Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Covetous Designs Cui Zeyu had already passed his twentieth year and reached the age for marriage. With the cloth shop business stable these past few years, Cui Lingrong had found a property broker and planned to purchase a residence for Cui Zeyu. But the moment she brought up marriage, Cui Zeyu became agitated. "Haven't I said I'm not in a hurry? With you trapped in this mire, sister, how could I possibly have my mind on starting a family?" Cui Zeyu's stance was resolute. "I've always been alone; whether I marry or not doesn't matter." Cui Lingrong was puzzled. "Zeyu, I've asked about your past before, but you weren't willing to speak of it, so I didn't press further. Now I want to know—why are you so opposed to marriage?" Her own marriage was her affair, and after Cui Zeyu wed, he wouldn't have to live in the Marquis's residence anyway. Cui Zeyu remained silent. Nanny Qiu entered carrying tea. "Could it be that Young Master Yu has someone he fancies? You can tell the Eldest Young Madam—as long as it's a respectable family, she will agree." Given Cui Zeyu's background, Cui Lingrong hadn't looked toward the great houses; she valued character above all. Cui Zeyu's throat felt blocked, and for a long moment he couldn't find words. How could the thoughts in his heart ever see the light of day? He rose to his feet. "In any case, sister needn't make these arrangements for me. As for my affairs, wait until you've settled matters with the Marquis's household. As for Yu-jie's dowry, sister can rest assured—I've met many people through business over the years, and I'll make sure Yu-jie is married off in grand style." Cui Lingrong knew that Old Madame had her eye on the money in her hands and wanted her to take it out again to subsidize the Marquis's household. The very thought made her sick, so she had simply decided, as she'd said before, to prepare Yu-jie's dowry first. Once she spent the money, it wouldn't matter how much Old Madame and the Marquis coveted it. Cui Lingrong could do nothing about her brother. She told him a few things about taking care of his health and sent him on his way. As Cui Zeyu left Qiushuang Zhai, Caiyue chased after him from behind, a sachet in her hand. "Last time Young Master Yu came, you mentioned that when you were traveling and sleeping in the open, mosquitoes and bugs bothered you. So I specially made this mosquito-repelling sachet." Caiyue's cheeks were flushed. Young Master Yu was handsome and had his own business, and every time he came to Qiushuang Zhai, he was especially kind to the servants. The autumn breeze was cool, and sunlight filtered through the treetops, falling upon Caiyue's face, her maidenly shyness on full display. Cui Zeyu had just reached out his hand when he realized something and withdrew it. "It's autumn now; I won't be traveling far. Thank you for your concern, miss. This sachet—you should give it to someone who needs it." Seeing Young Master Yu leave just like that, Caiyue's face fell. Had she been rejected? Did Young Master Yu have no interest in her? Then why did he always laugh and chat with them every time he came to Qiushuang Zhai? Caiyue's face drooped as she ran back into the room and burst into tears. When Caixia came in and saw her like this, she knew exactly what had happened. "How could you actually go to Young Master Yu?" Caixia frowned deeply. "You're the Eldest Young Madam's personal maid—your conduct represents the face of Qiushuang Zhai. Even if you like Young Master Yu, you should have gone to the Eldest Young Madam first and let her decide for you!" Caiyue sobbed. "If I'd gone to the Eldest Young Madam first and then been rejected by Young Master Yu, what face would I have left to stay in Qiushuang Zhai? Tell me—am I not pretty enough? Why did Young Master Yu look down on me?" Both were senior maidservants beside the Eldest Young Madam, looking out for each other on ordinary days and sharing a room, so their bond was close. Caixia sighed and patted Caiyue on the back. "You're delicate and pretty—your looks are fine. But Young Master Yu is a man who's traveled north and south; he's seen countless beauties. And if he didn't take a liking to you, it's likely because he already has someone in his heart. Think about it—Young Master Yu is no longer young. I heard from Nanny Qiu that the Eldest Young Madam has been arranging a match for him, but he keeps refusing." "Why does he refuse?" "You silly girl, of course it's because Young Master Yu has someone in his heart, but that person's status is something the Eldest Young Madam would never approve of. That's why he won't say who it is." Caixia continued to soothe her. "I advise you to give up this notion. Young Master Yu listens to the Eldest Young Madam more than anyone, yet this time he won't heed her—you can see he truly cares for that person." Hearing this, Caiyue cried even harder. Both she and Caixia had reached the age for marriage, and among the people she could come into contact with, Young Master Yu had the best prospects and was the most approachable. Now she had to give that up, and Caiyue couldn't come to terms with it for the time being. Caixia