Chapter 24: Urgent Distress

Hongdou was on the verge of a breakdown!

Miss Luo, that cousin of hers, was like a persistent specter, a grim reaper that simply wouldn't let go! She acted as if she had discovered some dark secret.

Hongdou had no choice but to call out through the door, "Miss, my Mistress says there is no need to visit today. She wishes to sleep, so please, do return to your quarters."

Outside the door, Luo Yun'er did not budge, her heart teeming with suspicion. Song Xirui had been in excellent health lately, even frequenting tea houses in broad daylight. How could she suddenly be ill, and without even calling for a physician?

She was almost certainly feigning illness! But why would someone pretend to be sick in the middle of the day?

A flash of inspiration struck her: Song Xirui must not be in the mansion at all!

She was having an affair! She had to be! Once this thought took root in her mind, it could not be erased. Even if she wasn't having an affair, the fact remained that Song Xirui hadn't left through the front gate, yet she was nowhere to be found in her chambers. If she were caught now, there would be no explaining it away.

With this in mind, Luo Yun'er raised her voice, determined to ensure that everyone knew something was amiss at Begonia Court.

Zhou Wen, watching this from the shadows, immediately dispatched someone to keep watch while he himself used his lightness skills to deliver a message to Xiao Yunci.

***

Meanwhile, at the military camp, Song Xirui had been waiting for quite some time. She was fretting over when she could return and whether Hongdou could handle the situation. She just hoped no one would come looking for trouble.

It was all that scoundrel Xiao Yunci's fault! He had deceived her time and again, and she had actually been foolish enough to be taken in by him!

"Lady Su."

As Song Xirui gritted her teeth in silence, Xiao Yunci suddenly appeared and handed her a note. "You must return immediately. If you are discovered, there will be no way to clear your name, and your little maid is in a very difficult position."

Song Xirui’s gaze sharpened. "Are you still not going to let me go?"

"Lady Su," Xiao Yunci said with a solemn expression, "to let you go, you must agree to the General's terms. If you do not return, it will only invite speculation. Your reputation will be ruined, and the whispers of the world will drown the Song family. The capital is already filled with rumors that Young Master Su has failed you; if you are embroiled in a scandal, he will undoubtedly use it to suppress you further. Surely you understand the pros and cons of this, my Lady."

His expression was indifferent, as if these coercive words had nothing to do with him at all.

"Xiao Yunci!" Song Xirui shouted angrily, "You are truly shameless!" He had lured her onto a pirate ship, and now he refused to let her off!

Xiao Yunci accepted the accusation with composure, offering no rebuttal. He looked into those eyes that were practically spitting fire, his heart stirring for a moment, though he quickly averted his gaze as if nothing had happened.

"Those who seek to accomplish great things do not concern themselves with trifles. I am indeed shameless."

Song Xirui’s eyes were cold as she gritted her teeth. "What is it you want? Speak!"

Xiao Yunci looked up abruptly and smiled. "I must trouble you to write a letter to your father and provide me with a token. I shall go see him myself. A carriage is waiting outside to take you back to the mansion immediately."

"It seems the General has had his plans laid out for a long time, just waiting for this foolish fish to take the bait?" Song Xirui retorted coldly as she took the pen and paper he offered.

*When the time comes, I might just as well stew both Xiao Yunci and Su Yun together!*

With that, they split into two groups—one headed to the Song mansion, while the other was escorted back to the Su mansion by Zhou Wen.

"Lady Su, this is a thousand-mile horse, it is very fast. You must be careful!" Zhou Wen cautioned.

Song Xirui’s voice was as cold as ice. "Go!"

For some reason, Zhou Wen felt a sudden impulse and blurted out, "Yes!"

***

Marquis Mansion.

Song Jing was in his study reading an ancient text. He disliked being disturbed and had sent his servant away. In the empty room, a shadow suddenly flickered before him. He was startled and immediately on guard, but he saw no one.

A voice came from behind him: "Marquis, I trust you have been well."

Song Jing’s heart jolted, and his face turned frost-covered. "Why have you trespassed into the Marquis Mansion without cause?"

The intruder stepped around from behind him, revealing a perfectly ordinary face. "Marquis, someone sent me to deliver a letter to you." The man in green pulled a letter from his robe and handed it to Song Jing.

As Song Jing’s eyes swept over the letter, his pupils contracted. It was Xirui’s handwriting!

Song Jing opened it with an anxious heart. It contained only a few lines, but the content was shocking. Xirui was asking him to help Xiao Yunci deal with the Crown Prince!

"How is this possible? This letter was absolutely not written by Xirui. She has never involved herself in court affairs, and she would never gamble the life and fortune of the entire Song family to do the General's bidding!" Song Jing asserted firmly. "This letter is a forgery!"

He had raised his daughter for over a decade; how could he not know her character?

"It seems the affection between the Marquis and Lady Su is indeed deep." The man sighed leisurely. "This letter was truly written by Lady Su. I have not deceived you."

Song Jing shook his head slowly. "Unless I see Xirui and hear it from her own lips, I will never believe it!"

He had a bad feeling that something had happened to her.

"In that case, I have no choice but to be honest with you," Xiao Yunci said unhurriedly.

"General?" Song Jing was stunned. Before he could ask, the man before his eyes slowly peeled off a layer of disguise, revealing his true face. It was Xiao Yunci!

"General, you..." Song Jing was filled with astonishment. "Why is it you?"

Could it be that Xiao Yunci was so brazen as to break into a high-ranking official's home in broad daylight to threaten him?

Xiao Yunci produced Song Xirui's jade pendant from his robe. "Marquis, this is indeed your daughter's intent."

***

Su Mansion.

Hongdou was on the verge of tears. Miss Luo, seeing that the Mistress refused to open the door, had been causing a scene in the courtyard all this time! No matter how she pleaded, the woman wouldn't listen! And now, she was actually threatening to force her way in!

Hongdou gritted her teeth, slammed the door bolt into place, and braced herself against the door with all her might. "Miss, please go back! My Mistress is truly ill!"

Luo Yun'er was now convinced that Song Xirui was not in the room. Her voice was soft, yet loud enough to carry. "Hongdou, since my cousin is in the room, why won't you open the door? Are you afraid I might harm her? Or are you, a treacherous servant, harboring evil intentions, wanting to let my cousin die of illness?"

Hongdou simply covered her ears, refusing to engage. "I can't hear you, I can't hear you! Like an old nun chanting scriptures—if you don't want to be a nun, Miss, then please go back!"

Luo Yun'er's face twisted, her eyes wide with rage. "Break in! I want to see exactly what is wrong with my cousin!"

Just then, a scream rang out from the front courtyard. "Fire! Fire! Put out the fire!"

Luo Yun'er was stunned. "How can this be?!"

Madam Li rushed in, shouting, "What are you all doing here? Help put out the fire! The front courtyard is burning out of control!"

Song Xirui’s courtyard was lively enough; all the medicinal herbs she had bought recently had vanished! The servants naturally obeyed Madam Li and rushed off to help.

Luo Yun'er didn't have time to think; she was just about to strike the door herself when suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her foot, and she stumbled to the side!