Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Jiang had just left Qiushuangzhai when she was summoned to Wutongyuan.

Princess Rongjia looked much more haggard. Lying on her side, she looked at Madam Jiang and asked, "What did Sister Cui want you to do?"

"It wasn't my sister-in-law who called me; I went to check on her," Jiang said cautiously.

"Oh, so you two are so close?" Princess Rongjia lifted her eyelids. These past few days, she had been wondering why she had faced so many difficulties ever since Cui Lingrong returned.

At first, Princess Rongjia didn't understand.

Later, she gradually realized that she had underestimated Cui Lingrong.

Whether it was the matter of the doorman Sande or the recent Qiu Xie incident, Cui Lingrong may seem to have stayed out of it, but in reality, she played a key role each time.

When she requested an imperial decree to marry, many in her family did not understand. As a princess, even if she were widowed, she could marry into a powerful and influential family as the principal wife. Why would she choose to be a secondary wife?

At that time, she thought, what can a little Cui Lingrong do to her?

Seeing that Jiang shook her head and said no, Princess Rongjia smiled and said, "That's right. If she were on good terms with you, she wouldn't have suggested that you give me advice."

This was also thanks to Wang Shanxi's advice. Otherwise, she would have caused trouble for the Jiang family. What kind of person is she? How could a princess like her need the Jiang family to advise her?

Jiang's heart was pounding. "Yes, my sister-in-law is the most cunning and the most adept at plotting and scheming."

"So when you went to Qiushuangzhai, what did she say to you?" Princess Rongjia asked.

Jiang hesitated for a moment, thinking that Princess Rongjia would definitely not take out the money for the charcoal again. If she were to ask for it, she would really have to pay for it herself. But it was such a large sum of money. If she had to pay for it herself, she would be struggling to make ends meet all winter.

"My sister-in-law asked about some matters concerning the Marquis's residence. I think she's eager to take over as soon as possible," Jiang said.

"Is that so?" Princess Rongjia kept staring at Jiang Shi, trying to find some flaws, but in the end she waved her hand and told Jiang Shi to go back.

As Jiang walked out of Wutong Garden, she let out a long sigh. She used to look forward to the housekeeper, but now she couldn't wait to get rid of her. She was caught in a dilemma, unable to offend either side.

After thinking it over, Jiang decided to go to Shou'an Hall to cry to the old lady. Anyway, the old lady would protect Princess Rongjia's reputation and wouldn't talk to Princess Rongjia about the charcoal.

After Jiang left, Princess Rongjia stared blankly at the tea in her bowl. After a long while, she said thoughtfully, "Wang Shanxi's wife, do you think Cui Lingrong is really ill?"

"Logically speaking, yes. She's been scheming so much, all for the power to manage the household. Now that the old lady has spoken, she should be eager to take over. The second mistress's words just now also prove this point." Knowing that her mistress hadn't been eating or sleeping well these past few days, Wang Shanxi's wife changed her tea. "Don't think too much about it. What's done is done, we have to look forward."

"Yes, does Cui Lingrong think she's won against me just like that?" Princess Rongjia chuckled, her eyes filled with boundless hatred. "The girl who argued with Song Yu at the banquet, have you found out who she is?"

"Reporting to Master, it is the second daughter of the Su family, the legitimate daughter of Madam Su. She and Yu'er have been at odds since childhood, and they always clash whenever they meet," said Wang Shanxi's wife.

"She, Cui Lingrong, isn't her most precious three children. I want to see how she can protect her precious daughter when she commits a crime!" Princess Rongjia said through gritted teeth. She then beckoned to Wang Shanxi's wife, whispered a few words to her, and said, "Go and find the doctor who performed the pulse diagnosis for the Rong Prince's residence. Let him take my pulse too."

Wang Shanxi's wife understood and immediately took the master's plaque with her.

As for the charcoal, it's unclear what Jiang said to the old lady, but in the end, the old lady took out money to make up for it, and then sent someone to Qiushuangzhai to urge Cui Lingrong to take over the business quickly, both openly and secretly.

Cui Lingrong continued to deal with the situation, showing no intention of taking over.

When Old Mrs. Song found out, she finally understood that Cui Lingrong was putting on airs and waiting for them to bow down and beg her.

joke.

How can a mother-in-law bow her head to her daughter-in-law?

She thought that if Cui Lingrong wanted to delay, then so be it. But then she thought of the other daughters-in-law in the mansion and became worried again.

Adding to the commotion, when Madam Xu returned from the second branch of the household, she said, "You've covered up the princess's mess. The second mistress may not have said anything, but she's probably still angry. After all, this whole affair is the princess's fault. This old servant has something to say, but I don't know if I should?"

