Chapter 321

Chapter 321: Climbing the Wall When Song Shulan learned that Cui Lingrong was establishing a school—one that even women could attend—he met with Cui Lingrong and said contemptuously, "What use is it for women to study? It's enough for them to recognize a few characters to add some amusement to the bedchamber. But you—you go out in public to run a school, truly believing you have extraordinary abilities?" "Song Shulan, by what authority do you question me now?" Cui Lingrong's face turned cold. "If you have nothing important, get out!" "You—!" Song Shulan snorted before speaking again. "Xuan-ge has been working harder than ever lately. The academy sent word that he refuses to rest even when ill. You are his mother—even if we've had a Mutual Divorce, shouldn't you care about him?" Cui Lingrong hadn't heard about this. "Didn't you tell him?" "Hmph, all thanks to you. He's been cold and distant toward me now—respectful but without any closeness." Song Shulan said, "He acts as if we would harm him. When he returns to the marquis mansion, he's cautious even at meals, waiting until we pick up our chopsticks before he eats." Cui Lingrong frowned deeply. "You have the nerve to say that? If not for you, why would he need to be so careful?" "What do you mean? Are you going to say Madam Zhao would poison him again?" Song Shulan insisted he was perfectly fine, that nothing had happened, and that it was all Cui Lingrong's nonsense. Cui Lingrong laughed upon hearing this. "I only said that Zhao Susu killed Elder Master Du. I never said she would make a move against you. Though killing you would also make sense—you have no ability, you only shirk responsibility, and you're not even a real man. What kind of woman would be willing to spend her life with you?" Cui Lingrong sneered. "If Zhao Susu were someone who could stay faithful, she wouldn't have remarried in the first place. You'd better watch out—don't end up wearing a green hat and still thinking you're charming!" Song Shulan was so furious he couldn't speak. But Cui Lingrong thought of the love bite on Zhao Susu's collarbone. "No, you two are still quite affectionate. Even if you can't perform, you still cling to Zhao Susu and do other things." "Cui Lingrong, you... what do you mean by that?" "You know what you've done, don't you?" Cui Lingrong couldn't be bothered to argue with Song Shulan, lest she dirty her own mouth. "I've heard about Xuan-ge's matter. I'll pick a day to visit him at the academy. You can leave now." Song Shulan couldn't out-argue her, but before leaving, he still had to say some harsh words. "Cui Lingrong, just you wait. Don't think you're living the good life now. That Xie Yunting is young and hot-blooded. When the day comes that he tires of you, you'll have plenty to cry about!" Every time she saw Song Shulan, it always affected her mood, but unfortunately she couldn't completely cut ties with him. Cui Lingrong had Nanny Qiu prepare the carriage, planning to visit Xuan-ge at the academy tomorrow. It was already too late to go to the academy today. She had arranged to meet Madam Li at the cloth shop. It had been a while since they'd seen each other, and Madam Li looked somewhat haggard. "How have you been lately?" Cui Lingrong asked. Madam Li said, "With Madam Zhao managing the household, the marquis mansion's expenses keep getting cut. Although she proposed dividing the family, Old Madame wouldn't agree. Life isn't great, but it's manageable, because the main kitchen is now under Second Sister-in-law's control." "I know you have your difficulties." Cui Lingrong said. "As for that Zhao Susu—she's proposed dividing the family once, which shows she can't stand it anymore. It won't be long before she brings it up again. Once the family is divided, aside from paying respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, your days will be peaceful." Madam Li smiled and agreed, then brought up Du Cheng. "I truly haven't seen Du Cheng. I've searched every nook and cranny of the marquis mansion—except for Old Madame's Shouan Tang, the Marquis's study, Second Branch's residence, and Wutong Courtyard. There's no sign of anyone being hidden." As for those places she hadn't been able to search, Madam Li didn't have the means to investigate them, but she had taken a rough look and indeed found no trace of Du Cheng. "Sister Cui, could there be a mistake?" Madam Li asked. Cui Lingrong said there couldn't be. "Nanny Qiu saw him with her own eyes. Old Madame and Song Shulan both despise Du Cheng—they would never let him stay. That leaves only Madame Jiang and Zhao Susu, and Zhao Susu didn't like Du Cheng before either." "You mean Second Sister-in-law?" Madam Li looked as if she'd heard something extraordinary. "Second Master was exiled, and Second Sister-in-law is lonely and restless, so she seduced Du Cheng?" That would be logical. But could someone like Madame Jiang take a liking to Du Cheng? "Not necessarily." Cui Lingrong thought that would be too ridiculous. "It's also possible Du Cheng left afterward. But if he went