Chapter 200

Chapter 200: The Quarrel "Don't listen to what others say. We are innocent, and the truth will speak for itself," Cui Lingrong said soothingly. In Cui Lingrong's heart, everything was indeed clean and pure. She only ever regarded her younger brother as a brother, and had never harbored any improper thoughts. But Cui Zeyu was different. He had. From the moment his sister took him in and he found warmth in her care, he had. The thoughts he had suppressed for so many years had now become feelings that could not see the light of day. Cui Zeyu hated his own impropriety, but he could not control his emotions. Cui Zeyu smiled at his sister. "Mm." The carriage slowly made its way back. Cui Lingrong and the children returned to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, while Cui Zeyu went back to the Duke of Dingguo's residence. The Duke of Dingguo once again raised the matter of marriage. "Right now, the most helpful thing for you is to form a marriage alliance." "I don't need a marriage alliance," Cui Zeyu said. "Don't need?" The Duke of Dingguo did not understand. "Whoever you want to move against, I have no objection. You're young and ambitious, and you need achievements—fine. But can you use your head? In the entire court, besides me, who else stands with you?" "Xie Yunting? He's not in Bianjing right now!" "Other than that, who else?" Only through a marriage alliance could he forcibly bind himself to another family and gain more support. The Duke of Dingguo took a deep breath. "Give me a reason, or I won't accept this!" After all, he was still the father—how could he always be led around by his son! "No reason needed. I said it—I don't need a marriage alliance." Cui Zeyu was firm. "If you won't accept it, you can disown me as your son. I've also said that I can leave the Duke of Dingguo's residence at any time!" "You're rebelling! Do you really think I don't dare?" The Duke of Dingguo had held back for a long time, and today he exploded. "Then disown me!" Cui Zeyu was equally displeased. Marriage alliance? If he needed a marriage alliance, he would have married long ago. Why wait until now? The father and son were locked in a tense standoff. The Duke of Dingguo looked at his son, racking his brains but unable to understand why his son refused a marriage alliance. "Tell me the truth—do you have someone in your heart?" Other than that, the Duke of Dingguo could think of no other answer. Cui Zeyu said, "My affairs are none of your concern." He neither admitted nor denied it, then turned and left the room. The Duke of Dingguo watched his son's retreating figure and cursed the brat in anger. "Fine, fine, fine. I won't meddle in your affairs. When someone gets you killed, don't come crying to me!" The Duke of Dingguo was furious. Feeling he could no longer control his son, he decided to seek help from Cui Lingrong instead. Early the next morning, he brought some gifts to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, specifically requesting to see Cui Lingrong. Cui Lingrong brought Nanny Qiu along. Upon learning that it was about her younger brother's marriage, Cui Lingrong was also at a loss. "I raised this matter two years ago, but Zeyu wouldn't listen to me." "How is that possible? Doesn't he listen to you the most?" The Duke of Dingguo found it strange. "But on this matter, he truly won't listen." Cui Lingrong said helplessly. "I don't know if it's because he saw what his mother went through as a child, so he's very resistant to marriage. Whenever I bring it up, he either changes the subject or gets upset. Your Grace means well for Zeyu, but there are many matters between the two of you that are difficult to handle. I think it might be better to ease the tension in your relationship first before discussing anything else?" Seeing the Duke of Dingguo frown, Cui Lingrong continued, "If the relationship is poor, it's hard to get along, let alone live a life of mutual consultation. What do you think?" "That does make sense." Seeing that Lady Cui had no solution either, the Duke of Dingguo had no choice but to drop the matter. He then turned to the topic of Song Shulan's promotion. "This is good news, but Song Shulan's position came too easily. Many people are secretly dissatisfied." He was warning Lady Cui not to act too ostentatiously, lest she invite trouble. Cui Lingrong was a clever woman and understood immediately. After thanking the Duke of Dingguo, she suddenly thought of Xie Yunting, who had gone off to battle, and asked about the northern expedition. "Xie