Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"I refuse."

Cui Lingrong used to be a good person, a very considerate one.

Her rejection of Jiang was not because she didn't care about the child in Princess Rongjia's womb, nor was it out of a saintly hope that Princess Rongjia would have a smooth delivery; rather, it was because Jiang was not smart enough.

Teaming up with an idiot means you might get yourself killed without even realizing it.

For example, they talked for so long on the road. If something happens to He Pingping and Princess Rongjia in the future, who wouldn't think of them?

"I know you're anxious, but I don't need to take the risk with you. You didn't object to the old lady's decision because you know the Jiang family won't help you. If you were smart, you should have made plans for what you would do if He Pingping really got pregnant to ensure your position wouldn't be shaken. After all, when I mentioned divorce, there was genuine expectation on Second Master's face." Cui Lingrong finished speaking and left with her entourage.

Back at Qiushuangzhai, she sent Caixia to the front courtyard to tell Song Shulan to come see her after he returned.

On the other side, Princess Rongjia also asked Qingxue to wait in the front yard, as she also wanted to see Song Shulan.

When Song Shulan returned, he learned that Wutongyuan and Qiushuangzhai had both invited him over and asked Qingxue what it was about.

"Your Excellency, the Princess has prepared your favorite abalone rice and said she has something to tell you," Qingxue said.

Song Shulan went to see Qingshan again, and Qingshan said, "Caixia said it was about the Second Master and the Marquis becoming officials. If the Marquis has time, he can take some time to go over there."

Song Shulan immediately decided which side to go to first.

Normally, Cui Lingrong wouldn't send anyone over unless there was something wrong. This time, it was still a matter of officialdom, so Song Shulan chose to go to Qiushuangzhai first and let Qingxue go back first. "Tell the princess that I will go to see her again tonight."

Qingxue was somewhat surprised, but since the Marquis had said so, she went back.

Princess Rongjia was so angry when she learned that Song Shulan had gone to Qiushuangzhai first that she smashed her bowl and chopsticks. "Why does she always have to compete with me? Today is no exception. I advised Jiang to keep He Pingping, and Cui Lingrong wanted to send He Pingping away."

Wang Shanxi's wife came over to support her mistress, saying, "Be careful of the child." She glanced at Qingxue, who then withdrew.

"Jiang is a fool too. He Pingping can't be a secondary wife, she's just a concubine. We can do whatever we want with her, but she insists on being stubborn. If it weren't for the old lady speaking up, I would have lost to Cui Lingrong again today." Princess Rongjia became more and more angry as she spoke. "Cui Lingrong knew I was going to call the Marquis over, so she did it on purpose, didn't she?"

"Don't be angry. Qingxue said that the Marquis went there because of matters of the court," Wang Shanxi's wife advised.

"How could Cui Lingrong, the daughter of a minor official, possibly understand matters of the court?" Princess Rongjia sneered.

It wasn't that she looked down on Cui Lingrong; given Cui Lingrong's knowledge, it was impossible for her to understand officialdom better than Cui Lingrong did.

At this moment, Song Shulan was also very surprised that Cui Lingrong could talk to him about official matters.

After Song Shulan stepped over the threshold, Cui Lingrong left only Qiu Mama behind, and then asked Song Shulan to sit down and talk, "The Marquis should not know about what happened in the second branch of the family today."

She briefly recounted the matter between the Second Master and He Pingping, saying, "If the Second Master wanted a son, he could have simply taken a concubine properly. If the He family hadn't fallen from grace, would the Marquis's mansion have needed to take a second concubine?"

Song Shulan frowned as he listened, feeling that Cui Lingrong was mocking him.

"It's precisely because the He family is incompetent that this matter has been covered up. I may not understand the ways of officials, but I do know that reputation is the most important thing in life. Second Master has enough women in his courtyard. If he continues his reckless behavior, it's a small matter if it affects him, but what if it affects the Marquis?" Seeing Song Shulan's increasingly grim expression, Cui Lingrong continued, "The two Songs are essentially the same person, and the Marquis's mansion hasn't been divided. If Second Master is impeached, how will the Marquis face himself?"

If you help your brother, people will say you're all birds of a feather and none of you are good people.

If I don't help my brother, I won't be able to explain it to my mother, and people will say I'm cold-hearted.

"You bastard!" Song Shulan couldn't sit still any longer.

Cui Lingrong told Song Shulan not to worry, "My lord, please listen to me. He Pingping knows she's in the wrong this time, and she'll be able to suppress the truth no matter what happens in the end. But Second Master's temperament hasn't changed, and there's no guarantee there won't be a next time. They say the eldest brother is like a father. Now that the old lord is gone, you are the head of the family. As his sister-in-law, it's not appropriate for me to talk to my brother-in-law. My lord, please teach Second Master a lesson, so that it doesn't really affect you."

She knew that Song Shulan cared most about his future, and that he would never let the matter go easily if it came up.

Seeing Song Shulan leave in anger, Cui Lingrong asked Qiu Mama to follow her so that she would know if anything happened to the second branch of the family.

