Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Burning Anxiety "The prefectural office says Brother Cui passed off inferior goods as quality ones and swindled the Qian family's money. Originally this wouldn't be a big deal—just make up the difference in payment. But one of the Qian children used that cloth and has been vomiting and suffering from diarrhea ever since, now down to their last breath." Xie Yunting couldn't help but curse after speaking. "I think the Qian family is extorting us. What kind of constitution is that—turning into this from a piece of rotten cloth?" "The Qian family?" Cui Lingrong repeated a few times before realizing it was the natal family of the Second Madam of Rong Prince Mansion. Sure enough, it was connected to Rong Prince Mansion again. Cui Lingrong thought for a moment, then sent Er Shun to Lady Wu's shop. "Have the shopkeeper pass along a message for me—say I wish to see the Hereditary Princess." After Er Shun left, Xie Yunting added, "I'll bring a physician to the Qian residence right now. As long as that child of theirs isn't dead, we can get to the bottom of this!" Cui Lingrong said she would go too, but Xie Yunting refused. "I have a reputation as a rogue and scoundrel—I can make a scene at the Qian's. But if you come with me, they'll lump you in with me." Xie Yunting waved his hand and ordered his servants to prepare the horses. Just then, someone came to report that Marquis Song had arrived. Upon hearing that Song Shulan had come, Xie Yunting immediately said he wouldn't see him. But then he turned to look at Cui Lingrong and had the servants bring him in instead. When Song Shulan saw Cui Lingrong standing together with Xie Yunting, it was an eyesore. He strode over and pulled her to his side. "Where are the proprieties you used to observe?" "What does the Marquis mean by that?" "You don't come to find me, yet you frequently visit another man. If you won't consider your own reputation, won't you at least think of Yu-jie's?" Song Shulan, imagining that Xie Yunting might harbor lecherous intentions, felt even more disgusted. "Return with me. I will handle Cui Zeyu's matter." He grabbed Cui Lingrong's wrist—so slender that a little more force might snap it. But Cui Lingrong only tilted her body slightly; her feet didn't move. "Hm?" Song Shulan looked at her. "Marquis, please don't pull at me." Cui Lingrong tried to shake off Song Shulan's hand but couldn't. Even if they were husband and wife, this kind of tugging—especially out in public—was unsightly. Song Shulan's face turned green. "I told you to come back. Can't you hear me?" "Then tell me, Marquis—how will you help?" Cui Lingrong didn't believe Song Shulan's words. She didn't know why Song Shulan had come to the Xie residence, but she knew that Song Shulan had directly refused her before. "There's always a way. I've already sent Qingshan to make inquiries." Song Shulan said. "A way?" Xie Yunting raised an eyebrow at him. "Marquis Song can't give a concrete answer, yet here you are making things difficult for a woman. Is that your method and skill?" Facing Xie Yunting, Song Shulan could never articulate himself well. He didn't want to speak more with Xie Yunting, so he only looked at Cui Lingrong. "I'll ask you just one thing—do you believe me or him?" Cui Lingrong bowed to Xie Yunting. "I entrust Zeyu's matter to General Xie. I will come another day to express my gratitude in person. For today, I'll take my leave." After all, she was the matriarch of Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion. Since Song Shulan had come in person, she had to give him some face—otherwise, she would lose face herself. But Xie Yunting deliberately called out, "Sister Cui, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come find me. Brother Cui and I are like brothers, which makes you my own elder sister." The words "Sister Cui" he deliberately uttered softly and gently. Cui Lingrong didn't think anything of it, but Song Shulan felt the provocation. After boarding the carriage, the two sat facing each other, Song Shulan staring at Cui Lingrong the entire time. After a long while, Song Shulan finally gritted his teeth and asked reluctantly, "You and Xie Yunting—you're actually on such close terms?" "What close terms?" Cui Lingrong found Song Shulan baffling. "General Xie and I have never met in private. When Zeyu got into trouble, the first person I sought was you. If you had agreed, why would I have needed to find Xie Yunting?" That one sentence instantly silenced Song Shulan. "Then... then couldn't you have come to me again?" Song Shulan said angrily. Qingshan had already gone to find Cui Lingrong—it was Cui Lingrong who didn't trust him. "Would it have been of any use?" Cui Lingrong turned her head away, giving Song Shulan only her profile. "Marquis, what exactly are you so concerned about? General Xie and I are completely innocent. As for Zeyu's matter, it involves the Qian family—and that Qian family happens to be the natal family of Rong Prince Mansion's Second Madam." Hearing that Song Shulan's every word implied something between her and Xie Yunting, she said bluntly, "Why don't you go ask Princess Rongjia whether she's the one stirring up trouble behind the scenes?" The atmosphere in the carriage turned frozen, their breathing gradually growing tense. Song Shulan had been arguing with Cui Lingrong constantly lately. He said indignantly, "I preferred the old you." "The old me didn't have to share a husband with another woman." Cui Lingrong didn't want to stay in the carriage. When it stopped, she stepped down first. Song Shulan watched Cui Lingrong's huffy retreating figure. In the past, he had always thought Cui Lingrong had no temper and was rather dull. Now that Cui Lingrong had a temper with him, he was getting a headache. Forget it. He was a man. He wouldn't quibble with a woman over such things. He stepped over the threshold and could no longer see Cui Lingrong's figure. He turned toward the front courtyard instead—he was acquainted with Third Master Qian and planned to pay him a visit. At the same time, at the Qian residence, Xie Yunting had brought a physician to the front hall. The Qian family had already divided their household. The current Lord Qian was the Minister of Works. Upon learning of Xie Yunting's arrival, he hurried over with his attendants. "May I ask what brings General Xie here?" Qian Jin also disliked Xie Yunting, eyeing him with wariness in his gaze. "I heard that my brother's cloth harmed your concubine-born son, so I've specially brought a physician. If it truly has something to do with my brother, we'll own up to it. Please lead the way," said Xie Yunting. Qian Jin's brows knitted tightly. "My son is barely clinging to life, and you still bring people here to make a scene? General Xie, don't you think you're going too far?" "Me, making a scene?" Xie Yunting sneered. "I've been speaking politely and reasonably. Where have I caused any trouble? Lord Qian, if you think I've done something wrong, by all means, go lodge a complaint with the Emperor and see what fault you can find with me!" He paused for a moment, then in a heavier tone, continued, "But I've brought a physician today simply to help examine your son. If you don't appreciate the gesture, I'll go sit at the entrance of your Qian residence. We'll see whether it's your Qian family that harmed a concubine-born son and framed others, or what the real problem is!" Qian Jin's face turned sallow. His sister had asked him for a favor, and thinking that Prince Rong had recently gained favor, he'd been willing to do the Rong Prince Mansion a courtesy. His brows remained tightly furrowed. He hadn't expected Xie Yunting to confront him over a mere merchant. While Qian Jin was still deliberating, Xie Yunting spoke first. "Fine, fine, fine. Since you refuse, I'll go find the Emperor." "Wait!" Qian Jin took a deep breath. "Follow me!" Qian Jin led Xie Yunting to his son's room. Xie Yunting gave the physician a look, and the physician began taking the pulse. Looking at the person on the sickbed, Xie Yunting clicked his tongue twice. "Lord Qian, is this the kind of place your concubine-born son lives in?" "General Xie, this is my family matter. Don't meddle in things that don't concern you." "I'm just making an offhand remark. Look at this window—the wind blows right through it. Living in a place like this, it'd be strange if he didn't fall ill!" Xie Yunting snorted. Seeing that the physician had finished taking the pulse, he quickly asked how things were.