Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Buying a House Princess Rongjia was going to visit her natal family and sent someone to inform Cui Lingrong. Cui Lingrong was about to go view houses with her younger brother and happened to run into Princess Rongjia at the entrance of the marquis mansion. The two faced each other, both maintaining their composure, neither willing to be the first to offer greetings. It was only when Cui Zeyu arrived that Cui Lingrong stepped across the threshold and boarded the carriage with her brother. "That Cui... Lady Cui seems quite close with that adopted brother of hers," Princess Rongjia remarked with a sigh, taking Wang Shanxi's Wife's hand as she boarded her own carriage. Wang Shanxi's Wife grumbled, "He's not her real brother—just some stray she picked up. Only that one at Qiushuang Zhai treasures him like a treasure. This old servant has heard that the lady of Qiushuang Zhai has recently been looking into marriage prospects for Cui Zeyu, truly treating him like a real younger brother." "Real younger brother?" Princess Rongjia murmured the words to herself, then suddenly broke into a smile. She crooked a finger at Wang Shanxi's Wife and whispered a few words in her ear. "Do you think it's possible?" "Surely not. The lady of Qiushuang Zhai is known for her virtue and propriety. She... she doesn't seem like the type to do anything improper." On this point, Wang Shanxi's Wife could be certain. "Who knows? Some people appear proper on the surface but carry on affairs in secret without a second thought. Anyway, he's not her real brother—he merely borrows the Cui surname. If something were truly going on between them, it wouldn't be impossible." Princess Rongjia recalled the look Cui Zeyu had given her—disgust mixed with hatred. What had made Cui Zeyu hate her? It must be his devotion to Cui Lingrong. That made sense. Cui Zeyu had grown up under Cui Lingrong's care since he was ten, so naturally everything he did revolved around her. Wang Shanxi's Wife still didn't believe the young mistress and Cui Zeyu had any secret affair, but she had another thought. "Actually, whether they truly have an affair doesn't matter. What matters is making others believe they do." Princess Rongjia's eyes lit up. "You're right. If Cui Lingrong loses her reputation, can the marquis mansion still keep her?" At this, her gaze dimmed again. "But this time, we can't hire people to spread rumors. Old Madame values the mansion's reputation as a whole. If word got out that Cui Lingrong was carrying on with someone, Old Madame would launch a thorough investigation. We need to find a way to make the Marquis and Old Madame draw that conclusion themselves." She thought for a moment, then sent someone to follow Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu. "Make sure you stay close. Wherever they go, whatever they do—record everything carefully." On the other side, Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu arrived at the first property. It was a three-courtyard residence, somewhat cramped in layout, but close to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion—just across one street. Because of the prime location, the price was twelve thousand taels of silver. They had barely been inside for a moment before Cui Zeyu declared it unsuitable. "Too small. If Sister and Yu-jie and the others come to stay, there simply won't be enough room." Cui Lingrong also felt it was a bit small, but she was thinking that after Cui Zeyu married and had children, they would need servants as well. This courtyard wouldn't do—if the people in the east wing argued loudly, the west wing could hear everything. The second property was also three courtyards, but much larger, with two additional rooms. The garden was rather small, however, and the price was fifteen thousand taels. Cui Zeyu was still not satisfied and asked the house broker to show them something bigger. The broker looked troubled. "For larger residences, one must hold an official rank. If the young master wishes for something bigger, perhaps you could purchase two adjacent properties and open a doorway through the shared wall. It would amount to the same." "That's true—you make a fair point." Cui Zeyu had just finished speaking when his sister called him aside. Cui Lingrong said there was no need for anything larger. "If you spend all your money on a house, what will you do when the cloth shop needs capital to keep things running? Besides, Yu-jie and I are perfectly comfortable at the marquis mansion—why would we need to stay with you?" "I want to be someone you can rely on, Sister. I want you to know you'll always have a home to return to." Cui Zeyu hung his head, his eyelashes trembling like a puppy that had done something wrong. He glanced up inadvertently, then quickly looked away. "Don't be angry, Sister. I'll listen to you." If a nearby property came up for sale in the future, he could buy it then. What mattered now was making his sister happy. Cui Lingrong sighed. The fact that Cui Zeyu thought of her showed that raising him had not been in vain. "Money should be earned and spent with a plan. Look at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion now—the second and third branches can barely afford meat on the table. Don't let a few good