Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Worldly Ways On the other side, not long after Cui Lingrong returned, someone came from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion with a message that Cui Zeyu had nodded in agreement. Both sides were delighted. Wu Hui was no longer young, and the Wu family wanted to settle the marriage quickly. Cui Zeyu had no objections, and Wu Hui was willing as well. Thus, the Duke of Dingguo had someone calculate an auspicious date—the betrothal would take place before the Dragon Boat Festival, and the wedding at the end of the month. As for the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, they only learned of it when the Wu family came to finalize the betrothal with Cui Zeyu. The Wu family was also a prestigious household. Upon learning of this, Song Shulan immediately sought out Cui Lingrong. "Such a major matter—why didn't you tell me in advance?" "What was there to say before things were settled?" Cui Lingrong countered. "It was only a preliminary meeting before; there was no guarantee it would work out. Now that both sides have confirmed, haven't I informed the Marquis Mansion as well?" Although Cui Lingrong was technically correct, Song Shulan still felt uneasy. After thinking it over, he concluded it was because their relationship had grown distant. "Lingrong, must it be like this between us?" Song Shulan said they had been husband and wife for over a decade. "Even if our feelings have cooled, we're still family, aren't we?" Cui Lingrong looked at Song Shulan. "Living under the same roof—isn't that being family?" "Then why are you so distant with me?" "Even among family, each person has their own thoughts, and there will be quarrels and discord." Cui Lingrong sighed helplessly. "Marquis, let's just continue on like this—neither too close nor too far. When it comes to the children's matters, we can discuss and decide together. As for everyone else, I won't interfere with whoever you choose to associate with, and you shouldn't meddle in the affairs of those around me either." Song Shulan's throat moved slightly. "In all the world, where is there such a husband and wife?" "Perhaps no other household has one, but you and I can be the first." Seeing Song Shulan's anger, Cui Lingrong was equally exasperated. "I don't cling to you or demand that you care about me—that's a good thing, isn't it? For you, Marquis, what are women? What are wives? Neither compares to your official career and the future of the Marquis Mansion!" Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "I too hope the Marquis Mansion prospers, so that Xuan-ge and the others will do well. Since we share the same goal, why must you make more demands of me?" "After all, I've been quite magnanimous toward you, haven't I?" Their eyes met, and the marital bond between them was now thoroughly laid bare. Cui Lingrong had long ceased to harbor any wifely affection for Song Shulan—it was Song Shulan who was being hypocritical and demanding too much. Song Shulan looked at Cui Lingrong in disbelief. He still hadn't considered that he might be the problem, but instead demanded, "Who exactly has corrupted you? Elder Yuan Shi? Or someone else?" He couldn't understand why Cui Lingrong, who had once been so obedient to him, had become like this. Cui Lingrong laughed in anger. "No one has corrupted me. It's that I couldn't see clearly before—too foolish and too dull—that I let you lead me around by the nose. Back when I returned from mourning and learned you had taken County Princess Rongjia as an Equal Wife, I should have taken the three children and moved out, rather than maneuvering around you in the Marquis Mansion. No—the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion belongs to my children. I should have driven County Princess Rongjia out instead." "Lingrong, isn't it too heartless of you to say such things?" "If that's what you think, then so be it. Marquis, please return. If there's anything I need to inform you of, I'll certainly send someone to tell you. On ordinary days, there's no need for you to come by." Seeing Song Shulan frown, Cui Lingrong's tone grew heavier. "Do you know why I had Jin-ge stay at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion? And do you remember that both Xuan-ge and Yu-jie have suffered persecution at the hands of County Princess Rongjia?" She faced Song Shulan directly. "You remember. But you think it can be overlooked, because no one lost their life, so you don't pursue it—because you still need to cling to the Rong Prince Mansion to carve out a future for yourself." Having said this, Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu see the guest out, and she turned her back to him herself. Song Shulan watched Cui Lingrong's resolute retreating figure, momentarily dazed—was this a dream, or had Cui Lingrong truly changed? As Song Shulan walked out of Qiushuang Zhai, he heard someone call out to him. Seeing it was Wang Hechun's Wife, he furrowed his brow. "What is it?" "The County Mistress learned you've returned and wishes to have dinner with you." In truth, County Princess Rongjia wanted to inquire about the matter between Cui Zeyu and the Wu family. She had sent someone back to the Prince Mansion, but her mother hadn't known much either, and her eldest sister-in-law refused to say more. Unfortunately, she happened to catch Song Shulan in a bad mood. He snapped, "Eat what? Don't you know I'm very busy?" Song Shulan walked away with a dark face. Wang Hechun's Wife didn't dare move until he was gone. She returned to County Princess Rongjia, not daring to relay his words directly. "County Mistress, the Marquis said he's busy and won't be coming over tonight." "Busy again—what does he have to be so busy about? All day long, isn't his promotion all thanks to the Rong Prince Mansion?" County Princess Rongjia said with displeasure. "Don't be angry, County Mistress. The Marquis came out of Qiushuang Zhai in such a temper, which means he quarreled with the Eldest Madam. That's a good thing." Wang Hechun's Wife said. "That low-born brother of Cui Lingrong's managed to latch onto the Wu family's daughter—what's there to argue about?" County Princess Rongjia couldn't figure out the reason, but as long as Song Shulan and Cui Lingrong were at odds, she felt a bit better. "Forget it, if she's not coming, she's not coming. I can eat by myself. I really can't imagine what the Wu family sees in Cui Zeyu—he's nothing but a bastard. Who knows, maybe one day the Duke of Dingguo will take a disliking to him and cast him out of the family. That's not out of the question." "Exactly." Wang Hechun's Wife only dared to echo County Princess Rongjia. County Princess Rongjia took a few bites but lost her appetite. Just thinking about how Cui Lingrong's circumstances kept improving made her feel sick inside. Back then, her mother had gone to great lengths to arrange for her eldest brother to marry Lady Wu. The Wu family's grand patriarch had been the Emperor's Grand Tutor—what an exalted status. And later, the Wu family continued to produce talented members, with people still holding important positions at court. Yet when it came to Cui Zeyu, it was the Wu family who had taken the initiative to propose the match. Just thinking about it made County Princess Rongjia feel like vomiting. When the day for the betrothal ceremony arrived, County Princess Rongjia still couldn't leave the house, which made her even angrier. Cui Lingrong, as the elder sister, personally went to the Wu residence to deliver the betrothal gifts. Wu Hui was a gentle and refined person—she smiled at Cui Lingrong, then blushed and lowered her head. After the formalities were completed with Wu Hui, Cui Lingrong was called away by Dong Shi. Only then did Wu Wenchao have the chance to speak with his sister. "Have you really thought this through?" He knew that his sister's heart still belonged to her deceased childhood friend. Wu Hui nodded. "Elder Brother, I'm willing. Lu Zeyu is a good man. Compared to marrying just anyone, I'm quite satisfied with marrying into the Duke of Dingguo's household." On the day of the arranged meeting, she had said there was someone she couldn't forget, and Lu Zeyu had said he too had a beloved he couldn't speak of. The two of them tacitly agreed to this marriage, and tacitly agreed not to pry into each other's past. They both needed a marriage to blend into the mundane world.