Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Even in a grand mansion, there are many intricacies involved. Whether one lives comfortably or not depends entirely on one's own abilities. One either needs to be favored or hold power. After only a few days back, Cui Lingrong could sense that both the old lady and Song Shulan favored Princess Rongjia.

She was just the daughter of a minor official. It was only after she married into the Song family that her family began to value her more. She was not as noble as Princess Rongjia.

Rongjia County requires dignity, and so does Cui Lingrong.

Er Shun arrived quickly. Cui Lingrong gave him a few instructions and then asked Caixia to fetch a doctor, as her illness would not be cured for the time being.

After seeing the doctor, Cui Lingrong learned that her daughter had been staying in her room since returning home. She called over Aunt Qiu and said, "When I was young, I was disciplined quite strictly. I thought that since Yu'er was the legitimate daughter of a marquis, she wouldn't have to work as hard as I did to get a good husband, so I was more lenient with her. Things are different now. She'll be fourteen after the New Year. Go and tell her that starting tomorrow, she should come over every morning to watch me do my chores. Tell everyone that she's here to take care of me while I'm sick, so she can have a reputation for filial piety."

Daughters of prominent families would be visited by suitors before their coming-of-age ceremony, gradually getting to know and inquire about each other, and carefully selecting the most suitable one before getting engaged.

Cui Lingrong has only one daughter, and she hopes that her daughter's marriage will go smoothly, so she can't help but worry about it.

Just after Qiu's mother left, Wang Shanxi's family brought over this month's salary, but Caixia stopped them in the outer room.

"When the princess learned that the eldest mistress had summoned a doctor again, she specifically asked me to make the trip. If the eldest mistress needs anything, just say so. If the manor doesn't have it, the princess will buy it for her from outside." As Wang Shanxi's wife spoke, she kept glancing towards the inner room. "There's another matter. The princess investigated and found that the gatekeeper from a few days ago took advantage of the princess being a new manager and was lazy for quite some time, which is why the eldest mistress was mistreated when she returned home. That kind of unruly servant has already been dealt with and sold by the princess."

A mere doorman, simply following orders. But once the task was accomplished, the person who gave the orders reneged on their promises and portrayed themselves as the victim.

Caixia had witnessed Princess Rongjia's formidable power. Fortunately, Madam Qiu had given them instructions beforehand. She was able to handle Wang Shanxi's family with composure. "For a large family like ours, it would be better to sell them off. People have mouths, and who knows when they might gossip and spread rumors. It would be safer to send them to the estate and have the estate manager keep an eye on them."

"Don't worry, Miss Caixia, he will never say a word about the Marquis's mansion." This matter can be considered as the Princess's explanation to the eldest mistress. The message has been delivered. Wang Shanxi's wife does not want to stay in Qiushuangzhai any longer. She is just the daughter of a poor family. She was lucky enough to become the Marquis's wife. Does she really think she can be on equal footing with the Princess?

When Wang Shanxi's wife left Qiushuangzhai, her expression changed instantly, and she returned to Wutongyuan with an air of arrogance.

Caixia went to see her great-grandmother with her doubts. "Great-grandmother, what did Wang Mama mean by that?"

Cui Lingrong didn't know either, so she asked Caixia to take some silver to inquire.

Half an hour later, Caixia returned with a pale face. "Madam, they said that Sande's tongue was cut out. The princess even sent all the servants in the front courtyard to see for themselves, saying that anyone who disrespects you will suffer the same fate as Sande. The others told me that Sande screamed terribly and bled all over the place. He was sent to the slave trader, and he probably won't survive."

This is Princess Rongjia establishing her authority.

This was also a way of intimidating Cui Lingrong.

This implies that Cui Lingrong should not compete with her, otherwise Sande's fate might be Cui Lingrong's fate as well.

Caixia didn't see the tongue being pulled out, but she was genuinely terrified by the bloodstains on the ground. In the past, beating with a rod was the most severe punishment in the Marquis's mansion, and this was the first time she had ever encountered someone pulling out a tongue.

Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle.

Cui Lingrong frowned slightly; she hadn't expected such ruthless methods.

When Aunt Qiu returned, she also learned about Sande's matter. "On my way back, all the maids and servants avoided me. I found it strange, so I grabbed a timid one and questioned her. Only then did I learn that the executioner was using the pretext of avenging you to punish Sande. If someone didn't know the truth, they might think that you were ruthless. The princess is really good at turning the tables."

Caixia grew anxious, "Sande was dealt with by the Princess, how did it get involved with the First Madam?"

Cui Lingrong calmly analyzed, "Because I was the one who was neglected, I demanded an explanation from the princess. So the princess did all this to vent my anger. San De was incompetent, but his crime doesn't warrant this. Outsiders will have a cruel impression of me."

"But you never let the princess pull out Sande's tongue from beginning to end!" Caixia felt speechless and wished she could go out and explain to her master right now.