Yunting employs aggressive tactics, unlike anyone before him. So far things are going smoothly—he's taken back two cities in a row. But with such a rapid pace of siege, if the enemy catches a single flaw, the entire army could be wiped out. Xie Yunting is too young and too bold. Perhaps that's a good thing, since the court is full of mediocrities." The Duke of Dingguo gave his fair assessment. "A man like him absolutely cannot lose a battle, or those ministers will not let him off." Cui Lingrong nodded in agreement. After seeing the Duke of Dingguo off, she was about to return to Qiushuang Zhai when Old Madame summoned her. With her son promoted, Old Madame Song was especially eager to host a banquet and show off. After all, over the past year, with Cui Lingrong not holding any banquets, she had been terribly bored in the marquis mansion. Cui Lingrong cited the Duke of Dingguo's words. "Just now, the Duke of Dingguo mentioned that the Marquis's promotion came quickly. If we're too ostentatious, it could easily invite jealousy. I believe it's better to keep a low profile so as not to affect the Marquis's career." Old Madame Song was displeased. "Was that really the Duke of Dingguo's words, or your own?" She looked at Cui Lingrong with a hostile gaze. "Since last year, you've been withholding the mansion's allowance, saying it's all your money anyway. You married into this mansion—you are part of this household now, and your money is the household's money. What do you need so much money for?" Old Madame Song grew angrier as she spoke, "Don't think I don't know—you're the one who's truly devoted to that half-brother of yours. Yu-jie is about to have her Ji-pin ceremony, and instead of thinking about giving her more grandeur, all you talk about is money. Is it for the Marquis's career, or is it your own little schemes?" Just then, County Princess Rongjia arrived. Ever since Song Shulan had been promoted again, the County Princess walked through the Marquis's residence as if she owned the place. "Old Madame is right. Sister Cui says to keep a low profile, but does our Marquis's residence need to keep a low profile? The Marquis earned his promotion through his own ability. With such a great occasion, how can we not let him celebrate?" Today, Old Madame Song was determined to hold a banquet. "This household is still under my authority. No matter what, this time I will hold it!" Seeing Old Madame Song's firm stance, Cui Lingrong no longer tried to stop her. Knowing it was useless to argue with the Old Madame, she simply stated how much money was in the household coffers and what scale of event could be managed with it. Old Madame Song heard this and had someone fetch the money. "It's just some money. You've become such a miser now. Lady Cui, are you still from a scholarly family?" County Princess Rongjia also contributed a portion of money. "For the Marquis's happy occasion, I should also do my part." "Now that's what I call sensible—the County Princess." Old Madame Song and County Princess Rongjia played off each other, disregarding everyone else's feelings. Cui Lingrong withdrew from Shouan Tang. When Song Shulan returned, she deliberately sought him out in the study. But no sooner had she relayed the Duke of Dingguo's words than Song Shulan gave her the same response as Old Madame Song had today. "I want to ask you as well—is it that you don't want to see me honored, or did the Duke of Dingguo truly say such a thing?" Song Shulan was still nursing his resentment. "Since the Old Madame and the County Princess are willing to put up the money, then we'll hold it. Surely you, as the principal wife, aren't planning to contribute nothing?" "Marquis, it truly was the Duke of Dingguo who said—" "So what if he did?" Song Shulan barked in frustration. "Does whatever he says carry that much weight? I'm telling you I want to hold this banquet. I'm your husband—are you not going to listen to me?" These past few days, Gao Jingzhi hadn't come to court, reportedly having been beaten up while drinking. Song Shulan ought to have gone to the Gao residence to check on him, but given that he'd quarreled with Gao Jingzhi recently, the very thought irritated him. And the reason he'd quarreled with Gao Jingzhi was all because of Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu. First Xie Yunting had left, and now Cui Zeyu had popped up. Though he believed Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu were innocent, it still rankled him inside. He didn't want them getting too close—even if they were siblings!