Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Turning the Tables As soon as Mrs. Cai left Qiushuang Zhai, she ran into Mama Wang from Wutong Courtyard. She hadn't planned on associating with anyone from Wutong Courtyard, but when the other woman took the initiative to call out to her, she stopped to chat. "Madam Cui is truly blessed to have a daughter like our Great Madam." Wang Hechun's Wife took the initiative to greet her. "Our County Mistress mentioned that she'd like to invite you for tea. Do you have time?" Hearing this, Mrs. Cai knew County Princess Rongjia had ulterior motives. Since Cui Lingrong wouldn't give her face, she didn't mind going to chat with County Princess Rongjia instead. On the other side, Cui Lingrong naturally knew that Mrs. Cai had gone to Wutong Courtyard, and also knew that two days later, Mrs. Cai brought her son and daughter out with County Princess Rongjia. For several days in a row, Mrs. Cai followed County Princess Rongjia and met quite a few people in Bianjing. Mrs. Cai brought along her son and daughter, neither of whom was betrothed, so everyone naturally understood her intentions. Moreover, since Mrs. Cai was trading on the reputation of Cui Zeyu and Zhuang Huaiming, there were still some people willing to associate with her, gradually growing familiar. By the day of the full-month banquet, when Wu Hui came to visit and found Cui Lingrong alone for a moment, she brought up the matter. But Wu Hui didn't understand the situation between Cui Lingrong and the Cui family, so she approached it from a different angle. "I heard from my mother that your natal family has come to visit. Since this is such an important matter, why didn't you mention it, sister? I could have made arrangements." What her mother had said was that the Cui mother and daughter truly couldn't be presented in polite society—had it not been for the mention of Cui Zeyu, her mother wouldn't have paid them any attention at all. She also asked how it was that the Cui mother and daughter were so completely different in character from Cui Lingrong. Wu Hui had gone back to ask Cui Zeyu, and only then learned that Mrs. Cai was a successor wife, not Cui Lingrong's birth mother. But Cui Zeyu hadn't said much more, so Wu Hui didn't understand the specifics between Cui Lingrong and the Cui family. "You don't need to arrange anything. I'm not close with them. If you encounter them, stay far away." Cui Lingrong said directly. "Also, if they come to you asking for help, turn them down. Don't agree to anything." "Alright, I understand." Wu Hui nodded. After she took her seat, before long Mrs. Cai really did come over to ingratiate herself, claiming to be the matriarch of the Cui family. "You really are blessed. I knew back when Zeyu was first brought back that he would amount to something." Wu Hui pressed her lips into a smile, putting on a shy appearance. Cui Lingying, meanwhile, openly sized up Wu Hui without any attempt to hide it. When she and her mother turned away, not bothering to wait until they were out of earshot, she said directly, "What's the big deal? She's just an ordinary person. She's nowhere near as pretty as me. What makes her worthy of marrying so well?" "With all these people around, what are you saying?" Mrs. Cai tugged at her daughter. But these words were all overheard by Wu Hui and the others. Someone couldn't help but remark, "Marchioness Song is dignified and proper—how is it that Madam Cui has no sense of decorum at all? And that Cui Lingying, she doesn't know the first thing about proper conduct." "Exactly. I've met Marchioness Song several times, and every time I marvel at her outstanding bearing. How is it that her natal family is like this?" ... Once someone started complaining, others followed suit. Anyone who had interacted with the Cai mother and daughter disliked their behavior. But since Mrs. Cai was, after all, Cui Lingrong's stepmother, Wu Hui felt compelled to say a few words on her sister-in-law's behalf. "Everyone, please don't misunderstand. Madam Cui is a successor wife. My sister wasn't raised by her. From the age of three, my sister was taken to Suzhou by her aunt from the Zhuang family and rarely returned to the Cui household." Hearing Wu Hui deliberately distance herself from the Cui family, some people finally caught on. "So that means Marchioness Song isn't close with this Madam Cui at all?" Wu Hui didn't answer. But someone else chimed in, "I think that's the case. From the moment I arrived, I haven't seen Marchioness Song exchange a single word with Madam Cui. This Madam Cui—I've never seen her at Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion before. It seems now that her children are grown, she's trying to use the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion