Chapter 234

Chapter 234: Suicide County Princess Rongjia vomited before she could even drink it. "County Mistress, good medicine tastes bitter. If you spill it, it's no matter—there's more." Mama Xu held it up to County Princess Rongjia, and this time, the County Princess had no choice but to pinch her nose and drink. But the medicine was laced with heavy doses of coptis. The moment County Princess Rongjia took a single sip, she threw it up again. She leaned over the edge of the bed, asking someone to bring her tea to rinse her mouth. But Mama Xu blocked Wang Hechun's Wife. "What, is the County Mistress unable to drink the tonic bestowed by Old Madame?" Wang Hechun's Wife froze. Old Madame was the County Mistress's mother-in-law. When a mother-in-law fell ill, the daughter-in-law was duty-bound to attend to her. Even for County Princess Rongjia, filial piety could not be overstepped. These past few days, even the Eldest Young Madam had gone to serve in the same manner. County Princess Rongjia knew Old Madame was venting her displeasure. It was because she had cut off Shouan Tang's funds that Old Madame had resorted to this. At this moment, County Princess Rongjia also understood—Old Madame Song was feigning illness. But Old Madame Song was her elder, and the weight of filial piety pressed down on County Princess Rongjia's head. She could only steel herself and drink the medicine. Only then did Mama Xu nod in satisfaction. "Old Madame's health—who knows when she'll recover. The County Mistress should rest well. This medicine will be delivered daily, and it won't stop until you're fully recovered." After Mama Xu left, Wang Hechun's Wife hurriedly brought over a spittoon. County Princess Rongjia nearly vomited out her bitter gallbladder. Even after drinking a bowl of sweet soup at the end, there was still an indescribable bitterness in her mouth. "I... I..." She hadn't been sick before, but now she truly felt miserable. "Don't get angry, Your Grace—you'll really make yourself ill at this rate." Wang Hechun's Wife hurriedly soothed her. "Old Madame has gone too far. Is she the only one who can fall ill?" "She's deliberately making things difficult for me. What else can I do?" County Princess Rongjia said furiously. "Didn't you see? Even Cui Lingrong obediently goes to Shouan Tang?" She should have realized this earlier. Cui Lingrong was impatient with Old Madame, yet she still went to Shouan Tang every day to pay her respects. It seemed Cui Lingrong also had no way to deal with Old Madame Song. The more County Princess Rongjia spoke, the angrier she grew. That awful-tasting medicine—she definitely couldn't take it again. She'd have to tidy herself up and go serve at Shouan Tang again tomorrow. When it came down to it, it was all because of the lack of money. If she had money to spend, Old Madame wouldn't be pulling these tricks. She grew increasingly vexed with the affairs of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Lying in bed, she began to think, "Tell me—if I hadn't married into this family, if someone else had married him instead, would things be better?" She had thought that with her childhood bond with Song Shulan, even as an Equal Wife, she could quickly have Cui Lingrong cast out, and the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion would still be hers to command. But after all her calculations, Song Shulan had become a eunuch, the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion had fallen to such a state, and even that old hag Song was tormenting her. For the first time, County Princess Rongjia felt regret. This marriage—she had begged for it herself. "County Mistress, what's done is done." Wang Hechun's Wife meant that since she'd already married in, what more could be done? Rather than complaining here, it was better to think of practical solutions. Once again, she thought of Nanny Qiu's words—that she had followed the wrong mistress. But what choice did she have? She was a born-slave, born and raised as a person of the Rong Prince Mansion. If she betrayed County Princess Rongjia, her fate would be even worse. "I know that. Do I need you to tell me?" County Princess Rongjia shot Wang Hechun's Wife a glare. Her mouth was still unbearably bitter, and then someone came to deliver a message—that Cheng ger had gotten into a fight with someone at the Guozijian. "What does that have to do with me?" Did they really think Du Cheng was her son? "Reporting to the County Mistress, the Guozijian sent word that the Du family has made it clear Cheng ger is your child, and they request that you go handle Cheng ger's affairs." The maidservant spoke timidly, not daring to raise her head. County Princess Rongjia slapped the bedboard and sat up. "What do you mean, my child? That shameless Du family—they insisted on adopting that Du Cheng to disgust me, and now they want me to deal with him? What kind of mother am I supposed to be?" She was absolutely livid. And besides, she was under house arrest—how could she go to the Guozijian? "I'm not going. I don't care. The Guozijian people can do whatever they want—I'm not getting involved!" County