Chapter 175

Chapter 175: Searching the Courtyard Searching the courtyard was a serious matter. Regardless of the outcome, allowing Cui Lingrong to conduct a search meant that within the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Cui Lingrong held sway over County Princess Rongjia, enough to authorize such a search. But at this moment, refusing the search would make one seem less than forthcoming. If one had a clear conscience, what was there to fear? County Princess Rongjia never imagined that Cui Lingrong would propose searching the courtyard. Instinctively, she blurted out, "No." "Why not? What is the County Princess feeling guilty about?" Cui Lingrong's words drew everyone's gaze in the room. Just then, Old Madame Song arrived as well. She paid no heed to Cui Lingrong and County Princess Rongjia, rushing instead to the bedside. Seeing the bloodstains on the bedding, she demanded to know what had happened. "My son, what has happened to you?" The physician had no choice but to repeat his explanation. The moment Old Madame Song heard it, she nearly fainted. Her son's manhood was ruined... that... didn't that make him a eunuch? Old Madame Song could not accept this outcome. A perfectly healthy man, reduced to this? "Isn't it just medicinal wine? How could this happen?" Old Madame Song still refused to believe it. Song Shulan woke to the sound of his mother's weeping and fainted once more. The room descended into chaos. In the end, it was Cui Lingrong who stepped forward to take charge. "Old Madame, please come out with us first and let the physician treat the Marquis." The group moved to a nearby room. Old Madame Song wanted to punish Huadie, but Cui Lingrong spoke up for her. "This cannot be blamed on Huadie. According to what Qingshan said, the Marquis first went to County Princess Rongjia's quarters last night. It was only after he returned and drank the medicinal wine that he went to find Huadie in the middle of the night. Huadie does not possess such abilities as to foresee that the Marquis would come calling at that hour." Huadie nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Old Madame. This concubine had already retired for the night. The Marquis arrived so suddenly—how could I have known? Besides, my courtyard was thoroughly searched by the Eldest Young Madam, inside and out, and nothing untoward was found. But the County Princess—her courtyard has yet to be searched!" To protect herself, Huadie had no choice but to deflect attention onto County Princess Rongjia. "You wretched slut! Since when do you get to question me?" County Princess Rongjia charged forward and delivered a slap. Huadie fell to the ground, not daring to look at County Princess Rongjia. Cui Lingrong stepped forward. "Why is the County Princess so agitated? Huadie said nothing wrong. The innocent have nothing to fear. If you have done nothing wrong, why be afraid of a search?" "I can swear to heaven that I never gave the Marquis anything improper to consume!" County Princess Rongjia swore a solemn oath. "But you cannot search my courtyard. I am a County Princess by rank—how can I endure such humiliation?" If word got out, it would not reflect well on anyone. Cui Lingrong no longer pressed County Princess Rongjia, but turned instead to Old Madame Song. "Old Madame is here as well. What do you think?" Old Madame Song still remembered County Princess Rongjia's false pregnancy and other misdeeds. In her eyes, County Princess Rongjia was not a woman of pure character, and it was entirely possible she had resorted to underhanded means. If County Princess Rongjia had truly drugged her son, then no matter how powerful the Rong Prince Mansion was, she could not allow such a venomous woman to remain. "County Princess, Lady Cui is right. If nothing is found, your name will be cleared. Cui, have your people go and take a look." Seeing that County Princess Rongjia was about to speak, Old Madame Song added in a heavier tone, "If the County Princess does not agree, I can also seek the opinion of Prince Rong and his wife, and ask them whether they are aware of your inability to bear children." At these words, all of County Princess Rongjia's fury had nowhere to go. She said nothing. Old Madame Song gave Cui Lingrong a look. Cui Lingrong then had Nanny Qiu lead the servants to search the courtyard. Cui Lingrong knew that Song Shulan's condition had nothing to do with County Princess Rongjia—because she herself had administered the drug. But the Wutong Courtyard was hardly clean. Previously, when County Princess Rongjia managed the household, she had embezzled a great deal from the communal coffers. At the time, Song Shulan had said to let it go, and Cui Lingrong had no intention of reclaiming it now—she merely itemized everything for Old Madame Song to hear. She did not need Old Madame Song's favor, but she did want the old lady to despise County Princess Rongjia. "If nothing is found, what does Sister Cui have to say?" County Princess Rongjia ground her teeth. "Then I would congratulate the County Princess on clearing yourself of suspicion. That would be a good thing for you." Cui Lingrong smiled slightly, then steered the conversation toward Song Shulan's injury. "Old Madame, this matter of the Marquis concerns the honor of the marquis household. I will take care of the physician. Everyone in the courtyard today is also a trusted confidant of one household or