Chapter 261

Chapter 261: Xiucai "I know you're busy right now. You don't need to focus too much on this matter—I'll also send people to investigate," Cui Lingrong said. "Your matters are my matters. Since we have a direction, we'll be able to get to the bottom of it eventually. I can't rest easy until County Princess Rongjia is dealt with," Cui Zeyu said. It was getting late, so the siblings didn't say much more. A few days later, the day of the provincial examination arrived, and Song Mingxuan was held in high regard. He didn't disappoint—he successfully passed and earned the title of xiucai. For someone so young to pass on his first attempt, he was showered with praise for a time. But Song Mingxuan himself wasn't proud. A mere xiucai was nothing to boast about. He would need to earn the Jinshi degree before he could enter the court as an official. Cui Lingrong was delighted by her son's good news. She invited relatives and friends, and even hired a theatrical troupe to perform for three consecutive days, making the marquis mansion especially lively. The eldest branch was enjoying a string of happy occasions, but Old Madame Song was preoccupied with thoughts of her exiled second son. She had wanted to hold a first-birthday celebration for Fifth Ger, but the household treasury wouldn't provide the funds, leaving her simmering with resentment. She privately summoned Madame Jiang and said that when Sixth Ger turned one in the tenth month, the two children's celebrations would be held together. Madame Jiang was unwilling—she had only one son and wouldn't let a concubine-born child share his spotlight. But she didn't dare defy the old madame, so she carried a pot of tea to Qiushuang Zhai. When Cui Lingrong learned of Madame Jiang's intentions, she had no intention of helping her. These past days, whenever anything came up at Qiushuang Zhai, Madame Jiang had made herself scarce. "If Second Sister-in-law doesn't like it, just go back and tell Old Madame directly. She's such a face-conscious person—if you refuse, she won't force you to agree." Cui Lingrong didn't look at Madame Jiang as she spoke. Madame Jiang looked troubled. "Now that Second Master is gone, how would a woman like me dare defy my mother-in-law's wishes?" "And you think I would?" Cui Lingrong indeed dared, but she had no reason to stick her neck out for Madame Jiang. Between her and Madame Jiang, they had never been enemies, nor friends. Now that Madame Jiang was keeping a low profile and choosing to protect herself, and since they shared no bond of affection to begin with, there was no reason for Cui Lingrong to share her burdens. Hearing Cui Lingrong's question, Madame Jiang knew she wouldn't help and said awkwardly, "I was thinking wrong. We're both daughters-in-law—we're in the same boat." "Yes, we're all the same." Just as Cui Lingrong finished speaking, someone came from the third branch, saying that Third Madam was about to give birth. Cui Lingrong hurried to the third branch. By the time she arrived, the midwife said the baby's head was already visible. Fortunately, Madam Li had already given birth twice, and she smoothly delivered a daughter. When Cui Lingrong and Madame Jiang entered the room, it had already been cleaned. They looked at the swaddled infant, and even Madame Jiang couldn't help remarking how adorable she was. Cui Lingrong walked to the edge of the bed. "Rest well. Someone has already been sent to notify Third Master. By the time you wake up, he'll be back." Madame Li was relieved to learn her daughter was healthy and nodded at her two sisters-in-law. Madame Jiang watched with envy. "Now you have both a son and a daughter." She had once looked down on Madam Li, but now it seemed Madam Li's life was far better than hers. Madame Li had little strength and simply smiled with her lips pressed together. And so, next month would bring both Sixth Ger's first birthday and Madam Li's daughter's full-month celebration. The Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was not what it used to be, so the two celebrations would be held together, and Cui Lingrong began making preparations. Unexpectedly, half a month later, the Cui family came calling. Cui Lingrong hadn't sent invitations to the Cui family for the second and third branches' celebrations, yet her stepmother arrived claiming she had prepared gifts for the children. It wasn't until they reached Shouan Tang that Cui Lingrong learned Old Madame Song had sent the invitation behind her back. Those who came included Cui Lingrong's stepmother, Mrs. Cai, her son and daughter, and Cui Zhihong, the son of Cui Lingrong's eldest brother. When Song Yu had her Ji-pin ceremony, the