Chapter 263

Chapter 263: The Stepmother "What Cui family?" Cui Lingrong asked. "Still playing dumb with me?" Song Shulan said that Cui Zhihong had brought up the idea of strengthening ties through marriage. "How dare he even suggest it? After taking the exams several times, he hasn't even earned the rank of xiucai. Where does the Cui family get the nerve?" Cui Lingrong realized what he was talking about—she genuinely hadn't known about this matter. "My lord, I knew nothing of this. Calm yourself. I have little affection for the Cui family. Had Old Madame not sent a formal invitation, I wouldn't have planned to invite them at all." Song Shulan took a deep breath and stared fixedly at Cui Lingrong. "You truly didn't know?" "Do you think I've lost my mind?" Cui Lingrong said in exasperation, "In all these years, when has my lord ever seen me seek benefits for the Cui family? Or when have I ever returned to the Cui household even once?" Not once. That was precisely why Cui's father had written to Song Shulan instead. Only then did Song Shulan realize he had wronged Cui Lingrong. But he wouldn't admit it, instead asking, "Then what are your thoughts now?" "As you said, Cui Zhihong can't even pass the xiucai exam. I wouldn't want such a son-in-law either." Cui Lingrong said, "The man was invited by Old Madame. I do bear the Cui surname after all. Once the full-month banquet is over, let them leave." "Will they be willing to leave?" Song Shulan asked. "Your stepmother brought all three of them here—isn't it precisely for their futures?" "You needn't worry about that. They have their aims, but we can also refuse. My lord, just avoid them. As for the children, I'll make sure to instruct them as well." Cui Lingrong said. Song Shulan nodded and finally left. Nanny Qiu was equally exasperated. "I don't know what the young master from the maternal side was thinking. Before he was even married, he got a maidservant pregnant. Later he had Hong-ger as his only son, yet he didn't raise him properly. The marquis's disdain for the Cui family—isn't it because the Cuis have no ability of their own?" If Cui Zhihong had already passed the Jinshi examination today, even though Song Shulan still wouldn't agree to the marriage, his attitude would have been completely different. "I'm afraid it wasn't my eldest brother's idea. That brother of mine has no mind of his own—it was most likely his wife's idea, or my father's." At the mention of her father, Cui Lingrong felt only disgust. "How dare they even think of it? My daughter will never be married into the Cui family!" Nanny Qiu nodded in agreement. "Yu-jie deserves someone far better." Early the next morning, Mrs. Cai came alone to Qiushuang Zhai. She claimed she was bringing gifts for Cui Lingrong, but in truth, she wanted to have a talk with her. The October weather had already turned quite cold, yet Cui Lingrong had half a window open. "Aren't you cold?" Mrs. Cai asked. "If it's too warm, I get drowsy. Speaking with you, madam, I need to stay alert." Cui Lingrong said. "What things you say. I'm not some wolf or tiger. We're all family—we can say whatever we like." Mrs. Cai smiled and took a sip of tea. "Lingrong, you've suffered these past two years." Cui Lingrong looked up in surprise. "But you also know that the Cui family's standing isn't prominent—we couldn't help you. Behind County Princess Rongjia stands the Rong Prince Mansion; our Cui family simply can't compare." Mrs. Cai said, wiping at her eyes in a show of false tears. "What a mess this is. Where has there ever been a marquis mansion taking an Equal Wife? How awful it sounds!" "Madam speaks of this now, but back then, you didn't even send a single word of concern." Cui Lingrong couldn't be bothered to dance around with Mrs. Cai. "If you have something to say, say it directly. I have indeed suffered much these past two years, but fortunately I've made it through. Even without the Cui family, I can still live my life." Mrs. Cai was momentarily stunned. She realized Cui Lingrong had changed. The Cui Lingrong of before would never have spoken with such sharp edges. That sister-in-law of hers had raised Cui Lingrong as a proper lady of a distinguished household, wanting her to bring honor to the family. Even from far away in Yangzhou, she had heard that Cui Lingrong conducted herself with propriety, never making a misstep. But now, Cui Lingrong's every word carried barbs, with an attitude that clearly showed she didn't want to deal with her—so different from the Cui Lingrong who used to handle everything with perfect grace. "That's not quite how to put it. Your father and I were negligent before. Now that I'm here, I should at least make some plans for you, don't you think?" Mrs. Cai looked at Cui Lingrong. "Oh? Then tell me, madam, what plans do you have for me?" Cui Lingrong asked. "In the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, with an opponent like County Princess Rongjia, you naturally need more of your own people to