Chapter 33 "Then, for Sun Dalang's sake, take care of the two of them..."

Whether it was because he beat people so badly that day, making them afraid and knowing that he was not easy to bully, or because Cui Xintang secretly supported him, after that day, although he was still isolated in the school, no one dared to bully him anymore.

Lin Yu always believed it was the latter, that Cui Xintang was backing him up.

In addition, two years ago, his father was pardoned by the court, and the three of them, mother and son, returned to the capital. Cui Xintang helped his sister and went to great lengths to send him to Yunping County. He felt that Cui Xintang still cared about him and remembered their past relationship.

But at this moment, Cui Xintang's expression was exactly like that day when he watched him being bullied on the ground, and when he beat the person to death on the ground.

Indifferent, and extremely cold.

Lin Yu was still unwilling to give up. He pouted and asked directly, "When I was bullied at school before, it was you, Brother Cui, who stood up for me, right?"

Cui Xintang naturally understood what he was referring to. He glanced at him and scoffed, "You're overthinking it."

Lin Yu's face stiffened. He still didn't believe it, but forced a smile and sat down. "Brother Cui, you called me here again. Aren't you afraid that Registrar Xu will find out?"

"Don't you usually like to mention me in front of the Xu family?" Cui Xintang said calmly. "Then let them know."

Lin Yu could no longer laugh.

Cui Xintang picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then gently placed it back on the table.

With a "thud" in her ear, Lin Yu swallowed hard, her whole body tensing up even more.

Cui Xintang glanced at him, waited a moment, and then sneered, "So you can be afraid too?"

Lin Yu forced a smile and said, "Brother Cui, I only met Madam Cui in front of the county school yesterday. I didn't go looking for her."

What did you and Yuanyuan talk about?

Lin Yu's eyes flickered. "I didn't say anything."

Cui Xintang, however, was too lazy to waste her time on him and went straight to the point: "Tell Yuanyuan, which arm did Sun Dalang injure?"

"No, no..."

"Not going to talk?"

"..."

Cui Xintang lost his patience and coldly ordered Qingzhu, "Then take care of Sun Dalang and dislocate both of his arms."

Lin Yu's face paled. Before coming, he was afraid, but he thought that Cui Xintang would only scare him like before. He didn't expect that Cui Xintang would actually teach him a lesson.

He instinctively tried to run away, but Qingzhu pressed him back down.

"Young Master Lin, please forgive me."

After saying that, he covered Lin Yu's mouth and, with a slight force, dislocated his left arm bone with a "crack".

In just one moment, Lin Yu's left arm stiffened and hung down, and her entire left shoulder immediately swelled up.

His face was deathly pale, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he clutched his left arm, momentarily speechless with pain.

Cui Xintang watched coldly as he fell from the chair to the cold ground in pain, showing no pity whatsoever.

Lin Yu was truly terrified this time. His clothes were soaked with cold sweat, and he curled up on the ground in pain. "Brother Cui... I was wrong, please forgive me..."

"I...I'll tell you everything about the Ye family...and the Xu family..."

Cui Xintang pretended not to hear him. He slowly finished the tea in his cup before speaking slowly, "Since you never listen to what I say, then you should suffer a bit and learn your lesson."

After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and got up from the armchair. Without even glancing at him again, he coldly instructed Qingzhu, "Keep an eye on him. When he has figured things out, put him back in."

"Yes, Master."

*

Before we knew it, it was time to return to Beijing.

The return journey was much colder than the journey there. The roadsides were dilapidated, and the cold wind, carrying dust, lashed against the carriages and people, making everyone feel depressed.

With Niu Niu constantly in front of him, Meng Yuanxiao couldn't help but think of Ye Shi, so he was sullen the whole way and didn't want to talk to Cui Xintang.

With their journey to the capital approaching and this being their last night away from home, Cui Xintang helplessly pulled the woman into his arms. "Yuanyuan, how long are you going to leave your husband hanging like this?"

Meng Yuanxiao wasn't actually angry with him, she was just feeling upset.

A living, breathing person was driven to death simply because they went to Huai Shu Village.

She didn't want to speak, but she also didn't want to blame Tang-gege. She just hugged his waist and buried her face in his chest.

The carriage entered the capital city at noon the next day. Qingzhu escorted Meng Yuanxiao back to the Cui residence, but Cui Xintang had to go to the palace to report first.

As the carriage entered the city gate, Meng Yuanxiao lifted the curtain and called out, "Brother Tang."

Cui Xintang rode over, and Meng Yuanxiao looked at him intently, her voice slightly nervous, "Brother Tang, you'll keep your promise to me, won't you?"

Cui Xintang paused for a moment, then said, "Yes."

