Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Setting the Trap When Cui Lingrong arrived at the study, Song Shulan only glanced up and asked, "Did Lady Zhou come looking for you?" Cui Lingrong said no. "If she does come to you, don't be too warm—keep your distance." Song Shulan was writing something and didn't look at Cui Lingrong as he spoke. "Today Lord Zhou came to see me, and between the lines, he was asking about Yu-jie's matter. His family's official rank is too low, and his son didn't even pass the Jinshi examination." The Zhou family was the natal family of Yuan Mingzhu's eldest brother's wife. Song Shulan saw through the Zhou family's intentions completely. "Lord Zhou used to treat me coldly. Why does he want to form a marriage alliance now? Isn't it because he sees my connection to the Rong Prince Mansion and wants to use me to curry favor with Prince Rong?" Hah—he wouldn't give such people the time of day. "Mingzhu told me that the Zhou family's official position isn't bad, but the whole household is a mess, and Yu-jie isn't suited for that kind of family." Cui Lingrong didn't want her daughter to marry into that family either, but Lord Zhou was a full third-rank official—higher in rank than Song Shulan. Even that wasn't good enough? "That's right. Yu-jie is my only daughter, so I naturally want to choose a good marriage for her," Song Shulan said. At this, Cui Lingrong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Lord Zhou is a full third-rank official, yet you find the Zhou family's status too low. What kind of family do you have in mind for Yu-jie?" Yu-jie would reach Ji-pin next year, and an engagement would be settled soon. It was time to start looking. As Yu-jie's mother, Cui Lingrong had already begun preparing the dowry. As for the choice of son-in-law, that wasn't decided by her alone. Song Shulan actually had a target in mind. "What do you think of the eldest son of the main branch of the Rong Prince Mansion?" This was County Princess Rongjia's suggestion—she said it would strengthen the bond between the two families, which was perfect. Cui Lingrong immediately frowned. "Why did you suddenly think of this, Marquis? Did the County Princess suggest it?" "She did. Think about it—the youngest son of Prince Rong is favored by the Emperor. If Yu-jie can marry into the Rong Prince Mansion, our family will be closely tied to them. Then we won't have to worry about Xuan-ge and Jin-ge's futures, will we?" Song Shulan was quite pleased with himself. The moment Cui Lingrong heard it was County Princess Rongjia's idea, she quickly understood what was really going on. Whenever she met with Lady Wu, someone always saw them. And previously, she had said to the County Princess's face that she couldn't bear children. The County Princess would surely think Lady Wu had told her that. So the County Princess deliberately brought up the marriage between their children. From Lady Wu's perspective, her son could pick any daughter from a prestigious family—the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's standing was far too low in comparison, especially since the eldest legitimate son would one day inherit the princedom. If Cui Lingrong took the bait and went to see Lady Wu, a rift would inevitably form between her and Lady Wu. But from Song Shulan's perspective, the County Princess proactively suggesting a marriage alliance with her natal family showed that she was virtuous and considerate of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's interests. And the County Princess, knowing full well it was impossible, said it anyway—to sow discord between Cui Lingrong and Song Shulan, as well as between her and Lady Wu. It would also conveniently ruin Yu-jie's reputation, making her look like she didn't know her place. Cui Lingrong looked at Song Shulan without revealing her thoughts. "You may not know this, Marquis, but today at the Duke of Dingguo's residence, I met the Heir's Wife. If she had any intention of forming a marriage alliance, she would have mentioned it to me. But she didn't say a word about it." "You met her?" Song Shulan frowned. "Yes. The Heir's Wife greeted me and we chatted for a while, but she never once brought up Yu-jie and her eldest son." Cui Lingrong's mind turned, and she redirected the issue back to County Princess Rongjia. "But since the County Princess has this intention, why not have her go back and speak with her eldest brother and sister-in-law? They're closer—perhaps if the County Princess raises it, there might be hope?" That was what she said, but Cui Lingrong knew it was absolutely impossible. She was simply returning the trouble to the County Princess. Song Shulan found this reasonable. "You're