consoled her for a good while. "Just cry a little in the room—don't let Nanny Qiu see. I'll cover your shift for you." When Caixia went to the main hall, Nanny Qiu asked about Caiyue, and she said Caiyue wasn't feeling well. "She might have caught a chill. I've drawn some hot water for her." "The weather's turning cold—you both need to take care." Nanny Qiu said. "The Eldest Young Madam wants you to make a trip to the Third Branch. The Third Young Madam came by earlier wanting to speak, but Young Master Yu was here. Go find out if something's going on in the Third Branch." Caixia said yes and turned to leave Qiushuang Zhai. Half an hour later, Caixia returned from her inquiries and reported the matter of the charcoal. Cui Lingrong listened and found Madame Jiang simply foolish. "Go to the Second Branch again and tell the Second Young Madam in person that cutting back on charcoal could cost lives. I have a plan that can help her smooth this over—have her come to Qiushuang Zhai." "Why would the Eldest Young Madam want to help the Second Young Madam?" Cui Lingrong smiled. "She obeys Princess Rongjia in everything. Even when Old Madame punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall, she didn't betray Princess Rongjia. Now she's helping manage the household, but really Princess Rongjia is still pulling the strings. Now that she's come to my side, what do you think Princess Rongjia will think of her?" "A turncoat?" Caixia understood. Cui Lingrong confirmed. "Tell her this: since I already know, once I take over managing the household, I will definitely audit the account books. When the time comes, let her think about whether she can make up for whatever's missing." Caixia went to the second branch and, upon seeing the Second Young Madam, relayed the First Young Madam's message. But the Second Young Madam didn't come over that day. It wasn't until early the next morning that Caixia saw her arrive reluctantly. Madame Jiang had thought all night and couldn't come up with a way to deal with Cui Lingrong, so she could only come see her under the pretext of checking on her health. Seeing Nanny Qiu feeding Cui Lingrong ginseng soup, Madame Jiang wished in that moment that Cui Lingrong's illness would worsen—or that she would just die. "How is Sister-in-law feeling?" Madame Jiang suppressed her resentment and forced a smile. "Fine enough. Won't die, but who knows how long I'll need to recover." Cui Lingrong smiled at Madame Jiang. She couldn't be bothered to spar with her, so she went straight to the matter of the charcoal. "Thank you for being considerate, Sister-in-law, and not withholding Qiushuang Zhai's charcoal." It wasn't that Madame Jiang didn't want to—it was that she didn't dare. She could only cut the allocations for the third branch and the concubines. She gave a stiff, insincere smile. "That's not my fault. The Commandery Princess handled the purchasing. I could only distribute things this way." "And is that what the account books say?" Cui Lingrong asked. Of course not. The account books showed the same amounts as previous years—it was Princess Rongjia who had embezzled from the household funds. Seeing that Madame Jiang couldn't answer, Cui Lingrong said slowly, "The Princess makes the money, but you bear the risk. What a loss for you. You're a smart woman—I understand you want to shelter under the Princess's big tree. But you also know Old Madame will definitely put me in charge of the household. When I take over, I won't go after the Princess for this money. I'll come after you." "It wasn't me who took it!" Madame Jiang said urgently. "But you're the one who handled it!" Cui Lingrong knew exactly how to handle Madame Jiang. "Let me give you an idea. The Princess's bird's nest every month comes from the household funds. Use that money to make up for the charcoal." Madame Jiang frowned deeply. "Sister-in-law, are you trying to see me dead?" "Don't worry. The Princess won't make a fuss. Old Madame is already displeased with her, so she'll just have to swallow this loss. And you can mention it to Old Madame. Even if the Princess blames you afterward, you can say it was Old Madame's order—the Princess wouldn't dare confront Old Madame about it." After a pause, Cui Lingrong said she was tired. "Go back and think it over. Either you make up the charcoal money yourself, or you cut the Princess's bird's nest." Everyone else's bird's nest had a fixed allowance, but only Wutong Yuan had to have bird's nest prepared daily for the Princess's enjoyment. Cui Lingrong could now be certain that Princess Rongjia's dowry wasn't substantial. As for why, she didn't know yet. And the people she'd sent to Princess Rongjia's former husband still hadn't returned. She would wait—investigate things slowly, and eventually get to the bottom of it. Watching Madame Jiang storm off in a huff, Cui Lingrong asked for a basin of hot water. After washing her face, she felt much more refreshed. Whatever choice Madame Jiang made, it was a win for Cui Lingrong—either it would disgust Princess Rongjia, or it would make Madame Jiang miserable. Everyone said she had a good temper, but recently she'd discovered that she actually held grudges.