Chapter 313

Chapter 313: Bestowing Favor Even though the elders didn't say anything, Song Yu could sense something. To be honest, Song Yu had initially shared the same thoughts as everyone else, suspecting that Xie Yunting was after her mother. But Xie Yunting never sought her out, and when they occasionally crossed paths, he was very distant. Song Yu couldn't hold back today and simply asked directly, "Actually, General Xie is quite good. It's just that someone like him will attract a lot of criticism." Cui Lingrong was taken aback. Having to discuss such matters with her daughter was rather awkward. "I have no intention of remarrying," Cui Lingrong said. "Yu-jie, I'm not at the age of youthful innocence with sweet fantasies about romance. In my position, since I chose a mutual divorce with your father, it's because I wanted to live a more comfortable life." Yes, Xie Yunting was very good. But Cui Lingrong truly had no strong desire to remarry. Song Yu nodded, indicating understanding. "I respect Mother's decision either way." Cui Lingrong hummed in acknowledgment. Upon learning that Xie Yunting was still drinking tea, she had no choice but to go see him. "Sister Cui?" Xie Yunting set down his teacup. "General Xie, I believe Nanny Qiu has made things quite clear to you, hasn't she?" Cui Lingrong said with some helplessness. "Very clear indeed, but if you marry me, you won't have to serve in-laws, and I don't place much importance on those formalities. Moreover, with me around, wouldn't it be easier for Yu-jie to find a good match?" Xie Yunting listed all the benefits of marrying him. But Cui Lingrong remained resolute in her stance. Actually, sometimes she felt that You Shuyi's remark about keeping a man for amusement had some truth to it. But when it came to remarriage, Cui Lingrong had never been tempted. Having just escaped one marriage, she was already thoroughly weary of the institution. "Fine, I won't bring up marriage for now," Xie Yunting said. "Sister Cui, now that you've left the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, what are your plans? Although you have some private assets now, by the time Yu-jie marries and Xuan-ge and the others wed, you'll need to prepare generous dowries and betrothal gifts." Cui Lingrong did have money now, but not enough to make the marriages of several children particularly grand. She had recently been thinking about whether she should develop some kind of business. Xie Yunting said, "Sister Cui should know that war claims lives. The military sends compensation to the families of the fallen, but it's not enough to sustain their dependents long-term. So I was thinking—since you have a cloth shop, why don't we establish a weaving bureau together? It would provide these women with a means of livelihood, and we could both earn a steady income." This was a good cause, and something Cui Lingrong was capable of doing, since she had previously managed a cloth shop with Cui Zeyu. But working together with Xie Yunting? This made Cui Lingrong hesitate. "Sister Cui needn't worry that I'll use this to pester you or create any ambiguous entanglements. I'm busy with official duties on a daily basis and have made countless enemies. I truly have no one else I can trust—I can only turn to you." Xie Yunting looked at Cui Lingrong with sincerity. Cui Lingrong said, "I think..." "I know Sister Cui is kind-hearted. If you take the lead, this matter will surely be handled well. This northern expedition claimed many lives. The Emperor's original intention was to continue recovering lost territory, but truly too many people have died. The people need to settle down and live in peace." Xie Yunting interrupted Cui Lingrong. Indeed, the people needed stability. But the Emperor needed achievements. It was at great risk that Xie Yunting had halted the northern campaign. Finally, Xie Yunting took a deep breath. "And who knows—perhaps one day I'll die on the battlefield. If I die, someone still needs to look after the families of these soldiers." With the matter put that way, Cui Lingrong had no reason to refuse. Seeing that Cui Lingrong had agreed, Xie Yunting was delighted. "In that case, I'll have Manager Sun come tomorrow to discuss the details with you." After a pause, Xie Yunting once again promoted himself. "I wouldn't dare claim to be the best man around, but I, Xie Yunting, have always kept my word in this lifetime. If you were to be with me, I would never let you suffer the hardships of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion again." Xie Yunting walked into the sunset. Cui Lingrong realized once again that Xie Yunting shone with brilliance—though he was out of place among the noble families of Bianjing, he was nonetheless someone who made others want to praise him. She accepted the matter of the weaving bureau, and early the next morning, Manager Sun came to see Cui Lingrong. Xie Yunting had received considerable rewards from this northern expedition, but half had been sent to compensate the families of fallen soldiers. As for the remaining half, Manager Sun said it could all be invested in establishing