right. Since you don't object, I'll mention it to the County Princess later." Cui Lingrong pressed her lips into a smile. If the County Princess wanted to stir up trouble, then let her go back to the Rong Prince Mansion and bring it up herself. After all, she was the one who proposed it—she couldn't very well refuse Song Shulan now. After Cui Lingrong left, Song Shulan went to the Wutong Courtyard. When County Princess Rongjia heard that Cui Lingrong had agreed, she was stunned. She had thought Cui Lingrong hated her and, by extension, resented the Rong Prince Mansion, and would absolutely refuse. She never expected Cui Lingrong to actually agree! "Cui-shi has always valued her children. As long as it's good for them, she'll agree." Song Shulan was pleased that Cui Lingrong had been sensible this time. "I'll trouble you to make the trip, County Princess. If this matter succeeds, I'll be sure to thank you properly. From now on, Cui-shi won't make things difficult for you either—after all, you'll be the one who helped Yu-jie marry into a high-ranking family." County Princess Rongjia was so stiff she couldn't even force a smile. The moment she brought it up at her natal home, her eldest sister-in-law would surely tear into her for having her head in the clouds. As for her father and mother, they would never agree either. That was the future heir of the Rong Prince Mansion—how could he marry down to Cui-shi's child? Just thinking about it made the County Princess's cheeks burn with humiliation. But she was the one who had proposed it. If she didn't at least go through the motions of returning home, she wouldn't be able to explain herself to Song Shulan. The County Princess had no choice but to reluctantly agree. The next day, when she returned to the Rong Prince Mansion, her brows were tightly knitted. "What am I supposed to do?" Chen De's Wife hadn't expected the eldest young mistress to agree either. "Why don't we just mention it casually, without making a point of it? If the Marquis asks later, we'll say the Crown Prince's consort didn't agree, and ask the Marquis not to bring it up again." "I'm afraid that if I say she didn't agree, the Marquis will be displeased." County Princess Rongjia was now more cautious and careful in dealing with Song Shulan. Too many times before, she had felt that Song Shulan might come to despise her. "Put all the blame on the Crown Prince's consort, and try to keep the Marquis from getting too angry," Chen De's Wife said. County Princess Rongjia nodded. There was nothing else she could do. When she returned to the Rong Prince Mansion, she had wanted to speak privately with her mother, but Lady Wu happened to be there. She waited for quite a while, and only when it was mealtime did Lady Wu finally leave. Princess Consort Rong knew her daughter well and asked, "What exactly do you want to say that you need to avoid your elder sister-in-law?" County Princess Rongjia had no choice but to tell her about Yu-jie's matter. "Mother, rest assured, I never truly intended to have Yu-jie marry into our family. I only wanted to sow discord between Lady Cui and Master Song. I never expected Lady Cui to actually agree." "So now you're caught in a dilemma?" Princess Consort Rong sighed. "Oh, you. She's set a trap for you!" Having lived twenty or so years longer, Princess Consort Rong quickly saw through Cui Lingrong's intentions. "She knew you wanted to stir up trouble, so she deliberately agreed. Do you really think she would dare let her daughter marry into our family?" Only then did County Princess Rongjia understand. "So that's it. She really is a vile woman!" "Come closer. When you go back, say this to Song Shulan..." Princess Consort Rong whispered a few words into her daughter's ear. On the other side, after Lady Wu left the main hall, she sent someone to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. The Crown Princess's consort deliberately delayed for quite a while, but she avoided the County Mistress, so I don't know what she wanted to say." Cui Lingrong smiled and explained County Princess Rongjia's scheme. She didn't dare speak to the Consort of the Heir Apparent directly, so she could only say a few words to the Princess Consort. Thank the Crown Princess for me, and please tell her that I know my place." When the messenger returned, she reported everything truthfully to her mistress. After hearing this, Lady Wu fell into thought. "If Yu-jie could have even half of Lady Cui's capability, I wouldn't mind the difference in family standing." She hadn't originally had such intentions, but now that County Princess Rongjia had stirred things up, she could consider Song Yu. If she were to elevate Song Yu, Rongjia would surely be furious.