Chapter 310

Chapter 310: Kidnapping "Perhaps Marquis Song will act out of desperation one day?" Nanny Qiu was too embarrassed to say it more bluntly. "That's true." Cui Lingrong snorted. "No one can really explain what's going on between those two. By the way, have you spoken with Madam Li's people?" "It's all arranged. Third Young Madam will help us search." Nanny Qiu said. Cui Lingrong nodded. "The Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion may be large, but with people searching carefully, going room by room, we're bound to find some trace." As long as Du Cheng was hiding in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, there was a chance they could find him. Cui Lingrong was tired, so she washed up and went to rest. The next day, Zhuang Huaiming brought his whole family over. He said Qi-jie'er had been insisting on coming, and since it happened to be his day off, he brought the children along to visit. Cui Lingrong naturally welcomed them. She went to see Zhuang Qi and her siblings. "No need to be formal with me. Go find Yu-jie and play with her—she's still doing her hair." Zhuang Qi acknowledged with a cheerful "Alright," holding her younger sister's hand with one arm and calling for her older brother to come along. Zhuang Xiuzhu said with all seriousness, "Yu-jie's private chambers—you two go ahead." He needed to maintain proper boundaries. "Tsk, then Lu-mei and I will go. You just wait here." Zhuang Qi walked off without looking back. Zhuang Xiuzhu gazed longingly at his sister's retreating figure. He wanted to see Song Yu too, but it truly wouldn't be proper. He figured he'd see her once she finished getting ready, so he sat down contentedly. Zhuang Huaiming asked about Cui Lingrong's plans. "No particular plans. My life is wonderful right now—no need to mind a mother-in-law's moods, and no need to wait on anyone." Cui Lingrong was the highest authority in the Cui residence, with no need for morning or evening greetings. Her days were free and easy. "But living like this with Yu-jie, you'll inevitably draw the attention of those with ulterior motives." Zhuang Huaiming said. "Once Yu-jie marries out, won't you be all alone? Or perhaps you're thinking of taking in a live-in son-in-law?" Cui Lingrong had never considered taking in a live-in son-in-law. If she did, she'd only be able to choose from families of even lower standing. She hoped Yu-jie would find a good husband's family; she didn't need her daughter to bring in a son-in-law. Seeing Cui Lingrong shake her head and say no, Zhuang Huaiming nodded and didn't press further, instead chatting about everyday matters. Concubine Lu occasionally joined the conversation, until Song Yu came over with the two younger sisters, and everyone went to eat together. After Zhuang Huaiming returned home, Concubine Lu helped him change clothes. She hesitated for a long while before quietly saying, "My lord, this concubine thinks Sister Cui is truly wonderful. You now enjoy the Emperor's deep trust, and you'll inevitably need to attend social engagements. Xiuzhu and the others also need a mistress who understands family standing to arrange things. Since Sister Cui can't get along with Marquis Song, why not have her come and live with us instead?" The evening glow spilled through the window, and Zhuang Huaiming stood sideways in the light, not immediately responding. "Today, this concubine gathered from Sister Cui's words that Yu-jie will definitely marry out. That being the case, she has no other children at her side, and her days will be so lonely afterward. You two grew up together as childhood sweethearts. Our household is simple, and the children all get along well with her." As for Concubine Lu herself, she was also willing. Her lord's official career was flourishing, and matchmakers had already come calling. If an unfamiliar woman came from outside, it would be better for Sister Cui to marry in. Moreover, Concubine Lu had heard that when Old Madame was still alive, she had already considered the idea of strengthening ties through marriage. Zhuang Huaiming said, "My cousin has just gone through a mutual divorce. I have no heart for marriage right now. Don't bring it up for the time being. As for social engagements at the residence, you know I don't care for all that flattery and sycophancy." As for the children's matters, he had also entrusted them to his cousin—especially Qi-jie'er and her sister. They could simply visit the Cui residence often in the future. As for marriage, Zhuang Huaiming narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He had more important matters to attend to right now. Zhuang Huaiming told Concubine Lu to rest first, then lit a lamp and continued studying water conservancy. Spring was approaching, and if heavy rains came, precautions needed to be taken in