Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Sisters Cui Lingrong left those words behind and departed. When she returned to Qiushuang Zhai, Caiyue was puzzled. "Eldest Madam, you deliberately said that County Princess Rongjia can't conceive—aren't you afraid of beating the grass and startling the snake?" "What grass am I beating? What snake am I startling?" Cui Lingrong asked with a smile. Caiyue said naturally, "Why, County Princess Rongjia, of course." Back inside, Cui Lingrong sat down and calmly sipped her tea. "County Princess Rongjia is under house arrest, so she'll surely behave herself for a while. But if she doesn't stir up trouble, how am I to catch her in the act?" Caiyue still didn't understand, but Caixia continued, "So you deliberately said that to make County Princess Rongjia think you know a great deal—even some deeper secrets. And since she's under house arrest, it'll be hard for her to investigate. She'll grow more and more anxious, until she does something irrational." Cui Lingrong praised Caixia for being clever. "That's exactly the reasoning." Her relationship with County Princess Rongjia was one of life or death. Since matters had reached this point, she could not afford to be soft-hearted. Leaving an escape route for County Princess Rongjia would be leaving a dead end for herself. Only then did Caiyue see the light. "Eldest Madam, you're so clever. I could never have thought of such a provocation. County Princess Rongjia must be panicking now. She's harmed people again and again, yet because she's of the imperial clan, she still lives well—truly heaven has no eyes. Speaking of which, the Marquis's attitude toward her hasn't changed at all. I really don't know why!" Cui Lingrong also felt that Song Shulan's feelings toward County Princess Rongjia were unusual, but as for the specific reason, she didn't understand it yet. Recalling General Xie's instructions, and learning that the Jiang family had sent an invitation, Cui Lingrong accepted it. Although Yuan Yuzhu had left the Duke of Dingguo's residence, people still cared about face these days, and the marriage connection remained. Moreover, the Jiang and Qin families knew each other, so it was possible the Qin sisters would be there. When the day arrived, Cui Lingrong brought congratulatory gifts to the Jiang residence. After paying her respects to Old Madame Jiang, she went to find Yuan Mingzhu to discuss the matter of the Qin girls. Yuan Mingzhu took Cui Lingrong's hand and led her to look. Across a pond, Yuan Mingzhu pointed in a direction. "Look over there—that's the Fourth Miss of the Qin family. She has a flamboyant personality and likes to say that birth doesn't determine everything. As for the Third Miss, she's not among the crowd." Cui Lingrong looked over. The Fourth Miss of the Qin family had round cheeks and charming features, appearing quite lively. After a while, Jiang Zifang came over to pay her respects, and Yuan Mingzhu had Jiang Zifang bring Song Yu along to play. Song Yu had come to the Jiang residence with her mother since childhood, and Aunt Yuan had no daughters of her own, so she would have Jiang Zifang and Song Yu play together. The two had a very good relationship. Song Yu was on a mission. She followed Jiang Zifang into the crowd and immediately looked at Qin Mengyao. "Fourth Sister Qin, what are you wearing today? It looks so splendid!" Qin Mengyao proudly raised her sleeve. "This is tribute silk—fine goods from the Duke of Dingguo's residence. My grand-aunt only received two bolts, and she gave them all to me for spring clothes." Her meaning was that only she had this fabric—even her third sister didn't. "So it's tribute silk! No wonder it's so beautiful," said a girl, reaching out to touch it, only to have her hand slapped away by Qin Mengyao. Song Yu caught the disdain in Qin Mengyao's eyes, and her first impression was not favorable. But Qin Mengyao's purpose in coming today was not these young ladies and madams—it was Xie Yunting. Her third sister looked down on Xie Yunting's background, and even her father, when mentioning Xie Yunting, mostly spoke disparagingly. But she, a concubine's daughter who had grown up suppressed, knew very well the benefits of Xie Yunting. If she married Xie Yunting, she could take charge of her own household. Moreover, given how much the Emperor favored Xie Yunting, she might even receive a Gaoming title—something she wouldn't have dared to dream of before. But her third sister didn't think Xie Yunting was good enough and made a huge fuss refusing to marry him. Since that was the case, she wanted to see Xie Yunting for herself. She was quite confident in her looks. So after chatting with the girls for a bit, Qin Mengyao found an excuse and went into the