Chapter 50 Rejection
Chiu Chiu managed to drive her parents away all by herself, and then she fell asleep peacefully without a care in the world.
She has appointments with the ladies tomorrow, so she needs to conserve her energy.
Su Junyao remembered what Qiuqiu had said, and lately he had been suspicious that someone was coveting his good looks.
So an additional layer of guards was added outside the courtyard.
That night, Madam Wen had someone prepare soup and instructed Zheng Xiulan to deliver it to him. These two, however, were still harboring designs on Su Junyao.
Su Junyao was prepared, so Zheng Xiulan was kicked out before she even got to the door.
Zheng Xiulan's face darkened when she saw the two tall, unfamiliar guards at the door.
Over the years, Zheng Xiulan, who was close to Su Junyao, had investigated him in order to frame him. These two were clearly there to protect themselves from her.
Do you know who I am?
The two guards remained unresponsive, staring straight ahead with cold expressions.
Zheng Xiulan was starting to lose her composure. There had been other unreasonable guards before, but she'd always managed to get them to back down when she used threats and inducements. She resorted to her old tricks again: "I'm the Crown Prince's cousin! Do I need your permission, you two dog servants, to come see my cousin?"
"Get out of my way!"
However, the two guards remained upright and unblinking, completely ignoring the clamoring Zheng Xiulan.
Zheng Xiu shouted, "I told you to move aside, did you want me to go and fetch the old lady? She ordered me to bring this over!"
She had already asked Yuanxiang to find out that Su Junyao had been resting in his study for the past few days. Yuanxiang would bring him over soon, and as long as she went in and made some subtle, ambiguous gestures, she could infuriate Yun Jinglan, thus sowing discord between the two of them.
But she hadn't gone in yet, and it would be incredibly embarrassing if Yun Jinglan saw her being stopped at the door.
Zheng Xiulan was so angry that her face turned green, and she even tried to force her way in.
"Madam Zheng, what are you doing?"
Zheng Xiulan's frantic shouting first attracted Chen He's attention. Chen He had just dug up someone else's gold, but he showed absolutely no remorse. He looked Zheng Xiulan up and down upon meeting her, then said meaningfully, "This is not a place you should be."
Zheng Xiulan was a widow who was kicked out by her husband's family after her husband's death. However, Madam Wen wanted to match her with Su Junyao, so she had the people in the Marquis's mansion call her Miss Cousin, even though she already had a teenage son.
However, some people just won't give this face, like Chen He...
When Zheng Xiulan saw the person she hated most in the entire Marquis's mansion besides Yun Jinglan, she was so angry that she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh without her even noticing.
It's always Chen He who ruins her plans. And yet, he's like a persistent ghost!
Chen He strode over and blocked the doorway, looking at Zheng Xiulan with a grin: "Madam Zheng, are you talking to these two guards?"
Zheng Xiulan snorted coldly: "The old lady told me to deliver ginseng soup to my cousin, and she told them not to move aside."
Chen He's smile widened, becoming even more sarcastic: "Madam Zheng, you see, isn't this just a coincidence? You two are deaf and mute, you can't hear."
No wonder Zheng Xiulan had been shouting for so long without them responding. But she didn't want to argue with two disabled people, feeling it would be beneath her dignity.
"You've come at the perfect time. I need to go in and bring my cousin some ginseng soup."
"You must be joking," Chen He said, pointing to the moon as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "This old lady, in the dead of night, sends a woman like you to deliver ginseng soup to our young master?"
"Stop joking around. Our young master also cares about his reputation. I advise you to go back to where you came from."
Zheng Xiulan was so angry that her face turned green, but Chen He persisted: "Oh, my poor young master, don't worry, I will protect your innocence with my life!"
Zheng Xiulan was a person who cared about her reputation. If Chen He continued to shout like this, the entire Marquis's mansion would probably know.
It's definitely not going to happen tonight.
Enraged, she splashed the ginseng soup all over Chen He. Chen He, his face covered in the soup, didn't move, only curling his lips into a mocking smile.
She wanted to be a prostitute but also wanted to maintain a virtuous image; when exposed, she became angry and ashamed.
After Zheng Xiulan had walked away, the door to the study was opened from the inside.
Chen He said with a mournful face, "Madam, I have sacrificed so much for the young master!"
Yun Jinglan glanced at the man inside who was playing with his daughter, and thought that Chen He had indeed gone through a lot to protect his innocence all these years. It was worth it for her to have rescued him from a pile of corpses back then.
"I've wronged you by making you deal with that madman all these years. I'll give you a raise later."
Chen He rubbed his hands together, a hint of anticipation in his voice: "As you know, Madam, I am not a person who values profit above all else."
Yun Jinglan trusted Chen He and naturally understood his loyalty. Just as she was about to praise him, Qiuqiu noticed the situation outside.
Uncle Chen isn't after profit; he's just after Aunt Dongxiao.
[Mom, he's trying to steal Aunt Dongxiao from Qiuqiu!]
My Aunt Dongxiao was a true all-rounder—she could sew dolls, take care of dolls, and even knew a little bit of martial arts!
Yun Jinglan was so overwhelmed by Qiuqiu's shrill voice that she almost betrothed Dongxiao to him.
She was afraid that if it got any later, Qiuqiu would take a liking to Dongxiao.
Besides her mother, Qiuqiu usually spends more time with Dongxiao.
After the fifteenth, Yun Jinglan will go out to make connections with the ladies of prominent families in the capital. It seems that Qiuqiu will be closest to Dongxiao.
No, we can't delay Dongxiao!
"I understand what you mean. Once Dongxiao nods, I'll make the decision for you."
Chen He wished he could drag Zheng Xiulan back and make her throw a few more bowls of ginseng soup at him. He had worked so hard; this wife was someone he deserved!
Oh, so Qiuqiu is going to prepare a dowry for Aunt Dongxiao.
The chubby little boy pondered earnestly: "Can Aunt Dongxiao spend the day with me and the night with Uncle Chen He?"
Yun Jinglan refused to answer the question, letting Qiuqiu figure it out by herself.
This little brat can be so annoying sometimes!
She changed the subject: "Yuanxiang has a problem!"
Su Junyao felt extremely wronged, and now it was finally his turn to speak!
"I knew it! How could there be so many coincidences in the world? How come you always manage to catch Zheng Xiulan trying to get close to you, Madam? It's all because of these traitors!"
These traitors must be severely punished!
Yun Jinglan rolled her eyes at him, it was all his fault!
"But we can't touch Yuanxiang yet. We need to follow the clues and find out what Zheng Xiulan is asking for."
Su Junyao wanted to say something, but after glancing at Yun Jinglan, he remained silent.
Yun Jinglan noticed his awkwardness, twitched her lips, and said speechlessly, "You actually think she has a crush on you, don't you?"
Such a shocked tone hurt Su Junyao's pride. He was, after all, the heir of a marquis's family, a close minister of the emperor, and ranked among the Nine Ministers. How could he be so sarcastic?
Could it be that he has aged and lost favor with the lady recently because of Zheng Xiulan's torment?
[Foolish father, is she after you, Mr. Xu, who's still quite attractive despite your age?]
"Of course, they're after our Marquis's vast estate!"
(End of this chapter)
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