Chapter 159

Chapter 159: In Dire Straits When someone cursed Cui Lingrong, County Princess Rongjia found it quite satisfying to listen. Especially during this period—the Marquis had been noticeably cold toward her, and despite her several attempts to please him, he remained indifferent, which only added to her irritation. And whatever the source of her irritation, it could always be blamed on Cui Lingrong. Cui Lingrong's very existence was County Princess Rongjia's greatest vexation. "The First Young Madam can't compare to you at all. My poor aunt—she's been sent off to the estate, and who knows if she'll even survive there." Zhuqing said, beginning to dab at her tears. "That I've earned your favor is all thanks to my aunt." "Now that you mention it, why don't I send someone to look after her?" County Princess Rongjia said casually, for the sake of the child in Zhuqing's belly. But Zhuqing hastily declined, saying it wasn't necessary. She had only mentioned it casually to show her loyalty and sense of obligation—she didn't actually want anyone looking after her aunt. She wished her aunt dead, in fact. "The First Young Madam is surely keeping an eye on things. If you were to intervene, I'm afraid she'd use it against you and cause you trouble—that wouldn't do." Zhuqing finished saying this with great thoughtfulness, then steered the conversation toward the people of Qiushuang Zhai. "Do you know, County Mistress, the Marquis wants to marry Yu-jie into a high-ranking family?" County Princess Rongjia naturally knew about this—she had merely mentioned it casually, and the Marquis had actually asked her to return to her natal family to discuss Yu-jie's marriage prospects. But how could Yu-jie possibly be worthy of the future heir of the Rong Prince Mansion? "What did the Marquis tell you?" County Princess Rongjia asked offhandedly. "The Marquis said Yu-jie is fortunate—she has such an ambitious father, and now a maternal uncle with formidable family standing. In the future, only the legitimate son of a first-rank official who has also passed the Jinshi examination would be worthy of Yu-jie." The son of a high official, and a Jinshi degree-holder besides—what kind of extraordinary talent would that require? County Princess Rongjia let out an undisguised snort. "The Marquis holds Yu-jie in such high regard, but has he considered that the Duke of Dingguo's estate might not necessarily go to Cui Zeyu? If Cui Zeyu can't measure up to a nine-year-old child, then he's simply daydreaming!" "Who says otherwise—and he's not even a biological son. If the Duke and Duchess of Dingguo ever stop liking him, they might just throw him out of the mansion. You've heard, haven't you? Word has spread from the Duke of Dingguo's estate that Cui Zeyu doesn't go to pay his respects to the Duchess—unfilial and disobedient!" Zhuqing said with a laugh. County Princess Rongjia had heard of this too. "A single charge of unfilial conduct is enough to keep Cui Zeyu crushed and unable to rise." Her mind turned, and she said she was tired, dismissing Zhuqing, then had Chen De's Wife go inquire about the Duchess of Dingguo's recent whereabouts. Upon learning that the Duchess of Dingguo loved listening to opera, she deliberately chose a day to "coincidentally" encounter the Duchess at the opera house. As soon as County Princess Rongjia announced herself, Madam Qin sensed that the two of them were kindred spirits. "Since we're both here for the opera, why don't we enjoy it together?" "Then I'll gladly accept your kind invitation." After County Princess Rongjia sat down with Madam Qin, she mentioned as if casually, "A few days ago Cui Zeyu came calling—he and his sister really do have a close relationship." "Hmph, they're not even real siblings, yet they interact so frequently without any concern for propriety!" Madam Qin added. Both women's words carried dissatisfaction, and County Princess Rongjia pressed further, "Actually, I don't understand—why was Cui Zeyu chosen?" "The Duke of Dingguo made that choice; it has nothing to do with me." The Duchess of Dingguo directly distanced herself from the matter, then said meaningfully, "If you want to know the reason, I'd like to know too. He's already grown—how can someone like that ever be truly loyal? Those who've been merchants really are different—they know how to charm people." "So it wasn't your choice. I do apologize—I shouldn't have asked." County Princess Rongjia said apologetically. "It's fine, I don't mind discussing it. I don't acknowledge him anyway—the Duke of Dingguo's estate will only ever belong to my San-ge'er." Madam Qin had already figured it out—County Princess Rongjia and Lady Cui must be at odds, and she wanted to say something to her, so she would state her position first. "As for Cui Zeyu, once the Duke of Dingguo can no longer help him, we'll see how he manages to stay in the Ministry of Personnel." After these words, County Princess Rongjia understood everything clearly and immediately began listing all of Cui Zeyu's faults. "If you ask me, merchants can never wash off the stench of copper. Merchants value profit above all and care nothing for human sentiment. It's your discerning eye—San-ge'er is surely far superior." County Princess Rongjia's tactic of disparaging one while praising the other pleased the Duchess of Dingguo greatly. "But the Duke of Dingguo insists on elevating Cui Zeyu—what can I do about it?" The Duchess of Dingguo threw out the topic. County Princess Rongjia glanced at Chen De's Wife, who stepped forward and said, "If I may speak, Your Grace the Duchess—the Duke of Dingguo is currently blinded. As long as you make him see Cui Zeyu's true nature, the Duke will surely abandon him. When Cui Zeyu was still at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, this servant heard that he engaged in petty thievery." "What sort of things?" the Duchess of Dingguo asked. "Back then he was still young—stealing money for food was nothing much. But later, tsk tsk, the boy even seduced a maid from his sister's courtyard—a womanizer, truly improper. And he treats money like his very life. Just think—once his reputation is thoroughly ruined, will the Duke of Dingguo still protect him?" Chen De's Wife finished speaking and retreated back behind the County Mistress. County Princess Rongjia deliberately clicked her tongue. "Why are you saying this now? Cui Zeyu is already recorded in the Duke of Dingguo's family register. It can't be changed—too little, too late!" "County Mistress, this old servant is just afraid that the Duchess of Dingguo might be schemed against without even knowing it. The Duchess is such a good person; this old servant truly can't bear to see that happen." Chen De's Wife played along with her mistress, shaking her head and sighing by the end. County Princess Rongjia sighed as well. "Indeed. If the Duchess needs any help, she only has to say the word. I can't stand messy business." The three of them set the stage, trading words back and forth, until finally Madam Qin asked what Cui Zeyu cared about most. "This one..." County Princess Rongjia thought for a moment. "Besides money, it's his elder sister and his three nephews." Her words carried a pointed meaning, and Madam Qin understood immediately. The two chatted pleasantly and agreed to meet for tea another day. As County Princess Rongjia left the theater, she felt quite pleased with herself on the way back. "So the Duchess of Dingguo dislikes Cui Zeyu too. That makes things easy. With the Duchess on our side, Cui Zeyu will never inherit the Duke of Dingguo's estate. He's not even a biological son—the Duke can't shield Cui Zeyu forever." She was already confident she could bring Cui Zeyu down. With that thought, County Princess Rongjia was in good spirits. When she returned to the Marquis's residence and learned that Song Shulan was also there, she deliberately changed her clothes before going to find him. When she reached the door of Song Shulan's study, she motioned for Qingshan to stay quiet. Smiling brightly, she stepped up the stairs, eager to see Song Shulan, and failed to notice Qingshan's mouth opening as if to speak. At that moment, Song Shulan's voice came from inside the room. "Do you know what I like most about you? It's because you bear some resemblance to the County Princess, but you're younger, more sensible, and you never throw tantrums."