Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

One of Song Shulan's colleagues, drunk and incoherent, stammered, "Lord Song, why are you keeping accounts? Is it because you've taken a concubine and can't afford the household expenses anymore?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the others dragged him to the back and covered his mouth.

Someone tried to smooth things over, saying, "Brother Song, don't argue with a drunkard. Everyone forgets to bring money sometimes, and the same goes for keeping accounts."

Now that things had come to this, Song Shulan just wanted to leave as soon as possible, tell the shopkeeper to put the accounts on the books, and watch her colleagues leave one by one.

As he boarded the carriage, a surge of anger welled up inside him. "Didn't I tell you to go collect money this morning? How come you don't have any?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the eldest mistress says the Marquis's mansion is out of money," Qingshan said cautiously.

"How could she not have money? My huge manor is in her hands, and she doesn't even have enough money for my social expenses. How can she manage the household?" Song Shulan cursed in the carriage, unaware that Cui Zeyu outside the carriage had heard her clearly.

Cui Zeyu was discussing business with a customer and was on his way to Fanlou when he saw the Song family's carriage and stopped to look over.

Song Shulan deserves to die!

Song Shulan, instead of being grateful for the many sacrifices her elder sister made for the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion, actually blamed her.

Cui Zeyu thought again, if... he meant if Song Shulan died, would his sister be more at ease?

The thought flashed through his mind, but Cui Zeyu quickly regained his composure. If he were to go to jail for this, his sister would definitely be heartbroken. He didn't want to see his sister suffer, so he had to think of another way.

Cui Zeyu went to Fanlou, while Song Shulan returned to the Marquis's residence and angrily went to find Cui Lingrong.

As soon as he entered the room, he glared at Cui Lingrong and berated her, "My mother and I trusted your abilities, that's why we put you in charge of the household. My Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion may not be the wealthiest, but it's still quite large and powerful. How could we not even have money for my entertainment? Do you know how humiliated I was at Fanlou today!"

Song Shulan shouted the last sentence.

Autumn's mother and Caixia trembled in fright.

Cui Lingrong's heart skipped a beat, but she remained calm on the surface. She asked Qiu Mama to bring the account book, and casually flipped to a page. "The Marquis said that the past need not be investigated, and that I should manage the present. But the past accounts cannot be balanced just because I don't check them. When the Princess was in charge of the household, she had to eat bird's nest every month, and snacks and food had to be sent from outside every day, as well as jewelry and headdresses. All of these expenses were paid by the Princess."

Song Shulan asked, puzzled, "Why are you bringing this up?"

"What I mean is, I need to cover the money the princess spent so the Marquis's mansion can function properly. Otherwise, where will we get the money for year-end gifts, rewards for the servants, and new winter clothes?" Cui Lingrong looked at Song Shulan. "It's not that I deliberately embarrassed the Marquis. I told Qingshan this morning that the Marquis's mansion would have a rather tight budget this winter. Besides, the Marquis has private property and should have money on hand. How could I have expected you..."

Cui Lingrong didn't continue. She really hadn't expected that Song Shulan wouldn't even have enough money for a meal.

Song Shulan owns his own estate and shops, and he collects the monthly rent himself. In theory, Song Shulan has enough money to live on.

However, the position of Vice Minister of Revenue recently became vacant, and Song Shulan was determined to climb the ranks. He not only treated his colleagues to drinks but also sent many gifts to the Rong Prince's residence. All of this added up to a considerable expense.

Song Shulan, not being in charge of the household, was unaware that money could be scarce. Especially in recent years, with ample funds available, he hadn't worried about money for a long time, as it's difficult to go from extravagance to frugality.

The couple looked at each other in silence. Song Shulan harbored resentment, blaming Cui Lingrong for not sharing the profits from the cloth shop as before. Instead, she was using the money to prepare a dowry for Yu'er, and he had no way to object.

Cui Lingrong put down the account book. "Since the Marquis has brought up the matter of money, I must make things clear first. When the old Marquis was alive, he sold off a lot of land and shops, so the Marquis's income is very little now. I am a woman, and I have to consider the Marquis's reputation, so I can't show my face to earn money. Therefore, we can only live frugally."

It was the Marquis's mansion that lacked money, not Cui Lingrong, that's why she said that.

Song Shulan frowned, staring at Cui Lingrong, trying to discern Cui Lingrong's true thoughts. "But a few years ago..."

"In previous years, we received dividends from the cloth shop, but that's gone now, so the Marquis's household naturally has to return to its previous state. Moreover, Princess Rongjia is pregnant, and both the Old Madam and the Marquis have instructed us to be careful with the expenses of Wutong Garden, so the food and clothing of the other courtyards will have to be reduced." Cui Lingrong looked directly at Song Shulan. She wasn't afraid of angering Song Shulan now because her words were reasonable. "So, in the future, the Marquis should keep track of what expenses he needs. I still owe the bank money, so perhaps the Marquis should go to the Princess. Today, the Princess even sent someone to see me, saying she hopes I will allow her maid to go out to shop."

