Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Siblings "Pingping, how... how could you ask me to go and plead with Cui Lingrong?" Madame Jiang's face flushed red with anger. She had never imagined that her cousin would set her sights on Cui Zeyu. "Tell me, did he come to you in his dissolute way and seduce you?" "No, Cousin, I... I've barely exchanged two words with him." "Then how did you come to fancy him?" When He Pingping went to pay her respects to Old Madame Song, she would occasionally run into Cui Zeyu. The first time she saw Cui Zeyu, she had already taken a liking to him. Cui Zeyu was handsome—the most striking young gentleman she had ever laid eyes on. Moreover, every time he saw her, there was no disdain in his gaze; he treated people with great warmth. But such maidenly thoughts were hard to voice aloud, so she deflected instead, saying, "Cousin, the He family holds no official rank, my brothers aren't gifted at their studies, and I have no substantial dowry. Even if I were to find a Jinshi from humble origins, they might not necessarily take a liking to me." Madame Jiang's brows knitted tightly. This was reality, and she had no words to refute it. "You've also proposed quite a few matches for me. Anyone we could agree on ended up never sending a reply. You know full well that I cannot marry into an official family." "But no matter what, you can't go and find some lowly merchant!" Madame Jiang said. "Cui Zeyu reeks of copper coins. If you marry him, you'll be branded as a tradesman's wife in the future!" Of the four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants ranked lowest. Not to mention, Cui Zeyu was Cui Lingrong's adopted younger brother. "Reeking of copper coins is still better than eating chaff and swallowing wild vegetables. Marrying a Jinshi from a poor family, who knows how many years I'd have to endure before I could afford three dishes and a soup. And Cui Zeyu has no parents—his marriage is entirely his own decision. Cousin, I no longer care about those empty titles. I want something real. Cui Zeyu has good character, and I... I truly want to marry him." Such words were terribly embarrassing to say, but He Pingping knew that if she didn't speak now, she'd never have another chance. Madame Jiang opened her mouth but found no words to argue. Cui Zeyu was indeed handsome in a respectable sort of way, and there had been no rumors of him philandering. But asking her to go to Cui Lingrong to propose a match? Not only would Cui Lingrong refuse, she would likely humiliate her as well. Moreover, Princess Rongjia was watching. She was destined to be at odds with Cui Lingrong. If she married her cousin off to Cui Zeyu now, would Princess Rongjia let her off easy? The more Madame Jiang thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. She insisted, "You must understand my difficulties. I stand with Princess Rongjia. If you marry Cui Zeyu, how will Princess Rongjia view me?" "But—" "No buts. Anyone else is fine, just not Cui Lingrong's brother. Pingping, it's not that your cousin won't help you—it's that I truly can't." Madame Jiang let out a sigh. "Get up now. I'll find you a good match, one far better than Cui Zeyu." After a few more placating words, Madame Jiang left, weary at heart. He Pingping sat there in a daze. "Why? Why won't Cousin help me?" Her maidservant Qing'er came over. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but Second Madam hasn't truly taken you to heart. Setting aside more distant matters—at the autumn banquet that day, so many nobles and officials were present, yet why didn't Second Madam bring you along to socialize?" "I truly don't measure up to the great households." "You mustn't sell yourself short. You're beautiful and well-read. Even if you can't marry a legitimate son, wouldn't a concubine-born son do?" Qing'er hoped her mistress would secure a good marriage, for then she too could enjoy better days. "And as for Young Master Yu's matter, Second Madam is just being selfish. She uses Princess Rongjia as an excuse, but really, she just can't swallow her pride. My good miss, I know what's in your heart. Since Second Madam can't be relied upon, why don't we scheme for ourselves?" He Pingping looked over. "What do you have in mind?" "Young Master Yu has no parents. His marriage only needs his own consent and the Eldest Madam's approval. And as for the Eldest Madam—she's not his biological sister, so surely she won't take it too seriously. First, win Young Master Yu's favor, then visit Qiushuang Zhai regularly. Would the Eldest Madam really make things difficult for you?" Hearing Qing'er's words, He Pingping's heart thumped wildly in her chest. A young lady should maintain her reserve, but if she kept holding back, she would truly miss her chance with Cui Zeyu. After much deliberation, He Pingping took a deep breath. "Let me think it over." Meanwhile, at Qiushuang Zhai, Cui Zeyu had brought over banknotes and writing supplies. He hid the items at the bottom of a bamboo basket, covering them with some oranges on top. "What a hassle. I want to bring some nice things for Sister and Xuan-ge and the others, and I still have to hide them. If you ask me, the Old Madame and the Marquis are just putting up a front—they don't have the means, yet they insist on flaunting their wealth!" Ever since learning that Song Shulan had married Princess Rongjia, Cui Zeyu had grown very critical of the Marquis's household and no