Chapter 183

Chapter 183: The Incident Having obtained her mother's consent, County Princess Rongjia returned in high spirits. On the way back, she was still boasting to Chen De's Wife, "Mother truly dotes on me. Since childhood, no matter what the matter, she always helps me." "That's only natural. Your mother has only you as a daughter—how could she not dote on you?" Chen De's Wife also breathed a sigh of relief. With the Princess Consort stepping in, the matter would surely be resolved. "Indeed, even my brothers sometimes aren't as favored as I am. Mother often says I'm her creditor from a past life, here to collect a debt." As County Princess Rongjia spoke, the carriage came to a stop. They had just alighted from the carriage when the gatekeeper hurried over. "County Mistress, you've returned at last. The Duke of Dingguo's mansion sent someone over, saying you must go there at once," the gatekeeper said. "The Duke of Dingguo's mansion? Did they say what it's about?" County Princess Rongjia found it strange. Could it be that Madam Qin was looking for her? The gatekeeper said he didn't know. "Perhaps it's something important, but the Duke's people didn't tell me. Would you like to go?" County Princess Rongjia thought of her mother's instructions, then reconsidered—the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had summoned her so suddenly, perhaps it was something very important. She thought it over and, without even entering her own home, brought Chen De's Wife along to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. When they arrived at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, they happened to run into Song Shulan. Both were surprised to see the other. After exchanging greetings, they learned that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion had sent for both of them, but neither had been told why. "How strange. Why would they summon the two of us specifically?" Song Shulan confirmed several times, "They didn't have Lady Cui come as well?" By all rights, since Cui Zeyu had been adopted into the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, Cui Lingrong should have been summoned too. County Princess Rongjia said she didn't understand either. "I had just arrived at the gate when the gatekeeper told me. Fearing the Duke's mansion had something important, I came right over." The two followed a servant boy through to the inner courtyard. Song Shulan grew even more curious and tried to pry information from the Duke of Dingguo's servant, but the boy said he didn't know. It wasn't until they entered a courtyard and saw a man lying on a wooden bench, the back of his trousers stained with blood, that Song Shulan became even more bewildered. County Princess Rongjia, however, was shocked by what she saw, because she recognized the man—wasn't this Xiao Wu from the theater? "Marquis Song, County Mistress, our Duke has been waiting for you. Please, come in." An old maidservant emerged. Song Shulan and County Princess Rongjia exchanged a glance, then followed her inside. As soon as they entered, Song Shulan discreetly surveyed the room and probed, "Upon learning that the Duke had summoned us, my wife and I came without delay. May I ask what matter the Duke wishes to discuss?" The Duke of Dingguo wore a stern expression. "County Princess Rongjia, you saw the man in the courtyard, didn't you?" County Princess Rongjia said she had. "Do you recognize who he is?" "I do." County Princess Rongjia still couldn't figure out what was going on. "Good that you recognize him." The Duke of Dingguo let out a cold snort. "Today, I'm not afraid to air my family's dirty laundry. County Princess Rongjia, you often go to the theater with my wife. Isn't it true that every time, Madam Qin gives Xiao Wu a tip and even calls him over to chat?" County Princess Rongjia hesitated for a moment. She glanced toward Madam Qin, but Madam Qin wouldn't look at her. She could only nod and say yes. "Very well. Sorry for making you come all this way." The Duke of Dingguo hadn't expected Madam Qin to cuckold him, but he had only summoned County Princess Rongjia—he didn't know why Song Shulan was also there. "Regarding today's matter, I must ask you not to speak of it to anyone. I will repay you handsomely another day." Song Shulan was utterly bewildered. He had been summoned here, yet there was no use for him—what was this about? "Duke, you called us here just to ask about this?" Song Shulan was confused. The Duke of Dingguo had originally assumed Song Shulan had accompanied County Princess Rongjia. Now seeing Song Shulan looking dazed, he guessed that his second son had summoned him. Before the Duke of Dingguo could speak, Cui Zeyu entered from outside and said slowly, "Of course it's not just about that. I also wanted to give my brother-in-law a word of advice—actors are fickle-hearted. It's best to keep the County Mistress away from the theater, lest she also set her eyes on some disreputable sort and bring shame upon the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion." "Zeyu, speak plainly if you have something to say," Song Shulan said. "Brother-in-law, you should head back. What remains is the private family matter of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion." With that, Cui Zeyu deliberately glanced at County Princess Rongjia. It was only then that County Princess Rongjia began to piece things together. Could it be that Xiao Wu and Madam Qin were having an affair? How was that possible? "No, Cui Zeyu, you need to make this clear. Every time we went to the theater, it wasn't me who tipped Xiao Wu—I was just accompanying your legitimate mother!" County Princess Rongjia hurriedly tried to clear herself, inadvertently making the matter between Madam Qin and Xiao Wu seem even more damning. "Oh, is that so?" Cui Zeyu looked thoughtful. "Very well, we understand. I was merely offering my brother-in-law a friendly reminder. No need for the County Mistress to be upset." He made a gesture for them to leave. County Princess Rongjia looked at Song Shulan, then at Madam Qin. Once Song Shulan had walked out of the room, he quietly asked Cui Zeyu, "What exactly is going on? You lot are being so vague—I'm completely baffled!" "Brother-in-law, can't you see what's going on?" Cui Zeyu glanced at County Princess Rongjia beside him and said deliberately, "Look at that martial performer in the courtyard—under what circumstances would he have been beaten like this?" Only then did Song Shulan begin to catch on, asking in disbelief, "That can't be, can it?" Madam Qin was already quite advanced in years, while this martial performer looked to be barely in his early twenties. The martial performer's pained groans reached his ears, and Song Shulan, connecting this to the fact that County Princess Rongjia had also been frequenting the theater lately—and quite recently at that—couldn't help but let his mind wander to his own inadequacies. On the carriage ride back, Song Shulan wore a grave expression. "Didn't the County Princess used to have no interest in watching opera?" They had grown up together since childhood—this was an advantage, but also a disadvantage, as each knew the other's preferences all too well. County Princess Rongjia was momentarily at a loss for words, unable to tell the truth that she was scheming against Cui Lingrong together with Madam Qin. "That was then, and now is now. I later found it quite interesting. It just so happened that I ran into the Duchess of Dingguo at the theater that day, which is why I went." Song Shulan understood now. "The County Princess is still overthinking things. As for Lady Cui, I can't speak to much else, but if you don't provoke her, she would never harbor ill intentions." "What does Master Song mean by that?" "It means don't go to the theater anymore, and don't meet with any martial performers." Song Shulan was still bothered by this matter. Before County Princess Rongjia could explain, Song Shulan stepped down from the carriage first, not waiting for her. As for the Duke of Dingguo's residence—once the screen was removed, behind it stood not only the elders of the Lu family, but also those of the Qin family. This was also a major reason why Madam Qin had not argued or made a scene earlier. The Duke of Dingguo fixed his gaze steadily on Madam Qin. "Now then, do you have anything else to say for yourself?"