Chapter 260

Chapter 260: Clues Song Shulan's face turned pale with anger—being described as a kept man, how could he be so degraded? He had someone gag Gao Wulang and dragged him back to the Gao residence. This matter didn't require Cui Lingrong's involvement, so she didn't follow along. When Song Shulan returned, his face seemed covered in a layer of frost. He found Cui Lingrong and said, "Stay far away from the Gao family from now on, and also go to the Rong Prince Mansion less. If the Gao family keeps spreading rumors, what will happen to Yu-jie's reputation? Or do you actually intend to marry Yu-jie into the Rong Prince Mansion?" "Why would I send my perfectly good daughter to be someone's second wife?" Cui Lingrong said she wasn't confused. "From start to finish, I never agreed to anything with Princess Consort Wu. I never even entertained the idea—the Gao family misunderstood on their own." "Hmph, it better be that way. I have my own plans for Yu-jie's marriage, so don't go making trouble." Song Shulan turned to leave after speaking. "What kind of family does the Marquis have in mind for Yu-jie?" Cui Lingrong asked. "That's not for you to worry about. It will definitely be a well-matched family—Yu-jie won't be wronged." Song Shulan already had ideas in mind. Cui Lingrong pressed further, but Song Shulan still refused to say. It wasn't until Song Shulan had left that Nanny Qiu dared to ask, "Could the Marquis have his eye on someone?" "Most likely." Cui Lingrong didn't trust whoever Song Shulan might arrange, so she had Er Shun secretly follow Song Shulan to see who he'd been associating with recently. After Lady Gao's funeral, Cui Lingrong specifically arranged to meet with Princess Consort Wu. There were no other customers in the cloth shop. Cui Lingrong offered the princess consort tea. "Lady Gao is gone, and the bond between the Rong Prince Mansion and the Gao family is severed. The princess consort can rest easy now, can't she?" Princess Consort Wu shook her head. "Marchioness Song thinks too highly of the Gao family. They've left their youngest daughter in the mansion, claiming it's to care for my grandson." Lady Gao's son, born prematurely, was in very poor health. The physician said he would need to be nurtured until age fifteen before he could hope to live a normal lifespan. "That is a convenient excuse." Cui Lingrong thought for a moment. "But it's not difficult to handle. Since the young master is in poor health, why not send him to a temple for quiet recuperation? And in a place like a temple, it wouldn't be appropriate for women to stay there. At that point, a carriage can simply send them back." Although the eldest grandson was frail, he was still of their own blood, and Princess Consort Wu still hoped he would grow up well. She agreed with Cui Lingrong's suggestion. "Fine, I'll arrange it when I get back. But regarding Yu-jie's matter, I still—" "Before the princess consort was married, did you ever imagine what kind of husband's family you might end up with?" Cui Lingrong interrupted Princess Consort Wu. Princess Consort Wu nodded, saying she had. "Yes, the fantasies of youth—if one's parents were good, they could help fulfill them, and perhaps one would live a harmonious life forever." Cui Lingrong said, "My daughter isn't exceptional by any measure, but she has good looks and temperament. I've never hoped to use her to climb the social ladder. I only wish for her to get what she desires. I hope you can understand?" Princess Consort Wu paused. "Cui-shi, I still can't quite figure out—how did someone like you manage to live with Song Shulan for so long?" One who, for his own sake, even took an Equal Wife. And the other, open-minded and clear-sighted, with little regard for official rank or worldly gain. Cui Lingrong smiled and shook her head. "Day by day, we just kept living on." This remark made Princess Consort Wu feel a pang of sorrow—hadn't she herself known regret? But as women, once married, there was no turning back. "Enough. Since you're unwilling, I won't force it." Princess Consort Wu understood the purpose of Cui Lingrong's visit today. "I have a relative who has some connections with the Du family. I heard from him that Elder Master Du fell ill suddenly—at first he lost his vitality and couldn't get out of bed. But every physician they consulted couldn't find anything wrong. The Du family even invited sorcerers to the house, all to no effect." "I know—it's a poison from the Western Regions." Cui Lingrong said. Princess Consort Wu was momentarily startled, then found it unsurprising. Cui Lingrong must have already uncovered something. "What poison it is, I don't know. But I can be certain that Du Shibei's sudden decline is connected to County Princess Rongjia. My relative said he once visited Du Shibei. He was about to leave but turned back and overheard Du Shibei cursing County Princess Rongjia as a poisonous woman, and something about two lives lost." The Rong Prince Mansion and the Rongjia Prince Mansion were at odds. Upon learning of such matters, the Rong Prince Mansion sent people to investigate quietly. "Apparently the dead woman was a singer at a teahouse. After she took up with Du Shibei, her whole family enjoyed a life of comfort. But after she died, her family moved away—though from what I know, they died on the road." "It wasn't an accident, was it?" Cui Lingrong asked. "Think about it—of course it wasn't an accident." Princess Consort Wu said. "Cutting the weeds and pulling out the roots—people of no status are the easiest to dispose of. But sometimes, paper can't wrap fire. The hidden concubine still had a younger brother who worked as a laborer far from home. If you can find him, I imagine you'll make a major breakthrough." For Cui Lingrong, this was indeed very valuable information. She thanked Princess Consort Wu. "Lady Cui, I will give you one more chance. Life in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion cannot be all that comfortable for you—only you know the bitterness within. If we form a marriage alliance with the Prince Wu's household, it will only benefit you. I admire Yu-jie and will certainly not treat her poorly. However, the princely household has its own dignity. I can give you at most a month or two; if it takes longer, we shall not become in-laws." Princess Consort Wu said. Cui Lingrong thanked Princess Consort Wu. After the two parted ways, Cui Lingrong went to the Duke of Dingguo's residence, but her younger brother was not at home—only Wu Hui was there. Regarding the Du family matter, it was better that fewer people knew, so Cui Lingrong waited until her brother returned before going to the study with him. Wu Hui did not pay it much mind herself, but the elderly nurse beside her glanced over a couple of times. "What matter could the lady have that you cannot know? By all rights, you and the young heir are husband and wife. If it is truly something serious, shouldn't the three of you discuss it together?" "Between them, there must be matters of their own. Nurse, say no more—let us just attend to our own duties. Xuan-ge is about to take the provincial examination; perhaps it is about that." Wu Hui sent the servants off to their tasks, then raised her head and cast one more glance outside the room. Just now, when Cui Zeyu had entered, his first look had gone to Lady Cui, without even a sidelong glance for her. Could it be what she suspected? Or was she overthinking things? Wu Hui set the thought aside. No matter whom Cui Zeyu favored, she would pretend not to know, so as not to cause trouble for them.