another—not a single outsider was brought in." Old Madame Song nodded with satisfaction. "I'll leave everything to your arrangements. Rest assured, my people will not utter a single word." "Also, the Marquis needs to recuperate, but he is preoccupied with court affairs. I was thinking that perhaps we might ask the County Princess to make a trip to the palace on his behalf. With the County Princess interceding, His Majesty may be more lenient." Cui Lingrong had no desire to see Song Shulan lose his official position, for she and the children still depended on his career to hold their heads high. That was why, all along, Song Shulan had valued his official career above all else. On some level, Cui Lingrong could understand this—after all, it benefited her as well. "You are most thoughtful." Old Madame Song turned her gaze to County Princess Rongjia. County Princess Rongjia felt as though she had swallowed bitter sophora—not only was her courtyard being searched, but she was also expected to go to the palace on their behalf. When had she ever been so humiliated? But at this moment, she also knew that she could not let Song Shulan lose his official position, for once he woke up, their relationship would be severed. County Princess Rongjia reluctantly said yes. At that moment, Nanny Qiu returned, saying she had not found any medicine that could not be taken, "However, in the County Mistress's courtyard, there are many items accounted for in the public ledger." Old Madame Song looked over displeased, but since she needed County Princess Rongjia to enter the palace, she did not bring this up and waved her hand, telling County Princess Rongjia to hurry into the palace. County Princess Rongjia gave Cui Lingrong a deep look before having someone submit a tablet for an audience. Meanwhile, Song Shulan woke again and, upon learning that he might never be able to function as a man for the rest of his life, could not accept it for the moment and wailed loudly in distress. When Cui Lingrong and Old Madame Song went over again, Old Madame Song was gnashing her teeth with hatred toward the Gao family, but she could not seek retribution from them, or else the entire Bianjing would know that Song Shulan had blown up that part of himself from drinking too much medicinal wine. The very thought of such a matter made Old Madame Song feel ashamed, let alone making a scene with the Gao family. "My son, from now on you must not associate with the Gao family. You were a perfectly fine man, yet you've been harmed like this!" What Old Madame Song was grateful for now was that her eldest son already had two legitimate sons; otherwise, wouldn't the family line be cut off? Song Shulan was also deeply regretful now. He had lost face before County Princess Rongjia, so he had wanted to drink more medicinal wine to restore his vigor, but he had overdone it... How was he supposed to face those who knew about this in the future? And what about the concubines in the household, who were now as good as ornaments? How could anyone accept that? Song Shulan and Gao Jingzhi had been close friends since childhood. He did not want to blame others, but when it came to something like this, how could he not harbor resentment? "Mother, I want some quiet time. Please go back first." Song Shulan turned his head away, speaking with embarrassment. Old Madame Song wanted to say more, but Song Shulan refused to look at her, so she could only leave first. Song Shulan kept only Cui Lingrong behind. Upon learning that she had not spread the matter and had even had County Princess Rongjia enter the palace to request leave on his behalf, he now finally appreciated her goodness. "This matter..." It was hard for him to say, but he had to. "No one can know about it. As for Huadie..." He could not let anyone know, so keeping Huadie around would very likely be a hidden danger. During Song Shulan's pause, Cui Lingrong immediately said, "Huadie is still young and has no children. I was thinking we could send her to Suzhou and find her a good family to marry into, so as not to waste the years she served you. She is a grateful person, and the Marquis Mansion has shown her immense kindness. She will certainly not speak carelessly. Besides, with my cousin keeping an eye on her, nothing will go wrong." One could not send her just anywhere—she had to remain within sight. But as for silencing her, Cui Lingrong felt that Huadie was completely innocent in this matter, and she did not want to recklessly take a life. Hearing Cui Lingrong say this, Song Shulan hesitated. He had no particular affection for Huadie. In his view, only the dead could keep secrets. Cui Lingrong continued, "Otherwise, right after you request leave, someone dies in the Marquis Mansion. If people dig into it, it would be even easier for trouble to arise. If we give Huadie a way out, she will know gratitude. If she cannot keep the secret, someone will deal with her before word spreads to Bianjing. By then it would just be hearsay with no evidence, and you need not worry, Marquis." Song Shulan was persuaded. "I'll leave everything to your arrangements." Cui Lingrong nodded, feeling quite satisfied with the current outcome. From now on, Song Shulan would only have the three children he shared with her. As for the child in Zhuqing's womb, it would absolutely never be recorded in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's genealogy.