Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Abandoned Pawn

After leaving the restaurant, Song Xirui visited a medical clinic and brought back a mediocre physician.

Madam Li had held high hopes for the doctor, praying that he could cure Su Yun’s illness. However, after circling Su Yun three times to the left and three times to the right, the physician shook his head with a tsk and a long sigh, then flicked his sleeves and departed. The entire performance was so smooth that even Song Xirui couldn't help but admire the quack’s superb acting skills.

In this manner, the Su family invited over a dozen doctors, all of whom returned empty-handed. Madam Li even summoned several Taoist priests, yet none could discern anything amiss. This was because Song Xirui had employed a magical veil to baffle these incompetent charlatans. Consequently, Su Yun appeared to grow sicker by the day, leaving Madam Li and Luo Yun’er frantic and helpless.

—

In Begonia Courtyard, as Song Xirui was discussing household matters with Hongdou, a note was tossed before her in the blink of an eye. She glanced toward the window, but the messenger had already vanished.

Hongdou’s mouth hung open. "How impressive! I wish I could do that."

Song Xirui gently tapped her forehead. "And what would you do if you could? Sneak into the studies of handsome young men?"

Hongdou held her flushed face and laughed. "Naturally, I would use it to buy pastries for you, Mistress!"

Song Xirui smiled faintly and unfolded the note. It bore a familiar script, with only a few simple words that greatly lifted her spirits: *Su Yun is in poor health; the Third Prince has replaced him for the Imperial Examinations.*

Excellent! Now Su Yun would lose his chance to climb that high branch and ascend the path to glory.

That evening, Song Xirui told Hongdou, "You needn't stand watch tonight; go back and sleep." Although Hongdou didn't understand, she obeyed without question.

At the second watch, Song Xirui sat at the table. Her beautiful eyes held a trace of a smile as she said softly, "You have arrived."

Her eyes suddenly brightened, and as she looked across the room, she saw a hideous, malevolent ghost. The spirit had a round head, three vertical eyes, a tiny cherry mouth, no nose, and ears like fans—it was both comical and terrifying. Yet, when it spoke, it possessed the gentle, refined voice of Su Yun. Song Xirui knew this was because the ghost had been attached to Su Yun for so long that it had absorbed his aura.

She smiled slightly at the entity. "Do you wish to be reincarnated?"

The ghost nodded his head like a drum; he could tell this woman possessed unusual power.

Song Xirui smiled kindly. "That is not difficult. However, I cannot allow you to take his life just yet. You must slow down your consumption of his vitality. Leave your birth data with me, and I will burn incense for you. How does that sound?"

The ghost nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Three days later, Su Yun’s condition began to improve.

—

At Hongfu Restaurant, a tattered scholar looked humbly at the woman behind the screen. "May I ask why you bestowed this silver upon me?"

Song Xirui smiled, her voice like an oriole. "Think nothing of it. I merely cherish talent."

The man was stunned; she was so generous simply because she cherished talent. Choked with emotion and gratitude, he said, "If Xu Fu should place high in the examinations one day, I will never forget your kindness!"

After he left, Song Xirui departed the restaurant for another destination. She had been secretly contacting several impoverished scholars, providing them with covert support. If they were to achieve greatness in the future, they would serve as a powerful alliance.

—

"Yun’er! You’ve finally woken up!" Madam Li wept.

Su Yun looked surprised. "Mother, what is going on? Why is my body so sore, as if I’ve been beaten all over?" He looked at Madam Li and Luo Yun’er in bewilderment.

Luo Yun’er walked over, tears streaming down her face. "My husband, you don't know—you were ill! Mother and I have been caring for you day and night, and only now have you recovered! Wuwuwu!"

Su Yun was startled. "How... how long have I been ill?"

Luo Yun’er pursed her lips. "About... about a dozen days or so..."

A dozen days! Su Yun felt as if struck by lightning. He had intended to visit the Third Prince, but now it seemed there was no need.

Following this, Luo Yun’er and Madam Li poured out their grievances, complaining about how Song Xirui had cut household expenses while he was bedridden. Already seething with frustration, Su Yun was incensed and prepared to settle the score with her.

—

Having finished contacting the scholars, Song Xirui returned to the Scholar’s Mansion. A servant was waiting at the gate: "Young Mistress, the Young Master asks that you go to his study."

Song Xirui nodded. "I understand." She instructed Hongdou to take the pastries she had bought as a cover back to Begonia Courtyard, then headed to Su Yun’s study.

Upon her arrival, Su Yun snapped, "You spend your days enjoying yourself, buying this and that, while Mother and Yun’er can barely afford a meal!"

Facing his accusations, Song Xirui looked aggrieved. "How can you say such things, Husband? Do you wish to break my heart? Do you not know that your recovery was due to my nightly efforts to dissolve the curse? Why treat me like this?" Her voice was so mournful it could soften a heart.

Under normal circumstances, Su Yun would have relented. But having lost his position with the Third Prince, he was in a rage. "And so what? You are my wife; this is your duty! Do you expect me to praise you?"

"I tell you this: restoring the Su household to its former luxury is your responsibility now! If Mother complains about the food or if anything is missing, I will hold you accountable!"

Before he could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his heart and collapsed to the floor.

Song Xirui cried out, "Someone help! My husband is ill again!" She then turned and walked away, returning to Begonia Courtyard.

By the time the servants rushed in and Su Yun was writhing on the floor, he suddenly felt his body recover. Now, Su Yun understood—Song Xirui was keeping him in check! He realized that until he was completely rid of this bad luck, he must not vent his anger on her again.

—

In Begonia Courtyard, Hongdou asked, "Mistress, did the Young Master give you a hard time?"

Song Xirui gestured for her to close the door and shook her head slightly. "Him? Could he ever truly trouble me?"

It seemed she had made life too comfortable for Su Yun these past few days. She had originally intended to let him fall from the heights only when he was at his most arrogant, but since his arrogance was now an eyesore, that plan would have to change.

"Send word to your brother," Song Xirui told Hongdou. "Let him know why I have been selling off my assets and how Su Yun has been forcing me to supplement the Song family’s funds. Remember, do not make it too obvious; don't give anyone a handle to use against us."

Hongdou, skilled in such matters, replied immediately, "Don't worry, Mistress! My brother has opened several shops recently; he can handle it with ease!"