Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

"Lingrong, you shouldn't have been so forceful today." Song Shulan put down the book in his hand and looked at Cui Lingrong with a complicated expression.

In the candlelight, her face was exquisite and beautiful. If you looked closely, you could see a defensiveness that Cui Lingrong herself was unaware of.

Cui Lingrong glanced back at Qiu's mother and the others, signaling them to leave. There were some things she wanted to say to Song Shulan.

Song Shulan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "With you and the princess having such a falling out, how am I supposed to maintain contact with the Rong Prince's Mansion in the future?"

Just thinking about it sends chills down one's spine, and Song Shulan has no choice but to try to curry favor with the Rong Prince's Mansion.

"Does Your Excellency mean that I should go and apologize to the Rong Prince's Mansion to curry favor and win the forgiveness of the Rong Prince and his wife?" Cui Lingrong said, revealing Song Shulan's thoughts.

Song Shulan frowned. "I didn't say that. You've really changed. You used to be much less aggressive."

"Yes, I've changed." Cui Lingrong gave a self-deprecating laugh, her heart filled with helplessness. "How could I not change?"

She went to see Song Shulan. "The princess said she wanted to teach Yu-jie a lesson, to ruin her reputation. My lord, every child of mine was born from my ten months of pregnancy. The children I protect are also your children!"

"You should have known when to stop and been more forgiving. Wang Shanxi's wife died, and you even watched her die. Aren't you afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid of? She's vicious and harmful, why should I be afraid of her?" Cui Lingrong found Song Shulan increasingly unfathomable.

What exactly does he mean?

Did you come here specifically to argue with her?

Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "My lord, if it weren't for Zeyu bringing General Xie today, it would have been Yu'er and me who suffered. If the Rong Prince's Mansion hadn't pursued Yu'er's matter relentlessly, I would have had no choice but to back down, and might even have been forced to leave. My lord thinks I've become heartless, but have you considered my situation?"

If she makes even one wrong move, she will be suppressed to death.

Song Shulan looked at Cui Lingrong with disappointment. "Fine, I won't argue with you about this. I came to tell you that the princess isn't a bad person; she's just a bit spoiled. Let her suffer in the ancestral hall for a few days about the kneeling incident; don't dwell on it."

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"My meaning is very clear. I will make amends to Yu-jie, and I will not hold you responsible for what happened today. In five or six days, the princess can copy books in Wutong Garden." After saying this, Song Shulan stood up, not giving Cui Lingrong a chance to argue.

When Autumn's mother entered the house, she saw her master standing there in a daze.

"Grandma, it's getting late, you should rest." Aunt Qiu brought over some hot water.

"Aunt Qiu, I'm not sleepy." Cui Lingrong couldn't understand. "The Marquis told me not to dwell on Princess Rongjia's punishment, just give her a token punishment. Do you think his feelings for Princess Rongjia are genuine, or is it just for his own future, as he claims?"

Autumn's mother had no answer, and she lowered her head.

"See, you can't say it either." Cui Lingrong had always thought that Song Shulan was just obsessed with officialdom. Although they weren't close, he was respectful and polite. Song Shulan's feelings were always in sync with hers.

Since she returned from attending the funeral, this idea has been questioned time and time again, and today, Cui Lingrong no longer really believes it.

Cui Lingrong said she was tired and asked Qiu's mother and the others to go back first, as she wanted to be alone.

Cui Lingrong couldn't sleep all night. The next day, when Qiu Mama came in, she saw her mistress looking at the account books.

"Grandma, if you're tired and annoyed, why don't you rest for a few days?" Seeing her mistress like this, Qiu's mother felt bad. "These chores can be put aside for a day or two."

"Aunt Qiu, do you think the Marquis still has feelings for me?" Cui Lingrong asked again when she saw Aunt Qiu's stunned expression. "The old lady must also be dissatisfied with me."

Autumn's mother fell silent again.

"My husband is estranged, and my mother-in-law is at odds. Given my current situation, if I don't do my job well, what leverage do I have to fight against Princess Rongjia?" Cui Lingrong said, but then she laughed. It wasn't a mocking laugh, but a clear-headed laugh that came from understanding the situation. "Since I can't have any favoritism, I will grow strong like a resilient plant. When I have more power and the ability that no one can oppose, then I will have truly won."

After finishing the account book, she put down her brush. "Don't worry, this little thing won't defeat me. I don't need to rest. Let's go see Sister Yu."

"You are so strong," Qiu's mother sighed.

Cui Lingrong smiled and said, "Who told me I can only rely on myself?"

Since she returned from her funeral, the Cui family hasn't sent her a single letter.

When Prince Rong used the Cui family as a threat, Cui Lingrong was not afraid at that moment, because she did not care that much about the people and things of the Cui family.

