Chapter 87: Repay Tomorrow is an auspicious day, suitable for getting married, and even more so for consummating a marriage...
Cui Lingyan suppressed these thoughts as she heard Zhan's voice, a hint of worry, say, "Such a serious incident has occurred at the Cen Mansion. Your mother-in-law will have to return to her parents' home. Don't linger here, Yan-san. Otherwise, if things get busy at the mansion and you need to find someone, you might not be able to find them. After all, you are the young lady of the Duke's Mansion."
This warm-up was a bit awkward because everyone had their own thoughts, and just when this incident happened, Mrs. Zhan suggested that everyone disperse.
Cui Lingyan nodded, and Qi also stood up. Her eyes fell on the second young lady, Cui Lingyin, and she asked, "Yin, are you coming back to the Marquis' Mansion with me, or are you staying here a little longer to help out?"
Cui Lingyin's face showed a hint of shyness. "Aunt, you're joking. Even if I'm engaged, it's not easy for an unmarried girl like me to just stay here."
As she spoke, she glanced at Cui Lingyan and said, "Third sister, please go back to the Duke's Mansion. I will go back to the Marquis' Mansion with my aunt."
The few of them exchanged a few more pleasantries with Mrs. Zhan and Qi Ruorou before walking out. After leaving the house, they each took a carriage back to their residence.
In the pavilion
The smile on Zhan's face fell, and with a hint of dissatisfaction, she said to the maid who had just delivered the message, "Why are you reporting this unlucky news to the Wenfang room? It's spread all over the capital anyway, and by the time everyone returns home, how could they not know about it? Why are you so anxious?"
The maid knew that the mistress was in a bad mood today. After hearing her scolding, she realized that it was unlucky for her to spread the news. After all, such an ugly thing was really not something that could be made public.
Today is a good day to warm up the house.
Thinking of this, her face turned pale, and she knelt on the ground with a plop and apologized, "Madam, please forgive me. I didn't think about it and ruined the joy of our family..."
Zhan waved her hand unhappily, "Alright, you can leave now. I'll deduct half of your monthly salary. If you continue to behave like this, you'll be sent to a different place. The Qi family won't be able to keep you."
The maid quickly replied "yes" and stood up and retreated tremblingly.
Qi Ruorou sighed softly and said comfortingly, "Why would Mother be angry with a maid like her? She lowered her status for no reason. I think she thinks the married lady from the Cen Mansion is Sister Yan's mother-in-law, so she rushed to report it."
Zhan said angrily, "I'm angry because I know that's what she's thinking. Yan's status is really different now. Even the servants of our Qi family are clinging to her, not caring at all that today is a happy day for the warm room. Don't you think it would be unlucky to speak out about this?"
"Also, Miss Yan was so calm today, as if yesterday's incident had never happened. I never thought that my niece, whom I had raised so well, would be like this. It turns out that her well-behaved and sensible behavior at the Qi family was just an act for us to see. Now this is her true nature."
Qi Ruorou said helplessly, "What else can we do? Can we still control Sister Yan now? She is now the wife of the prince of the Duke of Weiguo's mansion."
"Let's not talk about anything else. Just looking at the set of purple glass teacups they sent, you can't tell how valuable they are. They must be worth at least several thousand taels of silver. She's no longer someone we can manipulate at will. It's already a good thing that we can continue to get along like this."
Mrs. Zhan also knew these principles. She nodded, feeling extremely aggrieved.
She frowned, not knowing what she was thinking about. She continued, "You said that the prince didn't come with Yan Yatou today. Does that mean that the prince doesn't consider our Qi family as a relative, or that in the prince's heart, Yan Yatou doesn't have as much status as we think? What we see is just the face he gives Yan Yatou as his wife."
Qi Ruorou shook her head: "I don't know, either one is possible."
