Chapter Sixteen: Cunning

A sudden, searing pain erupted as she collapsed to the side, bleeding all over. The Crown Prince’s voice rang out: “Why did you disobey orders and kill someone on your own? Fine, deal with her properly…”

Then, the door was shut, leaving only her and the man before her.

She had made a grave mistake!

But what terrified Song Xirui even more was that the seemingly ordinary guard removed his mask.

It was Xiao Yunci!

It was really him!

Then, she felt a wave of dizziness, her vision darkened, and she completely lost consciousness.

——

Seven days later.

Song Xirui’s chamber.

“My head hurts…” the person on the sickbed murmured.

Hongdou tightly grasped Song Xirui’s hand. “Madam, Madam, are you feeling better?”

Song Xirui struggled to open her eyes. There was a pain in her chest, but it strangely comforted her.

Thank goodness, she wasn’t dead! She was still alive in this life!

“Madam, you scared Hongdou to death, sob sob.” Hongdou held her hand, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Song Xirui forced a faint smile at her but was horrified to see the man standing behind Hongdou.

It was Xiao Yunci!

How could it be Xiao Yunci?

A surge of hatred rose within her.

Xiao Yunci lowered his gaze slightly and nodded lightly to Doctor Xu beside him. “Check on her condition.”

“Get lost! Xiao Yunci, I don’t want your hypocritical act!” Song Xirui hoarsely growled.

Nearby, Hongdou whispered quietly, “Madam, they were the ones who saved you. You were secretly sent back to the Su residence. The young master and the others only thought you were ill, and they snuck in every night to secretly treat you. It’s because of them that your health gradually improved.”

Song Xirui frowned at these words.

What did Xiao Yunci mean? Kill her and then save her?

Had he lost his mind?

Just then, Doctor Xu approached. “Madam, your health is the priority. Let me examine you first, then the general will explain everything.”

He proceeded to take her pulse without waiting for a response.

Song Xirui remained silent but finally extended her wrist, her gaze fixed on the silent Xiao Yunci.

Her almond-shaped eyes clearly said: You scoundrel, you owe me a life.

After checking, Doctor Xu said only, “Your condition has greatly improved. In a few more days, Madam will be able to get out of bed and move about.” Then he quietly stepped aside.

Hongdou followed his example and moved to a corner.

——

Seeing this, Xiao Yunci lightly rubbed his nose and approached Song Xirui. His voice was low and steady: “Madam Su, I apologize.”

“Hmph.” Song Xirui sneered coldly. “I, Song Xirui, trusted the wrong person. I thought Xiao Yunci was a man of honor, but you turned out to be so faithless and untrustworthy.”

Her tone was biting and sarcastic.

Doctor Xu nearby silently stifled a laugh but quickly turned serious as he caught a sharp look directed at him.

Hongdou watched from the side, thinking, “Wow, this guy really switches faces fast!”

“Madam Su, it was you who said you wanted to cooperate with me,” Xiao Yunci said calmly. “I rarely trust others unless they can face life and death with me. Only then can I believe in them.”

“So, General, you killed me to test me?” Song Xirui’s gaze was sharp. “If I had died, would you have shed a single tear for me?”

Xiao Yunci sighed inwardly. She was truly sharp-tongued.

He admitted to himself he had been excessive.

He pursed his lips and said, “I already have evidence of Li Cunyi’s crimes. Controlling him isn’t too difficult. I knew the Crown Prince wanted to see you, so I took the opportunity to probe your authenticity. But I didn’t expect you to directly anger the Crown Prince. If I hadn’t acted, you would already be a corpse.”

“I have ways to save myself,” Song Xirui said, acknowledging the truth in his words.

“Madam Su,” Xiao Yunci frowned, “You are formidable, but that doesn’t mean no one is stronger than you. The people around the Crown Prince are likely beyond your ability to handle.”

Song Xirui fell silent.

She had been overconfident.

She had thought she could manipulate the other party with her own means but hadn’t anticipated they would dare to kill to silence her without fear of the powers behind her.

“You met with the Crown Prince on my orders,” Xiao Yunci said suddenly.

Song Xirui lifted her eyes to him, voice icy. “Why would the general do this? If I died, what benefit would Master gain?”

“Because I don’t trust you.”

His voice was low and hoarse.

Song Xirui looked up, seeing Xiao Yunci’s face shadowed and flickering in the dim candlelight.

“Song Xirui, for me, Xiao Yunci, to trust someone, they must prove it with their life. So, I deliberately exposed Li Cunyi’s flaws, prompting the Crown Prince to investigate you. When he found nothing, he naturally wanted to meet you. That’s when I infiltrated his guards.”

He was not a villain, but he was by no means kind-hearted.

Naive and innocent people had long since perished in the court!

“So, General, do you believe me now?” Song Xirui’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

She had painstakingly thought she had succeeded, only to realize she was a bird trapped in someone else’s palm, manipulated at will.

“I believe you.”

Xiao Yunci nodded crisply.

“However, Madam harbors deep hatred for me. If you refuse to cooperate, I won’t force you.”

Song Xirui was furious!

He had tortured her half to death and now suddenly spoke so reasonably!

“Come here, closer,” Song Xirui said hoarsely.

——

Doctor Xu called softly, “General…”

Xiao Yunci pressed his lips together and stepped in front of Song Xirui, leaning closer.

Doctor Xu’s heart leapt to his throat.

Could this woman be hiding some deadly weapon, intending to harm his master?

“Smack!”

A sharp, clear slap rang out.

Song Xirui mustered all her strength to deliver a fierce slap to Xiao Yunci’s cheek!

Doctor Xu was stunned: !!!

She actually dared to slap the general!!!

Hongdou’s face lit up with excitement: Madam is amazing! Well done!!!

Xiao Yunci was stunned by the slap. Seeing the triumphant expression on her face, he stood up and touched his cheek. “Madam, you are the first to dare slap me.”

“General, if there is a next time, I will take your life!” Song Xirui said coldly.

Xiao Yunci met her gaze and surprisingly showed no anger. He nodded. “I understand.”

Doctor Xu beside them couldn’t hold back any longer. He leaned toward Xiao Yunci and grabbed his wrist.

“What are you doing?” Xiao Yunci shook his hand free. “I’m not sick!”

Doctor Xu grumbled feeling wronged, “I just thought you were possessed. If this was before, that woman would have been dead.”

Xiao Yunci glared at him and tossed a final sentence at Song Xirui: “Rest well. I will come find you again.”

Then, the two quietly slipped out through the window.

Only then did Hongdou, who had been hiding in the corner, dare to approach and carefully tuck Song Xirui’s hand under the quilt. “Madam, you’ve suffered…”

Her eyes were red-rimmed.

Song Xirui felt touched and comforted her, “It’s nothing. The good always has heaven’s favor. The King of Hell won’t take me yet.”

After a pause, she asked, “What happened while I was unconscious?”

Hongdou thought for a moment. “The young master came back to the Song family several times, bringing many boxes. Then he bought a lot of things. I secretly peeked — the warehouse is almost full!”

“You sure know how to sneak a peek.” Thinking of the days she had been unconscious, she knew the three members of the Su family must have ignored her, only focused on extracting silver from the Song family.

“Hongdou, go send a letter to your brother. Tell him to set fire to the Su family’s granary!” Song Xirui whispered.

Hongdou was startled for a moment, then smiled. “Alright! I’ll go tomorrow!”

Three days later, the Su family’s granary was set ablaze.

Amid the raging inferno, someone shouted, “What do we do? The top scholar is still inside!”