Chapter Thirty-Four: A Successful Bribe

Xiao Yunci had his men dispose of the bodies, then kept his promise and escorted Song Xirui back to the Su residence.

Song Xirui swallowed the energy-regulating pill he gave her and felt much better. Just as she was about to close her eyes to rest, Xiao Yunci suddenly spoke: "Madam Su, I take back what I said before. The arts of metaphysics are indeed miraculous. I would like to learn a thing or two from you, if you would be willing?"

Though he was a proud man, he was not stubborn. Since metaphysics could resolve a crisis, he wanted to learn from Song Xirui to add another layer of protection for his future military campaigns.

Hearing this, Song Xirui paused slightly and looked at Xiao Yunci, who was watching her with curiosity. She slowly shook her head: "Forgive me, but I cannot tell you everything. Although we are allies, we are not of one mind, and I hope you will allow me to keep some things to myself."

Xiao Yunci had probed her repeatedly, which was annoying, but that was not the true reason for her refusal. The real reason was that metaphysics was her trump card. Unless it was someone she trusted with her life, she would not readily reveal it to anyone.

Xiao Yunci pressed his thin lips together, his cool eyes narrowing slightly. It was reasonable for Song Xirui not to trust him, yet a strange, unignorable sense of frustration rose within him. Could it be...? He quickly dismissed the intrusive thought.

Picking up his cynical demeanor again, he leaned back and laughed: "Very well, not knowing is no big deal. Since Madam Su and I are allies, I trust that if I ever find myself in difficulty, you will not stand idly by." He then shook his head with a bright, easy smile.

Song Xirui cast him a cold glance, then closed her eyes to rest, not bothering to waste words on such an impudent man. Suddenly, she opened her eyes: "Why are you still here?"

Supposedly, shouldn't he have changed his route to head south? Why did he accompany her all the way back to the capital?

Xiao Yunci merely waved his hand casually and smiled: "It is not an urgent matter, so what does a few days' delay matter? I have my own arrangements."

Song Xirui said no more. Under the cover of night, the two returned to the Su residence and successfully reconnected with her terrified little maid. By the next day, Song Xirui had returned to being the gentle and noble Madam Su, though both mistress and maid were yawning, clearly having not slept well.

Two days later.

***

Su Yun received great news. Master Huang, the official whom the Third Prince had been unable to reach, had actually accepted his bribe!

One must understand that this man was known as a tough nut to crack, yet he had been won over so easily. What did this mean? It meant that he, Su Yun, possessed great talent! Now, it would be hard for the Third Prince not to look at him with newfound respect.

Outside the window, this scene was observed by Zhou Wen from a tree. He snorted, "Fool," and turned to report back to Xiao Yunci.

—

At the General’s Residence.

"General, it is done. Su Yun thinks his bribery was a success and is beside himself with joy," Zhou Wen reported.

Xiao Yunci nodded gently: "Understood." Since he had escaped a disaster thanks to Song Xirui, he had to show some gesture of gratitude; otherwise, if he pushed her too far, who knew what she might do?

That boy Su Yun was truly stupid beyond belief. After so much effort to drop hints, he failed to catch on. In the end, Xiao Yunci had to find an antique shop owner and have him repeat while Su Yun was shopping: "There is an official named Huang in the capital who loves tea from the south, but one wonders where one could find it." Only then did Su Yun realize he should go buy tea. With such stupidity, how did he ever pass the imperial examinations?

—

At the Su residence.

"Son, did you really succeed in doing this for the Third Prince?" Lady Li rubbed her hands in delight. This was wonderful; her son had finally made something of himself! The thought of imminent wealth and luxury, with silver flowing into the Su household and her being able to eat a dozen fine dishes every meal, made her heart race with excitement.

It wasn't just her; Luo Yun'er was also delighted. However, she was not as vulgar as Lady Li. She gently helped Su Yun sit down and spoke in a charming tone: "My husband is truly brilliant. If other men in this world possessed even two or three parts of your talent, they would be set for life."

She had thought she’d made a wrong bet, but it turned out Su Yun had some ability after all. Thinking of how she had been suppressed by Song Xirui lately, Luo Yun'er made up her mind. Now that Su Yun was gaining power, she would definitely make Song Xirui pay.

Su Yun was greatly pleased by Luo Yun'er's attitude. Seeing this, Lady Li felt she couldn't fall behind and added: "Yun'er is right. I always knew I gave birth to a good son. You have been clever since you were small; who in the ten surrounding villages didn't praise me for bearing a top scholar?"

Su Yun suddenly felt lightheaded with pride. Luo Yun'er chimed in: "Mother, what are you saying? My husband is already a top scholar. Perhaps in the future, he will be appointed as a high official or even a prime minister. By then, you will be a titled lady, how glorious that will be!"

The two women flattered Su Yun in every way possible, making him feel as if he were walking on clouds. The mountain that had weighed on his heart finally felt much lighter. Consequently, his attitude toward Song Xirui shifted from his previous mildness to impatience. Song Xirui simply treated him like a mad dog, brushing off his words with indifference each time, not bothering to argue.

One must know that to destroy someone, first make them mad. However, he did have some scholarly background and dared not make his relationship with Song Xirui too hostile. In case the connection with the Third Prince broke, he still had the Marquis's residence to act as a shelter from the rain.

Luo Yun'er, however, was different.

—

In her room, a young maid knelt before Luo Yun'er, her voice trembling with fear: "Miss, all the teahouses in the city are telling a story. It sounded familiar to me, so I mentioned it to Taohong, but I wasn't gossiping about you! Please, spare us!"

Luo Yun'er's face went rigid, her voice filled with bone-chilling coldness: "Tell me yourself, what is written in that story? If you tell me clearly, I will spare you this time. But if you hold back even a single word, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Damn it! She had just entered from the front courtyard in a wonderful mood, only to accidentally overhear two maids talking about "the mistress who married a top scholar"! Wasn't that clearly about her and Su Yun?

The little maid had no choice but to tell her everything.

"Fine!" Luo Yun'er gripped her palms, her molars grinding together. "I had no idea that the entire capital had already painted me as a shameless woman!"

She couldn't be sure if Song Xirui was behind this, but that wouldn't stop her from causing trouble.

—

At Haitang Court, Hongdou was happily peeling roasted chestnuts for Song Xirui when she looked up and saw Luo Yun'er leading people into the courtyard.

She immediately said: "Madam, she's here! The young lady has barged in with her servants!"