Chapter Fourteen: This Is Impossible

With Song Xirui’s assistance, the urgent crisis in the Ministry of Revenue was resolved, and the plague and famine in the capital city began to subside.

His Majesty praised Li Cunyi several times.

Apparently, even the emperor himself had never expected that the Ministry of Revenue’s funds were intact.

Yet the Crown Prince’s gaze was thoughtful as it swept over.

How could there still be money in Li Cunyi’s hands?

It seemed impossible.

Li Cunyi felt as if sharp needles pricked his back, his heart racing.

After the morning court session, the Crown Prince met him at their usual place.

“Minister Li, there is still silver in the Ministry of Revenue?” The Crown Prince asked directly.

His appearance was delicate, a stark contrast to the vigorous and majestic emperor in his youth.

“This...” Li Cunyi thought uneasily: if he admitted there was, it would imply negligence; if he denied it, he would have to confess everything about his dealings with Xiao Yunci.

Given the Crown Prince’s temperament, if he learned of any connection with Xiao Yunci, he would rather kill in error than show mercy.

The Crown Prince’s eyes darkened slightly. “Is this question so difficult to answer?”

Some said Li Cunyi was untrustworthy; it now seemed true.

His voice soft yet tinged with authority, the Crown Prince said, “Minister Li, water can carry a boat but also capsize it; do you understand this principle?”

“Your Highness, please forgive me,” Li Cunyi bowed deeply. “I have served you loyally as the sun and moon bear witness. It was with the help of a certain party that I managed to resolve the crisis in the capital.”

The Crown Prince’s gaze sharpened. “Help?”

“Yes.” Li Cunyi swallowed hard. “It was Madam Su, the wife of Scholar Su. She cares deeply for the people and wished to aid the court in overcoming this hardship. After much consideration, I accepted her grain and medicine. It was never my intention to conceal this from Your Highness.”

He wiped sweat from his brow and continued, “The Ministry was in dire straits. If His Majesty discovered this, blame would surely fall upon me. If it implicated Your Highness, it would be a grievous crime. That is why I...”

Seeing his anxious demeanor, the Crown Prince believed him only partially but motioned for him to rise. “You have served me faithfully for many years; naturally, I trust you. But if this woman is so capable, I would like to meet her. Can you arrange it?”

Li Cunyi knew the Crown Prince’s nature left him no choice. He nodded firmly. “I will make arrangements and send a message to Your Highness.”

“Good.” The Crown Prince smiled warmly, his kindness unmistakable.

Once outside, the Crown Prince entered his carriage and lightly added, “Investigate Song Xirui.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Silently, someone began to move.

---

After his confidant left, the Crown Prince toyed with the jade pendant at his waist, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Song Xirui, Madam Su Yun’s wife? She wields such great influence? There must be powerful forces behind her.”

---

At the Su residence, Song Xirui had already received Li Cunyi’s letter, summoning her to meet at a villa west of the city.

“To discuss matters, why go so far?” she murmured.

Beside her, Hongdou tilted his head. “Where is Madam going?”

Song Xirui shook her head. “Prepare yourself. We’re going to the west side of the city to enjoy the flowers.”

“Good! Madam loves flowers the most!” Hongdou bounced off to prepare.

Song Xirui glanced once more at the letter, then tucked it into her sleeve. If Li Cunyi wanted to meet, it would be most appropriate to go to the eastern annex. Why insist on the villa?

Something was amiss; the visitor bore no good intentions.

Yet she resolved to go, to probe the truth.

Just as she prepared to disguise herself, Su Yun came to find her.

The plague having eased somewhat, the Su family’s attention turned again to Song Xirui.

“Xirui, I have something to discuss with you. I hope you won’t be angry.”

Su Yun’s face bore a trace of apology—last lifetime, Song Xirui had only seen such an expression once, when she learned he planned to take Luo Yun’er as a concubine.

“Husband, we are united as one. Why speak in riddles?” Song Xirui met his gaze calmly.

“It’s like this,” Su Yun said, smiling despite his irritation at her coolness. “Yun’er is pregnant.”

Song Xirui froze.

Pregnant?

In the previous life, Luo Yun’er had not been with child before becoming Su Yun’s concubine. How could she suddenly be pregnant now?

Su Yun was lying!

She suspected Luo Yun’er and Lady Li were conspiring as well.

These few in the Su family intended to toy with her just as before.

Su Yun saw she could not accept the news and was about to console her.

Suddenly, Song Xirui smashed her teacup onto the floor, appearing ready to fight.

Outside, hiding at the corner of the wall, Luo Yun’er and Lady Li were startled.

Song Xirui’s temper was fiercer than they had imagined!

---

Luo Yun’er’s heart leapt with joy.

Fine! Let her taste the bitterness of jealousy!

Then she overheard Song Xirui’s furious curses.

“Which bastard ruined Yun’er’s purity? I swear I will break his legs and send him to the countryside to grind grain with donkeys! No mercy!”

“Damnable beast!”

Such curses!

However, Su Yun had not yet told Song Xirui that the child in Yun’er’s womb was his; she was merely cursing an adulterer.

Luo Yun’er glanced at Lady Li’s face—her eyes were bloodshot with anger, barely restraining herself from erupting.

Hmph, this is good. Song Xirui had thoroughly become a wicked woman in Lady Li’s heart. Controlling Su Yun would be effortless from now on.

Unexpectedly, Song Xirui continued, “Husband! Yun’er must not stay here any longer. The child in her womb cannot be kept either. Don’t you have an old friend in Jiangnan? Though older, thirty-five by now, his wife recently passed. He surely won’t mind Yun’er becoming a secondary wife. Speak to him well and arrange it!”

Luo Yun’er felt struck by lightning, stepping forward to enter but was firmly stopped by Lady Li, who shook her head and waved her back.

Stop! Hold on! First get the silver!

Luo Yun’er forced herself to endure.

Inside, Su Yun’s gentle face twisted in anger. “Enough! Stop talking! Yun’er’s child is mine!”

To call him a beast—Song Xirui had great courage.

He stifled his fury. “Last month, before we were married, I was drunk one night and mistook her for you, so...”

Before Song Xirui could explode, he softened his tone. “Xirui, don’t be angry. The child is mine after all. Will you care for Yun’er properly?”

Song Xirui sneered.

How could she swallow this injustice?

“Husband, you actually had an affair with Yun’er!” she questioned tearfully.

Su Yun grew impatient with her outburst. “Yun’er must rest to protect the fetus. The household is short on funds. Can you lend some silver for her care?”

Song Xirui nearly laughed in anger.

Ask the lawful wife to support the concubine’s pregnancy?

The phrase ‘beast in human guise’ was made for Su Yun.

“Husband,” her voice cold, “you know well these days my health has not improved and the treasury was looted. All the money went to medicine. Where would I have silver left for Yun’er’s care?”