Chapter 19: Rumors Spread Far and Wide

"How is it impossible?" Song Xirui asked, her voice trembling with grievance, "In my husband's heart, do you trust Luo Yun'er so implicitly that you immediately conclude it is I who have wronged her?"

Su Yun hurriedly attempted to soothe her, "That is not what I meant. There must be some misunderstanding. Yun'er is a kind-hearted soul by nature; how could she possibly stir up such trouble?"

"Exactly. Rui'er, you are being truly unreasonable. You already caused a scene in this courtyard just a few days ago, and now you are at it again!" added Lady Li.

Hearing this, Song Xirui flared with anger. "Mother-in-law! Is this how the Su family operates—unable to distinguish right from wrong, black from white? Luo Yun'er sent Chunxiang to harm me; the witnesses and evidence are all here, yet you still insist on speaking for her?"

Witnesses and evidence? Lady Li looked at her son with a flicker of suspicion.

Su Yun pursed his lips and offered Song Xirui a gentle, placating smile. "Rui'er, it is true that Yun'er may harbor some resentment toward you, but she does not have the courage to harm your life. Most likely, you have simply misunderstood her."

"Ha," Song Xirui let out a cold laugh. She pointed at the bowl of fish soup in Hongdou's hands. "Husband, this soup is poisoned. If you do not believe me, summon Luo Yun'er and have her drink it herself. If she does, I will admit I was wrong!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Lady Li cried out in a panic. She could not allow Luo Yun'er to be driven out. She rushed forward and knocked the bowl of fish soup from Hongdou's hands, shattering it on the floor.

"Now the physical evidence is gone!" Lady Li declared defiantly. "As for the witness's testimony, who knows if it wasn't coerced by you?"

Chunxiang's eyes darted around, and she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes! The Madam forced me to say it! I didn't poison anything, I didn't!"

"You are all bullies!" Hongdou, having suppressed her anger until now, could no longer remain silent. She felt a deep sense of injustice for her mistress. The servants in the courtyard were also shocked; they felt the old mistress and the young master were clearly biased. But being of low status, they dared not speak and only stood with their heads bowed. Little did they know that the human heart is a formidable thing; if they did not speak now, would they not spread the tale in private?

Song Xirui gently pulled Hongdou's hand and squeezed it. She swept her gaze over Su Yun and Lady Li and said only, "Since Mother and Husband are determined to favor Luo Yun'er, I have nothing more to say. Hongdou, let us return."

"Rui'er..." Su Yun, feeling a sense of unease, called out to her, but Song Xirui did not pause for a second, leading her people from Begonia Court.

***

In Begonia Court, Hongdou was fuming. "Madam, the master has no heart at all!"

"How could he not have a heart?" Song Xirui reached out to pinch her cheek, smiling. "He simply has the heart of a beast."

Hongdou whispered, "If we had known things would turn out this way, it would have been better if you had never married into this family."

"Hongdou, there is no turning back in this world. Instead of resentment, it is better to fight back," Song Xirui smiled faintly at her. "Go and tell your brother what happened today. Have him spread the story throughout the city—the louder, the better!"

"Understood!" Hongdou nodded firmly. "Do not worry, Madam, I will go at once!"

***

Two days later, Su Yun returned from the morning court session. He stormed into Begonia Court and kicked open the door to Song Xirui's room.

Song Xirui was startled, but her expression quickly turned cold. She looked at the dark-faced Su Yun and said icily, "If you wish to vent your anger, Husband, you might go elsewhere. Why take it out on a weak woman like me? You could always go to Cousin Yun'er; she is simple-minded and will surely know how to comfort you."

"Song Xirui, why must you be this way?" Su Yun’s eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted. "If you hadn't been crying and making a scene at home every day, would this matter have become common knowledge? It has reached the ears of the censors, and today alone, I received four or five impeachment memorials!"

His foundation in the imperial court was already precarious. Although the Emperor had not demoted him yet, he was clearly displeased.

"Husband, today's troubles in the household all stem from Cousin Yun'er. If you send her away, I guarantee that neither in the court nor among the neighbors will anyone speak a word against you again," Song Xirui said dismissively.

"You are merely jealous of Yun'er!" Su Yun, blinded by rage, shouted, "Do you know that jealousy is one of the seven grounds for divorce? Xirui, do you not cherish the bond between us?!"

He was gambling—betting that Song Xirui would not dare to seek a separation. Or rather, a separation? How could he let her off so easily? He would cast her aside! If she dared to do this again, he would divorce her!

Before Song Xirui could respond, Hongdou interjected, "Master, how can you be so cruel? My mistress loves you deeply. You have been married for only a month, yet you treat Miss Yun'er like the apple of your eye and shout at our mistress! You have no conscience!"

Su Yun was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage. He swept a teacup off the table, smashing it to the floor. "What are you? Where does a servant get the right to speak? It is you, little girl, who incites the Madam against the cousin. Someone, drag Hongdou out and give her fifty lashes!"

He had brought men with him. As the servants rushed in to seize Hongdou, Song Xirui stood up abruptly and shouted, "Let me see who dares!"

The men froze in their tracks.

Su Yun sneered, "Madam, am I now unable to even discipline a servant in my own house? Has this Top Scholar's mansion become your domain?"

"Su Yun!" Song Xirui spoke his name with indifference. "Do not say I didn't warn you. The strange occurrences you suffered only stopped a few days ago! If you dare to touch a single hair on Hongdou's head, from this day forward, we shall live our separate lives. Do not even dream of me helping you again!"

Su Yun's heart skipped a beat. How could he have forgotten that? It was all because he had been so agitated by Song Xirui these past few days! He looked for an excuse to back down, eyeing Hongdou coldly. "For the sake of your mistress's plea, I will spare you for today!"

Feeling humiliated, he turned and walked away, his entourage trailing behind him sheepishly.

Watching their retreating figures, Hongdou made a fierce face at them and turned to lock the door.

***

Back in his study, Su Yun smashed everything in sight. "How dare she climb onto my head and act so arrogantly! If it weren't for the fact that she is still useful, I would have divorced her already! I would let her be cursed by thousands and gossiped about by everyone!" He finished smashing the books and began venting his rage on the inexpensive porcelain.

*Bang!*

The bookshelf swayed, and a jade vase tumbled down, striking him squarely on the forehead.

"Ow!" Su Yun screamed, clutching his head. He looked down to find his hand covered in blood.

***

Meanwhile, Song Xirui raised an eyebrow upon hearing that Su Yun had been injured. Given his destiny, without her continued support—and considering that his own rage was detrimental to his well-being—his streak of bad luck would naturally begin to manifest.

Late that night, a figure suddenly climbed over the wall outside the window.