Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

Cui Lingrong never considered trying to win over Hua Die, because Hua Die was too stupid and of too low a status. Trying to win over such a person would only bring trouble upon herself.

Jiang was not clever, but she wasn't stupid either. Moreover, as the second wife, she had status and position.

Without much thought, Cui Lingrong said, "The old lady wants to take a concubine for the second master just so he can have a son. As long as you let go and let the women of the second branch have children, the old lady will be in the wrong if she mentions a concubine again."

"But……"

"Second sister-in-law, you have to give up something to gain something. You can't get pregnant, and Second Master is a playful person. Rather than letting a concubine enter the family, it's better to have a son first, and then you can take your time. Maybe if you relax, you'll get good news." Seeing that Jiang was still hesitant, Cui Lingrong added, "It's just a son, you just need to raise him well. Instead of focusing on this, you should take care of your own health. Once you have a child, Second Master isn't the kind of person who doesn't know what's important."

A breeze blew through the garden, making Cui Lingrong feel a little chilly. She had said everything she needed to say, and added one last thing, "If my second sister-in-law is truly willing to accept my favor, I know a female physician when I was in Suzhou. She is skilled in treating women's health. I can send you a letter and invite her to come and take a look at you."

Upon hearing this, Jiang quickly nodded, "Please help me, sister-in-law."

Cui Lingrong hummed in agreement and led Qiu's mother and the others back.

When Song Yu came to Qiushuangzhai, Cui Lingrong was writing a letter to an old friend. She asked her mother, puzzled, "Don't you dislike your second aunt? Why are you helping her?"

"I help her because she's useful, not because I want to befriend her," Cui Lingrong said. "Jiang often visits Wutong Garden, and I want her to be my eyes and ears. I don't need her to tell me every little detail; as long as she can remind me at crucial moments, that will be repaying my kindness."

Song Yu understood. "Second Aunt is a fence-sitter; she'll curry favor with whoever she wants help from. But then again, she's quite pitiful. She hasn't had a child all these years, and I've lost count of how many concubines Second Uncle has had. And now she's being betrayed by her closest cousin. Mother, is there still no news about Miss He?"

Cui Lingrong shook her head, "Not so fast, it will take some time."

After sending the letter out, Cui Lingrong took her daughter to study at the board of directors.

In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed, and it's November.

The weather was getting colder and colder, but fortunately Cui Zeyu brought a lot of charcoal, which was enough for Qiushuangzhai to burn the earthen stove.

The room was warm and cozy, with Brother Xuan and Sister Yu all huddled together in Qiushuangzhai.

Cui Lingrong was giving instructions to the head maid when Cui Zeyu arrived.

Wearing a rabbit fur scarf, Cui Zeyu had been recuperating in Bianjing for more than two months. His skin had become much whiter. After entering the house, he readily took off his hat and other items. First, Caixia brushed the snowflakes off his cloak, and then he took off the cloak and handed it to Caixia.

As soon as he arrived, Caiyue avoided him and retreated.

Caixia brought over hot tea. Cui Zeyu took a sip and felt the warmth. "It's been snowing for two days in a row. Last night, the grape trellis in the yard was all crushed."

"If it's collapsed, it's collapsed. But what about your new house? When will it be finished?" Cui Lingrong asked.

"I came here today to talk to you about this, sister." Cui Zeyu smiled, revealing her bright white teeth. "It's all done. If it weren't for the snow, I would have asked you to come over and check if there's anything I need to add."

As he said this, Song Mingjin ran out of the house, "Uncle, when can we go to your new house to play?"

"It'll be fine in a few days." Cui Zeyu also had a friend. He pinched his nephew's cheek, then looked at his sister. "I was thinking of inviting some friends and guests to a housewarming party before the New Year, but you know I can't entertain them all. I'd like to ask you for help."

"We told you to get married, but you wouldn't. Otherwise, someone would have helped you with the arrangements," Cui Lingrong said. "What date has been set?"

"It's the fifteenth of this month, and Brother Xuan happens to have a day off, so we can go together," Cui Zeyu said.

Cui Lingrong nodded and said, "Tell me clearly how many people you want to invite, how much money you plan to spend, and which guests are the most distinguished."

She happened to have some time now, so she asked Caixia to bring her paper and pen so she could write it down.

Cui Zeyu added, "There's one more thing. Brother Xie is engaged."

He was referring to Xie Yunting

Cui Lingrong asked, "Which family's daughter is she?"