Princess Rongjia lay back down. "It'd be even better if they expelled him. I'll send him right back to the Du family." She didn't even want to hear why Du Cheng had been fighting. The maidservant had no choice but to relay the message as such. County Princess Rongjia couldn't care less whether Du Cheng lived or died, let alone his studies. But in the evening, Song Shulan returned, leading Du Cheng by the hand. Du Cheng's clothes were torn, and his cheeks were bruised in several places. He was left standing in the courtyard, while Song Shulan stormed into the room in a fury. Seeing County Princess Rongjia lounging sideways on the soft couch, looking perfectly fine, Song Shulan vented his anger. "Today—why didn't you go to the Guozijian when you were told to?" "Has the Marquis forgotten? I'm under house arrest by order of the Emperor." County Princess Rongjia craned her neck to look outside. She couldn't see what was happening in the courtyard, but Wang Hechun's Wife reminded her that Song Shulan had brought Du Cheng back. Only then did she rise. "You went to the Guozijian?" "You have the nerve to ask? What was I supposed to do if I didn't go?" Song Shulan was mortified today. "Du Cheng got into a fight, and that family came running to ask me if I was his father. I'm a Song—since when do I have a son surnamed Du?" Song Shulan had flown into a rage on the spot. The other party was utterly shameless, claiming Du Cheng had broken someone's leg and demanding satisfaction. Song Shulan asked for their names and only then learned they were from the notoriously unscrupulous Zhu clan in Bianjing. They blocked Song Shulan's path, refusing to let him leave, saying that although they'd received no response from County Princess Rongjia, since Du Cheng lived in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, Song Shulan should give them an explanation. Many people were watching, including some of his colleagues, so Song Shulan had no choice but to go along. When he looked into it, it turned out Du Cheng had indeed struck first, so he had to pay compensation and offer apologies before bringing Du Cheng back. "I don't have a son like him either!" County Princess Rongjia said loudly. "It's not like I wanted to keep him—the Du family refused to take him away. I'd be glad to drive him out!" "If he's a member of the Du family, why not just send him over? Would Du Shinan really kick him out?" Song Shulan was baffled. "You insist on keeping him here—is it because you have some hidden motive, or are you thinking of certain people?" At these words, the room fell silent. Wang Hechun's Wife couldn't even get a word in, let alone dare to speak, afraid of drawing trouble upon herself. And in the courtyard, Du Cheng heard the entire conversation clearly. He simply stood there in the yard, ignoring everyone's stares. "Song Shulan, how could you think of me that way?" County Princess Rongjia went over and shoved him. "I've given you my whole heart, even repeatedly asking my natal family to support your career. If I had feelings for Du Shibei, why would I have remarried you?" "Then tell me—why do you want to keep Du Cheng?" Song Shulan looked at County Princess Rongjia. This question, County Princess Rongjia could not answer. Because she had a hold in the Du family's hands—if she didn't keep Du Cheng, Du Shinan wouldn't agree. But she couldn't say that to Song Shulan. "Does the Marquis no longer trust me?" County Princess Rongjia changed her form of address. She didn't call him Master Song, nor did she call him Song Shulan—she used "Marquis," just as Cui Lingrong addressed Song Shulan. Her eyes held disappointment. Regret. And accusation. "Why won't the Marquis answer? Why won't you believe me?" County Princess Rongjia sank down mournfully until she sat in the chair, tears falling with her. Song Shulan saw County Princess Rongjia crying and instinctively reached out a hand, but then Du Cheng's voice suddenly came from the courtyard, kowtowing and admitting his fault, and he angrily withdrew his hand. "If you won't give me a reasonable explanation, how can I trust you? County Mistress, my feelings for you will never change, but I hope you can be sincere with me too!" With that, Song Shulan left without looking back. County Princess Rongjia smashed the things on the table, but Du Cheng was still kowtowing and saying he was wrong. Furious, she grabbed the teapot and rushed out, hurling it at Du Cheng's forehead. In an instant. Bright red blood dripped down. Wang Hechun's Wife's heart leaped into her throat. County Princess Rongjia pointed at Du Cheng. "Shut up! This is all your fault! What use is knowing you're wrong now? If it weren't for you, none of today's troubles would have happened! Du Cheng, if you truly know you're wrong, then go die!" She glared viciously at Du Cheng, and after a moment, Du Cheng slowly said, "Fine." County Princess Rongjia pointed at the door. "Get out!" She also forbade anyone from checking on Du Cheng's condition. But before long, a maidservant came rushing back, panic-stricken: "Bad news, County Mistress! Young Master Cheng has thrown himself into the lake!"