Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Dai Xin was very thin. He held onto the threshold and moved forward slightly, but didn't move.

Because he only had one leg left.

Cui Zeyu said he would go to the door, "You guys chat."

The door closed, and Wu Hui looked back. Hearing a hoarse "Hui'er," her heartstrings were clenched, and she could no longer control herself, covering her face and weeping bitterly.

From as far back as she can remember, Wu Hui knew she was going to marry Dai Xin. They grew up together and had so many memories together.

"Hui'er, it's windy outside, come...come in." Dai Xin only glanced at Wu Hui before turning away.

After they both sat down, silence filled the room.

After a long while, Wu Hui suddenly asked, "Does it hurt?"

Dai Xin paused for a moment, then laughed, "It hurt back then, it hurt so much I wanted to die."

But he thought he couldn't die. If he died, what would happen to his fiancée?

Through those difficult days and nights, Dai Xin has survived to this day thanks to this belief.

"Seeing you're doing well puts my mind at ease," Dai Xin said. "This man from the Lu family is quite nice. When he came to see me, I thought he was going to say something harsh, but I never expected him to ask me to see you. I have no regrets."

"No...that's not how it is." Wu Hui looked at Dai Xin.

She thought of herself, of what her mother had said, and of what Cui Zeyu had told her.

In the end, Wu Hui realized that she was still more selfish.

Meanwhile, outside, Cui Zeyu was sitting on a stone stool, quietly watching the full moon tonight.

The moon has its phases, and today's moon is a lovely full moon.

He smiled and instructed his attendant, "You wait here for Second Madam. Once she comes out, take her home."

"Where are you going, sir?"

"Me? I'm going for a drink!"

Cui Zeyu walked out of the alley, intending to find Xie Yunting for a drink, but remembering that Xie Yunting was not in Bianjing, he went to the restaurant by himself.

Today's wine went down my throat, but it tasted utterly bland.

It wasn't until dawn that Cui Zeyu returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

When Cui Lingrong learned that her younger brother had come home drunk, she went over to check on him. "Why are you so drunk?"

She had just sat down when her younger brother suddenly grabbed her wrist.

A very soft "sister" was uttered, unlike the usual crisp tone, but instead carried a hint of lingering reluctance.

Cui Lingrong thought her younger brother was upset because of General Dai. Looking at the person on the bed, she felt a pang of heartache. "If you like someone, you should fight for it. If you lose, accept your fate. But if you do nothing, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

Cui Zeyu was still drunk and thought he was dreaming. He curled up and pressed his face against his sister's hand. "Does my sister like me?"

"Look at you, how drunk you are! Of course I like you. I raised you, how could I not like you?" Cui Lingrong sighed, thinking that her younger brother was quite drunk. She asked Qiu Mama to wring out a wet cloth and took care of her brother.

When Wu Hui arrived outside, she learned that Cui Lingrong was taking care of her inside, so she didn't go in. Instead, she instructed the kitchen to prepare some food to help her sober up before returning home.

Cui Lingrong stayed here for most of the day.

Cui Zeyu only woke up when the sun had set.

Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong rested her head on her hand on the soft couch opposite the bed.

"elder sister?"

"Hmm? You're awake. Would you like some water?"

"it is good."

Cui Lingrong called over Qiu Mama, who brought over a teacup.

Madam Qiu said, "This is the first time the young master has been this drunk. You probably don't remember what the master said this morning. You need to be brave. Your wife is an excellent person. Even a blind person would know that you are more capable."

Upon hearing this, Cui Zeyu felt an even greater bitterness on his tongue.

They all misunderstood.

As for bravery?

Cui Zeyu looked towards his sister, "Sister, have you been watching over me all day?"

"I was thinking of going back after Wu Hui came, but she only sent someone to deliver food. If you want to continue living together, it's better to talk things out. If... if you can't make it work, then forget it." Cui Lingrong sighed. They couldn't have predicted that Dai Xin would come back alive.

Cui Zeyu couldn't say what he wanted to say.

Only after his sister left did he sit by the window and watch the moon rise.

Before he could clear his mind, Xie Yunting suddenly arrived, climbing in through the window.

"You...you! You!"

"It's me, what's so surprising?" Xie Yunting yawned. "The Emperor sent me back. I heard about General Dai's situation, so I came to see you. What do you think, isn't my brother loyal enough?"

In fact, Xie Yunting hadn't seen Cui Lingrong for a long time and wanted to sleep with her, but he was kicked out.

Cui Lingrong said that this was the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and that he would absolutely not be allowed to stay.

Having no other choice, Xie Yunting figured he was already there, so he decided to talk to Cui Zeyu.

"What? I heard you were drunk. If you really like her, then use some tricks. She's already married to you, can't you do anything about it?" Xie Yunting said, while ordering someone to bring wine and food.

"You don't understand."

"How could I not understand?" Xie Yunting said he understood perfectly. "Look at me, never mind, it's up to you. Anyway, we're good brothers. Just say the word, and I can make that guy surnamed Dai disappear from Bianjing immediately."

"Xie Yunting, I'm not... never mind, I can't explain it to you." Cui Zeyu didn't want to talk about this and changed the subject, "Did the Emperor send you back for something?"

Xie Yunting said there were some things to do, "but you shouldn't get involved. I'll go and offend people myself."

Since Xie Yunting didn't say anything, Cui Zeyu didn't ask any further questions.

When the food and drinks arrived, Xie Yunting pulled Cui Zeyu into another round of drinking.

That night, Xie Yunting stayed at Cui Zeyu's place.

The next day, Xie Yunting went out as soon as it was light.

Cui Zeyu also had things to do, so after giving some instructions, he went to the yamen.

Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong received a message from the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence that Old Madam Song had died.

Upon hearing this news, Cui Lingrong was not surprised, as Old Madam Song had been ill for some time and showed no signs of improvement.

She packed Jin-ge'er's things and then sent someone to take him to the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence.

Cui Lingrong also returned to the Cui residence.

At the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence, Song Shulan cried until she had no tears left to shed.

With the old lady gone, Song Shulan will have to observe mourning, and no amount of effort will help her.

In two years, it's uncertain whether he'll even have a place in the imperial court.

With the passing of Old Madam Song, the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion was to divide its assets, and Song Shulan, as the eldest son, received the majority of the property.

Although the second wife didn't receive as much as Song Shulan, it was enough for her to live on.

The third branch of the family received the least, but they were still allocated a house and some farmland. If the Li couple made a plan, they could make a living.

After the Jiangyuan Marquis's family divided its property, the house became much quieter with two fewer people from each branch of the family.

With nothing to do, Song Shulan used Xuan-ge'er's name to send an invitation to Cui Lingrong, asking her to come and celebrate Xuan-ge'er's birthday.