days make you forget the hardships of the past." Cui Lingrong then accompanied her brother to view a third property. This one was, as described, three and a half courtyards. From the layout to the arrangement, Cui Lingrong was quite satisfied—except the price was a bit steep at seventeen thousand taels of silver. Even though Cui Zeyu had the money, Cui Lingrong wanted to negotiate. She spoke with the house broker at length before he finally agreed to consult the owner. "Then I'll trouble you to make the trip. If it works out, there will be an additional token of thanks." As Cui Lingrong spoke, Nanny Qiu had already produced a string of copper coins, thanking the broker for accompanying them all day and offering it to him for tea. Having received a tip, the broker naturally put in extra effort and immediately went to find the seller. When Cui Lingrong returned to Qiushuang Zhai, she had barely sat down for a sip of tea when Madame Jiang dragged Madam Li bursting through the door. "Eldest Sister-in-Law, aren't you going too far!" Madame Jiang had waited for Cui Lingrong all day, and upon hearing that she had returned, immediately dragged Madam Li over. "Today the main kitchen sent over the groceries, and there was only one meat dish! Is this still a marquis household?" Even at her natal home, Madame Jiang had never endured such hardship. Seeing the dishes today, she was so furious she wanted to confront Cui Lingrong directly. Madam Li had been forcibly dragged along. She never participated in the household's power struggles—whatever the marquis household gave her, she simply accepted. Standing there now, she was so embarrassed she wished she could crawl into a crack in the ground. "Didn't I already have someone explain it to you?" Cui Lingrong said with a stern face. "Our expenses have been too high these past days, so the household now has to prioritize the budget for Wutong Yuan. Everyone else must cut back. If you can't stomach it, you're welcome to buy your own ingredients and have the kitchen cook for you—I won't stop you. If you don't accept that, you can go argue with Old Madame. I'm tired today and don't want to bicker with you, but this is how things are in the household now. If you want to eat better, spend your own money." Madame Jiang was unwilling to dip into her own funds. If the Second Master truly cared for her, she would gladly cover the expenses of the Second Branch. But the Second Master was growing increasingly impatient with her, and she certainly couldn't spend money just to feast alone. She gritted her teeth. "Since the household is short on money, why don't you cut the year-end bonuses for the servants? That would save a considerable sum!" "For a family like ours, if we suddenly dock the servants' wages, do you think that would sound good if word got out?" Cui Lingrong let out a cold laugh. "Old Madame values her reputation above all—would she agree to that? I'll say it again: if you want extra dishes, pay for them yourself. Once the household gets through this difficult patch and the Commandery Princess safely delivers her child, everyone's days will be more comfortable." Madame Jiang couldn't out-argue Cui Lingrong, and she didn't dare go to Old Madame either, since even Old Madame's own meals had been reduced. As for Princess Rongjia, she was even less someone Madame Jiang could provoke. Madame Jiang had stormed in with a blaze, and now she stormed out in a huff, thinking to herself that she needed to find some money—because this kind of life, she simply couldn't endure! Madam Li was left standing in Qiushuang Zhai, even more awkward. She hesitated for a long while before speaking softly, "Eldest Sister-in-Law, I... I have no complaints." At her natal home, she hadn't even been guaranteed meat at every meal, so her current circumstances were actually not too bad. "I know she dragged you here against your will. You have a gentle nature, but Jiang is not like you." Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu bring out two sets of writing brushes and ink. "When my younger brother sent these over the other day, I set aside two sets for Zhou-ge'er and his brother, but I've been so busy I forgot to have them delivered. Since you're here, take them back with you." "Lang-ge'er is still so young—he won't need these for a while. I... I'll just take one set." Madam Li knew her eldest sister-in-law was generous, but she felt even more embarrassed to accept her things. "If Lang-ge'er can't use them yet, then keep them for Zhou-ge'er to use slowly." Cui Lingrong knew Madam Li was tight on money and that writing supplies were expensive. "Alright, hurry back now. I'm truly exhausted today, so I won't keep you for tea." Madam Li thanked her and, as she walked out of Qiushuang Zhai, sighed to her maid, "Eldest Sister-in-Law is truly a good person. If only that Equal Wife business had never happened." "Please don't say such things—if anyone hears you, your life will only get harder." The maid was so frightened she looked around nervously. Madam Li realized she had spoken too hastily, and a chill ran down the back of her neck. "Mm, I won't say it anymore." She would just remember her eldest sister-in-law's kindness in her heart. If ever her eldest sister-in-law needed something done, she would certainly help.