"It's a girl from the Qin family. The Emperor helped to arrange the marriage," Cui Zeyu said. "Actually, Brother Xie didn't want a daughter from a civil official's family. He felt they wouldn't get along. But the Emperor said that Brother Xie had no connections in Bianjing and that he could only establish himself by marrying into a powerful family. If it were anyone else, Brother Xie would definitely scoff at this idea, but the Emperor issued an imperial decree, so he had no choice but to accept it."

After a pause, Cui Zeyu added, "She's from the Qin family, the maternal family of the Duke of Dingguo's wife. Do you know her, sister?"

"The Qin family?" Cui Lingrong thought for a moment. "I'm not familiar with the Qin family, but I've seen some members of the Qin family when I went to a banquet. As far as I know, the Qin family's third and fourth daughters are both of marriageable age. However, the third daughter is born of the principal wife, while the fourth daughter is born of a concubine. Since it's an official marriage, it must be the third daughter who is born of the principal wife."

Cui Zeyu said the wedding date is set for the middle of next year. "Brother Xie wanted to get married sooner, but high-class families have all sorts of customs, so they postponed the date. Brother Xie asked me to tell my sister that after he has given the betrothal gifts, he will send her a wedding invitation and tell her that she must attend."

"I'll definitely go," Cui Lingrong said with a smile. "No matter what, it's a good thing."

Xie Yunting was all alone, but after getting married he had a home, and Cui Lingrong was happy for him.

Speaking of this, she went to see her younger brother again, but after hesitating for a long time, she did not press him about marriage.

At this moment, Caixia brought over paper and pen, and Cui Zeyu began to talk about the people he wanted to invite.

Song Yu and her brother were feeling cooped up inside. She wanted to go out and play in the snow, but Song Mingxuan didn't want to move, so she pulled Song Mingjin outside.

Half an hour later, Song Yu returned in a huff, followed by Song Mingjin, who was crying and sobbing.

"What's wrong with Jin-ge'er?" Mother Qiu squatted down to look at him and saw a red mark on Jin-ge'er's cheek. "Did he fall?"

"I..." Song Mingjin glanced at her sister, not daring to speak.

Song Yu said irritably, "He's too embarrassed to say it, so I'll say it."

She slammed a jade disc onto the table. "Just now when we went out, I saw him constantly reaching into his pocket. I asked him what he was doing, but he couldn't answer, which was strange. Turns out it's this. Can you guess who gave it to him?"

Seeing how angry her daughter was, Cui Lingrong still gave her son face and let Caixia and Qiu's mother go out.

"It was given to me by Princess Rongjia!" Song Yu became increasingly angry as she spoke, turning around to glare fiercely at her younger brother. "Haven't you ever seen anything good before? You even want that bitch's things? Do you want to see Mother and me die of anger?"

Upon hearing the word "bitch," Song Mingjin and Song Mingxuan were both stunned. Their sister would sometimes say such things to them, but she would never use such a word.

While crying, Song Mingjin explained, "Many people in the Imperial Academy have nice accessories. If I don't have any, I'm afraid people will laugh at me."

"You went there to study, not to compete with others. You're laughed at because your grades aren't as good as others!" Song Yu was furious. She couldn't hold back any longer and told them about what happened at Wutong Garden that day. "Do you know that Princess Rongjia used such despicable means to harm me and force my mother to leave the Marquis's mansion?"

Cui Lingrong did not tell her two sons about this.

When Song Yu spoke of it today, Song Mingxuan frowned deeply. Song Mingjin was still young and couldn't immediately grasp all the details, but when he heard that his sister had been punished by kneeling and kicked by their father, he cautiously tugged at his sister's sleeve, saying, "Sister, don't be angry. I won't pay any attention to the princess anymore."

"You'd better remember this!" Song Yu turned and sat down, not wanting to talk to his younger brother.

Cui Lingrong looked at the jade disc, then at her young, innocent son.

She was strict with Jin-ge'er, but Princess Rongjia secretly doted on him, and she suddenly understood.

Princess Rongjia could not possibly be truly kind to Jin-ge'er, much less want to raise her child; instead, she intended to raise Jin-ge'er and Xuan-ge'er as outsiders.

To others, Princess Rongjia appears to be a doting mother, giving Jin'er the extravagant accessories he desires. However, if this continues, it could foster a life of luxury in Jin'er, leading him to constantly compare himself to others at the Imperial Academy, ultimately ruining him.

Cui Lingrong immediately took a deep breath. Fortunately, it wasn't too late. Now she had to make her two sons realize the problem themselves.

Seeing her younger brother about to speak, Cui Lingrong turned to the older Xuan-ge'er, "Xuan-ge'er, what do you think the princess's purpose is?"