Cui family hadn't sent a single person. They wouldn't come now just to drink wedding wine—they must have another purpose. Watching Mrs. Cai chat and laugh with Old Madame, Cui Lingrong turned her gaze to Mrs. Cai's son and daughter. Mrs. Cai had given birth to two daughters and one son. The eldest daughter was already married, while the remaining son and daughter were both unmarried—though the son seemed to be engaged. As for the youngest daughter, Cui Lingying, she was the child of Mrs. Cai's old age, so Cui Lingrong guessed Mrs. Cai had come for Cui Lingying's marriage prospects. "Lingrong?" It was only when Nanny Qiu reminded her that Cui Lingrong realized Mrs. Cai was calling her. She looked over without changing her expression. "What are you thinking about?" Mrs. Cai said with a smile. "Why don't you look happy to see us?" Asking what she already knew. Cui Lingrong had barely seen Mrs. Cai since childhood. If not for her later marriage into the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, the Cui family would never have contacted her. Still, with so many people present, Cui Lingrong forced a faint smile. "What are you saying, Mother? I'm naturally happy that you've come." She had only ever called Mrs. Cai "Mother" once—when she was seven or eight, and her aunt had brought her back to the Cui family for the first time. Under her aunt's introduction, she was told to address Mrs. Cai as Mother. That word "Mother" happened to be overheard by Cui Lingyao, Mrs. Cai's own daughter. At the time, Cui Lingyao was very young, only two or three years old. Whether someone had told Cui Lingyao that Cui Lingrong had come to steal her mother, or whether it was just a child's tantrum, Cui Lingyao cried and made a fuss, insisting that Cui Lingrong be sent away. It was originally just children's mischief, and a few coaxing words would have sufficed. But Mrs. Cai actually made Cui Lingrong carry her bundle to the doorway, saying she was putting on a show for Cui Lingyao. Lingrong wasn't old then, but she had already reached the age where she understood shame. She insisted that the Cui household was also her home, yet two matrons roughly dragged her to the door, and only when Cui Lingyao saw this did she clap her hands in delight. People came and went at the Cui residence's entrance, and many saw what happened, with some stopping to point and whisper. If her aunt hadn't come to take her away, Lingrong, at that age, would probably have stood at the doorway forever, because she didn't know what else to do. As for her father, when he learned of this matter, he said nothing at all. So from that moment on, Lingrong knew her mother was dead, and she had no father either. Her aunt held her and sighed, saying nothing. From then on, Lingrong never called Mrs. Cai "Mother" again. "Really?" At this moment, Cui Lingying, standing beside Mrs. Cai, scanned Cui Lingrong across from her without any pretense. "If you truly wanted us to come, how come you didn't even send an invitation? I think you don't have the Cui family in your eyes at all—you'd rather we never contact you!" "Lingying! Don't speak nonsense!" Mrs. Cai looked over, but her tone carried no reproach. "Your eldest sister has to manage such a large household; oversights are inevitable. Besides, didn't Old Madame Song send someone with an invitation?" After admonishing her daughter, Mrs. Cai turned to Cui Lingrong. "Lingrong, don't be angry. Your third sister is young and doesn't understand things yet. Don't hold it against her." Cui Lingying was more than ten years younger than Cui Lingrong, only sixteen this year. Since Mrs. Cai had said so, if Lingrong still made an issue of it, she would seem petty. But Song Yu couldn't listen any longer. She spoke up with a smile, "Did I misremember? I recall that Third Aunt is actually a year older than me. When I had my Ji-pin ceremony, Mother often told me that after a woman comes of age, she is an adult and must be responsible for her every word and action, and must never act willfully, lest she bring shame to the family. It seems Third Aunt never heard such words." Mrs. Cai said Cui Lingying was young, but Song Yu was even younger. Cui Lingrong added, "Yu-jie, don't talk nonsense." She then looked at Mrs. Cai. "Madam, don't be angry. Yu-jie is still a child—she's young too, and doesn't understand things either." "Oh Mother, your daughter is not young anymore." Song Yu pouted coquettishly. "I know very well what should be said and what shouldn't. I was simply curious just now." Song Yu then looked at Cui Lingying. "Third Aunt, the words you just spoke—were they just childish tantrums, or do you truly believe them?"