Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

When Wang Shanxi's wife returned to Wutong Garden, Princess Rongjia looked over expectantly, "Where are Brother Xuan?"

Wang Shanxi's wife shook her head, glanced hesitantly at the Marquis, and said, "This old servant is not sure."

"What's so hard to say? Didn't you say it was my idea?" Song Shulan asked.

"Reporting to the Marquis, this old servant said that Yu'er herself did not come, and she even stopped Xuan'er and his brother. She... she said that the Princess did not pay her respects to the eldest mistress, and she, as a junior, followed suit and did not acknowledge the Princess as her legal mother." Wang Shanxi's wife had just finished speaking when she heard the Marquis say "Insolence."

"She's really spoiled rotten. The princess and Cui are on equal footing, so why does the princess have to pay her respects to Cui?" Song Shulan got up to go find her daughter, but was stopped by Princess Rongjia.

Princess Rongjia said magnanimously, "My lord, please don't hold a grudge against a child. I know that Yu-jie harbors resentment towards me, but it's alright. Time will tell, and she will change her mind about me one day. If you scold her, Yu-jie will really hold a grudge against me."

She patted Song Shulan, signaling her not to get agitated, "Kids are kids, it's normal for them to have a temper. Besides, with Sister Cui's guidance, she can always teach them well."

"Her? Heh." Song Shulan knew in her heart that the two women could not coexist peacefully, but she had to put on a good show.

Cui's actions greatly disappointed him.

Princess Rongjia continued considerately, "Everyone in Bianjing says that Sister Cui is very capable, so please don't worry about her, Marquis. Why don't you stay tonight?"

Song Shulan's Adam's apple bobbed. He hadn't been close to Princess Rongjia in a long time, and he hesitated, "But you're not even three months pregnant yet, is it alright?"

Princess Rongjia pulled Song Shulan to her feet, and Wang Shanxi's wife tactfully withdrew. Princess Rongjia hooked her jade-like hand around Song Shulan's neck and kissed him, saying, "The child is well-behaved, nothing will happen. Doesn't the Marquis miss me? I miss the Marquis very much."

These days, after visiting her, the Marquis always goes to Huadie's place, which makes Huadie feel proud and she has been late in paying her respects several times.

She couldn't sleep alone and wanted Song Shulan to keep her company, so she took the initiative to seduce him.

Smelling the sweet fragrance emanating from Princess Rongjia, Song Shulan carried her to the bed.

After a good night's sleep, Song Shulan got up and still sent someone to scold his daughter.

Song Yu's arguments were useless, so he ran to his grandmother to complain.

Grandma Song doted on her granddaughter, but she also longed for the child in Princess Rongjia's womb. Holding her granddaughter, she said, "Your father is right. The princess is your legal mother. No matter what, you must go over and pay your respects and sit down."

"But……"

"Yu'er, you've grown up. You don't want people talking about your mother because of this, do you?" Old Madam Song held her granddaughter's lifeline, and with one sentence, she made her granddaughter swallow her argument. "Your upbringing represents your mother. Everyone has to be tolerant in life. Next time the princess invites you over, just go and have a seat."

Song Yu pursed her lips and remained silent.

She didn't want to go to Wutong Garden; the thought of Princess Rongjia annoyed her.

But her grandmother was right. Princess Rongjia was indeed her elder, and she could refuse once, but she couldn't keep refusing.

There was one thing she didn't understand: Princess Rongjia already had children of her own, so why did she still want to be close to the siblings?

Could it be that Princess Rongjia is being delusional, thinking that if she treats her siblings well, they will genuinely care for her?

joke.

How could that be?

She hates Princess Rongjia so much that she has no chance of changing her opinion of her.

Song Yu didn't get the result she wanted and wasn't very happy when she left Shou'an Hall. On her way back, she ran into He Pingping. They rarely interacted, and Song Yu just wanted to nod and leave, but He Pingping came over unexpectedly.

"Did Sister Yu go to Shou'an Hall?" He Pingping asked.

Song Yu said yes.

"I'm so envious of you. Your grandmother dotes on you, your great-grandmother is a capable woman, and you have a generous uncle." After a pause, He Pingping added, "By the way, I heard your uncle's fabric shop just received a new shipment. Could you take me to see it?"

Song Yu hesitated, "My father just punished me and won't let me go out. If Sister He wants to buy cloth, just find someone to go with you. My uncle knows you're a relative of the Marquis's family, so he'll give you a discount. I don't need to get involved."

He Pingping didn't really want to buy the fabric; she just wanted to get closer to Song Yu. Even after being rejected by Song Yu, she wasn't discouraged and kept talking to him.

Song Yu was bewildered by He Pingping's enthusiasm. When they arrived at Qiushuangzhai, she complained in confusion, "She used to avoid our main branch like the plague, has she gone crazy today?"

Madam Qiu glanced at the eldest grandmother and whispered, "Miss He isn't acting crazy, she's taken a liking to Young Master Yu."

"What?" Song Yu was shocked. "How did you know?"

Madam Qiu said, "Yesterday, when Young Master Yu left, Miss He deliberately ran into him. The Marquis's mansion is large, but there are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Caixia happened to see it."

