Chapter Thirty-Two: An Unwelcome Turn of Events

Song Xirui cast a glance at him, then silently gathered the bandages to reapply medicine to his wound. To avoid detection, the two kept only a single candle burning on the table while they spoke.

Xiao Yunci watched Song Xirui’s face through the dim candlelight. Seeing her solemn expression, as if she were handling a serious matter of state, he felt his heart flutter involuntarily.

"General," Song Xirui’s crisp voice broke the silence.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yunci replied, his tone laced with slight confusion.

"Regarding your promise to help me break free from the Su family—how does it stand? Have you uncovered any leverage against Su Yun that could assist me in leaving this household?"

Xiao Yunci shook his head slightly. "This matter cannot be rushed. There is no need for you to ask further, Madam. Should there be any progress, I will certainly inform you."

At these words, a flicker of anger rose in Song Xirui’s eyes. Once she finished bandaging his wound, she said coldly, "General Xiao, surely you haven't forgotten our agreement!"

They had entered into a pact: Xiao Yunci sought power, while Song Xirui sought to escape the Su family. She had already presented him with several significant gifts, yet Xiao Yunci had made no move. Could it be that he intended to get something for nothing?

Song Xirui’s temper turned faster than a page in a book, stirring a sense of displeasure in Xiao Yunci.

"Song Xirui, the current situation is that you are the one seeking my help. Must I report every trivial detail to you?" He added with a touch of irritation, "Do not be so ignorant!"

Song Xirui stared at him with cold, steady eyes. Her lips pressed together, letting out a chill. "The ancients said that courtesy demands reciprocity. You have schemed against me several times, yet now you demand I hold my tongue? That is entirely unreasonable!"

She would not allow herself to be manipulated by Xiao Yunci. If this general thought she was a weak woman to be bullied, he had misjudged her.

She stood up and said coldly, "Since the General has nothing to say, and the night is growing late, I must ask you to leave."

The implication was clear: she was showing him the door.

Xiao Yunci did not move, but his face darkened, his features tightening. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew stagnant as the two engaged in a silent standoff.

After a moment, Xiao Yunci lowered his dark eyes and said in a calm voice, "I do not withhold information from you out of deceit, but because the machinations between Su Yun and the Third Prince run deep. The more you know, the greater the danger you are in."

Having accepted Song Xirui’s allegiance, he was not one to be two-faced.

"General," Song Xirui replied softly, "you have already dragged my Song family into the struggle between factions; what is the point of talking about deceit? I am indeed seeking your help, but I do not wish to be a trapped beast, entirely ignorant of the dangers before me. The more I know, the better I can assist you."

Rather than pinning her hopes on others, it was better to keep the initiative in her own hands.

Hearing this, Xiao Yunci took a light sip of tea, his voice tinged with a cold detachment. "There has been no progress today, but since you are so eager to know, Zhou Wen, you tell her."

As he finished speaking, Zhou Wen entered from outside the window and stood before them. He bowed and said, "Master, Madam Su."

Xiao Yunci took another sip of tea. "Tell Madam Su the situation today."

"Yes," Zhou Wen said softly. "Madam Su, although the Third Prince has accepted Su Yun’s money, he does not hold him in high regard. This imperial examination is merely an opportunity the Third Prince is granting Master Su. Only if Master Su passes the test successfully will he truly catch the Third Prince’s eye."

"The imperial examination?" Song Xirui frowned slightly. "Then the fire at the charity hall was not set by Su Yun’s men?"

"You overthink things, Madam," Xiao Yunci scoffed. "You hold this top scholar in too high regard. Apart from his talent for winning over women, the rest of the Scholar Su’s abilities are mediocre at best. It was most likely the Third Prince who cleaned up that mess himself."

His words sounded sour, and Zhou Wen found them quite odd. If he were to say so, his master had been visiting Madam Su far too frequently of late. This task could have been delegated to someone else; why bother coming here in person just to be met with the Madam’s cold sarcasm?

Could it be... *hiss!* He quickly shook the thought from his mind.

Song Xirui, however, remained oblivious. Regarding the exams, the Third Prince needed to recruit many people, and he could not step forward himself. Once Su Yun entered this game, he would inevitably be stained with trouble. If someone were to deliberately provoke him or set traps, wouldn't that allow others to scheme against him without a sound?

Thinking of this, she nodded politely. "It was my own impatience. I hope the General will not take offense."

This polite, measured, and calm attitude made Xiao Yunci realize he had underestimated her.

After Zhou Wen finished his report, he took his leave. For some reason, he always felt that the atmosphere between his master and the Madam was strange, making him feel entirely redundant.

After Zhou Wen left, Xiao Yunci said in a low voice, "The Su residence is treacherous. You would do well to be more careful, Madam."

Struck by this inexplicable concern, a faint smile appeared on Song Xirui’s face. "The General need not worry; I am doing quite well. It is you, General, who lives daily amidst blades and shadows—I fear you may face a bloody disaster in the coming days."

"A bloody disaster?" A faint mockery flickered in his dark eyes. "On which day is there no such disaster for me? If you told me I would live in peace, that would be the true miracle."

Song Xirui shook her head slowly. "What I say is no lie. The baleful energy upon you is heavy. Ordinary misfortunes cannot touch you, but this matter is no small thing."

She did not want anything to happen to Xiao Yunci. This person was crucial. Thinking of his fate in her previous life and the chaos that engulfed the realm after his death, she felt she must try to warn him. She even felt that Xiao Yunci was far more suited to be emperor than the Third Prince or the Crown Prince. He was calculating and fickle, yet he loved the people as his own children and dared to strike at the powerful noble families. That was the standard of a good emperor.

Xiao Yunci, however, did not believe her; he had always kept ghosts and gods at a distance. He had made his way through the world by his own merit; if fate had decreed his end, he would defy it!

He shook his head. "I thank you for the warning, Madam, but even if I knew, I would not fear it. If the King of Hell wants my life, let him come and take it."

Song Xirui lowered her gaze, her expression grave. "If the General does not believe my words, then I shall reveal some information to you. I only hope the General will not share it with others."

It seemed that without providing proof, this man would not believe her.

"I am all ears," Xiao Yunci said, his curiosity piqued by her persistence.

"In ten days' time, you are to head south, are you not?" Song Xirui stared into Xiao Yunci’s eyes, emphasizing every word.

Xiao Yunci was shocked. She had actually guessed it correctly. He nodded. "Indeed. The Emperor has dispatched me south, exactly ten days from now."

Song Xirui arched a brow. "Now, General, you must know that I have not been deceiving you."

"Madam, how could you know this so clearly? Can the arts of metaphysics truly be so infallible?" Xiao Yunci’s voice turned heavy. If this were truly so uncanny, he would have to treat Song Xirui with three parts caution.