Zhan said with a sullen face, "I'd rather it's the latter. Our Qi family is a small one, and it's no shame for us not to be favored by the prince. I just can't stand seeing Yan girl acting so high and mighty now, completely disregarding the kindness our Qi family has shown her. Our Qi family raised her for so many years, and even when the Marquis's Mansion sent us festival and annual gifts, we didn't have to pay for it. But as her aunt, I've put in so much effort, can I just walk away from it? I really didn't realize she was such an ungrateful person! At the beginning, I thought it would be a great marriage for your brother to marry her. Now I think if she really did marry him, I don't know how much she would resent our Qi family in her heart."
Qi Ruorou felt a little uncomfortable seeing Cui Lingyan's condescending attitude. Not wanting to listen to her mother's nagging any longer, she said, "On this wonderful day of warming up your room, please stop getting angry over someone irrelevant to you. It's unlucky. Let's walk around the house and see if there's anything that's not well thought out. Especially in brother's courtyard, let's see how we can make it more perfect. He'll definitely like it when he returns from the Imperial College."
Hearing her daughter say this, Zhan's expression softened a bit, and she nodded and said, "Okay, Ruorou is still the most considerate. Let's go shopping now."
......
It was almost evening when the carriage returned to the Duke of Weiguo's Mansion. Cui Lingyan first went back to Wutong Courtyard to wash up, and then went to Qingde Courtyard to meet her grandmother, Madam Dou.
When Mrs. Dou saw her come back, she asked a few questions about the warm room in the Qi residence, and Cui Lingyan answered seriously.
Madam Dou hesitated for a moment before asking, "Have you heard that something big happened in the capital today?"
The atmosphere was a little awkward, and Cui Lingyan nodded. "I heard the maid report it just now at the Qi residence. My aunt also heard about this and thought that my mother-in-law must be in a bad mood, so she asked me to return home quickly."
Madam Dou sighed and said, "Your mother-in-law is naturally in a bad mood because her father-in-law has committed such a disgrace. She is too embarrassed to stay in the mansion and be laughed at by her sisters-in-law. So, she sent her maid to apologize and then returned to her parents' home."
Cui Lingyan didn't know how to respond to this. She had a bad relationship with her mother-in-law, Cen, and it would seem fake if she showed her worry and anxiety.
Madam Dou also thought of this and smiled helplessly, saying, "Alright, the affairs of the Cen Mansion have nothing to do with our Duke's Mansion. Although it's a scandal, it will probably be forgotten in a few months. You must be tired after your trip, so go back and rest."
Cui Lingyan nodded, bowed and said, "Granddaughter-in-law, I'll take my leave."
Seeing Cui Lingyan leave, Madam Dou looked at Nanny Sun who was standing by the side and asked, "Do you think Miss Yan looks strange?"
Nanny Sun shook her head. "I didn't notice, but the Young Madam and the First Madam, her mother-in-law, aren't close. Now that such a scandal has occurred in the Cen Mansion, it's hard for the Young Madam to say anything. If she showed any concern or worry for the First Madam, you, as her grandmother, wouldn't believe it."
Madam Dou twirled the Buddhist beads in her hand. "I'm saying, why didn't this scandal happen earlier or later, but at this very moment?"
Even though Nanny Sun had been with Old Madam Dou for most of her life, she was now somewhat unable to guess what the old lady was thinking.
Madam Dou said quietly, "You've forgotten that it wasn't long since Madam Mei came back to our house, right?"
Nanny Sun was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but think of the various situations when Old Lady Mei came to the Duke's Mansion that day. What impressed her most was that Old Lady Mei used the story of how the late wife of the Kangshou Marquis's Mansion struggled for her unborn daughter and lasted for half a month before dying, so that her newborn daughter Zheng Suining would not bear the reputation of having killed her biological mother to deliberately provoke Young Lady Cui Lingyan and embarrass her.
After all, everyone in the capital knew how partial the young lady's biological mother, Qi, was. Even though they were twins, a boy and a girl, because of Qi's partiality, she sent the young lady to live with her mother for a long time.
In comparison, how could the young lady not feel uncomfortable?
