Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Premature Ejaculation "Don't say such things. You will all return safely," Cui Lingrong said. "Alright, we'll come back together." Xie Yunting's smile was radiant. In the days and nights that followed, he would remember these words and cling to this belief to survive. Cui Lingrong asked, "So General Xie came just to say this?" "Yes. And also to bid Sister Cui farewell. In the past, I had no attachments—no close friends, no family. I could leave at any moment. But this time, I wanted to say goodbye to Sister Cui." Xie Yunting looked straight at Cui Lingrong. His gaze was too candid. Although Cui Lingrong felt such words seemed a bit too intimate, facing Xie Yunting's frank gaze, she didn't overthink it. After a cup of tea, Xie Yunting took his leave. Cui Lingrong boarded the carriage back to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. As the scorching heat arrived, in previous years the marquis mansion would use ice, but this year Cui Lingrong had not purchased any ice blocks. When she returned to the mansion, she saw merchants delivering ice and learned that County Princess Rongjia had bought it, so she said nothing more. When she returned to Qiushuang Zhai, Caiyue said Mama Xu had come early in the morning asking for ice, "She also asked when we would go to the estate to escape the heat, saying that with the heat this year, Old Madame couldn't bear it and wanted to leave soon." "Nanny Qiu, go to Shouan Tang and tell them that there is no ice this year. If Old Madame wants ice, she can use her own money to have servants buy it. As for escaping the heat, it's the same—the marquis mansion won't arrange an estate, but Old Madame is free to make her own arrangements." Cui Lingrong needed to save money. Yu-jie's dowry was settled, but there were still Xuan-ge and Jin-ge to consider. As for the others in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, she managed their food and drink, but the rest was up to their own abilities. If a man had no capability, then his wife and children would suffer the heat—that wasn't something she could manage. As for Qiushuang Zhai's expenses, Cui Lingrong wouldn't skimp. She couldn't afford to fall ill—if she collapsed, it would give Old Madame an opportunity. Another seven or eight days passed. At the height of the heat, Xie Yunting led the troops north on campaign, and Cui Lingrong had someone deliver a Peace Amulet to him. When Cui Zeyu came to visit, he saw that the ice in his sister's room had all melted and hastily asked if she was short on money. "The cloth shop business isn't as good as before, but it's still enough for our expenses. Sister, have you had extra expenses somewhere? It's no trouble—I'll give you another ten thousand taels of silver?" "No need." Cui Lingrong said she had money. "The weather isn't that hot. A calm heart brings natural coolness—there's no need for so much silver. Besides, you have your own matters to attend to now, with people at every level to manage. Tell me about your affairs—how are things at the Ministry of Personnel?" "Everything is fine. You know that with the Duke of Dingguo looking after things, they wouldn't dare do anything to me," Cui Zeyu said. Cui Lingrong immediately saw through her brother's lie and exposed it. "If things were truly fine, why would they have you guarding the prison? In this weather, the dungeon is full of mosquitoes and insects, stuffy and hot. Do you really think I don't know anything?" Seeing her brother press his lips together, Cui Lingrong let out a long sigh. "I expected your start to be difficult, but I didn't think it would be this hard. The Duke of Dingguo is a military man—the most he can do is arrange for your food, clothing, shelter, and safety within the Duke of Dingguo's residence. But Jin-ge also told me that you and Madam Qin are at odds, and several times at the training grounds, accidents have occurred." The training grounds were the Duke of Dingguo's territory, yet Madam Qin could still interfere there—that showed her capability. "If you want to make progress in officialdom, you should first protect your reputation. Why do you think Old Madame Song cares so much about face? Because nothing can be accomplished without a good reputation." Cui Lingrong advised. "Madam Qin is deliberately ruining your reputation, calling you unfilial. Add to that the fact that you didn't enter officialdom through the proper Imperial Examination—some are jealous of you, and others look down on you. But none of that matters. People's perceptions change, especially those who aren't familiar with you." Cui Zeyu listened quietly. His sister's words were like a spring breeze, and he had missed this feeling dearly. "Zeyu, Madam Qin calls you unfilial, and since you can't maintain a harmonious facade, you need to make people see why you are unfilial. Madam Qin is cruel and violent, especially toward Lu Weijie. You grew up with me—I normally disdain using