Chapter Twenty-One: The Return of Treacherous Intentions

A burst of laughter erupted.

The storyteller was not offended, smiling as he said, “It’s not quite what you think. This cousin was secretly promised in marriage to the top scholar before he even passed the imperial exams! After bringing her into his household, he claimed she was just a cousin, but in truth, she was his beloved. Within a month, she was already with child!”

At these words, a woman blushed deeply, yet could not help but listen intently.

How thrilling!

Far more interesting than any tales of generals at war!

The storyteller chuckled warmly, “Naturally, the top scholar cherished this woman dearly, holding her as delicately as a flower. But fate was not kind—one day, his official wife discovered the truth!”

“What! The top scholar actually has a wife!” a woman in the crowd exclaimed angrily. “So, he was keeping a concubine all along and even brought her into the household!”

The teahouse instantly erupted in uproar.

Men keeping concubines was hardly honorable.

But for the top scholar to not only keep one but bring her under the nose of his lawful wife—that was truly outrageous!

Even some men disapproved.

“Storyteller, tell us quickly! What happened next? Did the cousin die?”

At this question, the tense atmosphere below the stage lightened with eager anticipation.

Upstairs in the private room, Song Xirui smiled as she saw Hongdou listening with rapt attention.

Hongdou glanced at her. “Madam, listen closely! We’re about to reach the most exciting part!”

Sure enough, the storyteller’s voice carried clearly even into the private room.

“Alas! The top scholar was resolute in his affection for the concubine, but with shallow pockets, he demanded his wife use her family’s money to support her, especially to care for her pregnancy. The wife, a woman of strong will and noble birth, refused outright. This led to the husband’s displeasure!”

The crowd below immediately erupted in sympathy for the wife.

Seeing this, the storyteller added spice, “Had it ended there, life could have gone on despite the hardship. But the concubine was wicked-hearted—she actually poisoned the wife’s tea!”

At this, he deliberately paused.

An apple suddenly flew onto the stage. “Hurry up! What happened to the wife? Tell us!” shouted an enraptured listener.

The storyteller caught the apple with practiced ease, smiling, “Fear not, the wife survived—she was prepared and avoided disaster. She confronted the poisoner and went to speak to the scholar herself! But the scholar was truly heartless. He spilled the poisoned tea and forced a maid to change her testimony! Enraged, the wife demanded a divorce!”

“Bravo! Bravo!” the crowd cheered.

The storyteller sighed, “Alas, fate did not favor her. The scholar, coveting the wealth of the wife’s family, refused to grant the divorce. Seeing no other way, the wife left by boat to the south, choosing to avoid the sight of her tormentor. Ultimately, she died in sorrow.”

As he finished, a dozen bananas were flung towards the stage.

The crowd dispersed in chatter.

Amidst them, someone murmured, “Doesn’t this story sound a bit like Scholar Su?”

—

An incense stick burned down.

In the private room upstairs.

“Your storytelling was superb. This is your payment. Tonight, you must leave the city,” Song Xirui handed over a silver note.

The storyteller accepted it, nodding repeatedly. “Thank you, madam. Rest assured, Scholar Su is a man of talent but no virtue. Even if I go south, I will continue to tell this tale.”

Song Xirui’s beautiful eyes curved gently. “Thank you, sir. Take care.”

—

Upon leaving the teahouse, Song Xirui returned home, only to be seized at the door by Lady Li.

The two exchanged glances. Song Xirui, uninterested in engaging, simply greeted coldly, “Greetings, mother-in-law,” then turned to retreat to the courtyard.

“Stop right there.” Lady Li was displeased but, thinking of her empty coffers, softened her tone. “Xirui, it was my fault before. Come, sit in my room. Let us have a heart-to-heart.”

Song Xirui had no intention of granting her that satisfaction and found a casual excuse. “I am ill and only ventured out to get some fresh air. Now I am fatigued. Let’s discuss any matters tomorrow.”

After all, there was nothing good to discuss.

“Xirui.” Lady Li, unaware she was being brushed off, smiled sweetly, her wrinkles blooming like chrysanthemums. “You are so stubborn. We are family—there can be no grudges overnight. Come, come, sit with me.”

If not for her real intention of coaxing Song Xirui to part with money, she would not have lowered herself so.

Reflecting on recent days, what kind of life was this?

There was less meat in the dishes than before!

Since her son became the top scholar, had she ever endured such humiliation?

Song Xirui’s brow twitched slightly, a flicker in her eyes.

Lady Li’s expression shifted, undoubtedly scheming again.

Let’s see what plan she has in mind.

Inside the room, Su Yun was present.

Upon seeing Song Xirui, he rose quickly. “Xirui, you’re here.”

Song Xirui replied coolly, “Greetings, husband.”

Her demeanor was colder than usual, a stark contrast to the past.

Su Yun was not angry, only saying, “Sit down quickly. Mother wishes to discuss something with you.”

Once seated, Lady Li beamed warmly, “Xirui, I hear your dowry includes not only silver but also a shop, is that so?”

If not for Luo Yun’er’s hint, she would not have realized Song Xirui still held a storefront.

Indeed! As the only daughter of the marquis’s household, Song Xirui would not have come with just silver and some jewelry!

Having offended her these days, life at home had been difficult.

They needed to coax the shop out of her hands.

Song Xirui smiled knowingly.

So Lady Li and Su Yun had their eyes on the shop.

No wonder it took them so long to come up with this “brilliant” plan.

“Xirui, the household is truly short of silver. Otherwise, I wouldn’t ask this of you!” Lady Li said again when Song Xirui remained silent.

Song Xirui glanced at Su Yun and reluctantly said, “Mother, I no longer have the shop. It has been sold.”

Hmph. Long before Lady Li and the others thought of this, she had already transferred the shop to someone she trusted.

“Impossible!” Lady Li and Su Yun were shocked.

“Xirui, do you want to watch the household struggle without funds while your husband worries every day?” Lady Li cried. “That shop is worth a fortune. How could you sell it without telling me?”

After shouting, she demanded, “Where is the money?”

Song Xirui covered her chest and feigned a cough twice. “Mother, that money was long spent. I needed medicine and, seeing the household’s hardship, didn’t dare ask you. So naturally, I used my dowry to support us. Besides, dowry is a woman’s private property. How I use it is none of your concern.”

A husband spending his wife’s dowry was a grave disgrace.

Even if Lady Li could bear to lose face, Su Yun dared not make a fuss.

“Song Xirui!”

Lady Li dropped all pretense.

“How dare you disrespect your elders so! Do you even have any regard for me, your mother-in-law? This is unfilial!”