Chapter 225

Chapter 225: Secrets This was Cui Lingrong fishing for information. Seeing County Princess Rongjia's expression freeze, Cui Lingrong pressed on, "Why is the County Princess silent? What kind of leverage could it be that even the Rong Prince Mansion couldn't help you?" "Absurd!" County Princess Rongjia turned to leave, but at the doorway, she looked back at the Du family. "What are you all standing there for? Are you waiting for me to carry you out?" Mrs. He glanced at her husband, then they bowed to Cui Lingrong and followed County Princess Rongjia out. Inside Wutong Courtyard, the atmosphere was oppressive, as if ice crystals had frozen in the air. Even Wang Hechun's Wife had to deliberately suppress her breathing. Mrs. He sent the two younger children out to play but kept Cheng ger and Qian ger behind. "You two are old enough now. Since the County Princess has something to say, you might as well listen as well." Du Shinan did not object. He looked at County Princess Rongjia. "Sister-in-law, must you really be so heartless? You won't even lend a small hand?" "Small hand?" County Princess Rongjia sneered. "Don't think I don't know what you're about. Your Du family are all insatiably greedy people. Now it's entering the Guozijian—what will it be next?" She slammed the table hard, hurling a teacup to the ground, venting her pent-up frustration. "What is the County Princess afraid of? Our Du family has some standing too. We wouldn't cling to you endlessly." Du Shinan's face darkened. "Even if you don't care about the rest of the Du family, you should still care about Cheng ger. It was you who couldn't bear the loneliness and insisted on remarrying. Otherwise, our Du family wouldn't have driven you out." "Who couldn't bear loneliness? Don't you dare speak nonsense!" County Princess Rongjia snapped. But Du Shinan was unafraid. "You'd better keep your voice down, County Princess. While my elder brother was still alive, didn't you already take up with a scholar? What, has the County Princess, being so important and busy, forgotten that scholar's name and what he looked like?" At these words, everyone in the room except Mrs. He stared in shock, eyes wide. Even Wang Hechun's Wife was hearing this for the first time. Though her mother-in-law had once been County Princess Rongjia's closest attendant, she never spoke of the County Princess's secrets, nor did she allow them to ask. Du Cheng and Du Qian, the two younger ones, were even more astonished. In this day and age, it was rare for a woman who committed adultery to still be alive and well. Especially when that very person was right before their eyes. The two brothers looked at her together. In truth, County Princess Rongjia was not bad-looking, especially with that hint of allure at the corners of her eyes. A woman of thirty was precisely at the peak of her charm. Du Qian quickly averted his gaze, but Du Cheng kept staring. Du Cheng thought to himself, so she really is that kind of improper woman. "You—don't you dare spout nonsense!" County Princess Rongjia turned her head away, then pointed at Du Cheng and Du Qian. "Both of you, get out!" The two Du boys naturally obeyed Du Shinan and his wife. Only after seeing the couple nod did they withdraw. Du Shinan continued, "What's the matter, County Princess? Now you know it's shameful and can't let the children hear?" "What exactly do you want?" County Princess Rongjia asked through gritted teeth. "I already said it—Cheng ger and Qian ger's studies are of utmost importance. They must enter the Guozijian. As for lodging, Linglong Pavilion is quite nice. We can stay there long-term." Du Shinan knew County Princess Rongjia was afraid now. "Sister-in-law needn't be so tense. We're family. I wouldn't harm you." County Princess Rongjia stood up. "Du Shinan, does the old master really know you've come to Bianjing? We signed and sealed an agreement back then. Now you come running to threaten me—aren't you afraid at all?" "What are you saying, Sister-in-law? Where is there any threat?" Mrs. He said with a smile. "It's nothing more than relatives helping one another. It's not murder or arson—hardly a threat. Besides, even if it were murder or arson, haven't you done such things yourself?" At that moment, Wang Hechun's Wife wished she weren't in the room at all. The Du family was utterly unrestrained in their speech—how could they say so many scandalous things? Were they trying to get her killed? County Princess Rongjia did indeed want to kill Du Shinan and his wife, but even if she killed them, there was still the entire Du family. She took a deep breath. "Fine. I'll arrange for them to enter the Guozijian. But you must return home. You are not to remain in Bianjing!" "That we cannot agree to. The Du family needs a foothold in Bianjing. If Sister-in-law truly dislikes us, you may purchase another residence for us to live in, but it cannot be too small—we wouldn't be comfortable." Du Shinan said, "In the future, we'll rely on Sister-in-law's care. If Qian ger and the others show promise in the Imperial Examination, we hope Sister-in-law will lend her support as well." After the couple from the second branch of the Du family left, Wang Hechun's Wife broke out in a cold sweat down her back, not daring to breathe too loudly. After a long while, County Princess Rongjia finally spoke. "Go find Du Cheng. Ask him if there's any way to bring down the Du family completely!" "But can he really be trusted?" "Then you come up with an idea, and I'll follow it!" Wang Hechun's Wife did not dare make decisions on her own. There were many things she didn't understand. If only her mother-in-law were here—then she wouldn't have to think about such matters. Wang Hechun's Wife had no choice but to comply. On the other side, Dongyun had remained at Linglong Pavilion the whole time, bringing back everything she had learned about the County Princess. After the two members of the Du family returned from the Wutong Courtyard, they were in quite good spirits—perhaps County Princess Rongjia had agreed to their request. "This servant learned from a few of the Du children that Old Master Du's health is not good, but as for why the second branch of the family came all the way to Bianjing, they refused to say," Dongyun reported. "That's fine, no need to pry deliberately. Being too obvious would make it seem like I have ulterior motives. Just interact with them naturally—no matter how you try to please them, they won't trust you anyway," said Cui Lingrong. Dongyun nodded in agreement. "There's one more thing—last night, Young Master Cheng went to the Wutong Courtyard." "Du Cheng?" In Cui Lingrong's view, County Princess Rongjia hated Du Cheng and his family to the core. Why would Du Cheng go to see her? "Very well, I understand. Go tell the second branch of the Du family that from now on, County Princess Rongjia will handle all their affairs, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation." After Dongyun left, Nanny Qiu spoke up. "It seems the Du family indeed holds something over the County Princess—and it's no small matter." "Indeed. Go deliver some fabric to Mrs. He, saying it's the latest style from my cloth shop. Everyone has moments when they can't keep a secret. Let's see what comes of it—if we can use it, we will; if not, there's no need for them to linger and cause trouble in the marquis's household." Just as Cui Lingrong finished speaking, Er Shun returned with good news—Caixia had given birth to a daughter. Cui Lingrong was overjoyed and immediately went with Nanny Qiu to visit. Mother and daughter were both safe, though Caiyue had cried herself into a mess of tears. However, Caixia was worried about Shuanzi, who had gone off to war. She grabbed Cui Lingrong's hand and asked if there was any news. "Didn't a letter come the month before last? They're busy with military campaigns and can't write at every moment. Don't worry—Shuanzi is General Xie's personal attendant, so he'll surely be fine." After Cui Lingrong finished comforting Caixia and took her leave, she sighed to Nanny Qiu, "Speaking of Shuanzi reminds me of Mingzhu's husband. On the battlefield, swords and arrows are blind—I wonder if they're all safe."