schemes, but you must use them." Cui Lingrong had already given him direction. "You can also make Madam Qin's reputation stink." Cui Zeyu nodded, saying he understood. "In a few days, at the Jiang family's full-month banquet, Madam Qin will surely be invited. I'll help pave the way for you." Cui Lingrong was wholly devoted to planning for her brother, hoping he could quickly shake off Madam Qin. "I've also learned that your superior is an upright and principled man. When dealing with him, show your true ability. Once you restore your reputation, he will regard you with newfound respect." "Sister, you... you've thought through all this for me?" Cui Zeyu's Adam's apple moved slightly, his eyes filled with emotion. Cui Lingrong smiled. "You're my brother. Your matters are my matters. Your days in the Duke of Dingguo's residence aren't as easy as before, so naturally I must be attentive in every way." Cui Zeyu's heart felt warm. He was determined to make something of himself. "Sister, rest assured—I won't let you down." "Being able to hold a high position is a good thing, but if you can't, it doesn't matter." Cui Lingrong had come to accept this. "I've already sent for Yu-jie and the others. Since you rarely visit, stay for a meal today." Not long after, Song Yu and her brother arrived, accompanied by Song Shulan. Upon learning that Cui Zeyu had come, Song Shulan made a point of coming over, saying he wanted to share a few drinks with Cui Zeyu. As soon as he sat down, Song Shulan began lecturing Cui Zeyu on the ways of officialdom with the tone of someone who had been through it all. "You need to understand that the way of an official isn't about how capable you are or how much you can accomplish. It's about making yourself likable—you need to make those who can promote you like you, and only then will you have the chance to rise. You have to listen to me on this; I've been through it, I have experience!" The moment he started speaking, everyone else fell silent. After Song Shulan had talked at length until his mouth went dry, he asked smugly, "So, what do you think? Your brother-in-law still has some skill, doesn't he?" Cui Zeyu said nothing. Cui Lingrong turned to serve her daughter some food. "The fish today is quite good. Have some more." Song Yu said, "Thank you, Mother." No one in the room picked up on Song Shulan's remark. For a moment, Song Shulan was so embarrassed he didn't know how to recover. In the past, he would have flown into a rage. This time, he found a way to save face himself. "Right, right, right. The fish today is indeed good. I'll have some more too." After the meal, Song Shulan wanted to have tea with Cui Zeyu to have a heart-to-heart talk. But Cui Zeyu didn't take the bait, saying he wanted to spar with Jin-ge instead. Song Mingjin, being straightforward, went to the courtyard with his uncle when he heard him say that. Only Song Mingxuan found a question about his studies to ask his father, giving Song Shulan something to do. By the time it grew dark, Cui Zeyu and Song Mingjin were both drenched in sweat, and Cui Zeyu took his leave. Song Shulan stood up and rubbed his lower back. "Lately, my back feels weak and without strength. Lingrong, can you arrange some medicinal food for me?" "If the Marquis is feeling unwell, it would be better to have a physician take a look first, lest you take the wrong medicine and cause more trouble." This remark carried a double meaning, also hinting that Song Shulan had taken the wrong medicine today by coming over. But to Song Shulan's ears, it sounded like Cui Lingrong was concerned about him. "I'll have a physician come by later. I have indeed been getting tired easily lately. Tonight, I—" "If the Marquis is sleepy, you should return. I need to go wash up as well." Once again, Cui Lingrong didn't let Song Shulan stay the night. Song Shulan felt humiliated and thought to himself that he would never bring this up again. It wasn't as if Cui Lingrong was his only woman. But after leaving Qiushuang Zhai, he found he had no interest in intimacy either. After some thought, he decided to return to the front courtyard. On the way, he ran into Huadie. She was dressed in thin, revealing clothing, her intentions obvious. Song Shulan, half-resisting and half-acquiescing, went back with her. But this time, it was over quickly again. Compared to before, his heart suddenly raced with panic. Huadie wanted to conceive another child. Zhuqing had been strutting around arrogantly ever since she got pregnant, and Huadie didn't want to be overshadowed by Zhuqing for the rest of her life. But today, the Marquis lacked the strength. She comforted him softly, "The Marquis must be too tired. Tomorrow, shall I prepare some tonic for you?" Song Shulan let out an awkward "Mm," said he was tired, and turned over to sleep. He thought to himself that he absolutely had to find a physician to take a look. Although he wasn't particularly passionate about women, he couldn't be this inadequate!