"Outsiders only see the result; they only speculate wildly about what happened." Cui Lingrong told Caixia not to rush, "The princess is too eager to outdo me, so this isn't done very well. Qiu Mama, quietly buy Sande and take him to my estate to raise. The princess wants to ruin my reputation, so let's turn the tables on her."

Caixia asked, puzzled, "You intend to have Sande identify the princess?"

"San De's tongue has been cut out, and he's illiterate. How can he identify the princess?" Cui Lingrong had other plans. She whispered to Qiu Mama, "Go find Er Shun and have him..."

"Grandma, is it okay?"

Cui Lingrong affirmed, "The old lady values ​​her reputation most. If Princess Rongjia wants to ruin my name, we'll just add fuel to the fire and make it burn brighter. As long as Sande lives well, these rumors about me will naturally fall apart."

After receiving the instructions, Qiu's mother first went to buy Sande, and then found Ershun.

Three days later, Cui Lingrong's close friend, Yuan Mingzhu, the second daughter-in-law of General Jiang, hurriedly came to find her.

Seeing Cui Lingrong still leisurely sipping her tea, he slammed his hand on the teacup. "You can still drink tea? Do you know what people in Bianjing are saying about you?"

"I can probably guess."

"And you still can't sit still?" Yuan Mingzhu was the complete opposite of Cui Lingrong; she was impatient. "They say you were just pretending to be easygoing before, and only after learning that Lord Song had taken a concubine did you reveal your true nature and start harming the servants to vent your anger. Listen to how awful they say that!"

Yuan Mingzhu and Cui Lingrong had known each other since childhood, and she couldn't believe Cui Lingrong could do such a thing. "I've wanted to come see you for a long time, but as you know, my mother-in-law keeps a close eye on me. I only got the chance to see you today because she went to offer incense. Don't just listen to me; say something too! Are you trying to drive me crazy?"

While Yuan Mingzhu was speaking, Caixia and the others had already left, leaving only Qiu's mother to serve them.

Madam Qiu frowned as she listened. "That's utter nonsense! It was clearly the princess who ordered the gates to be closed, trying to intimidate my mistress. The princess also disposed of the people without consulting my mistress."

"I knew it!" Yuan Mingzhu felt a tightness in her chest. "Come on, I'll take you to her. Those rumors about you must have been spread by her. Otherwise, why would the punishment of a servant become such a big deal?"

Normally, such things are kept tightly under wraps. If they get out, they become a family scandal. How shameless would that be?

Cui Lingrong pulled Yuan Mingzhu to sit down. "Good sister, I know you've been doing this for me, but this is the result I wanted."

"Cui Lingrong, have you lost your mind?" Yuan Mingzhu came over and touched Cui Lingrong's forehead. "Your reputation is almost ruined, and you can still laugh here. Tell me the truth, are you unhappy that Lord Song took a concubine and want him to divorce you, so you're acting recklessly?"

When Yuan Mingzhu learned that the Emperor had bestowed a marriage upon Song Shulan and Princess Rongjia, she was so angry at home that she cursed people. Others would rather tear down ten temples than break up one marriage, but the Emperor was destroying someone's marriage and causing them great harm.

She wanted to inform Cui Lingrong, but her mother-in-law arrested the messenger and forbade her from interfering.

Seeing Cui Lingrong shake her head, Yuan Mingzhu became even more restless. Her father was a military general, her mother was also a military general, and she had married a military general as well. Despite having been in Bianjing for many years, she still hadn't learned the gentle and obedient manners of a lady from a prominent family. She placed both hands on Cui Lingrong's shoulders and said, "If you don't explain yourself clearly, believe me, I'll go and smash up Princess Rongjia's house!"

"I believe you, I believe you." Cui Lingrong patted Yuan Mingzhu's hand, gesturing for her to drink some tea and calm down. "I'm asking you, who's in charge of the Song family now?"

"You still have the nerve to ask? You lost your man and your housekeeping power. What about your abilities? You've ruined everything in Suzhou?" Yuan Mingzhu said irritably.

"Let me ask you again, the rumors about me originated from the Song family. Who was incompetent in managing things?" At this point, Cui Lingrong smiled faintly, "It was Princess Rongjia."

Yuan Mingzhu was stunned for a moment before she reacted, then laughed heartily, "You, you, I've known since we were little that you seem peaceful and don't cause trouble, but you're actually quite cunning. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to get along. On the surface, you lost face, but in reality, it was Princess Rongjia's poor management that allowed the rumors to spread to the Song family. And since you're Lord Song's first wife, if you lose face, the Song family loses face too. And your old lady values ​​face the most, so now it's Princess Rongjia's turn to explain to Old Madam Song."

At this point, Yuan Mingzhu seemed to remember something and pressed further, "But this concerns your reputation, did you have a backup plan?"

Cui Lingrong said "Of course," and then asked Qiu's mother to get some snacks for Yuan Mingzhu.