The two went to see Yu Jie'er and learned that Princess Rongjia had gone to the ancestral hall early in the morning. Cui Lingrong only replied with an "Mm".

A few days later, it was early October, and the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion received good news: Song Shulan had been promoted to the rank of Vice Minister of Revenue, a fourth-rank official.

Qingshan came back with good news: after resting for a few days, Old Madam Song learned that her son had been promoted and immediately asked Cui Lingrong to prepare things to celebrate.

"I'm going to throw a big banquet and give out porridge for three days. Heaven has eyes, my son has finally made something of himself." Old Madam Song smiled from ear to ear. "Cui, give me another sum of money. I want to reward everyone in the household well."

Cui Lingrong didn't move. "Old Madam, have you forgotten that the household is short of money and we don't even have enough for a banquet at the end of the year? If you're willing to open your private treasury, that would be fine."

Old Mrs. Song immediately stopped smiling. "Mrs. Cui, your husband has been promoted. This is an honor for you. How did you become a miser?"

"Replying to the old lady, it's not that your daughter-in-law is stingy, it's just that my pockets are empty. Besides, the Marquis isn't just my husband, he's also Princess Rongjia's husband." Yesterday, Song Shulan didn't let Princess Rongjia go to the ancestral hall to kneel and worship, and Cui Lingrong felt nauseous just thinking about it.

Grandma Song didn't have much money on her, and she said rather unhappily, "Fine, fine, you have your say, wait for me. I'll take the money, okay?"

She asked Xu's mother to get a hundred taels of silver.

After handing the money to Cui Lingrong, Cui Lingrong said, "One hundred taels of silver is enough for seven or eight tables if the banquet is elaborate. As for how to invite people, why don't you, Madam, draw up a list, and I'll send someone to deliver the invitations?"

Old Madam Song had finally managed to save face, but when she heard Cui Lingrong being stingy, she frowned and told Xu Mama to bring another two hundred taels of silver. At the end, she didn't forget to mention, "There's no need to invite the Cui family. By the time they arrive in Bianjing, the banquet will be over."

She deliberately humiliated Cui Lingrong because Cui Lingrong refused to pay. Since it was her money, she could invite whomever she wanted.

Cui Lingrong didn't care about that. She took the money, summoned the servants in the mansion, and began to give them instructions.

When Song Shulan returned, he went directly to Wutong Garden.

He entered the room with a beaming smile and saw Princess Rongjia copying texts. He immediately grasped her hand and said, "Your hands are so cold, why didn't you get a hand warmer?"

"It's alright, I..." Princess Rongjia looked at Song Shulan, tears streaming down her face. This was the first time Song Shulan had come to see her since the false pregnancy incident. "Song Lang, I thought you didn't want me anymore."

She threw herself into Song Shulan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Chen De's wife chimed in, "It's not even winter yet, but the eldest mistress said the household expenses should be reduced, and the princess said the charcoal fire can only be used when you arrive."

Since Princess Rongjia was not pregnant, the expenses at Wutong Garden were naturally the same as those at Qiushuangzhai. In addition, because she was under house arrest, without Cui Lingrong's permission, the people in the mansion were not as enthusiastic about Wutong Garden as before.

"It's just some charcoal, why are you being so stingy?" Song Shulan frowned. "Take my personal savings and buy the princess some better quality silver thread charcoal!"

His promotion this time was largely due to the patronage of Prince Rong.

Without Prince Rong, he wouldn't have been promoted, so he had to come and visit Princess Rongjia.

Princess Rongjia was even more moved. "These past few days, I haven't been able to sleep at night, afraid that you wouldn't look for me anymore, Song Lang. Song Lang, I know I was wrong. I will never be willful again. I will listen to you in everything, and I will not argue with Sister Cui anymore."

"How could I not want you? You are my lawfully wedded wife. What's past is past. Yu-jie isn't angry with me anymore. After you're out of confinement, apologize to Yu-jie properly, and we'll still be family."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Seeing the person in his arms so obedient, Song Shulan felt very pleased.

These days, whenever he sees Cui Lingrong, she always has a cold face and is no longer as submissive to him as before.

Song Shulan still preferred obedient women. He planned to leave Cui Lingrong hanging, believing that she would eventually come looking for him.

Meanwhile, after arranging the banquet, Cui Lingrong sent someone to deliver an invitation to the Xie family.

Madam Qiu was a little worried. "General Xie has insulted the Marquis and the Prince Rong and his wife. If you invite him here, the Marquis and the others may be unhappy."

"General Xie has helped me a great deal, and I haven't had a chance to thank him until now. This is a good opportunity." Cui Lingrong paused, "Besides, why should I make them so happy?"