Chapter Six: A Five-Day Deadline

“Divorce?” Xiao Yunci’s gaze settled on Song Xirui’s face.

Su Yungui was the top scholar; countless women admired him, yet she wanted a divorce?

Song Xirui allowed him to scrutinize her without a hint of retreat in her expression.

“Why do you want to divorce him?” Xiao Yunci withdrew his gaze, his tone indifferent.

He intended to verify her words. If she dared deceive him, she would soon learn the consequences of angering him.

Song Xirui pressed her lips, offering a sorrowful smile. “Everyone says Su Yun is gentle and talented, a catch worthy of pride. It was I, Song Xirui, who chose him, who gave myself such an ideal husband.”

It was precisely that mild-mannered face that had fooled her!

Mistake after mistake, until there was no turning back.

Xiao Yunci raised an eyebrow. “Is that not so? Su Yungui’s talent is known to all.”

Song Xirui shook her head bitterly, her words full of anguish.

“If I hadn’t accompanied him day and night in study, and lent the full might of the Marquis’s household, could he have risen so swiftly?”

“Marrying into the Su family, I realized he was no good man.”

“Within days of our wedding, his concubine already came knocking, claiming to be his cousin!”

“Not to mention my mother-in-law, who early on moved the household’s wealth into her private treasury, leaving barely a dozen taels of silver to my steward, expecting me alone to fill the entire Su family’s coffers.”

At this, she raised her eyes to meet Xiao Yunci’s: “The Su family is ruthless; why should I hang myself on this crooked tree called Su Yun?”

Their eyes locked, and Xiao Yunci clearly saw the hatred burning in hers, yet he said nothing.

Song Xirui sighed inwardly; this man was indeed difficult.

Recalling the extraordinary background of Luo Yun’er, she deliberately said, “Su Yun lied to me, saying his concubine was a hunter’s daughter, but it’s not so.”

“This woman’s manner and behavior are far from common folk; she is no mountain village girl. There’s a subtle air of royalty about her. If the General trusts me, please help me investigate.”

Royal aura?

Xiao Yunci frowned slightly.

A princess of the imperial clan would either be raised in the palace or married to a noble family. How could she willingly become a concubine, entering under the guise of a cousin?

Nonsense.

But Song Xirui dared to ask him to investigate, so she must have some confidence.

His mind filled with suspicion, but his face showed no sign of it. “Whether what you say is true or false is yet unknown. How do you expect me to help? Leave quickly and say no more.”

Song Xirui knew he would not easily believe her, so she said:

“If the General is willing to trust Xirui, within five days, I will surely show results.”

Without offering proof, how could she soothe this General whose heart was as deep as the sea?

Xiao Yunci found her words convincing enough to stir some curiosity.

---

“Are you so sure?”

“Of course. I never speak lightly.” Song Xirui smiled faintly at him, confidence shining in her eyes.

Xiao Yunci’s gaze shifted slightly.

This woman carried many mysteries; just this list in her hand proved she knew many secrets. If she truly had some skill, there was no harm in using her.

“Very well. I agree. If you can produce what I want, I shall help you get the divorce.”

Upon hearing this, Song Xirui’s smile blossomed: “Thank you, General. I will not disappoint you.”

Her plan was beginning to take shape!

With Xiao Yunci as her shield, how could she not squeeze the Su family into her palm?

As she prepared to take her leave, a loud, rough voice suddenly rang out.

“General! There’s an assassin!”

Deputy General Qu burst in, shouting.

Song Xirui was startled. After all, she was a woman; if people saw her coming and going behind the General’s mansion, trouble would surely follow...

She looked down at her shattered hairpin with a trace of resentment.

“Don’t turn around.” Xiao Yunci stepped forward, standing opposite her.

Then he faced Deputy General Qu, who was about to approach, and ordered, “Halt.”

Deputy General Qu abruptly stopped, turning in circles on the spot.

He was baffled, staring at the figure dressed as a man but clearly female, and asked in confusion, “General, there’s an assassin in the front courtyard, but this...”

What was going on?

“There is an assassin,” Xiao Yunci said, looking down. “Right beneath your feet.”

Deputy General Qu followed his gaze.

Wow!

The person had been pierced clean through by the General!

He quietly stepped aside and pointed to the woman standing with her back to him: “General, is this person the assassin? I’ll take her down for you!”

Xiao Yunci shook his head slowly: “She is an old friend, who came to rescue me upon hearing of my danger. Go fetch a hairpin.”

Deputy General Qu understood at once.

This person’s identity was special; it was better he not know.

He saluted immediately: “I shall go at once.”

Then he turned and left.

Song Xirui finally relaxed, her almond-shaped eyes smiling: “Thank you, General, for rescuing me.”

---

“No matter. If you were recognized and lost your virtue, that would be a minor matter. But tarnishing my reputation is a grave one.” Xiao Yunci remained unmoved.

Song Xirui was silent.

This man was impervious to flattery or reproach. In the past, she would have secretly resented him in her heart, but now, after a second chance at life, she would not judge by appearances alone.

Those tender and loving hearts can be as hard as iron.

Those cold and indifferent souls may still harbor light within.

The world is often contradictory.

Soon, the hairpin was brought.

Xiao Yunci took it, dismissed Deputy General Qu and others, then handed the hairpin to her: “I will send someone to escort you out the back gate.”

“Very well.” Song Xirui took it, gently gathered her hair into a bun, and put on the hairpin.

Xiao Yunci’s starry eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of the pale mark on her neck but quickly looked away.

Exiting the rear courtyard of the Xiao residence, Song Xirui deliberately made a detour before finding the tailor’s shop and changing back into women’s clothes.

Returning to the coachman who had waited so long, she gave a few instructions and boarded the carriage.

Meanwhile,

Xiao Yunci summoned his trusted aide: “Zhou Wen, investigate what happened to Song Xirui after she married into the Su family, including her relationship with Su Yun before the wedding—every detail, the causes and consequences, as thorough as possible.”

“Yes!” Zhou Wen accepted the order and left.

—

When Song Xirui returned to the Su mansion, before she could even sip her tea, a torrent of scolding from Li Shi came crashing down.

“Tell me, how could you manage the steward so poorly? That storeroom was robbed!”

Li Shi was furious!

Had she known Song Xirui could not keep the household in order, she would never have taken out those tens of thousands of taels!

That was her lifeline!

“What?!” The joy in Song Xirui’s eyes flickered and was replaced by panic. “How could this be? How could this happen?!”

Hongdou was truly capable; the task was done so well, she would reward her handsomely later.

So satisfying!

Seeing Song Xirui’s incompetent state, Li Shi was even more enraged, nearly stomping with fury, her finger sharp as she berated, “I entrusted this storeroom to you only a few days ago, and such a thing happens! You useless woman!”

She slammed the tea on the table to the floor, her face contorted with rage.

“Tell me, what are you going to do? If you don’t have a solution, Yun’er won’t let you off easily either!”