roccoschili Chapter 198 I Care About Her
Chapter 198 I Care About Her
This was clearly a sign of being taken into a concubine.
The eldest lady was silent for a while, and finally spoke frankly: "I have something to tell you. Xian'er has fallen in love with Cui Rongrong."
Jiang Xuejun's face tightened. Even the first lady was so outspoken. It seemed that taking a concubine was a foregone conclusion.
"I am considering giving her a formal status after you get married. Xian'er is seriously injured right now, so let her stay by your side and take care of him for the time being."
The first lady was not really satisfied with Xu and Cui Rongrong, but Song Yanyi had always had her own ideas. Besides, taking a concubine was not a big deal, so it was not convenient for her as a mother to interfere too much.
As long as it's not too excessive, it's fine to turn a blind eye. After all, the family rules are there, and there will be plenty of opportunities to discipline the woman in the future.
Jiang Xuejun secretly clenched his palms and forced a smile: "That's good. I was worried that the young master would be left without anyone to take care of him. Now I can rest assured."
"but……"
Jiang Xuejun changed the subject, a hint of hesitation revealed between his brows.
"What else?"
The eldest lady inquired.
"I have met Miss Xu before, but I heard that she seems to have found someone in her heart."
The eldest lady's expression suddenly changed: "What?!"
Jiang Xuejun quickly comforted her: "Don't worry, mother. Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. I heard that she and a scholar had feelings for each other. At my birthday party, when Miss Xu fell into the water, it was that scholar who rescued her. I thought they were in love with each other."
The eldest lady suddenly slammed her palm on the table: "How can this be possible!"
She could still tolerate Xu Cui Rong's minor faults, but she actually did something so contrary to women's virtues!
"I will investigate this matter myself. If she really has an affair with someone else, such a woman will never be allowed to step into the Xie family's gate!"
The eldest lady said in a deep voice.
Jiang Xuejun agreed verbally, but she was happy in her heart. Want to use her to get promoted? Wishful thinking!
After seeing Jiang Xuejun off, the eldest lady immediately headed towards Songhe Garden.
At this time, Cui Rong was sitting quietly beside Song Yanyi's bed. She was bored and flipping through a travel book to pass the time, while Song Yanyi was concentrating on marking documents.
"The eldest lady has arrived."
Cuizhu reported softly.
The eldest lady stepped over the threshold and glanced at Cui Rong sharply: "You, go out first."
Cui Rong was startled, then she stood up and quietly left the room.
Song Yanyi raised his head, frowning slightly: "Mother, what's the matter?"
The eldest lady slowly sat down, with a look of worry between her brows. Her tone was steady but dignified: "Actually, it's nothing special. I'm just concerned about your recovery from your injuries, so I came to take a look."
Song Yanyi replied with a smile, his tone revealing a barely perceptible sense of relief: "Everything is fine. Cui Rongrong is quite experienced in medical skills and has taken very meticulous care of me."
Upon hearing this, the eldest lady smiled meaningfully and said, "It seems that you are very protective of Cui Rong."
Song Yanyi caught this subtle change, and immediately seized the opportunity to say seriously: "My mother happened to be here, and she just happened to have something to discuss with you."
"What's the matter?"
The eldest lady's eyes were gentle, but she could not hide her inner curiosity.
"Now that Cui Rong and I are known to everyone, I want to formally welcome her in as soon as possible to avoid causing her unnecessary embarrassment due to my identity issues."
His words were full of consideration for Cui Rong's future.
Upon hearing this, the eldest lady's face darkened instantly, and her words were filled with unquestionable determination: "You are challenging the family rules! How can you take a concubine before you officially marry a wife?"
Song Yanyi had a faint smile on his face, and his tone was gentle but firm: "I have been following the rules enough, mother. Maybe it's time to make some changes."
The eldest lady's expression changed slightly, and she secretly understood in her heart that although her son appeared gentle and refined on the surface, he still had a rebellious and free nature in his bones.
As he grew older, he learned to be more restrained and to behave in a polite manner. Over time, even she herself almost believed that her son had completely integrated into this traditional framework.
"Aren't you afraid of the criticism from the imperial censors? You are in the imperial court now, so you should be more cautious in your actions!"
The eldest lady's worry was evident in her words.
A trace of indifference flashed across Song Yanyi's eyes: "The emperor often finds it difficult to employ ministers who are too self-righteous. Let them criticize, this is my family affair, I have made up my mind, mother, there is no need to worry about it."
The eldest lady was furious: "You have really been bewitched by that seductive woman! Do you know how many unclear affairs she has outside? A woman like this, dreaming of entering the Xie family!"
Song Yanyi's eyes became mysterious and deep: "Where did mother get this from?"
"How can such a thing be hidden? Sooner or later, everyone will know about it! I won't stop you from taking a concubine, but you have to be clear-headed. The future of the Xie family will eventually be handed over to you. You should understand the high hopes that your father and the Xie family have placed on you."
The eldest lady's face was as gloomy as water. She stood up and was about to leave: "You can take care of yourself."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and left resolutely, leaving the room heavy and silent.
Outside the door, Cui Rong waited quietly until the figure of the eldest lady disappeared, then she slowly walked into the room.
Song Yanyi sat on the bedside, his face slightly gloomy. He took the tea handed to him by Cui Rongrong and took a sip: "Did you hear everything?"
Cui Rong nodded gently, her words full of tenderness and consideration: "I'm afraid it's because Brother Lin Han put clothes on me in public when I fell into the water last time, which led to groundless speculation."
Although she was not worried that he would be angry about this, she was concerned that his anger might affect the innocent Lin Han.
Cui Rongrong seemed quite reasonable. She gently held his hand and said softly, "If the Madam is not satisfied with me, the matter of taking a concubine may be postponed. I don't care too much about the status."
Song Yanyi's eyes were slightly cold, as if he was trying to see through her thoughts, and Cui Rong looked back at him with the most sincere eyes, but she couldn't help feeling cold in her heart, fearing that he would see through her hidden thoughts.
Unexpectedly, Song Yanyi held her hand tightly and pulled her closer. She had to support herself with her elbows on the bed and keep a certain distance to prevent him from getting too close.
This sudden intimacy made Cui Rong feel a little uneasy. Being so close, she could clearly see the unknown emotions flickering in his deep black eyes.
His voice was cold: "But I care."
Cui Rong was stunned for a moment, unable to understand what he was thinking.
"Qingan."
Song Yanyi ordered in a cold voice.
"Yes, what can I do for you, sir?"
Qingan appeared quickly.
"Go find out who has visited the Madam today."
"As ordered!"
Qing'an soon brought back the news: "Sir, Miss Jiang is visiting today."
Song Yanyi's eyes became even colder: "Jiang Xuejun?"
"That's right. She arrived early in the morning and had a secret conversation with the eldest lady for a while. Then she paid her respects to the old lady. She wanted to come visit the young master, but I stopped her."