Chapter 361

Chapter 361: Contraception Cui Lingrong currently had no desire to have anything to do with Song Shulan, so she ignored his invitation. She followed Xie Yunting to an estate that had hot springs, perfect for relaxing the muscles and bones. "Is the bath to your liking, sister?" Xie Yunting pressed up against her from behind. The hot spring water was smooth as silk against their skin as the two came into close contact. Cui Lingrong couldn't help but shiver. "Didn't you just have your way with me?" Cui Lingrong placed a blanket at the edge of the pool and rested her face on it. "Stop fooling around." "You think the worst of me. I only wanted to hold you—I wasn't planning anything more." Xie Yunting rested his head on Cui Lingrong's shoulder, intoxicated by her feminine fragrance. "I heard Song Shulan used Xuan-ge's birthday as an excuse to invite many prominent families, and quite a few of them have daughters." Song Shulan's intentions went without saying. Song Mingxuan was seventeen this year, and in some households, that was indeed the age when families began looking for suitable matches. "He's asking for trouble. Old Madame Song just passed away, and he's already throwing a birthday banquet for Xuan-ge. He's not afraid of what people will say. And as for matchmaking—he thinks everyone else is blind to his little schemes." Cui Lingrong sighed. "I think it's better to make sure he can't stir up trouble anymore, so he stops bouncing around and annoying everyone." "Alright, whatever you say, sister." As Xie Yunting spoke, he pressed forward. "Sister, indulge me once more today. Grant me a moment of pleasure?" "You shameless, thick-skinned man!" Cui Lingrong got a real taste of how fit a military general could be as Xie Yunting pulled her into his arms. The water splashed rhythmically against the edge of the pool. Who knew how much time had passed—by the time the sky was nearly dark, Xie Yunting finally carried Cui Lingrong out of the water. They stayed at the estate for three days. Xie Yunting was a minister highly regarded by the Emperor, so he didn't have much free time. The two returned to Bianjing together. Xie Yunting couldn't be bothered to go back to his own residence these days and followed Cui Lingrong back to the Cui residence instead. As luck would have it, Song Yu and her husband had just returned. "Mother!" Song Yu was overjoyed to see her mother. Then she caught sight of Xie Yunting and froze for a moment. "General Xie, you've come." Xie Yunting smiled and clapped Luo Feng on the shoulder. "You look well, lad. Come spar with me—I'll give you some pointers." Luo Feng glanced at Song Yu, who had no objections. Once the room was left to Cui Lingrong and her daughter, Cui Lingrong asked, "Didn't you say you'd be back in half a month? Why so early?" "Grandmother was afraid it would snow if we delayed, so she had us set out sooner." Song Yu's cheeks were rosy—the Luo family treated her well, and she was thriving. "Mother, what's happening with Uncle's family now?" When she'd neared Bianjing, she'd heard that Young General Dai had returned. At first, she hadn't known who Young General Dai was, but after hearing people talk, she learned he was her aunt's former fiancé. Cui Lingrong shook her head. "Your uncle said I needn't worry about it. Your aunt hasn't said anything either—their days go on as before." "So there's no problem?" "A calm surface doesn't mean there aren't undercurrents beneath." Cui Lingrong said, "Well, your uncle is a grown man. This isn't something we need to worry about. Since you're back, you should make a trip to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. You didn't make it back in time for your grandmother's passing—you should at least go offer incense." Once someone was dead, past grudges drifted away with them. Song Yu had no objections. After lunch, she went to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. No sooner had the couple arrived at the mansion than her father came to lodge a complaint. "Yu-jie, tell me—is there any mother like yours anywhere in this world?" Song Shulan said indignantly. "She's already divorced me, yet she still blocks me from remarrying. What's that supposed to mean?" Song Yu reminded him, "Father, you're still in mourning. Never mind taking a wife—even taking a concubine isn't permitted." "I'm talking about before your grandmother passed." Song Shulan said. "Surely she still has feelings for me, which is why she's obstructing me like this?" Song Yu was at a loss for words. "Father, put those wild notions to rest. Mother simply doesn't want to see other young women ruined. Given your condition, why would you even want to remarry?" Luo Feng glanced at Song Shulan. "Given your condition"—what did that mean? He didn't understand. Song Shulan's expression stiffened, and he waved his hand. "Fine, you're on your mother's side. You only know how to anger me!" Song Yu couldn't be bothered to argue with her father. She went to the ancestral hall to offer incense, and as she walked through the grounds, she noticed how much the mansion had declined. She couldn't help but sigh. "What's wrong?" Luo Feng asked. Song Yu walked through the garden. "I'm just lamenting—the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion used to be a grand household. Now it's come to this. My father truly is... beyond words." Luo Feng didn't dare say too much. "Your father-in-law is indeed a bit muddle-headed." "Forget it. Let him do as he pleases. At least Madam Zhao got her comeuppance—now there's no one in the mansion to harm Xuan-ge and the others. That's a relief. Once Xuan-ge earns his official rank in the future, Father should step down." Her younger brothers weren't around, and Song Yu didn't want to see her father, so she left without even having a meal. After returning to the Luo residence, Song Yu had gifts sent to various relatives and friends. The days of continuous travel had left her exhausted, and she went to bed as soon as it got dark. The next morning, when Zhuang Qi arrived, Song Yu had just woken up. After they went to pay their respects to You Shuyi, she told them to go play on their own, and she herself went to the Cui residence instead. As soon as she saw Cui Lingrong, You Shuyi smiled and took out a prescription, while the old woman beside her set down several packets of medicine. "What is this?" Cui Lingrong asked. You Shuyi shot a meaningful glance, and the maids and old woman withdrew. "I heard yesterday that you came back together with Xie Yunting?" Cui Lingrong's face flushed red instantly. "Look at you, I told you that absorbing yang to nourish yin—especially from a young and vigorous lad—is the most nourishing thing. Look at your complexion now, how good it is." You Shuyi sat down beside Cui Lingrong. "Between us, there's no need to hide anything. I won't ask about the details between you and Xie Yunting. These are some contraceptive medicines, and the prescription is for nourishment. Since you're not married yet, you can't have a child." Cui Lingrong's face grew even hotter—she had been taking them. "How could any prescription from outside be as good as the ones I write?" You Shuyi patted Cui Lingrong. "Don't worry, every month from now on, I'll have someone deliver them to you. So, how about it—won't you tell me, is General Xie vigorous or not?" "You... you have no shame!" Cui Lingrong was embarrassed. "We're both women of a certain age, what's there to be ashamed of? Being able to enjoy oneself first is what matters most. Let me tell you, it's fine to play around with young men like this, but you must never let yourself become attached to a man. Even if you're going to marry Xie Yunting, you still need to keep a clear head." You Shuyi said she spoke from experience. "Remember my words now." Just as she finished speaking, Xie Yunting's voice came from the courtyard. You Shuyi cast Cui Lingrong a knowing glance. "Tsk tsk, you two are so deeply in love—how enviable."