Chapter 57: Forcing People In

"Madam Su, Su Yun met with the Third Prince in a restaurant in the city. Su Yun arrived first, and the Third Prince arrived half an hour later. The two of them left separately."

Song Xirui gently nodded and asked, "How did Su Yun look after meeting the Third Prince?"

The shadow guard replied, "His expression was somewhat grave."

Grave...

It seems that altering Su Yun's fortune during this period has indeed won him the Third Prince's favor, entrusting him with the imperial examinations once again.

Otherwise, judging by Su Yun's reaction, he should have been despondent.

Therefore, the Third Prince must have entrusted him with an important task and given him a thorny problem to solve.

Then, Song Xirui asked another shadow guard, "And you? After he went to see Luo Yun'er, was there anything unusual about his expression?"

Unable to hold back a smirk, the shadow guard replied, "He originally wanted to be intimate with that woman, but upon seeing that she had gained a considerable amount of weight, he forcibly held himself back and left after exchanging just a few words."

He recalled the scene he had witnessed outside the estate.

Though Su Yun kept a straight face, he could hardly conceal the disgust in his eyes.

Song Xirui's lips curled into a smile as well.

Su Yun's fondness for Luo Yun'er was largely based on her physical appearance. Since it was not yet possible to drive a wedge between them completely, this tactic would do for now.

However, it wouldn't be enough for just Luo Yun'er to gain weight; when the time came, Su Yun would also have to become unsightly, just to see if Luo Yun'er would despise him then.

Afterward, Song Xirui dismissed the two guards.

She began to ponder other matters.

An hour later, Song Xirui arrived at Madam Li's courtyard.

"Mother-in-law." With a radiant smile, Song Xirui instructed Hongdou to present the newly purchased fabric. "Mother, Xirui noticed that your garments were looking a bit worn, which simply wouldn't do. Therefore, I searched specifically for a piece of understated and dignified material to bring to you. Please see if you like it, Mother."

Madam Li had initially intended to be perfunctory, but upon hearing this and looking forward—

Oh, it was exquisite fabric.

Why had this Song Xirui suddenly changed her tune today, knowing how to cozy up to her mother-in-law?

Complying with the adage that one does not strike a smiling face, Madam Li gave a light cough and smiled, "You are so filial. It would have been quite enough just to come and see me, an old woman; you needn't have spent so much."

Putting on a docile expression, Song Xirui replied, "Mother has been exceptionally good to me, so it is only natural that I return your kindness."

Madam Li was instantly taken aback.

What on earth was going on inside the head of a daughter-in-law from a wealthy family?

Such behavior, yet Song Xirui still felt she had been treated well?

She could only manage a dry laugh. "What are you saying? A mother-in-law cherishes her daughter-in-law; it is only proper."

As the two chatted, Madam Li casually dropped a hint. "Sigh, with Yun'er having no one to look after him all day, and you busy with household chores as well, it truly hasn't been easy."

As she spoke, she intentionally observed Song Xirui's expression.

Living up to expectations, Song Xirui blinked and asked, "Is Mother wishing to bring someone new into my husband's quarters?"

Madam Li startled, fearing the younger woman was about to fly into a rage, and hurriedly chuckled sheepishly, "Don't take it to heart, Mother was merely speaking off the top of her head. In this household, the final word is always yours."

This Song Xirui was a formidable woman. Even if she wanted to place someone in Su Yun's rooms, she would need this woman's consent.

To her utter astonishment, Song Xirui nodded and said, "Mother is entirely right. I am tied up with affairs, and Younger Sister Yun'er is currently recuperating at the estate, making it inconvenient for her to attend to my husband. He truly needs someone attentive and understanding by his side."

Madam Li thought she would be angry?

How ridiculous! She was more than eager for someone to enter the household, if only to stop Su Yun from hovering around her day in and day out.

Furthermore, with a concubine entering the household and Su Yun doting on the newcomer, a rift was bound to form between him and Luo Yun'er.

In that case, this played right into her hands as a brilliant move.

Delighted by this development, Madam Li exclaimed in pleasant surprise, "Ruier, are you telling the truth? You permit your husband to take a concubine?"

Could this Song Xirui be an utterly foolish simpleton?

Assuming a magnanimous air, Song Xirui nodded with a smile, "Indeed, Mother. I consent to my husband taking a concubine; as long as my husband is happy, Ruier is content with whatever comes!"

"Oh heavens, what a good child you are!" Madam Li grabbed Song Xirui's hand and beamed, "Mother knew it! Coming from a distinguished family, you are entirely different from those women of lesser background. Truly reasonable and understanding!"

Without a trace of emotion, Song Xirui gently withdrew her hand from the older woman's grasp and merely responded, "Mother flatters me, this is only what a daughter-in-law ought to do."

With that, she turned and left to wash her hands.

By the time Su Yun returned from the academy, Madam Li had already informed him of the matter.

Upon hearing this, Su Yun clucked his tongue in wonder.

Logically speaking, women were the most prone to jealousy.

Since Song Xirui supposedly loved him deeply, how could she be so magnanimous as to let him take a concubine?

Could it be that her affections had already wandered, and she was merely humoring him on the surface?

At this thought, Su Yun pushed aside his joy and walked straight to the Begonia Courtyard.

However, Song Xirui had already finished her evening meal, regained her vigor, and was calmly waiting for him to test her.

"Xirui." Su Yun entered the room and immediately said, "Pay no heed to my mother's nonsense. Having you as a virtuous wife and Yun'er as a beloved concubine is already enough for me in this lifetime. I certainly will not take another concubine."

He wanted to test whether Song Xirui was truly so virtuous and magnanimous, or if she was playing mind games with him while plotting against him behind his back.

Su Yun was a master at playing the role of a warm, flawless gentleman.

Song Xirui was momentarily taken aback.

So Su Yun had actually come here to pledge his loyalty to her.

Therefore, she deliberately said, "If my husband truly means this, then I shall go and ask Mother to forgive us and rescind her command."

"Ah?"

For a moment, Su Yun did not know what to say.

Why was this turning out completely differently from what he had anticipated?

Hadn't Song Xirui just urged him to accept a concubine?

Before he could even process it, Song Xirui burst into tears.

"In truth, how could I possibly want my husband to be entangled with other women? It is simply that my constitution is too frail, rendering me utterly incapable of serving my husband properly. As for Younger Sister Yun'er, though she is gentle and quiet, hearing Mother bring up taking a concubine for you made me feel as though hundreds of ants were gnawing at my heart—I wished I were dead. Yet, when I think that my husband is in the prime of his life, and if his desires go unfulfilled, it might ruin his prospects!"

"But if my husband himself is unwilling, then naturally Ruier is overjoyed. No matter what, the decision rests with my husband; Ruier will obey whatever he decides."

Hearing this, Su Yun believed seven or eight parts of it.

"Ruier, are you truly willing to help me look for a concubine?"

With tear-filled eyes, Song Xirui nodded. "As long as my husband desires it, how could I dare disobey?"

A broad smile broke across Su Yun's face. "Ruier, you are right. Then let it be done according to your wishes."

Suppressing her sneer, Song Xirui instructed Hongdou to bring out some wine and side dishes.

After the meal, Su Yun was in exceptionally high spirits. "My wife, do you know who is expected to take the top spot as the chief laureate in these imperial examinations?"