advance. Zhuang Huaiming threw himself entirely into his official duties, and he had grown noticeably thinner these days. Cui Zeyu was much the same. Ever since his sister's mutual divorce, Cui Zeyu had devoted more energy to his official career. He returned home only after dark every day, which greatly displeased the Duke of Dingguo. That day, the moment he returned to the residence, the Duke of Dingguo summoned him. "I know you're ambitious, and that's a good thing." The Duke of Dingguo was indeed pleased with this. "But you've been married to Lady Wu for several months now—how is there still no news? Is it that you're not putting in the effort, or is there something wrong with you?" He was in a hurry to hold a grandson. Cui Zeyu said, "Regarding marriage, I've already followed your arrangements. Now that I'm being more ambitious, you find fault with that too. I say, one shouldn't be too greedy—how can everything be perfect?" "You... how dare you speak to me like that, you brat?" The Duke of Dingguo clicked his tongue, knowing that if they started arguing, his son would only dig in his heels further. He softened his tone. "Alright, I'm not demanding you give me a grandson this instant. I just want you to be more attentive. Also, you're a married man now—you should cherish and care for the wife you've brought home, not leave her sitting there like a decoration. Understand?" "Is that all you have to say?" "You little brat!" The Duke of Dingguo said there was one more thing. "Madam Qin is ill. Did you know?" Ever since Madam Qin had been sent away, Cui Zeyu's people reported back to him every half month. Cui Zeyu shook his head. "Does she have some kind of request?" "She said that Weijie was, after all, adopted into the Duke of Dingguo's household. When she took Weijie away back then, it was selfish of her, and she wants me to take Weijie back." The Duke of Dingguo, however, did not believe Madam Qin's motives were so simple. "This woman, Madam Qin, is deeply calculating, and she harbors a bitter hatred for us. So I wanted to hear your thoughts." If they did not take the boy back, they would need to provide a reasonable justification, or the clan elders would not be satisfied. "Madam Qin is right—he is, after all, a son adopted under your name. Since she has spoken up, just send Lu Weijie to the Guozijian," Cui Zeyu said. "Otherwise, staying by Madam Qin's side, even a small bad seed will grow into a big one. Whatever scheme Madam Qin is plotting, Lu Weijie is still that young—if you can't even handle him, then you don't deserve to be the Duke of Dingguo." "You brat, are you looking down on me now?" The Duke of Dingguo snorted. "As long as the boy is in my hands, there's no way he'll grow crooked!" "Then that depends on your skill. But after Lu Weijie leaves the old residence, cut off all contact between him and Madam Qin, and replace all the servants attending him." Cui Zeyu finished speaking and left, not bothering to chat further with the Duke of Dingguo. The Duke of Dingguo called after him, "Lady Cui has gotten a mutual divorce—stay away from her. Rumors about her have been flying everywhere lately. If you get tangled up with her, you won't be able to clear your name." Cui Zeyu didn't even turn his head. Such words, he simply let them go in one ear and out the other. The next day, after the morning court session, he went to the Cui residence. "Spring is about to arrive, and Lady Wu has a manor with beautiful scenery. I was thinking—would Sister like to go and relax there?" Cui Lingrong turned to look at her daughter, and seeing the anticipation in the girl's eyes, she agreed. Being able to go out and play naturally delighted Song Yu. She asked if they could invite Qi-jie'er along, and Cui Zeyu said there was no problem. On the day of the outing, Cui Lingrong and Lady Wu shared a carriage, while Song Yu and the three young girls rode together. It happened to be the first day of the month, and the Song Mingxuan brothers also came along, though they rode horses at the rear. Upon arriving at the manor, Lady Wu, as the hostess, warmly arranged resting quarters for everyone. After the bustle settled, they all gathered in the courtyard to roast venison over a fire. Nanny Qiu and the others had prepared sweet soup, already warmed to a gentle temperature—one bite of venison, one sip of sweet soup. Meanwhile, Cui Lingrong and Song Yu and the others drank sweet wine. After a few cups of wine, drowsiness crept in. Cui Lingrong was supported by Nanny Qiu to the courtyard at the back. She watched the lotus leaves in the pond just beginning to poke out their tips, and gradually, sleep overtook her. She didn't know how long passed, but when she opened her eyes again, all around her was pitch black. Her hands and feet were bound, and she couldn't make a single sound.