Chapter 254

Chapter 254: Damn Them Cui Lingrong began making inquiries about the Gao family's affairs. On the surface, it wasn't difficult to gather information—the Gao family's standing was even lower than that of the former Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. The only reason their daughter could marry into the Prince Wu's household was a drunken remark made by Prince Wu himself, which allowed this marriage to come about. After the elder Gao married into the Prince Wu Mansion, perhaps because she cared too much, she kept a very tight watch on the Prince Wu heir. After the wedding, she competed with the concubines to bear the eldest son first, using fertility-inducing medicines. As a result, her son was born frail, and she later suffered a miscarriage herself, which left her depleted of qi and blood, confined to bed ever since. Now the Gao family was declining day by day. The Prince Wu Mansion had never been satisfied with the marriage in the first place, and they wanted even less for another Gao daughter to marry in. But such matters could simply be resolved by the Prince Wu Mansion refusing. The fact that Princess Consort Wu was so troubled suggested there was something else hidden beneath the surface. In any case, no pie ever falls from the sky. As for deeper matters, she hadn't uncovered anything yet. Meanwhile, on the other front, Shuanzi returned to Bianjing. Caixia brought Shuanzi to kowtow and pay respects. Shuanzi also carried a message from the general: "The general said that after being away for over a month, he truly misses Bianjing and also remembers the pastries made by Marchioness Song. When he returns, he wants to eat his fill." "That's no problem." Learning that Shuanzi had returned due to injury, Cui Lingrong asked with concern about his wounds. "Thank you for your concern, madam. My body is as tough as iron—I was mostly healed halfway through the journey. I thought about going back to fight, but since I'd already traveled so far, I figured I might as well come back and see my daughter." Speaking of his daughter, Shuanzi's face radiated happiness. It was his first time being a father, and his daughter was fair, plump, and adorable—just thinking about her made his heart melt. Knowing that Shuanzi was not seriously injured, Cui Lingrong felt relieved and went on to ask about Xie Yunting. "The general is mighty and valiant—truly heroic... heroic what?" Shuanzi turned to look at Caixia. Caixia said with a smile, "Heroic and dashing?" "Yes, yes, yes! That's the word!" Mentioning the general, Shuanzi's face was full of pride. "The general is incredibly capable. This time when we attacked the city, a surrendered minister wanted to marry his daughter to the general, but even as a concubine, the general wouldn't have it. The general said he already has someone in his heart, and when he returns to Bianjing, he'll go propose marriage!" Cui Lingrong had never heard of Xie Yunting's beloved, and curiously asked who it was. Shuanzi said he didn't know either. "The general said I'd find out when the time comes—how would I dare ask more?" He chuckled and scratched his head, thinking of his daughter at home, eager to return. The moment Caixia met his gaze, she knew what Shuanzi was thinking. But she had other matters to discuss. After sending Shuanzi off, she brought up Caiyue's situation with the eldest young madam. "I know Caiyue doesn't want to marry, but she has no place to call home, and the Rong Prince Mansion keeps watching her without letting go." Cui Lingrong frowned deeply. "They sent people to find you?" Caixia shook her head. "No, not that. It's just that Caiyue said on several occasions when she came over, she felt like someone was following her. Eldest young madam, I feel uneasy in my heart. Caiyue and I grew up together. It's fine if she doesn't want to marry, but I'm afraid something might happen to her." Zhao Zhongzhi might not truly be that fond of Caiyue—more likely, it was the anger of being rejected. Cui Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Alright, I understand. I'll speak with Zeyu later. Every time Caiyue goes out, we'll arrange for someone skilled in martial arts to accompany her. Bianjing is under the emperor's very nose—surely Zhao Zhongzhi wouldn't snatch someone off the street, would he?" Caixia nodded and took her leave from her mistress. Cui Lingrong immediately sent word to her younger brother. But she hadn't expected that Caixia had barely returned when she came running back, saying Caiyue had disappeared. "I had just gone back when I ran into a maidservant from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. She said she had gone out together with Caiyue, but in the moment she turned around to buy a red string, Caiyue was gone." Caixia wept bitterly. "Eldest young madam, could it be..." Cui Lingrong didn't dare think further and immediately brought people to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. Upon meeting Wu Hui and learning that Caiyue had been gone for three hours, Cui Lingrong was about to head to the Rong Prince Mansion when Wu Hui stopped her. "I know you're worried about Miss Caiyue, sister, but if you go like this, the Rong Prince Mansion likely won't hand her over. Besides, in such matters, Zhao Zhongzhi probably wouldn't bring her back to the mansion. I'll have the household servants search right away." Wu Hui soothed her. "I've also sent people to inform my husband. Sister, don't rush—we can't lose our composure." Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. She knew she had been too hasty just now. "You're right. If Zhao Zhongzhi truly did this, he certainly wouldn't bring her back to the Rong Prince Mansion. If I went there, I'd only be handing them leverage. Investigate Zhao Zhongzhi's properties in Bianjing!" On the other side, Shuanzi also mobilized the Xie household's people to search for Caiyue. When Cui Zeyu returned, he immediately activated the connections he had made during his merchant days. Back when he was a trader, he had dealings with people from all walks of life—these people were sometimes more effective than the yamen officials. Soon, the people Cui Zeyu had sent out came back, reporting that they had spotted Zhao Zhongzhi's men. Cui Zeyu hurriedly gathered his people, and Cui Lingrong said she wanted to go too. "Sister, you should wait at the mansion. If someone sees you, it might not be good for you," Cui Zeyu said. But Cui Lingrong insisted on going. "There are some things you don't understand." Cui Lingrong's face was dark and grim the entire way. She clenched her fists tightly, blue veins straining against the fair skin of her hands. It wasn't until the carriage came to a halt and she heard the sound of someone kicking the door outside that Cui Lingrong snapped back to her senses. "Eldest Young Madam!" Cui Lingrong's knees buckled involuntarily, and she nearly stumbled and fell to the ground. "I'm fine, Nanny Qiu. Let's hurry inside and find her!" They were stopped at the door. "Who are you? Do you have any idea that this is the residence of Second Master of the Rong Prince Mansion? Are you listening to what I'm saying?" Cui Zeyu kicked the man square in the chest. "Listen to your nonsense! Men, search the place!" "Wait!" Cui Lingrong suddenly called out. "Once you find her, let me or Nanny Qiu go in first!" Cui Zeyu didn't catch on at first—it wasn't until his sister ran off to search that he understood what she meant. Cui Lingrong had been a proper lady of a distinguished family her entire life; she had run only a handful of times. But at this moment, she ran faster than anyone. In a daze, she heard the sound of a vase shattering and shouted, "Caiyue!" She pushed the door open and saw Caiyue with her outer robe torn to shreds, her upper body left with only a dudou. Meanwhile, Zhao Zhongzhi lay naked on the ground, motionless, with faint traces of blood seeping from the back of his head. "Don't... don't be afraid. I'm here." Cui Lingrong found some clothes and wrapped them around Caiyue. Caiyue's lips were deathly pale, and her entire body trembled violently. She couldn't even cry. "Eldest... Eldest Young Madam, this servant... I think... I killed someone." "It's alright. He deserved it!" Cui Lingrong held Caiyue close. "Don't be scared. I'm here. He didn't hurt you, did he?" Caiyue's heart was racing. When she had woken up, she saw Zhao Zhongzhi's face far too close to hers, and she had screamed in terror. She struggled desperately as Zhao Zhongzhi tore her clothes. In her panic, she grabbed a vase, while Zhao Zhongzhi seemed to think she wouldn't dare to strike. Seeing Caiyue's fiery spirit only excited him more. "Oh, feisty, are we? Go on then, smash it. Smash it if you dare. If I don't make you submit to me tonight, I'm not a man! But if you dare smash that vase, not only you, but your mistress too—you'll both pay with your lives!" When Caiyue heard Zhao Zhongzhi mention her mistress, she faltered for a moment. In that instant, Zhao Zhongzhi grabbed her and kissed her. A wave of revulsion surged from the depths of her heart, and Caiyue struggled with all her might, smashing the vase into Zhao Zhongzhi's head. She thought to herself: if Zhao Zhongzhi died, she would die too. She would never drag anyone else down with her. But the Eldest Young Madam had come. The Eldest Young Madam told her not to be afraid. "Caiyue, listen to me. Don't be scared. Cry if you need to. Zhao Zhongzhi deserved to die—he brought this on himself. I'm here!" Cui Lingrong repeated the words over and over, terrified that Caiyue might do something rash.