Chapter 276

Chapter 276: News of Death Within half a day, news of Xie Yunting's victory spread throughout Bianjing. In this northern campaign, Xie Yunting had captured fifteen cities in succession—truly invincible. On the day Xie Yunting returned, Cui Lingrong deliberately went to the teahouse by the city gate, bringing her three children and the Zhuang siblings. The common folk lined both sides of the streets, warmly welcoming Xie Yunting's procession. They had been oppressed by the Northern Dynasty for too long—year after year of retreats, surrendering territory piece by piece. Now they finally had their own undefeated general, and the crowd was extremely enthusiastic toward Xie Yunting. Song Mingjin was so excited he leaned half his body out the window. "General Xie, I'm here!" He excitedly tugged at his older brother and sister. "Look quickly! General Xie is so mighty—when I grow up, I want to be just like him!" Song Yu was jostled by his younger brother. "Aiyo, I see him. General Xie is waving at us." Song Mingjin raised both hands and cheered. Cui Lingrong also walked to the window and looked down from the second floor. Xie Yunting happened to rein in his horse and stop. Xie Yunting looked up toward Cui Lingrong's direction, then suddenly untied an embroidered pouch and tossed it toward Cui Lingrong and the others. Song Mingjin was quick-handed and caught the pouch. When he opened it, he saw it contained some candied dates, and found it strange. "Eh, I thought it would be something different—why is it just candied dates?" Song Yu was also puzzled. Zhuang Qi leaned over to look. "Candied dates? What candied dates?" They couldn't figure out the meaning behind the candied dates, but Cui Lingrong remembered—these were among the foods she had sent to the Xie residence before Xie Yunting departed. Candied dates could be stored for a long time, so Cui Lingrong had prepared many similar foods to send to the Xie residence. But she hadn't expected Xie Yunting to have kept them until now. Though these candied dates weren't necessarily the ones Cui Lingrong had prepared—perhaps they were from the northern lands. Cui Lingrong smiled at Xie Yunting, then led the children back home. A few days earlier, she had sent someone to the Jiang residence, but no news had come back. Today Xie Yunting had returned—if the Second Young Master of the Jiang family had come back, Yuan Mingzhu would surely send someone to report that all was well. But Cui Lingrong waited and waited, all the way until evening, and still no one came from the Jiang residence. Her heart grew uneasy. "Nanny Qiu, do you think Mingzhu forgot?" Cui Lingrong said. "Perhaps she's just too happy—maybe she'll send someone tomorrow?" Nanny Qiu said that was very possible. "Now that Second Young Master Jiang has returned, the Jiang family must be overjoyed. It's normal for them to be too busy to notice. Don't overthink it, First Young Madam. Second Young Madam Jiang is a fortunate one—everyone speaks well of her." With both a son and a daughter, and a husband devoted to her alone, Yuan Mingzhu's life was indeed one of the few good ones in Bianjing. "That's true. She does have a careless nature. Well, let's wait until tomorrow. If no one comes tomorrow, I'll go ask in person." Seeing that it was getting dark, Cui Lingrong had someone bring water to wash up. She had just finished washing and was about to read a book for a while when Dongyun came in to report. "First Young Madam, Hongshao from Wutong Courtyard has been going out every other day recently, and she just came back. Would you like to send someone to have a word with her?" A maidservant always returning after dark—if she were doing something improper, it could easily affect the marquis residence's reputation. Cui Lingrong said there was no need to interfere. "Hongshao belongs to Wutong Courtyard. If anything happens, County Princess Rongjia will bear the responsibility." Speaking of County Princess Rongjia, Cui Lingrong realized she hadn't heard of the county princess going out for several days—she hadn't even left Wutong Courtyard. That was rather strange. The next day, when it was time to pay respects to Old Madame, Cui Lingrong brought the two children over. Before long, County Princess Rongjia also arrived. But from the moment she sat down, County Princess Rongjia kept yawning—she clearly looked like someone who hadn't slept well. Old Madame Song saw the county princess looking listless and said impatiently, "If the County Mistress can't get up, there's no need to come through the motions here. If you want to sleep, then sleep until you're comfortable." "Very well, this daughter-in-law thanks Old Madame for her understanding." County Princess Rongjia slowly rose and actually left, as if she hadn't heard the sarcasm in Old Madame's words. Old Madame Song's eyes widened. After County Princess Rongjia walked out the door, she set down her teacup with a heavy clatter, then looked at Cui Lingrong and the others with equal displeasure. She turned aside and began asking about the two children of the second branch. Old Madame Song and Madame Jiang went back and forth in conversation, treating everyone else as if they were air. It was Song Yu who went over and wrapped her arms around Old Madame Song. "Grandmother, you only care about Second Uncle's two sons—don't you dote on this granddaughter of yours anymore?" "How could I not dote on you?" Old Madame Song gently patted Song Yu's hand, and the topic was steered away by Song Yu. Cui Lingrong sat at Old Madame Song's for a while, her mind on the Jiang family. She was about to rise and go to the Jiang residence herself, since they hadn't sent anyone over first. "First Young Madam..." Er Shun gasped for breath, then went to pay respects to Old Madame Song and Madame Jiang. Old Madame Song said with displeasure, "What sort of manners are these? You should catch your breath before coming in to deliver a message!" Er Shun knelt down and said, "Forgive me, Old Madame—this servant forgot the rules for a moment." He then looked at the First Young Madam. "Something terrible has happened, First Young Madam. Someone from the Jiang residence just came to report news of a death, saying... saying that Second Young Master Jiang died in battle." A loud "boom" sounded in Cui Lingrong's mind. These past few days, she had not dared to think in that direction. After confirming with Er Shun once more, she immediately sent Er Shun to ready the carriage—she would go to the Jiang family at once. "What are you going to do at this hour?" Old Madame Song said. "The Jiang family is merely a friendly acquaintance. Why do you hold Little Yuan-shi in such high regard? She's of no use to our marquis household." "If Grandmother measures every association by usefulness, is that not too calculating?" Cui Lingrong's gaze could have devoured a person. "If we're speaking of uselessness, the Su family is of little use either. Why not have Grandmother tell the Su family to stop calling on us altogether!" With that, Cui Lingrong turned and left. When she arrived at the Jiang residence and saw the white cloth draped over the plaque, she knew it was not a false report. Cui Lingrong needed no maid to lead the way. She hurried straight to the second branch's quarters, and before she even entered the room, she heard the sound of weeping from within. "I won't see anyone—I won't see anyone!" Yuan Mingzhu sobbed loudly. "That bastard! He promised he would return safely—how could he die?" The matrons nearby dared not offer consolation. The mistress was crying so hard she could barely catch her breath; even the Old Madame, upon waking, had instructed them to coax the Second Young Mistress gently. Yuan Mingzhu refused to believe it was real. She kept pinching her own thigh, trying to wake herself, but time and again, it was not a dream. "Mingzhu." Cui Lingrong called out, her voice trembling. Only then did Yuan Mingzhu stop. She reached out a hesitant hand, and Cui Lingrong rushed over to embrace her. "I'm here. I've come to stay with you." Cui Lingrong held Yuan Mingzhu tightly. "If you want to cry, cry loudly. I'll be right here with you."