Chapter 341

Chapter 341: Conspiracy "Does Zhao Susu have anyone else?" Cui Lingrong lowered her gaze in thought. "People outside only know she was sent to the estate—not many know she went to Jing'an Hall." Nanny Qiu said that wasn't necessarily true. "Didn't you tell Mrs. Luo and the others? Others will talk too. Even if everyone discusses it privately, some people are bound to find out." That was at the Wutong Courtyard, where too many people had been present. Even if You Shuyi and Yuan Mingzhu hadn't spread it, there were still Lady Wu, Madam Qian, and others. According to what Yu-jie said, she and Madame Jiang had split up before returning to Wutong Courtyard. It wasn't impossible that Madame Jiang and Madam Li would go back as well. Nothing had spread outside yet, but that didn't mean no one knew. "You're right, but who would be so good to Zhao Susu as to send people to pull strings?" Cui Lingrong couldn't think of anyone. But what mattered more right now was Song Shulan. When she met her younger brother the next day, Cui Lingrong brought up the matter. "Song Shulan is the type who, as long as there's benefit involved, will definitely agree to release Zhao Susu. Zhao Susu can leave Jing'an Hall, but she can't leave openly." Cui Zeyu had been busy lately, with a bit more stubble on his chin, looking much more composed. "Prince Rong no longer holds real power, but a starved camel is still bigger than a horse—he still has some connections. However, at this critical juncture, the Emperor won't appoint Song Shulan to any position. I'll warn Song Shulan—if he dares release Zhao Susu, he'll see what happens!" Speaking of Zhao Susu, Cui Zeyu felt a sense of vindication. Cui Lingrong nodded in agreement. "Song Shulan is very timid. Now that he's lost the connection to the Rong Commandery Prince Mansion, he'll definitely keep his head down even more. If it weren't for Xuan-ge and his brothers, I'd truly send him to Jing'an Hall too." Song Shulan had little ability and loved to cling to the powerful—sooner or later, something would happen. Cui Lingrong didn't expect Song Shulan to rise in rank or wealth. The best outcome would be for him to lie at home, unable to move, but not dead either—so as not to affect Yu-jie's marriage prospects or Xuan-ge's Imperial Examination. "If you sent him to Jing'an Hall, he'd be torn apart alive." Cui Zeyu chuckled, lowered his gaze in thought for a moment, and was about to speak when Xie Yunting arrived. Xie Yunting walked in with a grin. "I heard Cui-xiong was here, so I came to check. What are you two talking about? Can I listen?" Cui Zeyu said he could. "My sister and I were saying that it would be nice if we could send Song Shulan to Jing'an Hall, so he wouldn't be swayed by others into releasing Zhao Susu. But that's just a joke—Jing'an Hall only takes women, so Song Shulan can't go there." "Jing'an Hall?" Xie Yunting hadn't known Zhao Susu was there. Since the conversation had reached this point, Cui Lingrong didn't hide it and briefly recounted what had happened that day. She then thought of what Nanny Qiu had said—this truly wasn't a secret. As long as one person said a word or two, it would inevitably spread. Xie Yunting understood. "So you're saying, as long as Song Shulan agrees, Zhao Susu can still come out?" Cui Lingrong said yes. Cui Zeyu added, "Zhao Susu is one matter, but Song Shulan is also a problem. If we catch him in a mistake and get him demoted again, or cause the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion to lose its title, that wouldn't be good for Xuan-ge and his brothers." Song Mingxuan and his brothers were still members of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Even if Song Yu left with Cui Lingrong, Song Yu bore the surname Song and carried Song Shulan's blood—that was an unchangeable reality. If the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion's reputation suffered, Song Mingxuan and the other two would have a harder time in the future. "I see—you want Song Shulan to be unable to accomplish anything, but also not die?" Xie Yunting said that was simple. "I'll find two men to break his legs. He won't be able to attend court, so he'll have to resign and go home. He won't die either—problem solved!" Cui Zeyu said that wouldn't work. "Song Shulan is, after all, a court official. If something happens to him right here in Bianjing, the Emperor will definitely investigate." Not for Song Shulan's sake, but for public order. If it weren't investigated thoroughly, other officials would be in a panic. How would the Emperor maintain his authority? "I understand—we need to give a reason so everyone knows his accident was just that, an accident." Xie Yunting was arrogant, but not so reckless as to court death. "So tell me, is my idea good or not?" Cui Lingrong asked, "But where would we find such an opportunity?" Xie Yunting said it would come soon. "In a little over a month, it'll be time for the autumn hunt. People get injured during hunts all the time. We can secretly arrange something then, make it look like an accident—perfectly reasonable, isn't it?" Cui Lingrong's eyes lit up. "If Song Shulan breaks his leg, he'll have no choice but to stay obediently in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Then I won't have to worry about him trading Zhao Susu's release for promotion and wealth. Nor will I have to worry about him scheming for anything else." Cui Lingrong didn't think herself cruel. If not for the children, she would have gone for the kill long ago. Even back when she was still in the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, she had wanted to do away with Song Shulan. Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "I agree."