the weaving bureau. "The Emperor has bestowed a manor upon the General. The land there can be expanded, the mountain groves behind can be used for mulberry cultivation, and the fields can be used for growing hemp or food crops." Manager Sun produced the land deed and outlined the general arrangement. After listening to Manager Sun's account, Cui Lingrong analyzed each point. "Mulberry trees yield nothing in the first year, and clearing the mountains to plant trees is labor-intensive work." "That's no problem—the soldiers in the army can lend their strength," Manager Sun said. "And what about growing mulberries and raising silkworms?" Cui Lingrong asked. "Although I understand fabrics, I don't know techniques like mulberry cultivation. Without years of experience, this cannot be done." Steward Sun added, "Among those dependents, some do have these skills. Most come from ordinary commoner families, whether it's planting mulberry or raising silkworms, they know how. When the time comes, we'll pick out such people and give them a dedicated plot of land, then pay them based on yield and quality." Cui Lingrong thought this was quite good—this Steward Sun had a head on his shoulders. "Even those who know nothing can handle sweeping, cleaning, and cooking. Moreover, most of these women have children. I'll fund the construction of an academy near the weaving bureau—boys and girls alike can go there for basic education. Once they reach a certain age, we'll arrange for these descendants according to their circumstances." Steward Sun hadn't expected Lady Cui to have such breadth of vision. He praised her, saying, "What you're doing benefits generations to come. On behalf of those struggling dependents, I thank you." "Steward Sun, no need for formalities. Many of these matters, I'm doing for the first time. If there's anything not properly handled, feel free to discuss it with me." Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu fetch the money. "Being able to build a school is also a meritorious deed." She hoped to accumulate virtue for herself and her children. Cui Lingrong first produced ten thousand taels in bank notes and had Steward Sun begin making arrangements, dispatching Er Shun to assist him in his work. On her end, she began compiling statistics—how many dependents of fallen soldiers there were in Bianjing, from adults to children, along with their household livelihoods—all to be registered one by one. Thus, for half a month straight, an endless stream of women and children passed through the Cui residence. It wasn't until construction began on the weaving bureau and academy outside the city that some people came to understand what Cui Lingrong was doing. When word reached the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Old Madame Song cursed angrily, "Before, when I asked her for a bit of money for the marquis mansion, she refused. And now she's building a school? Is Cui Lingrong really that kind-hearted? I doubt it!" None of the daughters-in-law, including Zhao Susu, were really listening to Old Madame Song. Zhao Susu had been carousing with Du Cheng until midnight the night before and was terribly sleepy right now. Madame Jiang was focused on the main kitchen matters, while Madam Li was puzzled, unable to find Du Cheng. Only when Old Madame Song grew tired of talking did she dismiss them. Zhao Susu had to go to Ji'en Hall today. She hadn't slept well, and now she had to force a smile while serving porridge and rice. Her expression in the carriage was particularly sour. "This was all your brilliant idea. I've been going there for so long, and I don't see my reputation improving one bit." "Madam, doing good deeds requires consistency over time," Wang Hechun's Wife dared only to whisper. In truth, every time her mistress went, it was just going through the motions—she'd step off the carriage and go inside to sit, leaving all the work to the servants. "Heh, I can't spend my whole life doing this. Those people are filthy and disgusting, every last one of them, staring at me like they want to bore holes through me with their eyes." Zhao Susu spoke of Ji'en Hall with nothing but disgust. "Let me tell you—if another half month passes and it's still useless, then think of another way... Ouch! How is this carriage being driven?" Just as Zhao Susu was scolding Wang Hechun's Wife, the carriage suddenly stopped, nearly causing her to hit her head. The driver said urgently, "I think I... I hit someone." Zhao Susu irritably signaled to Wang Hechun's Wife. Only then did Wang Hechun's Wife get off the carriage. Seeing it was a little beggar, she told the driver to drag him aside. "Where did this filthy thing come from? Throw him aside quickly—don't delay the mistress's business." Hearing it was just a little beggar, Zhao Susu paid it no mind. But when she arrived at Ji'en Hall and had just begun serving porridge, that little beggar darted out from who knows where, pointing at Zhao Susu and shouting, "Mother, she's a bad person! Not only did she hit me with her carriage, she had people toss me aside. She's not here to serve porridge sincerely!"