He never broke his promises to her, so Meng Yuanxiao felt relieved and smiled at him, "Then Brother Tang, hurry up and go to the palace, and come back soon."

The carriage headed towards the Cui residence, while Cui Xintang hurried towards the palace. Upon entering the palace, he followed the chief eunuch to the council hall, where he met the eldest princess.

The eldest princess sat upright on her throne, reviewing memorials.

The chief eunuch brought the person in and then withdrew. The princess finished reviewing the memorials before her and put down her vermilion brush. "You're back?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The eldest princess, with her dignified and graceful face, exuded an inherent air of authority. She stared at him for a moment, then dismissed the palace servants. "Speak," she said.

Cui Xintang bowed and first gave a detailed report on the taxation and winter seedling situation in Yunping County. After a brief pause, he then quietly reported on the Xu family's affairs, which he had secretly investigated.

After reporting his business, he presented a secret memorial.

The eldest princess unfolded the secret report and read it carefully. Her expression was inscrutable, revealing neither her satisfaction nor dissatisfaction with the task he had undertaken.

Cui Xintang lowered her eyes, concealing the expression within them.

After reading the secret report, the eldest princess asked a few questions and then put the report down.

Seeing that he was covered in dust from his journey, the princess did not make things difficult for him. She simply granted him the favor of not having to go to the Ministry of Revenue today and allowing him to return home and rest. She instructed him to compile the findings from the investigation in Yunping County into a memorial and submit it to the Ministry of Revenue in the next two days.

Even though it was winter, Cui Xintang still had a thin layer of sweat on his back when he came out of the palace.

Emerging from the palace, the Meng family's carriage was already waiting outside the palace gates. The imperial street in front of the palace gates was wide, and the cold wind blew through to the bone.

Cui Xintang stepped onto the carriage, which slowly drove away. The image of the serene face of the eldest princess flashed through his mind, followed by Meng Yuanxiao's words at the city gate.

"Brother Tang, you'll keep your promise to me, won't you?"

He couldn't help but frown. The carriage drove on for a while until the palace gates behind him were no longer visible, before he put aside these thoughts and began to consider other matters.

It was already late afternoon when they returned to the Cui residence. Meng Yuanxiao had already tidied up and was lying on the couch with Niu Niu. The two of them, one big and one small, were playing with the strange toys he had given her earlier.

This was the scene that Cui Xintang saw when he stepped into the room. He walked to the bedside, and Meng Yuanxiao called out "Brother Tang" but shrank back in disgust and moved away from him.

"Brother Tang, you've been traveling all day and you're all dirty. Go take a bath quickly."

Cui Xintang was amused by her, but seeing that her face was rosy and her tone was playful, unlike when she was depressed on the way, he felt relieved.

He washed his hands before coming in, and seeing that she looked down on him, he deliberately reached out and ruffled her hair.

Meng Yuanxiao snorted angrily, but did not dodge his hand.

Cui Xintang had just withdrawn his hand when he saw Niu Niu looking up at him with her little face, staring at him expectantly.

Cui Xintang: "..."

Apart from Yuanyuan when he was young, he had never been close to other children, nor did he have much patience to deal with their pestering.

Even his cousin Cui Erlang rarely paid attention to him, except for the occasional guidance on his studies.

So when Niu Niu looked at him like that, he originally wanted to ignore her and walk away, but out of the corner of his eye he caught Meng Yuanxiao looking at him expectantly as well.

Cui Xintang hesitated for a moment, then quickly raised his hand and ruffled Niu Niu's hair.

Meng Yuanxiao burst out laughing. Cui Xintang gave her a half-smile before leaving.

After he had bathed, changed his clothes, and returned to his room, Madam Chen quickly came over.

Upon seeing Chen, Meng Yuanxiao's eyes immediately lit up.

She quickly got off the couch, slipped on her shoes, and ran forward, affectionately taking Chen's arm. "Sister Chen, you're here! It's been so long! I've missed you so much!"

Chen: "..."

Mr. Yuan was afraid of being forced by her to learn how to manage a household, and he wished he could stay far away from her every day. Yet today he said he missed her.

Cui Xintang sat in a round-backed chair to the side, listening to the two talking. Even he couldn't help but lift his eyes and glance at Meng Yuanxiao when he heard this.

Meng Yuanxiao smiled and, completely oblivious to his embarrassment, beckoned Niu Niu over.

She ruffled Niu Niu's hair, which was styled into two little buns, and said, "Sister Chen, this is Niu Niu. Isn't she pretty?"

In the few days that Niu Niu had been with her and Cui Xintang, she had gained some weight and her skin had become much fairer and more delicate. Unlike before, when she was pale and thin, she now looked like a beautiful little girl.