to the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, he must have gone to see someone." If he were visiting Zhao Susu, there would be no need to sneak around. But for now, they could at least narrow down the possibilities. "I know it's difficult for you to investigate further. I'll find another way to get to the bottom of this. Thank you for your help in this matter. As for the division of the family, Old Madame is someone who cares deeply about face, and Zhao Susu is headstrong. If you want an easier life, you can't keep tolerating Zhao Susu forever—even a cornered rabbit will bite. The Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion is already mired in rumors, and Old Madame certainly doesn't want more trouble. As long as you can find evidence of Zhao Susu's mismanagement of household affairs, the division should be possible." After Cui Lingrong finished advising Madam Li, the two went their separate ways. When Cui Lingrong's carriage turned down an alley, Er Shun reported seeing Madam Lou. She pushed open the wooden window to take a look. She was curious about what Madam Bai was doing, but unexpectedly, she didn't see Madam Bai—instead, she saw the carriage of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Er Shun said, "It's that residence over there. Madam Lou has already gone inside." Just as he finished speaking, Zhao Susu stepped down from the carriage. Cui Lingrong frowned at the sight. According to Lou Wanxian, Madam Bai and Princess Consort Rong were at odds, and even the younger generation didn't associate with each other. In fact, the people of Rong Prince Mansion treated the Lou family with contempt at every turn. Yet now the two of them had entered the same residence—it was truly strange. "Master, isn't that Madam Zhao?" Nanny Qiu thought she was seeing things. "How could she appear together with Madam Lou?" Cui Lingrong instructed Er Shun, "Go and see if you can find out anything." Er Shun first drove the carriage to a nearby spot to avoid drawing attention. Cui Lingrong waited in the carriage while Er Shun went to gather information. Inside the residence at that moment, Zhao Susu looked at the teacup before her and said irritably, "Madam Bai, you've gotten quite bold, threatening me. Saying if I don't come out, you'll make things difficult for me?" Madam Bai glanced at Mama Zhou, who immediately said it was a misunderstanding. "How would this servant dare say such a thing?" In truth, when Mama Zhou had relayed the message, that was exactly what she meant. "Susu, today I—" "What did you call me?" Zhao Susu heard Madam Bai use her given name and hurled the teacup at her. "What kind of creature are you, daring to call me Susu?" The tea was scalding hot, and Madam Bai's face instantly turned red from the burn. But Zhao Susu pointed at her and said, "Don't think that just because you and my mother are sisters, you can act like an elder and lecture me. I came out today to make things clear with you—people like you make me sick just by looking at you!" Remembering that Madam Bai had threatened her, Zhao Susu grew even more displeased. "I know exactly what little schemes you're up to. You're jealous of my mother, and now you're trying to harm me. But let me tell you—if you dare do anything to me, my father won't let a poisonous woman like you off the hook!" "No, that's not it! I'm not trying to harm you!" Madam Bai ignored the pain and hastily explained, "Susu, I—" "I told you not to call me Susu!" Zhao Susu shot her a glare. Wang Hechun's Wife chimed in mockingly, "I say, Madam Lou, you really think too highly of yourself, don't you? Could it be that because I said a few words to Mama Zhou the other day, you've come to defend her? Birds of a feather flock together—why don't you look in the mirror and see how thick-skinned you both are?" Madam Bai was so berated she could barely catch her breath, and Mama Zhou's face turned pale. "Mama Wang, you don't even know what's going on. Must you speak so harshly?" "Harsh? I'm being kind by not resorting to violence!" Wang Hechun's Wife called people over. "Let me tell you both—say whatever you have to say, but if you can't come up with a good reason, don't expect to leave here in one piece today!" Zhao Susu had deliberately brought several sturdy matrons along, specifically to teach Madam Bai a lesson. Seeing so many people, Madam Bai quickly said, "I truly have something urgent to discuss. Once you hear it, you'll know I genuinely mean well for you. But what I have to say can't be said in front of so many people." "Mean well for me?" Zhao Susu laughed. "Do you take me for a fool? You'd be thrilled to see me dead—how could you possibly mean well for me?" Meanwhile, Er Shun pressed against the wall but couldn't make out what was being said inside. Fortunately, the wall wasn't too tall. He gave it a try and climbed over. But the moment he landed, he saw several matrons coming out of the house. He hurried back and hid behind a water vat. From inside the house came Zhao Susu's cursing, though it soon fell quiet.