Chapter Twenty-Nine: Reconciliation

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The next day.

Song Xirui woke from a nightmare.

“Madam, are you all right? Were you frightened?”

Song Xirui seized Hongdou by the arm. “Tell me—what happened last night? Why did I dream that...”

“How did you know?” Hongdou’s eyes widened. Leaning close, she whispered, “The charity home caught fire yesterday. They say all the children were burned to death, and the entire place was reduced to ruins!”

She had heard it while queuing that morning to buy Song Xirui her favorite red-bean cakes.

“How could this have happened?” Song Xirui’s heart clenched painfully.

If she had known nothing, she might have let the matter go.

But she knew now.

Had Su Yun come up with this scheme?

Or was it the Third Prince?

Or someone behind the Third Prince?

She clenched the brocade quilt beneath her and said sharply, “Now that I know about it, how can I let those people die in vain?”

After breakfast, Song Xirui went to find Su Yun.

Now that the charity home had been destroyed, the only way to uncover any clues was to begin with Su Yun.

—

Study.

Su Yun was reviewing official documents. Though he had passed the palace examination and become the top scholar with the support of Song Xirui’s influence, he was no empty-headed fool.

Just as he was growing increasingly agitated, a crisp knock sounded at the door.

“Are you inside, my husband? Xirui has come to apologize.”

Song Xirui’s gentle voice drifted in.

Su Yun froze, wondering if he had heard correctly.

Song Xirui had actually come to him of her own accord—and said she wanted to apologize?

He hurriedly straightened his clothes, assumed an air of affected dignity, and began putting on airs. “There is no need. Yesterday, I was the one who acted rashly and disturbed you. Go back for now.”

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A cold glint passed through Song Xirui’s eyes. She retreated in order to advance.

“Since my husband has grown tired of me, what meaning is there in my remaining alive? I may as well die!”

With a loud crash, the door flew open.

Su Yun certainly could not allow Song Xirui to die now.

If she died, the Marquis’s household would surely come after him.

He hurriedly said, “My lady, I only said those things because you were unwilling to have anything to do with me. Do not take offense. Come in quickly.”

Song Xirui gave a soft laugh and stepped into the study.

Before Su Yun could say another word, she spoke first. “My husband, I saw you being intimate with Luo Yuner, and it caused me unbearable pain. Naturally, I was unwilling to grow close to you. You cannot blame me for that!”

“My lady!” Su Yun replied with a smile. “How could I fail to understand your sincere feelings for me? But it is perfectly ordinary for a man to have several wives and concubines. You must not be overly jealous.”

See? He had known it all along.

How could Song Xirui have suddenly stopped loving him?

“My husband is right. I was being petty.” Song Xirui nodded lightly, then continued, “My husband is wise and heroic. Everyone says you are a gentle and magnanimous gentleman. Surely you will not hold this against me. If we husband and wife were to fall out, others would only laugh at us.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yun hurriedly nodded. “You are right, my lady. I have always treated you as I did before. Rest assured—Yuner can only ever be a concubine.”

He then continued, “My lady, since you have already sold all the shops in your possession, could you ask the Marquis’s household for some more money? The Su family still needs your support. Besides, things have been very difficult for me at court these days. Somehow, rumors have spread throughout the city that I am neglecting my principal wife for the sake of a mistress. It has made me furious as well. Ah...”

He went on, one demand after another.

His mind was filled with schemes for exploiting Song Xirui and securing benefits for himself.

While listening to him speak with a radiant smile, Song Xirui coldly studied his refined and gentle face.

Back then, she had been deceived by this very man.

She had offered him her entire heart, only to be stabbed to death by him in return.

“Xirui?” Su Yun had spoken for so long that his mouth had gone dry. He asked with a smile, “These matters should not be too difficult, should they?”

Song Xirui nodded gently. “Of course not. Whatever my husband asks, I will do my utmost to accomplish.”

Her submissive attitude greatly pleased Su Yun. He repeatedly said, “My lady, I knew I had not misjudged you!”

Then he shamelessly added, “In that case, tonight...”

A troubled expression appeared on Song Xirui’s face. “But my monthly period came again last night...”

Su Yun ground his teeth. “Damn it! Why did it have to happen at precisely this time?”

—

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Word that Song Xirui and Su Yun had reconciled reached Madam Li’s ears. She immediately brought Luo Yuner with her and came storming to the door.

“Xirui, now that you and Yuner have made peace, shouldn’t you hand over the household accounts and management?” Madam Li said with a broad smile, certain that Song Xirui would readily agree.

Managing the household these past few days had nearly broken her old bones.

With only Su Yun’s meager salary, the entire Su family was practically reduced to begging for scraps.

No!

Under no circumstances would she continue managing the household.

And Luo Yuner claimed she could not even balance the accounts herself. She was utterly unreliable.

Song Xirui blinked her beautiful eyes. “But now, apart from Mother, who else in the family could possibly keep the Su household under control?”

“Why must it be me?” Madam Li complained unhappily. “You used to manage the household perfectly well. Why are you making excuses and refusing now?”

Song Xirui slowly shook her head. “Alas, in this Su household, only Mother has the final word. Every servant in the house listens only to you. When I managed the household before, every step was difficult. I have only been back for two days, yet I have already noticed that the servants are much more obedient than they used to be.”

Madam Li wavered. “That is not entirely true. Although I managed things well, I am old now. You young people should gain some experience. Besides, my health is failing.”

“Mother, I think you could easily live another hundred years.” Song Xirui smiled sweetly, then continued, “How about this? Since Mother trusts me, I will not keep making excuses. I will take over the household three months from now. In the meantime, I can observe how you manage things, all right? When the time comes, I will also present you with five hundred ounces of silver as a token of gratitude.”

Madam Li’s heart stirred at the offer.

But Luo Yuner, standing beside her, interrupted. “Could this be nothing more than an attempt to placate the old madam? If you intend to manage the household, why not take charge immediately and let the old madam guide you from the side? When the three months are over, you can simply prepare a generous gift for her.”

She had seen through Song Xirui’s little scheme.

Song Xirui had to take over the household accounts. Otherwise, there would be no reason for her to remain in the Su residence—the family was so poor they could barely afford to keep their servants.

Madam Li suddenly understood. She hurriedly said, “That is right! Why wait three months?”

Besides, she was genuinely short of money now.

Song Xirui glanced at Luo Yuner and smiled. “My position in the Su household cannot compare with how highly Yuner is regarded. Whenever Mother comes to discuss family matters with me, you bring Yuner along every time. I am afraid I may not even have the authority to decide who manages the household.”

“Why not let Yuner manage it instead?”