Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Marrying Up Xie Yunting truly didn't recognize her at first, but that "Who are you?" was deliberate on his part. Qin Mengyao immediately blushed and cautiously glanced at the eldest madam. Seeing her mother's displeased expression, she felt deeply uneasy. Qin Mengting, however, didn't look at Xie Yunting, nor did she look at her mother. Madam Qin the elder said calmly, "General Xie is a man of many affairs and forgetful of old acquaintances. It seems you don't even remember us anymore." "Indeed, your Qin family has too much going on—one moment it's the third young lady, the next it's the fourth. How am I supposed to keep track of who's who?" Xie Yunting never forced himself to be polite for others' sake. He shot back at Madam Qin and turned to leave. Just then, a servant boy came looking for him and led him away. As Cui Lingrong was about to leave, Madam Qin called out to her again, "Marchioness Song, you seem quite close with General Xie?" "Those words shouldn't be spoken carelessly. What do you mean by 'close'?" Cui Lingrong didn't mince words. "General Xie is a sworn brother of my younger brother, which makes him like a younger brother to me as well. We greet each other and exchange a few words when we meet—does that count as 'close' in your eyes?" "You—!" "I'll take my leave now. Please, make yourselves at home." Cui Lingrong didn't linger and turned to head toward the women's quarters. Today, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion was exceptionally lively, as if the duchess intended to announce something to the whole world. Cui Lingrong sat for a while. When the screen separating the male and female guests was removed, the duchess emerged with four boys of varying ages, introducing each of them to the crowd one by one. The Duke of Dingguo's expression was extremely grim. He didn't even glance at the four boys. The duchess, meanwhile, kept a smile on her face the entire time. Cui Lingrong observed for a few moments, decided not to get involved, and quietly sipped her tea in a corner. After a while, Lady Wu came looking for her. Seeing Lady Wu, Cui Lingrong quickly rose to her feet. "Between us, there's no need for such formality," Lady Wu said with a smile. "Did you see what just happened? Which boy do you think Madam Qin will choose as her son?" Cui Lingrong shook her head. "Are you truly unaware, or do you simply not wish to say?" Lady Wu looked at Cui Lingrong with keen interest. "I genuinely don't know," Cui Lingrong said. "I only saw them exchange a few words—how could I possibly know what kind of people they are? Does the Crown Princess care so much about this?" Lady Wu said no, "Just making conversation, nothing more." She glanced at Cui Lingrong and continued, "Rongjia can't bear children, and she's arranged for two maidservants to enter the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. What do you plan to do?" "I've already put them in their place," Cui Lingrong said. "Crown Princess, you and I may not have the deepest acquaintance, but we can each understand the other's difficulties. Can you speak plainly with me—is there anything that could make even Prince Rong unable to protect the County Mistress?" Lady Wu knew Cui Lingrong was clever, which was precisely why she had drawn close to her. She smiled and shook her head. "If I could say it, I would have told you long ago. Sister Cui, you're very intelligent—you should be able to understand." Cui Lingrong nodded. She understood. But the fact that Lady Wu would say such a thing meant that County Princess Rongjia had certainly committed some grave offense. As for what it was, as long as she looked in the right direction, she would be able to uncover it. A trip to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion hadn't been wasted after all. Cui Lingrong noticed the crowd dispersing, presumably because the Duchess of Dingguo had finished speaking. Someone came over to ask about her daughter, and she said Yu-jie was ill, after which the person left. "Is Yu-jie truly ill?" Lady Wu asked. Cui Lingrong said no, "She didn't want to come, so I didn't make her. What about Yu-jie? Why isn't she here?" Zhao Yu was a year older than Song Yu and would soon reach Ji-pin. Lady Wu said she had kept her daughter at home. "You know as well as I do that Yu-jie's marriage isn't mine to arrange, so I've had her stay at the prince's residence to avoid running into certain people." Cui Lingrong nodded. They were both mothers and could understand each