Chapter 301

Chapter 301: State of Mind When You Shuyi and Yuan Mingzhu came calling, Cui Lingrong was in the middle of taking stock of her personal assets with Nanny Qiu. Boxes of all sizes filled the room, set out across the floor—everything that had been moved out of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion that day. Yuan Mingzhu had grown much more composed over the years. Watching Cui Lingrong work the abacus, she gave a bitter smile. "You've truly made up your mind?" "Why do you still ask?" You Shuyi sat down beside Cui Lingrong, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "She's finally managed to see things clearly. If you give her another chance to hesitate, aren't you just pushing her back into the fire?" "I just think it's too much of a loss." Yuan Mingzhu felt indignant on Cui Lingrong's behalf. "Think of what the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion was like at the start—it only improved after Lingrong married into it. Now the mansion goes to Song Shulan and her lot. It makes my stomach churn." Cui Lingrong said that wouldn't happen. "Even with a mutual divorce, Xuan-ge will still inherit the marquis mansion. Zhao Susu can never have children in this lifetime, and Song Shulan certainly won't adopt a child for Zhao Susu's sake." She had thought this through long ago. Even if she left, the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion would remain Xuan-ge's inheritance. "It's just..." Cui Lingrong thought of Yu-jie and shook her head, turning instead to speak of her own assets. "Fortunately, I've accumulated quite a bit of personal property over the years. I'll be well provided for in my later years, and I can still put together a respectable dowry for Yu-jie." Speaking of dowries, Cui Lingrong glanced at You Shuyi. Some days earlier, You Shuyi had indicated that Feng-ge'er had feelings for Yu-jie. But when she had asked Yu-jie about it, the girl had given no response, so she hadn't pressed the matter. Now that she planned to pursue a mutual divorce, Yu-jie's marriage prospects were indeed a delicate matter. Yuan Mingzhu spoke directly. "When Yu-jie marries, we'll add to her dowry as well. You don't need to worry about her. If Song Shulan were left to arrange the marriage, she'd surely send Yu-jie off into some deep household. With us aunties around, we'll make sure Yu-jie has a grand, proper wedding." You Shuyi nodded in agreement. "Let Yu-jie take her pick. And if all else fails, my Feng-ge'er can serve as a backup." The sisters chatted and laughed together. There was nothing they couldn't discuss openly. Seeing no one else in the room, You Shuyi went ahead and asked what was on her mind. "People outside are saying you stayed away from the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion for so long because you've taken a lover. True or false?" To be honest, You Shuyi was rather hoping it was true. Yuan Mingzhu also looked at Cui Lingrong. "You two—do I seem like that kind of person?" Cui Lingrong had just finished speaking when Caiyue entered from outside, announcing that General Xie had arrived. Ever since Cui Lingrong had moved to the Cui residence, Caiyue had returned to serving at her side. Hearing that Xie Yunting had come, You Shuyi raised her slender brows and said with amusement, "That Xie Yunting has striking features and comes from a military background. Lingrong, if you could share some pleasure with him, no need for any title or status—it would surely be quite delightful." You Shuyi was that sort of person—having seen all manner of things in her medical practice, she spoke without any taboo. Even Yuan Mingzhu pressed her lips into a smile. "If you truly had that inclination, you could divorce and remarry. Xie Yunting may have a temper, but there's no denying his looks. Ah, no more talk—he's here." Just as Yuan Mingzhu finished speaking, Caiyue led Xie Yunting inside. Seeing that there were others in the room, Xie Yunting greeted them openly and casually, then stated his purpose. "With New Year's Eve approaching, I've brought over some livestock." That was his only reason. He left as soon as he'd said it. After he was gone, You Shuyi and Yuan Mingzhu exchanged smiles. "Lingrong, even if you have no interest, that Xie Yunting clearly has ideas of his own." You Shuyi spoke with the air of one who had been around. "With that face of his, you wouldn't be losing out. Of course, you're beautiful too." Cui Lingrong reached out and pinched You Shuyi. "You—why must you spout such nonsense? Don't think everyone is as unrestrained as you are." "Is there something wrong with how I am?" You Shuyi said she was perfectly fine. "After my husband passed, my natal family came to me, asking if I wanted to remarry. I refused outright. In