Chapter 312

Chapter 312: Day After Day Cui Lingrong was not seriously injured, merely drained of strength. Madam Qin lay collapsed in a pool of blood, still staring resentfully in Cui Zeyu's direction, her fingernails digging into the earth. "I can't die, I... refuse to accept this!" Carrying her immense hatred, she crawled toward Cui Zeyu. Cui Lingrong looked over at Madam Qin and, seeing her crawling toward Cui Zeyu, had just uttered a word of caution when she saw her younger brother sever Madam Qin's neck. In an instant, bright red blood seeped into the soil. Madam Qin was completely still now. Cui Zeyu had personally dealt with Madam Qin, their enemy. The remaining people were easy enough to handle. Cui Zeyu knelt on the ground, and at some point was carried onto a carriage, and at some point drifted into unconsciousness. He was in a daze, as if dreaming of his childhood, when his mother brought him to the courtyard to sun-dry cotton. His mother said that once the cotton was dried, she would sew him a winter coat that would keep him warm all winter long. But he never got to wear that winter coat, and in the end, he fell into the icy cold river. After who knew how long, when Cui Zeyu woke again, he didn't know what time it was. His eyelids were heavy. "Is... is anyone there?" Wu Hui, who had been dozing at the table, startled and hurried over. "You're finally awake. Would you like some water? Are you hungry?" Cui Zeyu said yes. Wu Hui immediately went to pour water, then fed it to Cui Zeyu bit by bit with a spoon. After two sips, his throat no longer felt so dry and hoarse. He asked, "And my sister?" "Don't worry, your sister is fine—she just lost quite a bit of blood and has already returned to the Cui residence," Wu Hui said. She told him he had been unconscious for a day and a night, and that they were still at the estate. "It was my carelessness—I failed to discover that the Duke's mansion still had people loyal to Madam Qin, and she learned of our arrangements." Wu Hui was deeply self-reproachful. Ever since she had married into the Duke's mansion, she had managed all matters great and small. "It's not your fault. Madam Qin managed the Duke of Dingguo's household for decades; it's only natural she had one or two people utterly devoted to her." Cui Zeyu tried to sit up but pulled at the wounds on both his legs, wincing in pain. "At least no one suffered anything serious." For that, they had to thank the fact that Madam Qin hadn't acted immediately but had instead wanted to torment him. Thinking about it now, Cui Zeyu regretted not having struck first with a harsher hand—poisoning Madam Qin. Wu Hui was still guilt-ridden. "You were badly wounded and running a fever. We were all so afraid." Though she and Cui Zeyu were not truly husband and wife, after spending so much time together, there was still a bond of friendship between them. Now Cui Zeyu was the pillar of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. If anything happened to him, she wouldn't fare well either. Thankfully, he was awake now. Wu Hui hurried to call for someone to prepare food, and she also summoned a physician to examine Cui Zeyu's wounds. Until his wounds had scabbed over, he would have to stay at the estate to avoid the hardship of travel. Xie Yunting had come to visit him once, and left upon seeing he was fine. These past few days, Xie Yunting had been going to the Cui residence day after day. Sometimes, even when he couldn't see Cui Lingrong, he would still send things over. Even someone as inexperienced as Caiyue had begun to notice a pattern. Today, upon learning that Xie Yunting had come again, she couldn't help muttering as she carried the medicine bowl to her mistress, "Mistress, does General Xie have feelings for you?" At first, Caiyue had thought the General had taken an interest in Yu-jie, but every time he came, he only asked about her mistress's health and never once mentioned Yu-jie. Only then did Caiyue slowly catch on. They did have some social exchanges with General Xie, but not enough to warrant such frequent visits. "What nonsense are you talking about?" Cui Lingrong blew on the medicinal broth, then drank it in one gulp, her mouth bitter. "It's just what this servant feels. Otherwise, why would he come every day to deliver things—and all of them things you like?" Caiyue said. "Besides, you've now had a Mutual Divorce, and General