Chapter 44 Interrogation

"Alright, alright, we both look like painted cats now," Song Xirui said with a smile to Hongdou. "Tonight, we'll get a good night's sleep and keep each other company."

"Mmm!" Hongdou nodded, then opened her mouth in a wide yawn.

Feeling unwell and having taken her medicine, drowsiness washed over her, and she fell fast asleep within moments.

Song Xirui, however, gazed at the single candle flickering in the room, her expression deeply gloomy.

Was the assassin the Third Prince, or someone else entirely?

--

The next day.

After waking up, Song Xirui changed Hongdou's dressing, and the two of them had breakfast.

Hongdou began taking her medicine once again.

Before long, a pageboy from the courtyard came to report that Su Yun had entered the estate.

Before the messenger could even withdraw, Su Yun was already approaching the doorway.

These days, he was preoccupied with preparations for the imperial examinations. Although he no longer carried out errands for the Third Prince, he was still a minor official, running around in a frantic rush with no time to spare for household matters.

He had spent the previous night resting at the Hanlin Academy.

Hearing that something had happened to Song Xirui, he had rushed back.

Knowing an interrogation was inevitable, Song Xirui looked at Hongdou and said, "You all step outside first."

Just as her voice trailed off, Su Yun walked in.

"Song Xirui, what on earth are you plotting!"

Hongdou clenched her fists, turned her back, and retreated with the pageboy.

As she passed by Su Yun, however, she shot a fierce glare at his back.

What a heartless master!

Faced with Su Yun's questioning, Song Xirui remained unhurried. "Why is my husband in such a rush? You've quite startled Rui'er."

Seeing her attitude, Su Yun's anger flared up. Yet, having recently received a stern warning, he knew this woman could not be easily offended.

He sat down and forced himself to be patient. "Wife, did you encounter some sort of accident yesterday?"

Song Xirui raised her eyes to look at him, a trace of oddness flashing across her gaze, and feigned astonishment. "How does my husband know about this so quickly? Could it be that you know the identity of the assassin?"

Su Yun pondered for a moment before speaking. "I can't say for certain myself, but let me warn you—don't say I didn't warn you. The matter of you privately socializing with scholars has already leaked out!"

He pressed further, "Song Xirui, you are a married woman, why on earth are you fraternizing with scholars? What are you scheming?"

Song Xirui was unsure whether Su Yun was asking on his own accord or on behalf of the Third Prince.

She frowned and put on an innocent look. "Your concubine merely saw a few scholars who were starving and penniless, unable to afford food and lodging as they came for the imperial examinations. I couldn't bear to watch, so I extended a helping hand out of pity. I never expected someone to see it and spread the word. This truly is my fault, but surely this brush with death has nothing to do with that matter, does it?"

Her question sounded casual, but it was actually a probe.

Su Yun merely furrowed his brow deeper and said, "You are simply far too soft-hearted!"

The Third Prince would undoubtedly learn of this. If he were to be misunderstood as playing tricks right under the prince's nose, the losses would outweigh any gains.

Besides, if any complications arose later, the Third Prince would surely blame him!

This woman Song Xirui was truly idiotic!

Seeing his expression, Song Xirui realized he knew very little.

And naturally so.

The Third Prince did not yet trust Su Yun fully, so how could he possibly tell him everything?

Su Yun's anger was still burning. "It's not that I want to scold you, but times are already hard enough for the household. Why on earth are you wasting money to help those penniless students?"

He was filled with grievances.

Song Xirui rolled her eyes inwardly.

The news of her contact with the scholars had spread, and the Third Prince would certainly vent his anger on Su Yun.

After all, in the eyes of others, a husband and wife were one entity—sharing in both glory and disgrace.

Even if Su Yun was a faithless wretch, so what?

She, Song Xirui, was known as a devoted and affectionate woman.

With this thought in mind, Song Xirui looked aggrievedly at Su Yun, nodding with a docile expression as she played her part: "My husband is right... Your concubine truly was muddle-headed! It's all my own foolishness... Sob..."

As she spoke, she actually managed to squeeze out two tears.

Su Yun was exasperated, yet suddenly he recalled his promise to the Marquis some days ago. If Song Xirui were to return to her maiden home and cry to her doting parents, he would never hear the end of it.

He put on a stern, righteous expression, looking much like a judge, and said in a deep voice, "Very well, the money spent this time will be deducted from your monthly allowance. How about that?"

As he spoke, he secretly observed Song Xirui's reaction.

What a stingy man, Song Xirui thought to herself, though she said gently, "Naturally. Furthermore, Rui'er will reflect upon herself every single day, lest my heart remain unsettled. It's just that it won't be convenient for my husband to come over during this time."

This attitude was deeply pleasing to Su Yun, whose exterior was mild but whose internal nature was domineering.

Thinking of the influential backing Song Xirui possessed, he softened his tone. "Wife, actually, your husband didn't mean to blame you. It's just that the outside world is in a state of panic these days, and we simply have to be a bit more careful. Don't you agree?"

Song Xirui naturally played along with him.

For a moment, the two of them appeared quite harmonious.

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, Song Xirui asked, "Husband, do you know who the person was that secretly poisoned you last time?"

"This..." Su Yun paused.

In his heart, he wanted to say that person had been targeting her, but he was afraid that once exposed, Song Xirui would go make trouble for Luo Yun'er.

Thinking of Luo Yun'er's deep affection for him, Su Yun felt a pang of emotion.

He laughed it off evasively. "I haven't found any clues either. I suppose it was just my own ill fate; I can blame no one else."

Song Xirui frowned. "How can that be? What if someone in the estate truly wished to harm my husband, and that culprit gets away with it! Husband, why don't we report this to the authorities?"

"This... well, that hardly seems necessary."

Hearing her suggestion, Su Yun's heart skipped a beat.

How could he possibly let Luo Yun'er be dragged before the magistrate's court!

Seeing this, Song Xirui did not press him further, gently nodding. "It seems my husband is benevolent and unwilling to pursue the matter."

This flattering high hat placed upon his head left Su Yun feeling dazed and pleased, prompting him to hastily smile and say, "Wife, you mustn't praise your husband too much, or I'll become conceited."

Hearing these words made Song Xirui want to retch.

She immediately prepared to dismiss him.

Just then, however, Su Yun's pageboy knocked on the door from outside and called out, "Young Master!"

Frowning, Su Yun opened the door and snapped impatiently, "What are you shouting for? Acting all panicked and unpresentable."

Shijiu replied, "Young Master, Miss Yun'er's maid has come. She says Miss Yun'er is gravely ill, running a high fever, and deliriously calling the Young Master's name. Would the Young Master like to go check on her now?"

Hearing this, Su Yun's heart gave a jolt.

Turning his head, he saw Song Xirui raising an eyebrow at him.

It was as if she were saying: *Husband, are you really going to go see that concubine?*

He shook his head and offered a fake smile to Song Xirui. "Xirui, Yun'er's constitution has always been frail. If I don't go, I'm afraid she won't recover. See here... would you allow your husband to go check on her?"

Such a dejected and pleading tone genuinely surprised Song Xirui regarding his true feelings for Luo Yun'er.

Displaying the utmost understanding, she nodded with a faint smile. "Yun'er is my cousin as well. It is only right for my husband to go check on her. Hurry along now."

--

Meanwhile, upon hearing that Su Yun was coming, Luo Yun'er resumed her act!