Neither Qiu Mama nor the master expected that He Pingping would take a liking to Young Master Yu. But upon closer reflection, it made sense. The He family had fallen on hard times, and He Pingping's marriage prospects were not good. She could not marry into an official family, so Young Master Yu was a very good choice.

"What does my uncle think?" Song Yu had only a neutral feeling towards He Pingping. "And Mother, would you approve of Sister He?"

Cui Lingrong didn't like He Pingping. Firstly, He Pingping was a burden due to her family background, and secondly, He Pingping was Jiang's cousin. If He Pingping married her brother, she would be forced to be tied to the second wife's family. Furthermore, He Pingping herself lacked assertiveness and cunning.

The younger brother is a businessman, so it would be best if he married a capable woman who could help him in his business.

"We know the He family well, but it depends on your uncle's opinion. He likes He Pingping very much, so I can't interfere too much." Despite her thoughts, Cui Lingrong still spoke frankly.

"Uncle listens to you so much, he definitely won't agree unless you agree. Just ask him next time he comes over." Song Yu hoped her uncle would reject He Pingping; she felt her uncle deserved a better woman.

Cui Lingrong smiled and agreed, then had her daughter sit at the dressing table. There would be many guests coming today, so she needed to dress her daughter up nicely.

Song Yu inherited her parents' good looks; she had fair skin and delicate, beautiful features. After being specially dressed up, she appeared even more charming.

Cui Lingrong was rather quiet, but Yuan Mingzhu loved making friends, so many of the people Cui Lingrong knew were introduced to her by Yuan Mingzhu. "Among the people who came today, both Madam Wu and Madam Qiu have suitable sons. The two families are of similar social standing. Madam Wu is more outgoing, while Madam Qiu comes from a scholarly family. It depends on which one you prefer."

"Mother, are you so eager to marry me off?" Song Yu's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew all the ladies her mother mentioned. Madam Wu's second son was too immature; every time he saw her, he would fight with her for food. As for Madam Qiu's family, it reminded her of her father.

She now feels somewhat averse to scholars; the thought of them constantly spouting classical Chinese phrases about benevolence, righteousness, and propriety is irritating.

Song Yu didn't want to live like her mother; she wanted to be more carefree, or even willful. But this was a secret in her heart. She knew her mother meant well, so she was willing to go along with her.

"I just wanted you to understand these people so you could make comparisons," Cui Lingrong explained. "Marriage isn't just about a man's abilities; family background is also very important. Before I got married, my aunt told me that a man's love is the least important thing in marriage. You have to earn his respect and have him give you power and money for you to live a comfortable life."

Song Yu looked up at her mother. "Did you manage to do it?"

She always felt that her mother hadn't truly laughed heartily since they returned from the funeral.

Cui Lingrong lovingly stroked her daughter's face. "Even if I didn't do it before, I will gradually do it now. It's almost time, let's go to the flower hall to greet the guests."

Not long after they arrived, Madam Wu and the others arrived one after another. Those with daughters brought their daughters. Song Yu and Madam Wu's eldest daughter got along well, and the two girls whispered to each other as soon as they met.

As for Yuan Mingzhu, she can't come today, after all, she caused a scene at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and is still copying Buddhist scriptures.

However, to everyone's surprise, Yuan Yuzhu arrived.

Cui Lingrong sent the invitation before the Duke of Dingguo's heir passed away. She thought the heir's wife wouldn't come, since the heir had only been gone for a short time.

Everyone was surprised to see Yuan Yuzhu.

"I received Lady Song's invitation earlier and was really looking forward to it. I wasn't planning to come today, but since I received the invitation, I thought I'd come and give her a congratulatory gift anyway." As Yuan Yuzhu spoke, a maidservant had already presented her gift.

Cui Lingrong went over to thank her and then invited Yuan Yuzhu to stay for tea, saying, "Mingzhu can't come today. Without her eloquent words, how about Sister Yuan lends me the support?"

The fact that the Crown Prince's wife graced her with her presence is an honor. Cui Lingrong genuinely wants to keep her here and doesn't care about worldly opinions.

Yuan Yuzhu was somewhat surprised, because Cui Lingrong was known for being considerate, and having just lost her husband, she shouldn't be in this kind of situation. She carefully examined Cui Lingrong; her appearance hadn't changed much, but she felt that something was different.

She wasn't one to be restrained, and after Cui Lingrong finished speaking, the others echoed her sentiments and asked her to stay. They sat down and said they would have a cup of tea before going back.

Cui Lingrong invited people she got along with, and most of them didn't care about the matter of the Duke of Dingguo's heir. They all chatted happily.

But Song Shulan didn't come over until noon when the banquet was served.

He had promised her.

We should give her this dignity.

Madam Qiu saw through her master's thoughts and said she would go to the door to take a look. When she got to the fork in the road, she saw Wang Shanxi's wife leading the Marquis in another direction.

"The princess suddenly has a stomachache. The doctor has already gone over, but the princess is very frightened and would like to ask the Marquis to come and take a look." Wang Shanxi's wife was walking hurriedly. She saw Qiu Mama out of the corner of her eye and deliberately turned her body slightly to block the Marquis's view.