Chapter 231

Chapter 231: Playing the Flute County Princess Rongjia was already in a foul mood, so she refused to see him. Du Cheng simply knelt in the courtyard and kowtowed, performing the rites so properly that no fault could be found with him. Leaving Wutong Court, Du Cheng went to Shouan Tang. Old Madame Song did receive him, and Song Yu and her siblings happened to be there as well. When they saw Du Cheng, they offered no greetings. Old Madame Song exchanged a few courteous words with Du Cheng before dismissing him. They were not proper relatives, and the relationship was awkward to begin with—Old Madame Song was merely maintaining appearances. She kept only her granddaughters and grandsons, and even the two young masters from the third branch joined them for the morning meal. After Song Yu and the others left Shouan Tang, Song Mingjin spotted Du Cheng from a distance and said sympathetically, "I heard his father is frail, and he was adopted into the Du family to get money for his father's treatment. Now the Du family doesn't want him, and County Princess Rongjia doesn't like him either. Living under someone else's roof is really... Ouch! Eldest sister, why did you hit my head?" "You really have a foolish head. If he were embarrassed, he wouldn't come to pay his respects on schedule. If he didn't come back, County Princess Rongjia would be even happier. It's not like he couldn't stay at the Guozijian during the break." Song Yu had always been wary of Du Cheng. "Some people look kind on the surface, but that doesn't mean they're truly good people." Song Yu disliked anyone connected to County Princess Rongjia. Song Mingjin clutched his head. "Eldest sister, you're too suspicious!" "Then go ahead and be foolish to death." Song Yu couldn't reason with her brother and didn't want to continue the conversation. She turned and said she was going to pick flowers, not bringing Song Mingjin and the others along. Song Mingjin finally had a day off. With his sister gone and his elder brother needing to return to his studies, he took the two younger boys from the third branch to fly kites. The kite soared high, but a gust of wind brought it down right in front of Du Cheng. When Song Mingjin ran over, Du Cheng had already picked up the kite. He said thank you and reached out to take it, but Du Cheng didn't hand it over. "I heard that Jin-ge usually lives at the Duke of Dingguo's mansion and only comes back on the first and fifteenth of each month." A faint smile played on Du Cheng's face. "I truly envy you—having such a good maternal uncle and a mother who dotes on you." "Doesn't your own mother dote on you?" Song Mingjin didn't think much of it. Du Cheng's expression visibly stiffened, but he quickly recovered his smile. "Naturally, she does." "Then what is there to envy? Even if you were adopted into the Du family, no one has tied your hands or feet. You live in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion now—if you want to write to your mother, just write. Who would know? The County Mistress doesn't manage you. You only say you're envious with your mouth—could it be that you're now despising poverty and craving wealth, wanting the County Mistress's maternal affection instead?" Song Mingjin looked straight at Du Cheng, genuinely asking. Du Cheng couldn't answer for a moment, because what he had just said was indeed meant to convey that County Princess Rongjia didn't like him. But Du Cheng never expected Song Mingjin's mind to work that way. "My mother—I will naturally care for her." Du Cheng handed the kite over. "That's only right. They gave birth to you and raised you. Even if you went to the Du family, you must be grateful. You can't despise them just because their circumstances aren't good." Song Mingjin took the kite and walked away after saying this. Du Cheng remained where he was, watching Song Mingjin leave. Seeing how Song Mingjin spoke, he could imagine how much care and affection his parents had given him to raise him with such a disposition. Envy. Du Cheng let his smile fade and rose to return to Linglong Pavilion. It wasn't until evening that he went to Wutong Court once more. County Princess Rongjia was bored, so she called Du Cheng in and asked about his studies. "You know Song Mingxuan of the Marquis Mansion, right? In August, he'll also be taking the provincial examination. If you lose to him, get out." "Your child understands." "Your child?" The County Princess's face immediately fell. "Haven't I told you? I am not your mother. Don't refer to yourself as your child!" "Very well, I understand." Du Cheng lowered his head but could sense a faint fragrance drifting over. He knew the County Princess had walked closer. "Does the County Mistress have any other instructions?" "You saw Jin-ge and the others today, didn't you? Find an opportunity to make those boys suffer a bit. If you do well, I'll reward you." County Princess Rongjia waved her hand, signaling Du Cheng to leave. Song Shulan wasn't returning today either, so County Princess Rongjia picked up her wine flask and drank listlessly. Wang Hechun's Wife didn't dare to advise her and could only wait on her carefully from the side. Before long, the sound of a flute drifted over. County Princess Rongjia had a momentary illusion. "Du Shibei, have you come back to claim my life?" Half-drunk and half-awake, she looked around. Du Shibei used to love playing this kind of tune. She must be drunk—she was even hearing things! But Wang Hechun's Wife heard it clearly. "County Mistress, are you drunk? That's coming from Linglong Pavilion." "Linglong Pavilion?" It took the County Princess a moment to realize that Du Cheng was staying there. Her face changed abruptly. "Go and stomp his flute to pieces! I forbid him from playing it again!" Wang Hechun's Wife didn't know why the County Mistress was angry, but if she didn't comply now, the County Mistress would only get angrier. She had no choice but to take people over and, in front of Du Cheng, stomp the flute to pieces. "The County Mistress said she detests the sound of the flute, and asks that Cheng-ger stop playing it." Wang Hechun's Wife finished speaking and turned to leave. "Why? Is my playing not good enough?" Du Cheng pressed. Wang Hechun's Wife had no idea why. "If she says stop, then stop. Why so many questions?" After Wang Hechun's Wife and the others had gone, under the moonlight, a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flickered across Du Cheng's face. Early the next morning, Du Cheng was heading to the Guozijian, while Song Mingjin was going to the Duke of Dingguo's residence. The two ran into each other again at the gate, along with Song Yu, who was going to stay briefly at the Zhuang family's estate. Song Mingjin was on horseback, while Du Cheng was on foot. Song Mingjin was about to strike up a conversation, but his elder sister tugged at his sleeve, and he had no choice but to follow her. "Yu-meimei." Just as Song Yu was about to board the carriage, Du Cheng suddenly called out, "Where are you off to?" Song Yu turned back and replied flatly, "Out, of course." As for where exactly, she had no intention of telling Du Cheng. The carriage slowly pulled away. Du Cheng watched it recede into the distance, thinking of Song Yu's haughty demeanor, his mind