Chapter 295

Chapter 295: A Secret Rendezvous "First of all, I have no intention of seeking a mutual divorce, much less do I need a lover." Cui Lingrong glanced at Xie Yunting for a moment before looking away, because his gaze was far too intense. "Secondly, even if I were to divorce now, I would not remarry. So between us, there can never be any outcome." Xie Yunting leaned forward, pressing against the edge of the table. "Everything you've said are just objective factors. It's because you haven't considered it, or rather, you don't dare to. But have you ever thought about whether you like me or not?" Xie Yunting was tall and handsome, young and accomplished. Even though he had offended quite a few people, there were still many young ladies who rushed forward one after another to marry him. "I don't." Cui Lingrong answered without hesitation. She had never entertained any other romantic feelings, nor had she ever set her heart on another man. Even after her later quarrels with Song Shulan, she had never thought of finding someone else. Perhaps she was too rigid, but considering all aspects of her situation, divorce and remarriage was not necessarily a good choice. Hearing Cui Lingrong's answer, Xie Yunting's face fell instantly. "Truly?" "Absolutely true. General Xie, I only see you as a younger brother. That's why I asked you here today—to make things clear. There's no possibility between us. Don't waste your time on me, or we won't even be able to remain on friendly terms." Cui Lingrong spoke bluntly. Xie Yunting paused, his expression wounded. After a moment, Xie Yunting suddenly smiled, as if he had been persuaded. "Fine, since you put it that way, Sister, I should know when to back off. But this is my first time pursuing someone, you know. I'm genuinely a little heartbroken." His expression was forlorn, and Cui Lingrong could see it, but since Xie Yunting had agreed, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. The two sat there in silence. After a while, Xie Yunting was about to rise, but he suddenly made a shushing gesture at Cui Lingrong, indicating that someone might be in the corridor outside. Cui Lingrong looked toward the door. She had Dongyun standing guard at the entrance—if anyone passed by, Dongyun should have known. But Xie Yunting was certain. He used tea water to write two characters on the table: "Someone's there." In fact, in the private room next door, Madam Qian was pressing herself nervously against the wall. "Why has the sound stopped?" Earlier, Madam Qian could occasionally catch a word or two, but now she couldn't hear anything at all. Her maidservant Chunxiao was in the same posture. "Indeed, nothing can be heard now. Second Madam, could they have left?" "No, they couldn't have. We didn't hear any door open—how could they have left?" Madam Qian was frantic. "Song Shulan and Zhao Susu are impossible too. Half an hour ago, I sent someone to fetch them, and they still haven't arrived!" Chunxiao said that going back and forth took time. "Let's wait a little longer. They should be here soon." "I've always said Xie Yunting's gaze at Cui Lingrong was unusual, and today I finally caught them in a secret rendezvous." When she had spotted the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's carriage, Madam Qian had deliberately followed, and upon seeing Xie Yunting, she had been especially excited. Her mother-in-law had been killed by Cui Lingrong and her brother, and these days, her father-in-law had been gloomy and despondent, repeatedly instructing them to keep a low profile. As for her husband's death, Madam Qian also believed it was connected to Cui Lingrong and her brother. If she could now catch Cui Lingrong red-handed, her father-in-law would surely be pleased. This would be a great achievement. Madam Qian was so tense she could barely breathe. "Chunxiao, go check whether they've arrived." If they still didn't come, she would have to go in herself. She had finally seized this opportunity—she absolutely could not let Cui Lingrong escape. Chunxiao tiptoed out. She had just reached the edge of the teahouse when she spotted the eldest young lady and hurried over to greet her. "Are the two of them really in the teahouse?" Zhao Susu was both excited and somewhat uncertain. "Yes, they've been inside for quite a while and still haven't come out," Chunxiao said. "Second Madam is beside herself with worry. Thank goodness you've arrived. Please hurry upstairs with this servant—we can catch them in the act!" But Zhao Susu said, "No rush. The Marquis will be here soon. Since we're all here, they can't possibly get away!" If Xie Yunting and Cui Lingrong tried to leave, she could immediately go block them. It was better to let Song Shulan witness it with his own eyes. That way, Cui Lingrong could no longer be the mistress of the household. Even if they weren't caught in bed together, Cui Lingrong and Xie Yunting—an unmarried man and woman—had been alone in the teahouse for that long. What did it matter that Nanny Qiu was there? Nanny Qiu was Cui Lingrong's own person, merely a tool to divert attention. "Fine, fine, Cui Lingrong—so you couldn't resist loneliness either!" Zhao Susu muttered to herself, gazing eagerly into the distance. When she saw Song Shulan step down from the sedan chair, Zhao Susu hurried over and grabbed his arm. "Chunxiao and my second sister-in-law saw it with their own eyes. The two of them have been inside for a long time—they might have even finished their tryst by now. Master Song, hurry up and come upstairs with me!" Song Shulan's brows were tightly furrowed. This place was secluded, with few people on the street—indeed, it was suitable for a secret rendezvous. But it was still a teahouse. Thinking of Cui Lingrong and Xie Yunting being so audacious, Song Shulan's anger surged to his head, though he still asked, "Are you certain they're upstairs?" Zhao Susu pulled Chunxiao forward. "Chunxiao, you tell him." "Reporting to Marquis Song, this servant saw it with her own eyes. The two of them slipped in furtively, and even left a maidservant outside to keep watch," Chunxiao assured. "From the moment they went in, they haven't come out—there must be something illicit going on!" The more Song Shulan heard, the angrier he grew. He thought to himself that it was just as he had sensed—Cui Lingrong and Xie Yunting really were having an affair. And the two of them had no scruples whatsoever. He had just warned Cui Lingrong several times, and yet she still dared to come out for a secret rendezvous. Song Shulan hurried up the stairs and saw Dongyun nervously about to push open the door. He rushed over and yanked Dongyun aside. "You wretched slave girl, you and your mistress have both been humiliating me. I'll deal with you later!" After cursing at Dongyun, Song Shulan kicked the door open. The door broke, and the teahouse attendant also came up at the commotion. "Cui Lingrong, do you still claim there's nothing between you and Xie Yunting?" Song Shulan, before even getting a clear look at the situation inside, bellowed furiously in accusation.