Chapter 327

Chapter 327: Sore Hands Xie Yunting's marriage was indeed being used as ammunition against him. However, Xie Yunting was not someone to be trifled with. During the morning court session, he grabbed the offender by the collar and berated him for meddling in others' affairs. Then someone brought up his relationship with Cui Lingrong, claiming that he had moved next door to the Cui residence specifically to carry on a secret affair with her. These words insulted Xie Yunting, but they also slapped Song Shulan in the face. It hadn't been long since Song Shulan and Cui Lingrong's Mutual Divorce. If Cui Lingrong were now to be involved with Xie Yunting, wouldn't that imply that she and Xie Yunting had been seeing each other all along? Xie Yunting became even more ferocious. He dragged the man outside and gave him a thorough beating, for which he was ultimately punished with thirty strokes of the rod by The Emperor. Of course, those thirty strokes weren't delivered with full force—they were merely for show in front of the other civil officials. Still, The Emperor was curious as to why Xie Yunting had never married at his age and demanded an explanation. What Xie Yunting said next shocked everyone present. When Zhuang Huaiming came to the Cui residence, it was to relay what had happened at court that day. "I heard people talking about you and Xie Yunting. Those people are truly despicable. I know exactly what kind of person you are, cousin. You would never do anything that defies moral principles." Cui Lingrong frowned deeply. "Who is spreading such nonsense?" "It was Prince Rong who brought it up first, and then others chimed in," Zhuang Huaiming said. "And in the end? What did Xie Yunting say?" Cui Lingrong asked. Zhuang Huaiming looked around left and right, finding it difficult to speak. He had witnessed firsthand just how shameless a person could be. "Well..." Just thinking about it made Zhuang Huaiming's tongue tie itself in knots. This only made Cui Lingrong more curious. "Cousin, just say it directly. Don't tell me it involves me again?" She thought of Xie Yunting's confession. If he had publicly declared his feelings for her, that would be utterly mortifying. How would she face anyone afterward? Zhuang Huaiming shook his head. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself before speaking. "He said he was injured on the battlefield and now... he can't... perform." Zhuang Huaiming still remembered Xie Yunting's tone—not a hint of embarrassment, and he had even pointed at those ministers with great fervor and passion. "I, Xie Yunting, have nearly died on the battlefield several times for this country and for its people. You scheme over my marriage, wanting to see me live miserably—why should you? I simply can't perform. What, are you going to mock me? Go on, laugh out loud! But think about it—if I hadn't fought on the battlefield, would you be standing here safely right now, pointing fingers at me?" The ministers were all stunned. Throughout history, from ancient times to the present— Xie Yunting was certainly the first person to announce so loudly in the great hall that he was impotent. Cui Lingrong was also stunned when she heard this. "He... he was telling the truth?" Zhuang Huaiming nodded in confirmation. "He said he didn't buy the residence for himself—he bought it because someone else was in difficulty. Moreover, he's taken in so many children of fallen soldiers that the General's residence couldn't accommodate them all, which is why he acquired a new property. And yet those people tried to drag his name through the mud and destroy his reputation." Xie Yunting had only said all this after enduring thirty strokes. Since he had been beaten thirty strokes, those who spoke ill of him would suffer the same punishment. Xie Yunting was a military general—even with thirty light strokes, his back was covered in bruises, let alone those civil officials. "Did you know? Even Prince Rong received thirty strokes," Zhuang Huaiming said. "Originally, no one dared to implicate Prince Rong, since he had only made a passing remark. But Xie Yunting insisted that Prince Rong provide an explanation—demanding to know when and where he had been intimate with you. Prince Rong couldn't answer, and The Emperor flew into a rage." Cui Lingrong's expression shifted several times. She couldn't quite figure out whether Xie Yunting was truly impotent or faking it. If he was faking it, after making such a scene today, how would he ever find a wife in the future? But if it was true... "Ah." Cui Lingrong asked, "What about now? How is General Xie doing?" "The Emperor, appreciating his contributions to the country and given his... condition, bestowed upon him a Death-Exemption Medal." Zhuang Huaiming, who had served as an official for half his life, never imagined he would witness such a thing. "Xie Yunting is indeed a talented general, but his way of conducting himself is truly hard to endorse." Zhuang Huaiming continued, "I came to tell you all this so you'd be aware. Xie Yunting is a troublesome person, but compared to those sanctimonious hypocrites, he's still far better. At least Xie Yunting gets things done and devotes himself wholeheartedly to the people—as an official, he deserves praise as a good one. But his methods... it's best to keep your distance, lest you get dragged into trouble along with him." Cui Lingrong said awkwardly, "General Xie has shown kindness to both me and Zeyu. I'm afraid it won't be easy to distance ourselves." "Well..." Zhuang Huaiming paused for a moment. "Fine, then I'll have your back." No matter what, he would be there for her. Zhuang Huaiming was about to leave after speaking when Xie Yunting happened to arrive. The two crossed paths, and Zhuang Huaiming felt the guilt of someone who had just been speaking ill of another. Xie Yunting, on the other hand, greeted him openly and cheerfully. "Lord Zhuang, thank you for today. If you hadn't spoken those words on my behalf, The Emperor might not have ordered Prince Rong to be caned." He was all smiles, as if he had just won a great victory. Zhuang Huaiming's throat tightened. "General Xie, what you said today... was it true or false?" "Talking with those old foxes, there's bound to be a mix of truth and lies!" Xie Yunting said nonchalantly, then went to ask Nanny Qiu for more tea. "The Emperor kept me talking for quite a while, and my throat's parched. By the way, Lord Zhuang, you already told them about what happened at court today, didn't you?" Zhuang Huaiming was taken aback for a moment, but he was a man who owned his actions. "Mm." "Oh, then thank you—saves me from having to repeat it." Xie Yunting took the teacup and drained it in one gulp. "Refreshing!" Zhuang Huaiming prided himself on having read countless people, yet he couldn't make sense of Xie Yunting. It wasn't until Caiyue came over that Zhuang Huaiming realized he'd originally been about to leave. Only after Zhuang Huaiming had gone did Xie Yunting speak up. "You should've seen it today, sister—those old sticklers got thirty lashes each. They won't be out of bed for at least half a month." But Cui Lingrong was thinking that Xie Yunting had also taken thirty lashes. "What about you, then? Doesn't it hurt?" "It's nothing. I've got thick skin—this little scratch won't affect anything." Xie Yunting said he was perfectly fine. Cui Lingrong glanced at Xie Yunting, then swallowed back the question she'd wanted to ask. Xie Yunting, however, brought it up on his own. "Just now, Lord Zhuang asked whether what I said at court was true or false. That business about not being able to perform—that was naturally false. I'm in excellent shape, sister, you can believe me!" His body was in better shape than ever. These past few nights, his hands had been sore every single night, yet he still didn't feel it was enough. "Then... then why did you say that?" Cui Lingrong was puzzled. "If I hadn't said it, the Emperor would surely have arranged a marriage for me. Those people were going to sling mud anyway, so it was better to say it outright—besides, it's not like you're willing to marry me." Xie Yunting smiled as he looked at her. He was too direct, and his smile was too radiant. Cui Lingrong's eyes were momentarily dazzled. She hastily averted her gaze, not daring to look at Xie Yunting any longer. This man was truly impossible to figure out.