longer held back his words. In the past, Cui Lingrong would have told Cui Zeyu to stop speaking like that. Now, feeling the same way herself, she didn't silence her brother. Cui Lingrong said, "The Old Madame is used to a life of luxury. It's too hard to ask her to go from extravagance to frugality. Fortunately, the Old Madame wants to elevate Princess Rongjia, which gave me a pretext to divert the blame. Now everyone knows it's because Princess Rongjia is pregnant that everyone else's allowances have been reduced." Speaking of Princess Rongjia's pregnancy, Cui Zeyu's expression darkened slightly. "What does Sister plan to do about the Princess?" Song Shulan currently valued Xuan-ge and his brothers, but what would happen once a legitimate heir was born? Cui Zeyu couldn't help but worry about his sister. From what he knew, Song Shulan spent most of his time each month at Wutong Yuan and barely set foot in Qiushuang Zhai. Although he was pleased by Song Shulan's behavior, it also meant his sister's position in the Marquis Mansion was difficult. When a mistress of the household isn't favored by her husband, how many people would listen to what she says? "The Marquis dotes on the Commandery Princess, so it's only a matter of time before she becomes pregnant. But if she gives birth to a son, that would indeed be troublesome." Cui Lingrong rarely furrowed her brow. Seeing her younger brother worrying along with her, she broke into a gentle smile. "Enough, you rarely visit—let's not talk about this. Xuan-ge is the legitimate eldest son. If Princess Rongjia wants to surpass the legitimate eldest son to inherit the family estate, she'll have to put in considerable effort." When she smiled, Cui Zeyu was momentarily stunned. "That's true. We just need to protect Xuan-ge and his brothers." Cui Zeyu hastily took a sip of tea to cover his distraction and changed the subject. "By the way, sister, did you know that the heir of the Duke of Dingguo is critically ill?" Cui Lingrong hadn't been keeping up with outside affairs recently. The Duke of Dingguo was the family that Yuan Mingzhu's elder sister had married into. The Duke was a veteran official who had served three reigns and earned distinguished military merits, yet he had struggled greatly with producing an heir—he had only one son, whose health was very poor. "He falls ill several times every year. Surely he'll pull through this time as well?" Cui Lingrong asked. Cui Zeyu shook his head. "I'm afraid not. If you have the time, you should go visit Sister Yuan. She must be extremely anxious over this matter." Cui Lingrong and Yuan Mingzhu had the closest relationship, but because the two families' old madames didn't get along, Yuan Mingzhu hadn't been invited to the autumn banquet. That was why Cui Lingrong hadn't known about the Duke of Dingguo's situation. Now hearing her brother mention it, Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu prepare an invitation card—she would go visit Yuan Mingzhu the day after tomorrow. The siblings chatted about recent happenings, and Cui Lingrong kept her brother for the evening meal. As Cui Zeyu was leaving, he emphasized, "Don't worry about money, sister. I can earn enough to keep you and Yu-jie adorned in gold and silver, and to provide Xuan-ge and his brothers with the finest writing materials. If the Marquis and Old Madame are strapped for cash, that's their own doing. Spend as lavishly as you please—I'll take care of everything." He didn't believe for a moment that Song Shulan hadn't known about the Emperor's betrothal decree. If Song Shulan truly hadn't wanted to marry, could the Emperor have forcibly sent Princess Rongjia to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion? Clearly, Song Shulan had wanted to curry favor with the Rong Prince Mansion and had gladly accepted the betrothal. But he wouldn't say such things in front of his sister. He knew she still held hope for the Marquis Mansion, and he didn't want to break her heart. In any case, he could always be her safety net. If his sister ever said she wanted to leave, he would abandon everything and immediately take her to the ends of the earth. "Alright, alright, I understand." Cui Lingrong felt warmth in her heart and urged her brother to hurry home, lest the night roads be unsafe. Cui Zeyu smiled and said it was fine—he had been traveling for business for years and knew some martial arts. He was currently single and hadn't purchased a separate residence, choosing to live directly at the cloth shop, saving on rent while also serving as a watchman. On his way back, Cui Zeyu walked swiftly until he spotted Song Shulan vomiting by the roadside. He thought to himself, what a small world—what a coincidence to run into his nemesis. He picked up two small stones and threw them without hesitation. They struck Song Shulan square on the back of the head. Song Shulan, already drunk, stumbled and fell face-first onto the ground, crying out in pain but unable to get up. Qingshan whipped around and shouted angrily, "Who did such a despicable thing? Do you know who we are?" The stones Cui Zeyu threw were small—not enough to kill—and he quietly slipped away down another path. He had long found Song Shulan insufferable. The old Song Shulan had been sanctimonious and utterly hypocritical. Now he'd even taken an Equal Wife, breaking his sister's heart. He deserved a miserable death. That scoundrel Song Shulan didn't deserve his wonderful sister!