Upon seeing Niu Niu, Chen's usually aloof face couldn't help but show surprise.

She smiled. "Beautiful, young mistress. What is this?"

Meng Yuanxiao instructed Hongshao to take Niu Niu away before pulling Chen Shi over to sit down.

"Sister Chen, Niu Niu was found by Brother Tang and me in the countryside. She has no relatives. Brother Tang and I took pity on her and brought her back. Would you be willing to adopt her?"

As she asked this question, her heart skipped a beat, and she looked intently at Madam Chen.

Chen, a man of usual composure, showed a rare look of shock at this moment.

She never imagined that the eldest son and young mistress would bring back a baby after going out.

She was so surprised that she forgot to speak for a moment. Meng Yuanxiao thought she was unwilling, so she blinked and said, "Sister Chen, it's okay if you're not willing. Brother Tang and I will take care of it ourselves."

How could Chen dare to let the young couple raise the child on their own? They had been married for half a year and had not yet given birth to a child of their own, but suddenly a child who was almost three years old appeared. If others found out, who knows what they would think.

Chen knew that Meng Yuanxiao was unconventional. She subconsciously looked at Cui Xintang, only to see him sitting to the side, drinking tea by himself. He had clearly heard Meng Yuanxiao's words, but he didn't even glance in their direction.

It's clear that Quan is listening to the young mistress.

Chen was shocked, but could only force a smile and say, "This servant is willing to raise it. This servant finds the baby cute and well-behaved and likes it very much. It is kind of the eldest young master and young mistress to think of this servant even though they have come all the way from the capital."

Meng Yuanxiao felt relieved. She smiled and was about to speak when a maid came in to report that the steward had heard that the young mistress had returned and came to report to her.

Meng Yuanxiao had no choice but to swallow his words and get up to leave.

Just as Chen got up to follow him out, Cui Xintang suddenly glanced at her.

Chen was taken aback and had to pull back the step she had taken.

Once Meng Yuanxiao was out of sight, Cui Xintang said calmly, "Sit down."

Chen sat down, and Cui Xintang, holding a teacup in his hand, looked at her and asked, "Are you really willing to raise Niu Niu?"

Madam Chen paused for a moment, then replied, "Young Master, this servant is willing."

“That’s good,” Cui Xintang nodded. “Niu Niu has a pitiful background, but she is well-behaved and sensible. The first time Yuan Yuan saw Niu Niu, she thought of you and said that if Niu Niu were your child, you would be very happy.”

“Yuanyuan is simple-minded but kind-hearted. She just wants to be good to you, so don’t overthink it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have agreed to bring Niu Niu back.”

Chen was surprised that he would go out of his way to explain these things to her. She quickly replied, "Don't worry, young master, I understand."

After she said that, Cui Xintang didn't say anything more, only saying, "I will talk to my mother and give you an extra three taels of silver from the mansion every month to cover the expenses of raising Niu Niu. In the future, the expenses for Niu Niu's schooling will also be paid from the Meng family's accounts."

“Yuanyuan feels sorry for Niu Niu. From now on, you must treat Niu Niu as your own daughter and not neglect or mistreat her.”

Madam Chen wanted to say that she had savings and there was no need to trouble the household, but Cui Xintang turned to ask about something else.

"How much silver did the prefecture send to Yunping County this year?"

He suddenly asked this question, and Madam Chen was taken aback. "Young Master, this servant does not know these things."

Cui Xintang just stared at her without saying a word.

Knowing she couldn't hide it from him, Chen had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak.

“This servant truly does not know. I only heard that a letter came from Yunping County some time ago. After receiving the letter, the First Madam sent someone to Yunping County. However, the silver sent to Yunping County was all from the First Madam’s private treasury and did not go through the household’s accounts.”

Cui Xintang nodded. "Who in the manor is contacting Yunping County on behalf of the First Madam?"

"...Reporting to the eldest young master, it is Steward Qian."

Cui Xintang's expression turned slightly cold. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Yuanyuan previously mentioned wanting to replace the Lin family's cloth shop. Did she bring that up with you again today?"

"No," Chen replied with a sigh of relief.

No sooner had Madam Chen spoken than a maid from Madam Wu's room came over and said that Madam Wu invited the eldest son and the young mistress to come over for a meal.

After the maid finished her report and left, Cui Xintang, interrupted, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and put it down. She then said to Madam Chen, "Since the First Madam has asked you to follow the Young Madam, you should know what to do in the future. Although I don't interfere in the affairs of the manor, I can ask you anything I want to know."

Chen's expression changed slightly. She was a smart woman, so Cui Xintang didn't say anything more. He stopped there and waved for Chen to leave.