Chapter 275

Chapter 275: A Fierce Kiss The fierce, aggressive kiss left County Princess Rongjia breathless. At first, she still had the presence of mind to push Du Cheng away, but after the dense, relentless kissing, her body had somehow melted into a pool of water. From avoidance to actively tilting her head up to chase his kisses. Water and skin melding together, man and woman entangled—for a moment, neither knew where heaven or earth was. Wang Hechun's Wife at the doorway had initially been wondering whether she should go find the carriage driver, but when she heard the sounds of a man and woman moaning from inside, she froze, her scalp tingling. And from the sound of it, the County Mistress was quite willing. What was going on here? Wang Hechun's Wife never imagined something like this would happen. They had come to confront Du Cheng, so how... how had they ended up rolling together! Even for someone like Wang Hechun's Wife, who came from a great household, she had never witnessed such a thing. Afraid of being seen, she instinctively shrank back. But the more she pressed against the wall, the clearer she heard everything—the woman's high, unrestrained cries, which could only be described as wanton. Since Song Shulan had become incapable, County Princess Rongjia hadn't experienced such thorough satisfaction in a long time. When the clouds and rain concluded, the two of them were drenched in sweat. Looking at the cramped, shabby little room, the wooden bed that had been creaking incessantly, and even the musty smell in the air— She had never imagined she would do... this... in a room like this, with a man like this. "You—" "Is the County Mistress going to use me and discard me again?" Du Cheng leaned over, lying on County Princess Rongjia's chest, one hand sliding along her jade-like arm. "Never mind. Who cares—I just happen to like your temperament. Whether you want to kill me or cut me to pieces, I'll do whatever you say. I've had my pleasure, so I have no regrets in this life." If there was anything more absurd than this, she couldn't think of it. County Princess Rongjia had to admit—she had enjoyed the pleasure just now. Especially Du Cheng's youthful vigor, which made her feel reborn. She was like parched earth finally meeting rain. Looking at Du Cheng's infatuated gaze, County Princess Rongjia felt an indescribable satisfaction. "You... you're far too bold." "What can I do? It's not my fault I fell for you the moment I first saw you, County Mistress. I've wanted this for so long, and now I'm satisfied." Du Cheng sat up to face County Princess Rongjia and kissed her again. "I am bold, and I don't care about my life—I'll give my very life to you!" The sounds of passion drifted out from the room once more, and Wang Hechun's Wife was completely numb. It wasn't until dark that County Princess Rongjia finally emerged from the room. Even though it wasn't Wang Hechun's Wife who was having the affair, she felt so guilty she couldn't bring herself to look her mistress in the eye. She had planned to pretend she knew nothing. "You heard everything, didn't you?" County Princess Rongjia's single sentence plunged Wang Hechun's Wife into an icy abyss. She could only steel herself and nod. "Rest assured, County Mistress. This servant will pretend she knows nothing and won't say a word to anyone!" "Even if you did speak, no one would believe you. From now on, I'll need you to help cover for me." County Princess Rongjia glanced at Wang Hechun's Wife, and seeing the sweat streaming down her face, she suddenly laughed. "Is this all the nerve you have?" "Huh?" "What are you afraid of? Can the sky fall?" This wasn't County Princess Rongjia's first time doing something like this. Besides, this time it wasn't her fault—it was Song Shulan's own uselessness. If Song Shulan had been capable, she wouldn't have been tempted by Du Cheng in the first place. Once she was in the carriage, a smile lingered at the corners of County Princess Rongjia's lips as she savored the memory of her tryst with Du Cheng. But she hadn't expected that the moment she entered Wutong Courtyard, a young maid would tell her the Marquis had arrived. Only then did County Princess Rongjia compose herself, taking a deep breath before entering the room, feeling somewhat guilty. "Master Song, why have you come?" "Can't I come?" Song Shulan stared fixedly at County Princess Rongjia. "Where did the County Mistress go? Why did it take so long?" "I... I went to teach Du Cheng a lesson." County Princess Rongjia spoke half-truthfully. "Rest