to network. But what kind of people they are, anyone with eyes can see." "Indeed." Everyone added their own remarks, trampling the Cai mother and daughter into the dirt. Wu Hui felt uneasy hearing this. The Cui family was her sister-in-law's natal family—she couldn't drive them away, yet had to face them every day. It was truly a headache. On the men's side, Cui Junyan was desperately trying to cultivate connections with the powerful. Over these past days, he had gotten to know a few sons of high-ranking officials in Bianjing, and at the moment he was chatting and laughing with one of them. However, their conversation was laced with plenty of vulgar talk. Song Shulan sent someone to warn him, but Cui Junyan instead kicked Qingshan. Qingshan had served his master for many years—when had he ever suffered such humiliation? "If Young Master Cui won't heed advice, our Marquis said you're welcome to go talk outside." "What are you, some kind of nobody? How dare you try to drive me out? This is my sister's house. What have I done? Just made a few remarks about the maids' looks. You looking for a beating, are you?" Cui Junyan's voice was loud, and many people turned to look. Qingshan's face flushed red. Fortunately, his master arrived upon hearing the commotion and dragged Cui Junyan away. Cui Junyan had drunk several cups of wine and was still shouting as he was led off. His behavior made him a laughingstock to all who witnessed it. When the birthday banquet ended, Mrs. Cai believed she had successfully made connections with quite a few people. She had also identified several prospects and went to Wutong Courtyard to ask County Princess Rongjia to help arrange matchmaking. "This is a good thing, don't worry, I'll definitely help." County Princess Rongjia agreed with a smile. Once Mrs. Cai had left, County Princess Rongjia couldn't help but laugh out loud. "What a bunch of fools. Do they really think I'm helping them out of kindness?" "The County Mistress is clever. Knowing that the three Cais can't hold themselves up in public, you deliberately took them out to receive guests. This way, everyone will see what kind of people the Cui family really is. It may not have a huge impact, but at least some of the prominent families won't want Yu-jie, and it'll also make the Eldest Young Madam look bad along with them." Wang Hechun's Wife praised. County Princess Rongjia snorted. "From the first time I met Mrs. Cai, I knew they would bring shame to Cui Lingrong. But Cui Lingrong is quite patient—she didn't even stop them. I wonder what she's plotting?" "No matter what the Eldest Young Madam is thinking, the Cui family's reputation is ruined now. The Eldest Young Madam can't escape the name Cui—she'll carry that surname for life, and it's a fact that her reputation will suffer along with it." Wang Hechun's Wife said. County Princess Rongjia nodded with satisfaction. "Indeed. Mrs. Cai has no sense of her own standing, actually daring to hope her daughter could marry into Prince Wu's household as a Successor Wife? Even if Zhao Zhongfu lost his wife, he wouldn't take a Cui family daughter as his Successor Wife." But this was exactly what County Princess Rongjia wanted to see. Each time Mrs. Cai was rejected, Cui Lingrong would be humiliated along with her. Even though County Princess Rongjia hadn't visited Prince Wu's residence in years, she went once just to enjoy the spectacle. When Cui Lingrong heard about this matter, it was Lou Wanxian who sent someone to pass along the message, asking what was going on. Song Yu blushed with embarrassment upon hearing it. "Have they lost their minds? Not to mention that Prince Wu's crown princess just passed away—even if Prince Wu's household needed a successor wife, they wouldn't choose Cui Lingying!" But Cui Lingrong understood what the mother and daughter were thinking. "Most likely they heard that Princess Consort Wu once wanted you to marry into the family. In Mrs. Cai's eyes, Cui Lingying is only better than you. If you could win Princess Consort Wu's favor, Cui Lingying certainly can too." In reality, whether in family background or personal character, Song Yu was far superior to Cui Lingying. The mother and daughter truly had no self-awareness. "What a joke. Mother, they're ruining the Cui family's reputation, and it's clearly County Princess Rongjia's doing. Aren't you worried it will affect you?" Song Yu said anxiously. Cui Lingrong replied calmly, "From the moment County Princess Rongjia first took them out to receive guests, I already guessed her intentions. Rather than stopping Mrs. Cai from going out, it's better to use County Princess Rongjia's hand to let everyone see the true character of Mrs. Cai and her daughters. As for me... I have my own ways of distancing myself from them."