other's concerns. Lady Wu caught sight of County Princess Rongjia laughing and chatting with Song Shulan, and added, "Does Marquis Song know that Rongjia can't bear children?" Cui Lingrong shook her head, saying he didn't. "You should find a way to let him know—it's better that way," Lady Wu said. "If there's anything I can do, just say the word, and I'll do my best to help." As they were speaking, Madam Qin came to fetch Lady Wu and called her away. Cui Lingrong sat at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion for a while longer, then took her leave early and went to the Jiang residence. The moment she saw Yuan Mingzhu, Yuan Mingzhu eagerly asked about what had happened at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. "So? Is the Duchess of Dingguo going to adopt a child?" "She is indeed, but the Duke of Dingguo hasn't agreed yet—no child was chosen today." Cui Lingrong asked Yuan Mingzhu, "Do you know something?" "I heard from others that the Duke of Dingguo couldn't hold out against the duchess and agreed to adopt a child, but he demanded that if his concubine's hidden-residence son is ever found, the dukedom must pass to that son." Yuan Mingzhu sniffed disdainfully. "If that hidden son is ever found, plus the adopted son the duchess brings in, how are they going to divide the family property?" Just hearing about it, Cui Lingrong could already tell it would be a mountain of trouble. Yuan Mingzhu continued her rant, "The Duke of Dingguo's mansion looks impressive now because of the duke's military achievements. Just wait and see—whichever of the couple dies first loses. Good thing it's none of our business, or we'd never stop worrying." Cui Lingrong agreed. "And your elder sister? How is she doing in Suzhou?" "I'll tell you quietly—my sister has already found a match. Before she married, my mother had considered a scholar for her, but fate played its tricks and they each went their separate ways into marriage. When that man learned my sister had lost her husband and returned home, he came to propose. It happened that his wife had passed away two years prior, leaving him with only two daughters." Yuan Mingzhu said her future brother-in-law hadn't entered officialdom but instead served as a tutor at an academy. "That's for the best—it spares him the entanglements of bureaucratic life." "Indeed. When you send her wedding gifts, let me know—I'd like to add something for Sister Yuan as well," Cui Lingrong said. "Good, I'll be sure to tell you." Yuan Mingzhu laughed twice, then turned serious. "By the way, a few days ago, my eldest sister-in-law was asking me about Yu-jie, probing indirectly for your thoughts. I looked into it—her nephew on her natal side has reached marriageable age, and it seems they've set their sights on Yu-jie." She glanced around, then quickly added, "But her natal family won't do. On the surface their standing looks decent, but in reality it's a large household—marrying in would mean endless waiting on others." Cui Lingrong said she understood. "If your sister-in-law brings it up again, just tell her Yu-jie is still young and I intend to keep her for a few more years." Yuan Mingzhu had watched Yu-jie grow up and hoped she'd find a good home. "If you ask me, Luo Feng would be a fine match—he's the same age as Yu-jie. And you know You Shuyi—she's magnanimous and would surely treat Yu-jie like her own daughter. Why not just become in-laws?" Cui Lingrong had considered it too. "The only thing is, the Luo family is in Suzhou. I'm afraid..." A daughter married so far away—her heart couldn't bear it. "I understand. You have only one daughter, and you'd want her married here in Bianjing. At worst, you could have You Shuyi come to Bianjing to establish property. But even if you were willing, your husband might not agree." Mentioning Song Shulan soured Yuan Mingzhu's tone. "He's set on climbing the ranks, currying favor with the Rong Prince Mansion. Now he'd want Yu-jie married up—how could he ever look favorably on the Luo family's standing?" On that point, Cui Lingrong couldn't deny it—Song Shulan certainly harbored hopes of marrying their daughter into higher station. She chatted with Yuan Mingzhu for a good while and only returned to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion as dusk approached. Just as she entered the main gate, Qingshan was waiting for her, saying the Marquis requested her presence in his study. Cui Lingrong asked what it was about. "I'm not sure, madam. The Marquis only said it concerns Yu-jie," Qingshan said.