Chapter 239

Chapter 239: Murder "What do you want to say?" Song Shulan looked at Cui Lingrong. "I mean nothing else—just that Du Cheng schemed against Xuan-ge, so the Marquis Mansion can no longer keep him. That's all I mean." After a pause, Cui Lingrong added, "Even if County Princess Rongjia disagrees, it won't matter. Or can the Marquis be that magnanimous?" That "magnanimous" carried a double meaning. Song Shulan threw down the cup in his hand, shattering it into pieces. "Don't you dare provoke me with your words. Du Cheng harbors ill intentions—I will deal with him!" Song Shulan rose and strode out, heading straight to Linglong Pavilion. He paid no mind to the fact that it was already dark, and ordered the servants to pack up Du Cheng's belongings. County Princess Rongjia from the adjoining quarters heard the commotion and hurried over. "Master Song, what are you doing?" "Is there something you wish to say to me, County Princess?" Song Shulan looked at her, waiting for her answer. County Princess Rongjia's eyes flickered, unable to meet his gaze. "What... what would you have me say?" Clearly, that was not the answer Song Shulan wanted to hear. They had already argued over Du Cheng's matter a few days prior, and now County Princess Rongjia was shielding Du Cheng again, which only made Song Shulan more convinced that she favored Du Cheng because of Du Shibei. Song Shulan's eyes visibly darkened. County Princess Rongjia sensed something amiss, yet she could not pinpoint what was wrong. It was not until Song Shulan revealed that Du Cheng had been the one advising Zhao Chengxu that County Princess Rongjia's face changed drastically. "Master Song, you... how do you know?" "Is it strange that I know?" Song Shulan's tone grew heavier. "Or rather, did you simply not intend for me to find out?" Seeing County Princess Rongjia freeze, Song Shulan's face darkened further. "Of course. If you had wanted to deal with him, you would have done so during the day. Why wait until now?" Song Shulan no longer paid heed to County Princess Rongjia's expression, instead pointing at Du Cheng. "What has the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion done to wrong you, that you would conspire with others to scheme against my son!" Song Shulan was furious beyond measure. Xuan-ge was his most treasured son—if anything happened to Xuan-ge, upon whom could the future of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion rest? Du Cheng's face was stiff as he tried to explain, "Marquis, it was Zhao Chengxu who forced me..." "Then go find him!" Song Shulan turned and ordered, "Throw Du Cheng and his things out. I never want to see him again!" As he passed by County Princess Rongjia, Song Shulan deliberately paused. "I know you despise Lady Cui and her children. Very well—from now on, stay far away from them." Song Shulan still hoped to rise through the ranks with Prince Rong's support, but Xuan-ge was his very lifeblood—he would never allow anyone to lay a single finger on him. As for today's punishment, the Rong Prince Mansion would have nothing to say about it. After all, the Du family and County Princess Rongjia were the ones at fault first, and he could still continue his dealings with Prince Rong. County Princess Rongjia stood frozen in place. She and Song Shulan had already been at odds over Du Cheng, and now the misunderstanding had deepened. She rushed forward and slapped Du Cheng across the face in front of everyone. Still unsatisfied, she picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at him. "You beast! Why don't you just go die?" Du Cheng clenched his fists, the handprint on his cheek clearly visible. "County Princess, I... I thought you would also want to see Song Mingxuan suffer." "Then you should have succeeded!" County Princess Rongjia shouted. "You failed, and instead you've caused more misunderstanding between me and the Marquis. You did that on purpose, didn't you?" "I... I didn't." Du Cheng lowered his head. "Is the misunderstanding between you and Marquis Song really my doing? Or is it simply that the two of you were never a good match to begin with?" "Nonsense!" County Princess Rongjia slapped him again, ordering him to get out at once. The courtyard quickly emptied. County Princess Rongjia lamented, "How could I not have thought of it? Lady Wu hates me so much—she would surely tell Cui Lingrong. And I thought she would keep it quiet out of respect for the Rong Prince Mansion. Bitch! They're all bitches!" Wang Hechun's Wife watched the door nervously. "County Princess, keep your voice down—someone might hear." "So what? Look at the state I'm in—what do I have left to fear?" County Princess Rongjia shook off Wang Hechun's Wife's hand and stormed back inside. "What a load of rubbish. I knew the Du family never meant well. Keeping Du Cheng around was just to spite me!" The more she thought about it, the angrier she grew. She did not sleep all night, and as soon as dawn broke, she took her people and charged off to find Du Shinan. But Du Shinan, upon hearing her out, turned the accusation back on her. "Where does the County Princess get such words? Cheng-ge has been studying at home all this time, and when he rests, he stays at the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion—he hasn't even been in contact with us. You say Cheng-ge was fighting and inciting the young master of the Rong Prince Mansion to scheme against Xuan-ge? Then I should ask you—Cheng-ge was always such an honest person. How exactly did you raise him to turn out this way?" County Princess Rongjia was left speechless. "You dare blame me?" "If not you, then who? Cheng-ge was famously obedient and sensible. They say one takes on the color of what one touches—I'd say Cheng-ge was corrupted by you!" Remembering that Du Cheng had been cast out the night before, Du Shinan demanded of County Princess Rongjia, "Let me tell you—if anything happens to Cheng-ge, my elder brother will not let you off!" "He's a dead man, what can he possibly do?" Mentioning Du Shibei made County Princess Rongjia furious, and she retorted without thinking. Du Shinan fell silent instantly, staring intently at County Princess Rongjia. Mrs. He approached with a cold face. "County Princess, are you truly going to be so heartless?" "Is it me being heartless, or are you all clinging to me?" County Princess Rongjia looked at Mrs. He, then at Du Shinan. "Du Qian was speaking recklessly at the Guozijian—don't you know about that?" Back then, County Princess Rongjia had wanted to settle the score with Du Shinan and his wife, for letting Du Qian speak recklessly at the Guozijian. If the Rong Prince Mansion hadn't stepped in, the matter would not have been small. Du Shinan, however, said, "What Qian ger said was the truth." "Fine, fine, you all think you're right. I came here today to tell you that Du Cheng was driven away by Song Shulan, and there's no way he's coming back to the Marquis Mansion. If he dies out there, I'd be even happier. And as for you all, stay far away from me from now on!" County Princess Rongjia was truly disgusted with the Du family. Last night, Du Cheng had not returned home at all, and had not gone back to the Du residence. Du Shinan glared viciously at County Princess Rongjia's retreating figure. "County Princess, have you forgotten how my eldest brother died?" Those words made County Princess Rongjia's steps feel as heavy as a thousand pounds. She turned back. "What are you trying to say?" "What I mean is, you owe my Du family a life. No matter how angry or furious you are right now, find Cheng ger and bring him back—now, immediately, right away! Otherwise..." Du Shinan took a deep breath. "Otherwise, do you think a murderer can continue to enjoy wealth and glory in Bianjing?"