Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Close Friend In the pavilion, Madame Jiang, finding the situation dull, left early. Madam Li had not spoken a word throughout, and Concubine Zhang had also remained silent, so the gathering quickly quieted down. After finishing the venison, everyone dispersed. Cui Lingrong had an old friend visiting and hurried off to receive her. Upon seeing her friend, Cui Lingrong was overjoyed. She took You Shuyi's hand and led her to sit down. "I knew you were coming north to visit your family, so I shamelessly wrote to ask you to come by. I've had a guest room prepared at home for some time. I won't disturb you today—tomorrow we'll have a proper gathering." She and You Shuyi had been close friends before marriage. After they each married, their opportunities to meet grew fewer. In recent years, You Shuyi had lost her husband. She chose not to remarry and, with the support of her husband's family, opened a medicine shop. This trip north, You Shuyi had brought her son along to visit her natal family. "Good, good, good. You always make such thorough arrangements." You Shuyi beckoned to her son. "Feng-ge'er, come quickly and greet your Aunt Cui. She's a very thoughtful person—you should learn a thing or two about how to conduct yourself from her." Luo Feng was thirteen this year, already taller than his mother, with delicate, handsome features. He bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Aunt Cui. I hope you are well." "Indeed, it's been several years since we last met, and Feng-ge'er has grown so big." Cui Lingrong let You Shuyi and her son rest well. Early the next morning, she sent Caixia to invite them over for a meal. She also called Yu-jie over. "Xuan-ge and his brothers have gone to the Guozijian, so you won't be able to see them. Later, I'll have Er Shun make a trip to bring them back for one night." You Shuyi said her son had no interest in the Imperial Examination. "He's just like me—he loves herbal medicine and practicing medicine, so I didn't force him. Still, having an academic title makes many things more convenient, so he should try to earn at least the xiucai degree." Cui Lingrong agreed. "You're truly open-minded, able to let things be." "One only lives once. There's no need to force yourself to do things that make you unhappy." After the meal, You Shuyi met Madame Jiang, whom Cui Lingrong had mentioned in her letter. The women retired to the inner chamber and sent the children out to play. Madame Jiang, having learned that You Shuyi had arrived, had come over eagerly. Now she looked at You Shuyi nervously. "Well? Can I still conceive?" "Second Mistress Song's constitution is too cold. When you were younger, did you love eating ice and never watch what you ate during your monthly cycle?" You Shuyi asked. Madame Jiang nodded. "That's right. But I've been much more careful these past few years." "A body that has been depleted is not so easily restored." You Shuyi said. "I'll write you a few prescriptions and do some acupuncture. After the new year, when I finish visiting my family, I'll make a detour back to Bianjing. Also, your husband's constitution needs regulating too—having a child isn't just one person's responsibility." Madame Jiang was puzzled. "You haven't even met my husband. How do you know he needs regulating?" "Isn't he surrounded by a flock of wives and concubines? Overindulgence harms the body—how well could he possibly be?" You Shuyi said without a second thought. Madame Jiang's face flushed bright red. She thought to herself that her sister-in-law told everyone everything. But for the sake of You Shuyi, she decided not to make an issue of it. While You Shuyi was performing the acupuncture, Cui Lingrong stepped out and saw her daughter returning with Luo Feng. She had Nanny Qiu and the others bring out some pastries. "Mother, Brother Feng knows so much about medicine and herbs. He's even traveled to many places." Song Yu was envious. Since birth, she had only left Bianjing twice—once to visit her maternal grandparents' home, and once to go to Suzhou for a funeral. In the main hall, Cui Lingrong and the others chatted about everyday matters. By the time You Shuyi finished the acupuncture, two hours had passed. Cui Lingrong didn't keep Madame Jiang for a meal and let her return home first. That night, Cui Lingrong and You Shuyi chatted together. It was only upon arriving at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion that You Shuyi learned Song Shulan had taken an Equal Wife. "If the Cui family cared about you, I would definitely urge you to seek a Mutual Divorce and return home." But the Cui family didn't care about Cui Lingrong. Her father didn't love her, her stepmother didn't cherish her, and she had no full brothers. Returning to the Cui family would be a dead end. "Fortunately, you're the smartest among us. Seeing that you're still managing the household, I know no one is oppressing or bullying you." You Shuyi lived freely—her in-laws were good to her, and her natal family valued her. Life held no great difficulties for her, which made her broad-minded. Cui Lingrong smiled faintly. "Life is just one hurdle after another. Don't worry—I won't lose to anyone." "And your heart? Do you still hold hope for Marquis Song?" The room fell silent. More than a decade of marriage, with times of affection and three children raised together. Cui Lingrong said, "I only hope he can be a qualified father." You Shuyi grasped Cui Lingrong's hand. "Lingrong, don't be too hard on yourself. We're only human—we can't be perfect in everything. Sometimes, you have to allow yourself to not be so good. Look at me—people say practicing medicine damages