help you." Mrs. Cai spoke in a tone that suggested she had Cui Lingrong's best interests at heart. "If you could arrange for Hong-ger to enter the Guozijian, and then have Yu-jie marry him, once Hong-ger becomes an official in Bianjing, you'd have a formidable son-in-law. Wouldn't County Princess Rongjia have to be wary of you?" "Whether it's Cui Zeyu or the Zhuang family, they're all just relatives. What could be better than having your own son-in-law? Don't you think?" Cui Lingrong laughed. "But what if Hong-ger never passes the Jinshi exam in his lifetime? And even if he did, what if he only ends up as a seventh-rank county magistrate in some remote place? Madam, how can you guarantee that Hong-ger will surely have a future?" Though Mrs. Cai didn't care much for Cui Zhihong, her face still fell at these words. "Lingrong, how can you speak like that?" "How else should I speak?" Cui Lingrong asked. "You're being too... too cruel. How can you think of Hong-ger that way?" Mrs. Cai couldn't hold back. "Other girls' aunts all hope their nephews will rise to prominence. Only you are pouring cold water. Do you not want to see Hong-ger succeed?" "I don't. If Hong-ger has the ability himself, he'll pass the Jinshi exam sooner or later. It's not as if my saying a few words will make him fail. I advise you, Madam, to give up this idea. My daughter will never marry back into the Cui family." Cui Lingrong gave a definitive answer. Circle around the Cui family? Maintain a facade of harmony? No need. If the Cui family had any sense of shame, they wouldn't have come to propose a marriage to strengthen ties. If she didn't speak directly, the Cui family would only become more shameless. Seeing Cui Lingrong's firm tone, Mrs. Cai had no choice but to drop the matter. "Fine, I understand that you want Yu-jie to marry up. But shouldn't you help with your younger brother and sister's marriages?" "Hasn't Junyan already been betrothed?" Cui Lingrong had even received the wedding invitation and sent congratulatory gifts at the time. "Don't mention it. That family is unreasonable and called it off." Mrs. Cai said. Cui Lingrong didn't believe it was the woman's fault. In this day and age, calling off an engagement damaged one's reputation. Unless absolutely necessary, the woman's family wouldn't break it off. Since Mrs. Cai said so, it was most likely Cui Junyan's problem. "You know your father is getting old. There are many things he wants to do but lacks the strength for. But your younger brother and sister are young. If they could find good matches in Bianjing, then in the future, you as their elder sister would have someone to rely on, wouldn't you?" Mrs. Cai softened her tone. "I know you're not close with Lingying and the others, but that's not your fault. You were raised at your aunt's house from a young age, so it's natural you're not familiar with them. But that's fine. You're siblings connected by blood no matter what. You're still family." Looking at Mrs. Cai, Cui Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Has Madam ever considered that respectable families in Bianjing also look at family standing? Junyan has no official rank or academic degree, no position whatsoever, and the Cui family has no reputation. Who would be willing to marry their daughter into this family?" "Isn't there you, and that Cui Zeyu?" Mrs. Cai said matter-of-factly. Cui Lingrong laughed. "I'm a married daughter. Others won't marry their daughters into the Cui family just because of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. As for Zeyu, is he on the Cui family registry? He goes by the surname Lu now, not Cui." "Regardless of what surname he goes by, you raised him with your own hands. If you step forward, wouldn't he still show gratitude?" Mrs. Cai's face had darkened upon hearing the disdain and evasion in Cui Lingrong's words. "Let me tell you, for siblings in a family, everyone doing well is what truly matters. You can't just enjoy the good life yourself while watching your younger brother and sister struggle in poverty, can you?" "That's hardly the case. The Cui family hasn't fallen to that point." Cui Lingrong absolutely would not agree to help. She had harbored resentment toward the Cui family since she was very young, and hated Mrs. Cai even more. In the past, she had been too bound by propriety and cared too much about trivial things. Now she didn't care anymore. No one could morally blackmail her. "You truly won't help with Lingying and the others' marriages?" Mrs. Cai gritted her teeth. Cui Lingrong said she wouldn't. "I'm a married daughter—water spilled on the ground. I have no reason to meddle in Cui Junyan and his sister's affairs. When Madam drove me out the door back then, you knew full well that we would never be true siblings." "Fine, you're something else. Just see if you can stay arrogant forever and never come begging to the Cui family!" Seeing that Cui Lingrong showed not a trace of softness, Mrs. Cai stormed off in a rage.