Chapter 294

Chapter 294: Unrestrained Cui Lingrong deliberately said those words to Song Shulan, intending to plant a seed of doubt in his heart. A relationship with cracks in it could never be mended, just like Cui Lingrong and Song Shulan. She gazed at the night outside the window. At some point, snowflakes had begun to fall. "Eldest Young Madam, it's snowing. Should I close the window?" Nanny Qiu brought over a cloak. Cui Lingrong asked her to leave a crack open. "If it's shut too tightly, I always feel suffocated." Nanny Qiu went to close the window, asking as she did, "What does Eldest Young Madam plan to do next?" Between the mistress and the marquis, they now put on a show for outsiders, but in private, their quarrels had become irreconcilable. If things continued this way, how could one not feel stifled? "The Rong Prince Mansion has lost its influence, but the Emperor has not stripped Prince Rong of his official position. As long as he holds that rank, no one can guarantee that Prince Rong might not regain the Emperor's favor one day." Cui Lingrong's eyes darkened. "Now that Zeyu and I have caused the deaths of two people in the Rong Prince Mansion, Prince Rong will certainly not let Zeyu and me go." Cui Lingrong paused. "Zhao Susu won't amount to anything. The key is to catch Prince Rong in his misdeeds. I must lie low for now—if the enemy doesn't move, I won't move either." Nanny Qiu didn't have such deep thoughts. Whatever her mistress said, she would do. After extinguishing the candles, she added more charcoal to the floor heating grate so her mistress wouldn't catch cold. Over the following days, Old Madame Song used the cold weather as an excuse to feel unwell and didn't allow Cui Lingrong to come pay her respects. As for Zhao Susu, perhaps she knew that times had changed, for she went every day to attend to Old Madame Song's washing and grooming, as if she had truly reined in her temperament. One day, Madam Li came to Qiushuang Zhai and brought up this point. "I think Madam Zhao has truly changed a great deal this time. Lowering herself to serve tea and water to Old Madame—she can actually bear it." "Because she knows that unless it concerns a matter of life and death for her, Prince Rong is unlikely to care about her. If she wants to live better, she needs to win over Old Madame, or rather, use Old Madame's hand to suppress me." Cui Lingrong said indifferently. "But if she acts filial, then some will say that you, Sister-in-law, are unfilial. Yu-jie is at the age for marriage negotiations. I'm afraid someone might spread rumors and affect Yu-jie." Madam Li couldn't help with much else, so she could only remind her of such matters. Cui Lingrong thanked Madam Li but didn't dwell on Yu-jie's marriage prospects. Since Yu-jie's Ji-pin ceremony, quite a few people had come to propose marriage, and Cui Lingrong had also spoken with Yu-jie about it. Yu-jie's greatest requirement was that the other party would put her first. Cui Lingrong didn't linger on the topic, and Madam Li didn't press further. The two tacitly moved on to other matters, until Er Shun came in from outside, saying that the Xie Mansion had sent a batch of game and meat. Only then did Madam Li take her leave. Er Shun said, "The Xie Mansion's servant said that all three of the young masters—Xuan-ge included—are growing, and their estate raises plenty, so they specially sent some over for them to eat." Cui Lingrong wasn't particularly pleased to learn it was from Xie Yunting. Her and Xie Yunting? Cui Lingrong couldn't help but take a deep breath. The gifts had already arrived, and returning them would easily arouse suspicion. But between her and Xie Yunting, they truly needed to have a proper talk. She had Er Shun go find Xie Yunting and arranged a time for the two of them to meet at a secluded teahouse. When Xie Yunting arrived, he wore a white robe. After sitting down, he picked up the teacup and drained it in one gulp, then flashed a grin at Cui Lingrong across from him. "I know what Sister Cui wants to say to me. As it happens, I was in a hurry that day and didn't say my piece clearly. Today I'll speak a few more words with Sister Cui." "General Xie, you and I are truly not a good match. You are young and accomplished—every noble lady of high standing in Bianjing is worthy of you. I have already married. I cannot risk a relationship with you that would have no outcome." In Cui Lingrong's view, Xie Yunting was merely acting on a whim. She had heard too many stories of men changing their hearts. Cui Lingrong still had some beauty now. With that beauty, she could attract Xie Yunting. But she was older than Xie Yunting and would inevitably lose her youth before he did. When that time came, would Xie Yunting still be infatuated with her? Cui Lingrong was clear-headed. Her aunt had always taught her not to expect or believe in a man's feelings—only what a man could offer in the present was real. "Why does Sister Cui firmly believe there will be no outcome?" Even Xie Yunting's brows carried an air of unrestraint.