"What can't we say between us?" Old Mrs. Song wasn't afraid that Jiang would be angry, after all, she was stupid and wouldn't cause any trouble.

"Don't you think the princess is too short of money?" Madam Xu couldn't understand why Princess Rongjia's dowry of forty-eight loads should be enough to support her expenses, even if the princess had large expenses.

At this point, Old Madam Song realized something was amiss. "Indeed, the Rong Prince's Mansion provided forty-eight loads of dowry, as well as fields and shops. Logically speaking, the princess should have a lot of money."

When the Rong Prince's Mansion delivered the dowry list, Old Madam Song glanced at it casually, not looking at it too carefully, because she subconsciously assumed that Princess Rongjia's dowry would be very generous, and that she would not touch Princess Rongjia's dowry.

No respectable family would covet their daughter-in-law's dowry.

Even though Old Madam Song was dissatisfied with the cloth shop, she never mentioned it to Cui Lingrong.

Old Mrs. Song was concerned about her reputation, so she pondered for a moment, "Could it be that many of her dowry chests are empty?"

Xu's mother said it was very likely.

"That's strange. The Prince Rong and his wife only have one legitimate daughter, the Princess. They were able to get the Emperor to grant them a marriage, so they must love the Princess very much. Why would they be stingy with the dowry?" When she learned of the marriage, Old Madam Song thought not only about the nobility of the Prince Rong's family, but also about their wealth.

"This old servant doesn't know. But on the day of the autumn banquet, this old servant saw that the Princess Consort of Rong Prince wasn't very protective of the Princess." Mama Xu couldn't say it directly, but her hints were clear enough.

"Are you saying that Princess Rongjia isn't actually that popular? Or to put it another way, not everyone in the Rong Prince's Mansion likes her?" Old Madam Song suddenly regretted her recent defense of Princess Rongjia. "She's been married to the Marquis for several months, but I haven't heard anything about how he's doing in officialdom. When the Marquis returns, I'll have him come to see me."

She wanted to talk about Cui Lingrong and Princess Rongjia.

Mrs. Xu agreed and went out to find someone to give instructions.

After Song Shulan returned home, he went straight to Shou'an Hall. When they talked about Princess Rongjia, he still defended her a lot.

"Things in officialdom aren't something that can be accomplished overnight. Even if Prince Rong wants to promote my son, he'll have to wait until my son has achieved some merit. Don't worry about that. Prince Rong and the Crown Prince still take good care of my son. Now that my son is in the Ministry of Revenue, no one will give him a hard time anymore." Song Shulan had personally experienced the benefits.

Hearing this, Old Madam Song felt a little better, and then spoke of Cui Lingrong's thoughts, "She used to seem so quiet and unassuming, but it turns out she has a temper. Go and coax her; Jiang Shi is really hopeless!"

Speaking of Jiang, Old Madam Song got angry. She had no ability at all, and made her spend a hundred taels of silver to fill the hole for Princess Rongjia, without even getting a good word in return.

Song Shulan frowned, his cold face showing his reluctance. He hadn't been to Qiushuangzhai since his argument with Cui Lingrong last time.

Cui Lingrong has always been someone he can treat as he pleases, someone who is obedient, sensible, and someone he can do whatever he wants with, because Cui Lingrong has never disobeyed him, which has made him accustomed to it.

Now he has to coax her and beg her.

Song Shulan couldn't bring herself to lower herself.

Old Madam Song saw through her son's thoughts and said in a deep voice, "If you want to make great strides in officialdom, there can't be any trouble in the household. Only by keeping Cui Shi happy can you have no worries and focus on your official duties."

"But Mother, Cui has changed somewhat," Song Shulan said.

"It's normal for her to change. What woman can happily accept her husband taking a concubine?" Old Mrs. Song hoped her son would bring honor to the family, so she could have more face in her later years. "Since she's angry, it means she cares about you. Try to coax her behind closed doors; no one else can see. Women are simple. Say a few sweet words, beg her, and mention the three children—would she really refuse?"

Song Shulan was still conflicted, but Old Madam Song pressed him, saying, "Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

Song Shulan said he dared not, but had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to Qiushuangzhai.

He had never bowed his head to Cui Lingrong before. In the past, Cui Lingrong had always been the one to carefully try to please him. Now that it was his turn to coax Cui Lingrong, he felt very awkward.

As Song Shulan approached the entrance of Qiushuangzhai, her brow furrowed into a deep frown. Remembering her mother's words, she reluctantly entered the courtyard.