Xie is handsome and capable. He'd be a fine choice, wouldn't you say, mistress?" "You silly fool!" Cui Lingrong tapped Caiyue on the forehead. "If I married him, wouldn't that just confirm the rumors outside?" Seeing Nanny Qiu come in, Cui Lingrong knew without a doubt why she had come. "Tell Xie Yunting I'm not seeing anyone, and ask him not to come anymore. I need more rest." Nanny Qiu said she had already told him. "Then let him do as he pleases." Cui Lingrong had no other recourse—she couldn't very well chase him away. Caiyue looked at her mistress in confusion, then at Nanny Qiu. As she carried the bowl out, she happened to run into Mrs. Luo and the others who had come to visit, and quickly offered her greetings. "Greetings to Mrs. Luo and Second Madam Jiang." You Shuyi nodded to Caiyue and, seeing the bowl, knew Cui Lingrong had just finished her medicine. "I just caught sight of General Xie—he came again today?" Caiyue nodded. "Yes, but my mistress didn't receive General Xie." "I figured as much." You Shuyi laughed as she spoke, then went inside with Yuan Mingzhu. Seeing Cui Lingrong lying in bed, You Shuyi clicked her tongue. "Our dear sister is truly blessed. That Xie Yunting comes every single day—why doesn't such good fortune ever come my way?" As she spoke, she sat down on the edge of the bed and began checking Cui Lingrong's wounds. Yuan Mingzhu also sat down. "Indeed, Lingrong, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes today, I would have thought it was someone spreading rumors. This Xie Yunting actually harbors such feelings for you. Have you had any private dealings with him?" Cui Lingrong felt deeply wronged. "How could I have any dealings with him? Don't say such things—he and I are completely innocent." "Innocent now, but not necessarily later." You Shuyi was unrestrained in her ways. "If you ask me, you're already divorced now. Even if you don't want to remarry, there's no harm in having a bit of fun with Xie Yunting. He's young and fit, and you'd enjoy yourself too. I can quietly prepare some medicine for you to make sure you won't get pregnant." Cui Lingrong pinched You Shuyi. "You! The more you talk, the more ridiculous you get!" "Haha." You Shuyi laughed and dodged away. "Alright, I'll stop teasing you. I know you're a proper person. I just wanted to say—you only live once, and your own happiness matters most. Your injury is nothing serious; another half month of recovery should be enough." After finishing about Cui Lingrong's injury, You Shuyi added, "You've been cooped up in the residence these past few days, so you probably don't know—Zhao Susu actually went to Ji'en Hall." Cui Lingrong indeed hadn't known. "Someone must have advised her to do that." "Definitely. She's just putting on a show to salvage her reputation." Yuan Mingzhu said, "With the scene you caused at Prince Wu's residence, people have stopped calling you an adulteress. But if this continues, it will eventually affect Yu-jie's marriage prospects. How are things looking for Yu-jie?" Cui Lingrong glanced at You Shuyi, who didn't respond. "I'll listen to what the child wants. Give it a few more days." The three women chatted for a while. After they left, Xie Yunting still hadn't gone. Cui Lingrong pretended Xie Yunting wasn't there and called her daughter over. "You've been spending quite a bit of time with Feng-ge'er lately. Have you made up your mind?" Song Yu shyly nodded. "Cousin Zhuang is too rigid and proper—he barely dares to speak more than a few words. I don't like him. Luo Feng said he originally intended to inherit his family's practice, but he knew my father would never agree to me marrying a physician, and that you wouldn't want me to marry far away, so he came to Bianjing to pursue his studies." These past days, Song Yu had been in contact with these people. "So that's why Feng-ge'er suddenly came to Bianjing." Cui Lingrong was quite satisfied with Luo Feng—with You Shuyi as his mother, Yu-jie wouldn't suffer any mistreatment. "Since you've made your decision, then we'll wait for the Luo family to send a marriage proposal. But as for the Zhuang family, you need to make your stance clear. It's not good to string along so many people." "I know." Song Yu said, then leaned in and asked, "Mother, what about you?" Cui Lingrong asked what she meant. "General Xie comes every single day. What are your thoughts?" Song Yu asked.