Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

As soon as Song Shulan stepped out, he was beaten up by a group of thugs. Before he could react, the thugs were gone.

The news reached Cui Lingrong two days later.

Cui Zeyu came over and said that Song Shulan's colleagues disliked him and had someone beat him up, and now the two sides are arguing.

Cui Zeyu came from the hunting grounds. After recounting Song Shulan's matter, Cui Zeyu took out several letters from his pocket, all of which Xie Yunting had asked him to deliver. "Sister, although Xie Yunting is a good person, no one knows what his future holds. If you get involved with him, things could get very complicated later."

Seeing her sister accept the letter, Cui Zeyu frowned even more. "Sister, are you starting to have feelings for Xie Yunting?"

"You said it yourself, Xie Yunting is a good person."

"But he..." Cui Zeyu paused, unable to say some of the words.

However, Cui Lingrong understood what her brother was trying to say. "I know you're going to say that if I were to marry Xie Yunting, there would be no shortage of gossip in Bianjing. But I have no intention of marrying him."

Cui Zeyu: "And who are you?"

"Since you asked, it was just a moment of pleasure. If both parties are satisfied, then let's keep it going for a long time. If either of us doesn't want it anymore, then we can end it." Cui Lingrong smiled. "Before, my thinking was restricted, and I didn't know how to be my own master. Now I want to live for myself even more."

Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "Zeyu, I don't want to be a stay-at-home wife and mother anymore, but I won't break down because a man left. You might say I've changed, and I think I have, but shouldn't I change?"

After all that she's been through, if she still hasn't changed, then she's truly a blockhead.

It's beyond saving.

Cui Zeyu was speechless.

He had never heard his sister say such a thing before, and now his mind was reeling.

If he had known that his sister could disregard worldly prejudices, why would he have...

There's no such thing as knowing beforehand.

When Cui Zeyu returned, he was completely stunned.

Actually, compared to Xie Yunting, he would rather hear from Zhuang Huaiming.

Because Zhuang Huaiming can provide his sister with a stable life, and since his sister and Zhuang Huaiming are childhood sweethearts, there must be some affection between them.

Moreover, Zhuang Huaiming is mature enough. As for Xie Yunting... he is younger than my sister. What will happen to my sister if Xie Yunting gets married in the future?

Cui Zeyu thought about it all night and couldn't fall asleep.

The next day, it was the Duke of Dingguo who came looking for him, and Cui Zeyu finally snapped out of his thoughts. "What is it?"

"A couple of days ago, Lord Wang from the Ministry of Revenue told me that he has a niece who fell in love with you at first sight and is willing to marry you as your concubine. What do you think?" The Duke of Dingguo thought it was a good idea, so he came to ask. "Although Lord Wang's official position is not high, he has real power. Being able to form a marriage alliance with his family would be of great help to you."

Cui Zeyu laughed sarcastically, "If it were useful, why don't you marry her? You don't even have a legal wife, yet you want me to take a concubine?"

"Why are you dragging me into this when we're talking about your own affairs?" The Duke of Dingguo's face hardened. "Let me tell you, even if Lady Cui divorces, there's absolutely no chance for you and her in this lifetime!"

If this matter isn't brought up, Cui Zeyu is a little better off.

Upon hearing the Duke of Dingguo bring it up, he immediately smashed his teacup. "My affairs with my sister are none of your business!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? Even if you disregard the gossip and insist on marrying into the Cui family, do you think she'll agree? If word gets out, you can be shameless, but how will she face anyone?" The Duke of Dingguo hit the nail on the head.

Cui Zeyu clenched his fists.

He often regretted that he had to live with his sister as her brother for so many years.

"Look, you're speechless now. Because you know there's no future for you with the Cui family. The Cui family is very traditional and would never be intimate with you. Even if you don't agree to Lord Wang's niece, there will be someone else's niece in the future. Zeyu, you can't resist temptation forever. Since you want to rise to power, you might as well treat yourself as a tool."

The Duke of Dingguo paused, then emphasized, "After all, you've always wanted to become more powerful so you can protect the Cui family, haven't you?"

Since it's a tool, it doesn't need emotions.

Was it Wu, or Wang's niece, or someone else?

Everything can be divided into useful and useless.

Cui Zeyu looked at the Duke of Dingguo, and after a long while, he said, word by word, "Lu Zhong, I am not you. Fame and fortune are important to me, but not that important. Let me tell you, my affairs are none of your business. If you interfere again, I can give up this cage of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."

Previously, Cui Zeyu would have had to rely on his lineage from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion to gain power.

But he's been working so hard these days, unafraid to offend anyone, and his efforts to get to where he is today haven't been in vain.

Even without the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, he can still live a good life in the imperial court.

The Duke of Dingguo dared not speak, for he knew his son was serious. "Sigh, you...you brat, fine, I'm old and powerless to control you. But remember, once you've entered the gates of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, you'll be a member of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for life!"

As for anything else, don't even think about it.

He is old, not completely incompetent.

After leaving his son, the Duke of Dingguo sent someone to Wu Hui to give her some instructions.

Since there was no mother-in-law in the Duke's mansion, Wu Hui's life was very comfortable. The only issue was the matter of having children, which the Duke had brought up several times.

They sent someone over again today, and after thinking about it, Wu Hui mentioned it to Cui Zeyu during lunch.

They are husband and wife in name only, but they each have someone else in their hearts.

"If you want children, I can arrange a few people to serve you. You can tell me what kind you like." Wu Hui's mother had said that she should give one or two of her maids to Cui Zeyu. A man as outstanding as Cui Zeyu, countless women would be willing to be with him.

She had mentioned it once before, but Choi Taek-ok rejected it.

"You don't need to pay attention to what Lu Zhong said. As for offspring, you don't need to worry about it. I don't need them," Cui Zeyu said. "Don't bring this up again. If Lu Zhong comes to you again in the future, just tell me, and I'll go find him."

Wu Hui was somewhat surprised. She had met Cui several times and knew that Cui was a very good person.

But she never expected that Cui Zeyu would be so devoted to the Cui family.

"Okay, since you've made up your mind, then I'll listen to you." Wu Hui ate her meal silently.

After the meal, Cui Zeyu went back to work.

Wu Hui was fine. As she drank her tea, the old woman beside her sighed, "Second Madam, don't you think it's a pity that you and Second Master are like this? Second Master is such a good person."

"What a pity? I don't think it's a pity at all. He's a good person, and he's loyal and righteous. If someone like that were to become unloyal one day, my good days would be over." Wu Hui understood this very well.

She was aware of the concerns of those around her.

But she knew that once she crossed the line, she would not be able to get along with Cui Zeyu.

Moreover, she can never forget the person in her heart.

She told the old woman not to overthink it, and just as she was about to have some tea, a maid came in, covered in sweat, but the maid was looking for He Mama, who was by her side.

"Look at you, it's so unruly of you if someone sees you like this." Mrs. He asked what was wrong.

The young maid glanced at the second mistress and kept giving Mother He meaningful glances.

Mrs. He found it strange, and Wu Hui noticed it too.

However, Wu Hui didn't rush to ask, because if she wanted to know, He's mother would definitely tell her.

Madam He followed the maid out, whispering, "What are you doing? Is there something that Second Madam can't hear?"

"This is something Second Madam really shouldn't know!" The little maid looked around. "Mama He, come closer. I just heard that Second Madam's former fiancé, General Dai, has returned!"