Chapter 348

Chapter 348: An Outsider "Who said the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion has agreed to release her?" Xie Yunting kicked aside the person blocking his way. He was radiating murderous intent, like a god of death come to claim a life. "Xie Yunting, what business is this of yours?" Prince Rong sneered after recognizing who it was. "You're nothing but an outsider. Our affairs are none of your concern!" "Heh!" Xie Yunting wasted no words. He snatched the letter and handed it to Cui Lingrong. "Sister Cui, take a look—is this forged?" Cui Lingrong glanced at it and recognized Song Shulan's handwriting. Sure enough, that Song Shulan was deceiving her again! "It's forged!" Cui Lingrong said. "Prince Rong, we had an agreement. Now you come sneaking over here—what exactly are you trying to do?" "Song Shulan, what do you mean by this?" Zhao Zhongren charged at Song Shulan. "You wrote that letter yourself, and now you've brought Cui Lingrong and these people here? Are you going back on your word?" Song Shulan stammered, not daring to lift his head. He simply hadn't wanted to offend either side too deeply—he never expected to be dragged here by Cui Lingrong. "Song Shulan, I'm asking you—is the letter forged or not?" Prince Rong ground his teeth. Zhao Susu also snapped back to her senses. "It's not forged! Master Song, say it quickly! We've had so many years of feelings between us. I know I was wrong now. I beg you, let me go. I'll never disturb the two of you again." "No." Cui Lingrong spoke up. "I've said it before—you, Zhao Susu, are not leaving this place." "Why not?" Zhao Susu shouted loudly. "Cui Lingrong, you've already divorced. What right do you have to meddle in the affairs of the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion? Just get out of here, will you? You see what I've become now—isn't that enough for you?" Zhao Susu was withered like a dried-up tree, her cheeks sunken. She couldn't even be called ordinary-looking anymore. Her complexion was sallow as if she hadn't had a single good night's sleep. And all of it was Cui Lingrong's doing. "Cui Lingrong, you poisonous woman!" Zhao Zhongren added. "This is between us and the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. You wouldn't want people to know how vicious your heart truly is, would you?" "Vicious?" Cui Lingrong sneered. "No matter what I am, I could never be as wicked as Zhao Susu. Go ahead and tell everyone then—I'd like to see how people judge our affairs!" Taking a deep breath, Cui Lingrong continued, "Also, I've said it before: Zhao Susu and the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion are one matter, and Zhao Susu and I are another. She harmed my child and schemed against me. Letting her scrape by in Jing'an Hall is already far too merciful!" To be honest, seeing Zhao Susu in such a miserable state brought Cui Lingrong great satisfaction. "You—!" Zhao Zhongren couldn't out-argue Cui Lingrong, especially with Xie Yunting by her side. If not for Xie Yunting, Cui Lingrong was just a woman—they could have had a few men hold her down. Unfortunately, all of them combined couldn't defeat Xie Yunting. "What about me?" Cui Lingrong knew Prince Rong was the one with real authority. "Prince Rong, if you insist on fighting me, then I'll see it through to the end. If you leave Zhao Susu here, then there's no conflict between us. Why bother, Prince Rong? For the sake of such a daughter?" "Lady Cui, you are a mother yourself. If your daughter were sent to Jing'an Hall, how would you handle it?" Prince Rong said indignantly. "My daughter?" Cui Lingrong laughed. "First of all, my daughter would never do such a thing. Secondly, if my daughter were so devoid of conscience, I would send her on her way myself. Does that satisfy you?" Cui Lingrong's hatred for Zhao Susu was not the slightest bit small. Nor would it fade with time and turn into forgiveness. She met Prince Rong's gaze unflinchingly, her stance resolute. Xie Yunting smiled. "Your Highness, why bother? Now that the Emperor has a Crown Prince, princely mansions and commandery prince mansions are what he fears most. Do you think the commandery prince mansion matters more, or a daughter who's already ruined?" "Xie Yunting, are you threatening me?" Prince Rong's eyes nearly bulged with rage. Zhao Susu clung tightly to her father's arm. "Father, save me. I won't be like I was before. I beg you, take me out of here. I can't bear to stay in Jing'an Hall any longer. This place isn't fit for human beings—I truly can't take it anymore!" Zhao Susu wept as she spoke, terrified of being left in Jing'an Hall. Every day she spent there felt like a year. But Prince Rong couldn't go head-to-head with Xie Yunting. He didn't fear rumors and gossip, but he did fear Xie Yunting making a move against the commandery prince mansion. "Xie Yunting, what exactly are you scheming by helping Lady Cui like this?" "Yes, Xie Yunting—could it be that you and Cui are sharing meals and quarters..." Zhao Zhongren didn't finish his sentence before Xie Yunting, with lightning speed, drove his fist into Zhao Zhongren's chest, drawing a trace of bloody taste in his mouth. "Xie Yunting, you... you actually dared to strike me!"