Song Shulan completely forgot to look for Princess Rongjia and rushed straight to the second house, shouting for Song Shucheng to come out.

Upon learning that Song Shucheng was drinking with his concubine, he went over, kicked open the door, and dragged the man into the courtyard.

"Who is it?" Song Shucheng felt nauseous and lay on the ground, unable to get up.

A bucket of cold water was poured over him, and Song Shucheng finally sobered up a bit. "Big...Big Brother?"

"Over the years, I've never interfered with your taking a concubine because you have no children. But now look what's happened, you've slept with your wife's younger sister. If you can't control what's in your pants, I'll cut it off for you!" Song Shulan became angrier the more he thought about it. He suffered outside and had to put on a smiling face from time to time, but at home there was someone who was dragging him down.

Song Shulan finally felt relieved after kicking him several times.

Stricken from the beating, Song Shucheng quickly said, "She seduced me!"

"So you'll take the bait? Are you even human? Don't you have any self-control?" Song Shulan pointed at her younger brother. "You've always been like this, knowing your mistakes but refusing to admit them, and even trying to justify yourself. Do you know how many people are eyeing the position of Vice Minister of Revenue? If something goes wrong in the Marquis's mansion and I don't get promoted, how will you explain it to our ancestors?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm telling you, from now on, if I find out you've been to a brothel, or if something like what happened today happens again, I'm separating from you and you'll have to go there on your own!"

Song Shulan was at the most crucial moment. Prince Rong told him that as long as he didn't make any mistakes, the position of Vice Minister of Revenue would be his.

He was determined to get promoted and would not allow anyone to influence his decision.

Song Shucheng instinctively felt that Jiang had complained, and after his elder brother left, he immediately rushed into Jiang's room, asking, "Was it you?"

"I didn't complain, and there's no need for me to complain." Jiang heard the commotion in the courtyard, but she didn't go out to speak up for Song Shucheng. "So many people know about what happened today. Don't forget, the Marquis is the head of the family. Someone will definitely tell the Marquis."

Only then did Song Shucheng calm down. He had been kicked several times by his older brother and felt pain all over. Seeing Jiang Shi still drinking tea, he was displeased. "Are you happy that my older brother beat me up?"

"Is that all the Second Master thinks of me?" Jiang laughed self-deprecatingly. "We've been married for many years. You call me jealous and vicious, but why is that?"

"It's because I care about you."

After talking with Cui Lingrong, Jiang felt that Cui Lingrong was right. Since she was not going to divorce, she should think about how to keep her position as the second mistress of the Marquis's mansion.

She had given up hope on Song Shucheng; it was impossible for them to return to the blissful days of their honeymoon.

But if she continues to oppose Song Shucheng, she will only push him further away.

Song Shucheng was clearly stunned when he heard Jiang's words.

"We were once deeply in love. Have you forgotten that you said you would pluck the moon for me even if I wanted it?" Jiang said, bowing her head, tears streaming down her face.

She wasn't bad-looking; she was the demure, pretty type. Otherwise, Song Shucheng wouldn't have liked her.

Her crying reminded Song Shucheng of the time when they had just gotten married.

At this moment, Qingshan came to deliver a message: "The Marquis said that from now on, the Second Master's monthly allowance will be managed by the Second Madam, and the Second Master is not allowed to have a single penny in his own hands."

Song Shucheng now understood that his elder brother was truly angry.

He thought that without money, he would be at Jiang's mercy, but Jiang said she would give it to him anyway.

"I know I must be very happy in Second Master's eyes right now, but what's the use of taking Second Master's monthly allowance? Your heart is no longer with me. I'll just give it back to you. I don't care anymore." Jiang got up and sat on the edge of the bed, turning her body away from Song Shucheng.

For some reason, Jiang Shi stopped paying attention, which made Song Shucheng feel uncomfortable.

He was a shameless man to begin with, and he went over with an even more brazen attitude, saying, "Whatever Madam says, even if you, my elder brother, let you tell me what to do. You still have to tell me what to do." Of course, he still had to keep the money himself. But seeing Jiang's coquettish and endearing appearance, he had a little idea.

When Jiang saw Song Shucheng come over to coax her, she finally understood why Cui Lingrong hadn't had a big fight with the Marquis after returning home.

Now that Cui Lingrong has regained control of the household affairs, the old lady still asks Cui Lingrong to handle important matters.

As for the Marquis, although he lived more often in Wutong Garden, he never lost his respect for Cui Lingrong.

Only then did Jiang realize that she was far inferior to Cui Lingrong.

Looking at the person in front of her again, Jiang was not as noisy as before. She hummed softly, her voice gentle and sweet, with a hint of coquetry.

As for Song Shulan, he was angered by his brother's matter and went to Shouan Hall again, where he chatted with the old lady for a long time. It wasn't until he lay down at night that he remembered that he had promised Princess Rongjia that he would go to Wutong Garden.

Forget it.

He's already lying down; I think the princess will understand.