Nanny Sun's eyes showed surprise as she looked at Old Madam Dou: "Old Madam, do you mean this matter is related to our family?"
Madam Dou nodded. "When this incident came to light, guess who I thought of? I don't know why I immediately thought of Bingzhi!"
"Through careful reflection, and considering the situation when Old Madam Mei came to the mansion that day, the more I think about it, the more I feel that this matter is most likely related to Bingzhi. Maybe he feels that Yan girl has been wronged by Old Madam Mei, so he wants to make her feel uncomfortable."
Nanny Sun felt a chill run down her spine. If this scandal was truly discovered by the Crown Prince's men, and happened to be witnessed by Old Master Cen's colleagues, then, that would truly be...
The prince didn't want to make Old Madam Mei feel uncomfortable, he clearly wanted to make Old Madam Mei miserable for the rest of her life.
The Hou Mansion and the Cen Mansion are related by marriage. She serves the old lady, so how could she not know the temperament of this old lady Mei.
Old Madam Mei had always been extremely concerned with her reputation, often finding fault with others' manners. She prided herself on being generous, virtuous, and well-mannered. She was also a rare, non-jealous wife in the capital. Less than six months after her wedding, she had already ordered her maidservant to serve her husband. Over the years, the mansion had numerous concubines, as well as illegitimate sons and daughters. Everyone praised Old Madam Mei for her generosity and virtue.
But now, despite being so generous and virtuous, the old master of the Cen family is still not satisfied and has caused such a shameful scandal.
This was really a slap in the face for Old Madam Mei. No wonder she fainted from anger when she heard about this scandal.
After a long while, Nanny Sun finally found her voice: "If it really is our prince, he really didn't give the first lady any face."
After all, she is the Duke's second wife. The prince's behavior is quite heartless and cruel.
But when Nanny Sun thought about how the First Lady and the Second Miss had gotten along with the Crown Prince over the years, she felt that since they didn't have much affection for each other, why should the Crown Prince consider the First Lady, his stepmother, when doing things?
The master and servant were silent for a moment, and then Madam Dou instructed, "This is just my guess. Whether it's true or not, don't tell anyone. I think Yan either doesn't know, or she knows. She's very clever and won't let anyone see any clues."
"It's the Cen family's business anyway. Let Cen worry about it. Doesn't the Cen family still have a daughter-in-law who is in charge?"
Nanny Sun nodded, but still couldn't help but say, "If that's the case, then the prince is really protecting the young lady and can't bear to see her suffer even the slightest bit of injustice."
"In this respect, the Crown Prince is similar to the Duke. Back then, the Duke treated Princess Shuning so well that it was beyond words. He was considerate in every way. Which woman in the capital wouldn't envy him?"
Speaking of her former daughter-in-law, Madam Dou sighed softly, "Yes, if Shu Ning were still alive, it would have saved me from marrying a second wife like Cen. She and Bingzhi haven't had any affection for each other for so many years."
Nanny Sun opened her mouth to say something soothing. Madam Dou put down the Buddhist beads in her hand and got up from the couch. "Let's not talk about this anymore. I'm a little tired. Help me lie down inside."
Nanny Sun nodded and helped Old Madam Dou into the inner room.
......
Cui Lingyan came out of Madam Dou's courtyard and went straight to Songxue Hall.
When he saw Lu Bing, he hesitated for a long time before asking, "Did you order someone to do what happened to the old master of the Cen Mansion?"
Seeing that she hadn't spoken for a long time, Lu Bingzhi was both angry and amused when she finally said this.
He put down the book in his hand and waved to Cui Lingyan to come over.
Cui Lingyan walked up to him and urged, "Tell me, is it you?"
Lu Bingzhi curled his lips. "He himself behaved in an unruly and disrespectful manner, causing this scandal. How does this have anything to do with me, the Prince of Wei? Can I really force him to keep a concubine outside?"
