken?"

Qingxue said there was no mistake, "The princess's instructions last night were correct."

Hua Die immediately burst into tears, "Why? The Marquis already has other children, and they are legitimate offspring. Why... why won't the Princess let me have one?"

During this period, the Marquis visited her frequently and even told her that if she could have a child, he would give her earrings made of pearls.

She knew that the Marquis liked her and would pester her several times every night.

She fantasized that after she became pregnant, the people in the Marquis's mansion would look at her with more respect, and that before, when the Marquis came to see her, the princess hadn't even had anyone bring her medicine.

"I...I'll go find the princess. If I've done anything wrong, the princess can punish me as she sees fit." With that, Huadie prepared to leave.

Qingxue quickly stepped in front of Huadie. When the princess was choosing someone to serve the marquis, she had asked Qingxue for her opinion, but Qingxue made it clear that she was not quick-witted and would definitely not please the marquis.

She did not want to become someone's concubine.

Even if it were a marquis, she wouldn't want to.

Seeing Huadie crying so sadly, Qingxue couldn't help but say a few more words, "The princess was in a very bad mood yesterday, and she even smashed a vase this morning. I advise you to listen to me and take your medicine today. When Wang Mama comes back, she will talk to the princess. If you go and cry to the princess now, and she gets annoyed, she has your indenture in her hands."

Hua Die was so happy after becoming a concubine that she forgot about the contract of indenture. This was a cold shower for her. After calming down, she remembered that Qing Xue was not a meddlesome person.

The fact that Qingxue said that indicates that the princess is in a very bad mood.

She picked up the bowl; the medicine had already gone cold.

His whole body was trembling.

Tears fell into the dark medicine, quickly subsiding. Hua Die closed her eyes and downed the medicine in one gulp.

very bitter.

It was so bitter it made my tongue go numb.