assured, Master Song. He will never come to the Marquis's residence again." "It took that long to teach him a lesson?" "He is still a member of the Du family, after all. I had to inform the Du household. I won't concern myself with him anymore." County Princess Rongjia wrapped her arm around Song Shulan's. "Oh, you're finally here—why keep bringing up such a tiresome person? Wang Hechun's Wife, go fetch two jugs of wine and prepare a few dishes." County Princess Rongjia said she was hungry, but Song Shulan had no appetite. "The County Mistress had best remember what she said. You are my wife now, and you have no connection to the Du family. What happened today brought great shame upon the Marquis's residence. Fortunately, Lady Cui handled things properly, or else you and Du Cheng..." Song Shulan gave County Princess Rongjia a dark, meaningful look. He had always had a feeling that she treated Du Cheng differently—on the surface she seemed to despise him, but her actual actions told another story. Never mind. The affairs of the court had been troublesome enough lately; he didn't want to think about all this. "As long as the County Mistress knows what she's doing, that's enough. Let nothing like this happen again." "It certainly won't." Seeing Song Shulan rise to leave, County Princess Rongjia instinctively wanted to stop him, but her hand had barely extended before she pulled it back. Song Shulan left Wutong Courtyard and let out a long breath. He had things weighing on his heart, yet he found there was no one he could tell. He had originally intended to go to Qiushuang Zhai, but recalling Cui Lingrong's current attitude toward him, he thought it over and turned to go to Concubine Zhang's quarters instead. Concubine Zhang had already retired for the night. Startled by the sound, she exclaimed, "Marquis, you... why have you come?" "Can't I come?" Song Shulan, irritated by the same question from her, snapped, "Everyone keeps asking me that—do you all think I'm finished, and that's why I can't come to you?" Concubine Zhang inwardly knew this boded ill. Ever since the Marquis had lost his virility, every visit he made had been a torment for her. Unlike the Eldest Young Madam and County Princess Rongjia, when the Marquis came to her, he treated her merely as a plaything. "The Marquis is my heaven; you may come whenever you wish." Concubine Zhang flattered him cautiously. "I am truly delighted that you could come." "Hmph." Song Shulan grabbed Concubine Zhang and dragged her to the bed. Even though he was impotent, he still clung to the hope that he might recover one day. But after grunting and groaning as he pressed himself on top of Concubine Zhang for a long while, Song Shulan felt not the slightest response. "Go to sleep!" Song Shulan turned over, his grim expression hidden in the darkness. Concubine Zhang lay on her side, tears silently streaming down her face. The next morning, after attending to Song Shulan's dressing, Concubine Zhang mulled things over and went to Qiushuang Zhai. The Marquis had spent the night in her room, so the Eldest Young Madam would surely know. With red-rimmed eyes, Concubine Zhang took the initiative to serve the Eldest Young Madam her morning meal. "Sit down and eat with me." Cui Lingrong did not stand on such ceremony. "Please, the Eldest Young Madam should eat first." "What's the matter with you?" Cui Lingrong asked. "I see redness in your eyes—did you not sleep well last night?" "It's nothing, really. It's just that the Marquis only comes occasionally, so I'm not quite used to it." Concubine Zhang had initially wanted to ask the Eldest Young Madam to send her to the estate. But then she reconsidered—she had no family and no children. If she went to the estate, the servants would surely think she had fallen out of favor with her master, and her life would become even harder. Seeing that Concubine Zhang was not forthcoming, Cui Lingrong did not press further. After finishing breakfast, she invited Concubine Zhang to join her for tea. It was then that Dongyun entered to deliver a message. "Eldest Young Madam, someone has just arrived from General Xie's residence, saying that General Xie is about to return. The general's household has sent an invitation, requesting your presence as a guest." "Really!" Cui Lingrong exclaimed joyfully. "It's good that he's coming back." She thought that if Xie Yunting was returning, then Yuan Mingzhu's husband would be coming back as well. Cui Lingrong promptly dispatched Er Shun to the Jiang household to see if they had received the news.