After a pause, Cui Lingrong continued slowly, "As far as I know, the princess bought three kinds of pastries and two servings of sweet soup today, so she must be quite well-off. If I were that rich, I would definitely be willing to give them to the Marquis, since I know that the Marquis's social engagements are also for the sake of the Marquis's mansion."

That last sentence struck a chord with Song Shulan.

He wasn't wasting his own money; it was all for the Marquis's mansion.

Song Shulan couldn't find a single fault in Cui Lingrong's words. On the contrary, he felt that Cui Lingrong was right. If Princess Rongjia hadn't embezzled public funds, how could he have been so strapped for cash?

Princess Rongjia, on the other hand, continued to live a life of extravagance. Song Shulan felt dissatisfied and went to Wutong Garden in a huff.

When he arrived at Wutong Garden, Princess Rongjia was eating peach gum stewed milk, but she only ate a couple of bites before stopping.

"Take it away, it won't taste good without bird's nest." Princess Rongjia pushed it away in disgust, only to find Song Shulan had entered. She immediately put on a smile, "Song Lang, you've finally come to see me. I haven't been eating or sleeping well these past few days, I've been so tired."

Song Shulan, remembering that Princess Rongjia was pregnant, patiently said, "The early stages of pregnancy are a bit tough, but it will get better once you get through it." He watched Qingxue take away the peach gum stewed milk, and recalling Cui Lingrong's words, cleared his throat. "Lingrong said you found a maid to help you go out of the manor to do groceries?"

"Yes, I'm quite picky about food now. I can't just send someone all the way to Qiushuangzhai whenever I have an idea, wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Princess Rongjia said to Song Shulan, rubbing her belly. "Besides, it's not that I want to eat it, it's that our child wants to eat it."

Looking at Princess Rongjia's lower abdomen, Song Shulan's gaze softened unconsciously. "You're quite heavy now, so eat whatever you want. However, the Marquis's mansion has been spending a lot lately. If you have some money, you can also buy some properties. Today, Qingshan went to Lingrong to ask for money, but Lingrong wouldn't give it to me."

With that, Song Shulan let out a long sigh.

Having said that, everyone in the room could tell what he was thinking.

Princess Rongjia glanced at Wang Shanxi's wife, who hesitated for a moment before pursing her lips and then going to get a silver note for one hundred taels of silver.

She said considerately, "I know that Song Lang is wholeheartedly devoted to the Marquis's mansion. I can't help you much. You can use this money to bribe your colleagues."

Song Shulan glanced at the amount, not entirely satisfied, but it was much better than Cui Lingrong's. Nevertheless, he politely said, "This...this is your money, how can I accept it?"

"Why are you being so polite with me, Song Lang? We are husband and wife, and when you are promoted and ennobled in the future, you will definitely treat me even better." Princess Rongjia leaned against Song Shulan, hoping that he would stay.

Song Shulan sat with Princess Rongjia for a while, then said that Princess Rongjia was feeling unwell and left first.

Wang Shanxi's family sent someone to follow the Marquis. After a short while, the person sent returned with a message saying that the Marquis had gone to Huadie's place.

"That vixen Huadie, she sure knows how to seduce men!" Princess Rongjia was so angry she gritted her teeth.

Wang Shanxi's wife reminded him, "It's a good thing that the Marquis is going to Huadie. You're not feeling well right now, so it's better for Huadie to serve you than for someone else to serve you. You can't be stubborn anymore. If Huadie can get pregnant soon, it will be good for you."

After learning that her master had sent medicine to Huadie, Wang Shanxi's wife would occasionally mention the benefits of Huadie's pregnancy, fearing that her master might get angry one day and force-feed Huadie medicine again.

"I know she'll be raised by me after she gives birth, but the thought of the Marquis and her being intimate makes my heart ache." Princess Rongjia held Wang Shanxi's hand. "Tell me, why do I..."

"Shhh."

Wang Shanxi's wife made a shushing gesture and shook her head at her master, "This old servant understands, you don't need to say it."

"It's really frustrating to have to be so careful what I say in my own room. Isn't Cui Lingrong supposed to be capable? How come she can't even afford the Marquis's expenses?" Princess Rongjia said angrily, then sighed, "I know you don't want me to give you money, but since Song Lang has said so, how can I not give it to him?"

She felt uneasy. "I'm afraid I'm useless to the Marquis, and he won't dote on me anymore. I'm also afraid he'll treat Cui Lingrong better, after all, they've been married for over ten years."

"Princess, don't be afraid. With Qiu Shuangzhai's incredible abilities, we have a way to deal with her. Since she returned home, the Marquis has only stayed at her place for two nights. He has come to Wutong Garden most of the time, which shows that the Marquis cares more about you." Wang Shanxi's wife comforted her mistress. They had already witnessed the eldest mistress's abilities and knew that they could not underestimate her.

Princess Rongjia was still uneasy. She took a deep breath and said, "I'll go back to my parents' home tomorrow." She needed to find a way to get some money from her mother; she really couldn't live a frugal life.