one's reputation, but I don't care. I just want to do what I love. And that girl Mingzhu—after all these years, she probably hasn't changed one bit." Speaking of Yuan Mingzhu, Cui Lingrong smiled. "That's true. You'll see for yourself tomorrow." The next day, Cui Lingrong took You Shuyi out to meet Yuan Mingzhu. Before they had married, the three of them had been the closest of friends. Today, Cui Lingrong and Yuan Mingzhu played host, taking You Shuyi to browse a silver jewelry shop and then to Fan Tower for a feast. Before the meal was even finished, Jiang Kun, worried about Yuan Mingzhu's health, arrived early to wait for her. "Second Master Jiang, are you afraid we'll eat her up?" You Shuyi teased with a laugh. "Look at how worried you are—of the three of us, Mingzhu married the best." Jiang Kun, a straightforward man, awkwardly said it wasn't so. "I won't disturb you ladies. I'll wait in the next room, and when you're done, I'll come pick up Mingzhu." Once Jiang Kun left, You Shuyi hooked her finger under Yuan Mingzhu's chin. "Tsk tsk, fools really do have fool's luck. That husband of yours is so careful—with a body like yours, you could go horseback riding and nothing would happen." Yuan Mingzhu refused to concede. "Who's a fool? I'm plenty smart!" "Really?" You Shuyi questioned with a smile. "Of course it's true!" Yuan Mingzhu slapped away You Shuyi's hand and pouted. "You're so annoying. You finally come for a visit, and you're calling me stupid again. If I weren't smart, would Jiang Kun dote on me so much?" You Shuyi said, "Who knows what tricks you've picked up to charm him. Why don't you share them with your sisters?" Cui Lingrong watched her young friends bicker and play, a smile tugging at her lips the whole time, as if she had returned to the days before her marriage. As the wine went around, Cui Lingrong, delighted today, drank a few extra cups and grew somewhat tipsy. It happened that Cui Zeyu was nearby, and he was tasked with escorting Cui Lingrong and You Shuyi home. As she descended from the carriage, Cui Zeyu, afraid his sister might lose her footing, held his hands out loosely to catch her in case she fell. Unexpectedly, Cui Lingrong's knees gave way, and she truly tumbled into Cui Zeyu. A fragrant warmth fell into his arms, and Cui Zeyu's limbs froze stiff. Soon Nanny Qiu came over to steady her mistress, and Cui Zeyu's arms were empty again. Cui Lingrong still remembered to instruct him, "Zeyu, hurry back now, and take your time on the road." Cui Zeyu could no longer form a reply, staring blankly as his sister and the others entered the mansion. You Shuyi had a better tolerance for alcohol. Seeing Cui Zeyu's flushed face, she found it quite amusing. After returning to Qiushuang Zhai and drinking the hangover soup, she deliberately asked, "That adopted brother of yours—he's quite handsome. He's about the age for marriage talks, isn't he?" "Yes, he'll be twenty-two after the New Year." Cui Lingrong leaned back on the soft couch with her eyes closed, so she didn't catch the meaningful look on You Shuyi's face. "But every time I bring it up, he reacts strongly, saying he's in no hurry to marry. I really can't do anything with him." "Maybe he has someone in his heart," You Shuyi said casually. "I've thought of that too, but he won't say. Children grow up, and you can't guess their thoughts." At this point, Cui Lingrong finally opened her eyes to look over. "Why are you so concerned about him?" You Shuyi said she was just asking casually. She knew Cui Lingrong was a proper, serious person, so it wasn't appropriate to joke about such matters. "He's handsome, so I just showed a little extra concern." Cui Lingrong couldn't help sizing up You Shuyi. "You're not..." "Stop right there, don't get any ideas." You Shuyi quickly raised her hand. "My life is good now. My mother-in-law understands that I lost my husband young, so she doesn't require me to wait on her constantly. Feng-ge'er is sensible and filial. Why would I trouble myself to find another man to serve?" Speaking of this, she brought up Yuan Yuzhu. "Has Sister Yuan really made up her mind?" Cui Lingrong said yes. "The Duke of Dingguo's mansion is a mess. She wants to live out the rest of her life more freely." "That's right. We women already have it hard, and there are too few times we get to be willful." You Shuyi yawned as she spoke. "So let me give you this advice: life is short, enjoy it while you can. Don't devote yourself entirely to the children—think about what you want too." She said she was going back to sleep, but as she rose, she came over and cupped Cui Lingrong's face. "Remember what I said—never shortchange yourself. Song Shulan isn't worth your sacrifice, understand?" "How are you still like this, just like when we were kids!" Cui Lingrong rubbed her own face. She was such a serene person, yet she happened to have two lively, outgoing friends. Seeing You Shuyi still staring at her, she had no choice but to nod. "Fine, I'll think of myself first in everything, alright?" Only then was You Shuyi satisfied and went to sleep. She stayed at Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion for three days and had to get home before New Year's Eve. On the day she left, Yuan Mingzhu also came to see her off. When Cui Lingrong returned to Qiushuang Zhai, her heart felt empty. Nanny Qiu said they would meet again after the New Year, which made her feel a little better. "Oh, what's this?" Nanny Qiu found a piece of paper under the pillow and handed it to her mistress. Cui Lingrong opened it and glanced at it—it was a prescription You Shuyi had left behind, telling her to use it when necessary. She immediately understood what You Shuyi meant.