As soon as Cui Lingyan heard his tone, she understood that this was indeed Lu Bingzhi's work.
She smiled, but her eyes were slightly red. She said, "Thank you for protecting me like this. From childhood to adulthood, no one has ever protected me like this."
Before Lu Bingzhi could speak, Cui Lingyan said with some uneasiness, "Will that make Madam Mei angry? Although I want to vent my anger, I don't want to..."
Lu Bingzhi knew what she was thinking, so he smiled and said, "Do you think that Madam Mei, with her temperament, would faint from anger over an elderly husband? She's just humiliated and can't bear it, so she's just pretending to faint. I arranged for someone at the Cen Mansion to report that Madam Mei had secretly smashed a whole room of things. When the old master heard about it, he sent a message saying that she was virtuous and generous, so why didn't she continue to be virtuous and generous now?"
Cui Lingyan was shocked when she heard this. She remembered that Old Madam Mei had bullied her that day and then gave her a bracelet, and she couldn't feel any sympathy for her anymore.
However, it seems that Old Master Cen has been such a bastard for a long time. Now that he has caused such a huge scandal, he only said such a light sentence. It is really speechless. It is more than just a word of disrespect for the elderly.
Cui Lingyan put these thoughts aside and said with a sigh, "Now, I'm afraid the Mudan Courtyard will be worried. But this is also a good thing, at least they won't have time to bother me recently."
Lu Bingzhi smiled lightly: "Yes, I helped Yan'er so much, Yan'er, have you thought about how to repay me?"
Cui Lingyan listened to this and thought for a moment: "That pajamas is already ready."
Before she could continue, Lu Bingzhi spoke, "It's not enough. They say a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring. I checked the almanac, and tomorrow is an auspicious day for marriage." He pulled Cui Lingyan into his arms, whispering the last few words into her ear: "It's even better to consummate the marriage. How about you, Yan'er, pledge yourself to me?"
As he finished speaking, Cui Lingyan's cheeks flushed red. She buried her head in his arms and murmured after a while, "I won't default on my debt."
......
In a wing room of Guangfu Temple
Cui Linghui blushed as she said to Xiao Ze, who looked very satisfied beside her, "Second Prince, it's already so late. You should stay here and don't have to go back."
Xiao Ze's eyes showed a hint of smile. He patted her hand and said, "I left the palace to pray for the Empress Dowager, but it's not good for anyone to know that I have any connection with the girl in the Marquis' Mansion at Guangfu Temple."
Seeing Cui Linghui's face was a little pale, he quickly said: "Good Hui'er, I don't mean that. You and I are in love, so naturally I have you in my heart."
"Just wait until Zheng is welcomed into the mansion. In a few months at most, I will take you back and give you the position of concubine."
Xiao Ze said, without waiting for Cui Linghui to speak, he put on his clothes and got off the bed, patted Cui Linghui on the shoulder, and said: "You can live in peace, and don't have to feel wronged when you return to the Marquis' Mansion. You will be my concubine sooner or later."
After saying this, he walked straight out of the house.
As night fell, Cui Linghui sat on the bed for a long time without moving.
Yulan helped her into the shower and cleaned herself. After she emerged, she couldn't help but ask, "Miss, is it really worth it for you to give yourself to the Second Prince like this? If the old lady knew about this, I don't know how angry she would be. How would she feel about you, young lady?"
The girl's behavior was really frivolous and despicable.
Cui Linghui glanced at her and said, "What else can I do? Being Xiao Ze's concubine is better than marrying down and being looked down upon. Now I just have to wait for Zheng Suining and Xiao Ze to get married, then I can enter the Second Prince's mansion."
"After all, Xiao Ze is the emperor's biological son. The emperor has only three princes, so it's not impossible for that position to fall on Xiao Ze. If that day comes, I will enter the palace as a concubine. In the future, even Cui Lingyan, the wife of the prince, will have to greet me when she sees me."
"I can't let my stepsister Cui Lingyan step under my feet. I have to fight for it!"
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