this day and age, why marry again, only to serve tea and follow new rules all over?" You Shuyi took things in stride. She had property, she had children—it wasn't as if she couldn't get by. And because she hadn't remarried, the Luo family respected her all the more. Her in-laws treated her extremely well. Then You Shuyi turned to Yuan Mingzhu. "Mingzhu, what about you? The Jiang family has no elders left. Your Yuan family is still well enough. Will you stay to raise your three children, or find someone new?" Yuan Mingzhu shook her head. "No remarrying. I've had my fill in this lifetime." She and her husband had been deeply devoted. Any man she remarried would never measure up, and then life would descend into chaos. Better to stay and raise her children. That said, Yuan Mingzhu couldn't quite match You Shuyi's wildness either. You Shuyi might occasionally go out seeking amusement, but she couldn't. "Not remarrying is fine too," You Shuyi said. "Without in-laws to constrain us, the three of us can live freely and support one another." She mentioned she felt like drinking and called out to Caiyue, "Miss Caiyue, would you be so kind as to have someone prepare some dishes to go with the wine? I'll pay!" Cui Lingrong said she would pay. "How could I let you cover it?" The three of them drank together, and it felt like being back in their childhood—Yuan Mingzhu and You Shuyi sneaking jars of wine from their family stores, dragging Cui Lingrong along to drink in secret, until they all ended up drunk in Cui Lingrong's room. Nanny Qiu was a stickler for rules, and when they woke up, seeing the hangover soup on the table, they all began to feel a sense of dread. However, all three of them were responsible, each vying to take the punishment. In the end, Marchioness Song did not punish them, only saying, "Let this be the last time." Thinking back now, the joy of youth is a state of mind that can never be reclaimed. Cui Lingrong raised her cup and drank it all in one go. When Song Yu came over, she saw her mother with her arm around Aunt Jiang, the three of them squeezed onto a small couch. She brought Nanny Qiu and the others to help each of them to bed. The next day, Luo Feng came to pick up his mother. Upon learning that she had gotten drunk, he was not surprised at all. "Before I left home, my mother said that Marchioness Song must be feeling stifled inside, and she wanted to drag her out for a drink until neither could go home sober. My mother is rather free-spirited; I imagine she caused you some trouble." Song Yu said it was no trouble at all. "On the contrary, I should thank you. Since my mother moved to the Cui residence, she always seems weighed down with worries. Yesterday, I saw her at ease in a way she rarely is, thanks to the company of both aunts." She said the three of them had not yet woken up, and Luo Feng would have to wait a while longer. "I see it's almost noon. Why don't you stay for lunch, Young Master Luo? When my mother wakes, she will surely insist on keeping you for a meal as well." Song Yu led Luo Feng to the garden. Since her younger brother was not around today, she had to entertain him herself. But Luo Feng was not much of a talker, and since Song Yu had heard from her mother about the proposed marriage with the Luo family, the two of them remained very quiet. It was not until a maid came to report that the ladies had woken up that Song Yu quietly breathed a sigh of relief and rose to go over. Luo Feng followed behind. Before they even entered the room, he heard his mother's laughter. "I'm telling you two, your tolerance for alcohol is far too poor. You'll need to practice in the future. Feng-ge'er will be studying in Bianjing, so I'll be staying there often. If you're this useless, I'll never get to drink to my heart's content." You Shuyi had brought hangover medicine with her and downed it in one gulp. "If it weren't for some matters at home, I'd want to stay and never leave. Oh, Yu-jie, you've come. You came by last night, didn't you? Thank you. The three of us rarely get to drink like this." Then, catching sight of her wooden son, You Shuyi tugged at him. "What are you standing there like a fool for? Hurry up and greet everyone!" Luo Feng hurriedly greeted each of them in turn. They had lunch together, and after Yuan Mingzhu and You Shuyi had both left, the corners of Cui Lingrong's lips were still slightly lifted. "In this life, I have still met many good people." "Yes, Mother, you should be happier." After Song Yu said this, she noticed the brush and ink prepared on the desk. Knowing her mother had made up her mind, she tactfully withdrew. Cui Lingrong gazed out the window for a long while before walking to the desk, picking up the brush, and writing out the divorce agreement.