garden to look for someone. Song Yu found it strange and followed. She knew the Jiang residence well, keeping a distance behind Qin Mengyao until Qin Mengyao was stopped by a man. Song Yu quickly ducked behind a corner. "Fourth Sister, why have you been avoiding me lately? Have I done something wrong?" "Cousin, what are you saying? We're both grown now; we should naturally keep our distance." Qin Mengyao's voice carried obvious intent to avoid suspicion. But the man refused to let Qin Mengyao leave. "That's not what you said before. Didn't you say you wanted to marry me and asked me to go beg my parents for permission?" "Cousin, you jest. Marriage is decided by one's parents. There has never been anything between us. Besides, aren't you close with Third Sister? Could it be you no longer like her?" "When was I ever close with your third sister?" the man said in a wounded tone. "I was only going through the motions with her. My true feelings are for you. Fourth Sister, tell me honestly—do you want to marry Xie Yunting?" Qin Mengyao looked around. This wasn't the Qin residence—if someone saw her like this, her reputation would be ruined. "I ask that you show some restraint, Cousin. You and I are innocent, with no engagement between us. Blocking my way like this is truly improper! As for me and General Xie, that's not for me to decide either!" After saying this, she pushed Meng Qingtang away forcefully. Since there was a better choice, she wouldn't bother competing with Third Sister for Meng Qingtang. Meng Qingtang's eyes were full of disappointment. Song Yu hadn't expected to overhear this conversation. Just as she was about to leave, she heard an extremely sweet voice call out, "Qing-gege." "It's Third Sister. Why are you here?" Meng Qingtang was somewhat embarrassed, wondering if Qin Mengting had seen him talking with Qin Mengyao. "I heard you had come to the garden, so I wanted to try my luck and come over." Qin Mengting gazed at Meng Qingtang with deep affection. "Don't give up on us, alright? As for that Xie Yunting, I'd rather die than marry him." She was devoted to her cousin, having loved him since childhood. Originally, both families' elders had nodded in agreement, and only the betrothal gifts remained. But then the Emperor issued a marriage decree. She threatened to die, and only then did her father and grandfather go to Xie Yunting to arrange a swap of brides. Qin Mengting looked down on Xie Yunting as a common soldier from the mud. She only wanted to marry her cousin. Meng Qingtang frowned deeply. "Third Sister, things between us are unlikely to work out. Your father is right—you are the legitimate daughter of the Qin family, and you must bear that responsibility. Just... just think of it as me having changed my heart. I'm sorry for wronging you." "But cousin, I only love you. If I hadn't known you would be here today, I would never have come to this banquet. Do you know how much pain I'm in?" After learning of the Emperor's marriage decree, Qin Mengting had felt worse than death. The mere thought of living with Xie Yunting made her prefer death. Meng Qingtang had indeed once liked Qin Mengting, but later discovered she was too clingy, far less interesting than Qin Mengyao. Added to the marriage decree, both the Meng and Qin families understood that Xie Yunting wouldn't pass over the legitimate daughter to choose a concubine's daughter. They had already concluded that Qin Mengting would marry Xie Yunting. "Third Sister, wake up. The Emperor's marriage decree is not something you or I can control. Moreover, the initiative now lies with Xie Yunting—whoever he chooses must marry him." Meng Qingtang took a big step back. "From now on, you and I should stop meeting in private, lest it harm your reputation..." Before he could finish, he heard what sounded like someone bumping into a window not far away and hurried over. Song Yu had been listening intently. After bumping into the wooden window, she quickly went back to find her mother and quietly told her about the two young ladies of the Qin family. Yuan Mingzhu snorted coldly. "So both young ladies of the Qin family are connected to the same man?" Song Yu said that seemed to be the case. "General Xie is truly unlucky. Why does the Emperor keep making such bad matches?" Yuan Mingzhu pursed her lips. Cui Lingrong quickly told her to stop talking—if those words were overheard, heads would roll. After Cui Lingrong left the Jiang residence, she planned to find Xie Yunting to tell him what she had learned. But just as she arrived at the Xie residence gate, she saw a young lady descending from the Qin family's carriage. Song Yu immediately said, "Mother, that's the Third Young Lady of the Qin family. What is she doing coming to see General Xie?"