Chapter 43 Xue Yuan Sets Up a Trap (Part 1)
"Glass lamp?"
Cheng's face, which had originally looked a little tired, immediately became alert.
Xue Yuan nodded, her eyes clear and simple, "That glass lamp is quite transparent. I took a look out of curiosity. There is a crescent mark on the lamp base, and there are three words underneath. Unfortunately, I can't recognize all of them."
Unexpectedly, Cheng snorted, "That crescent moon is the symbol of Yuhuifang. Have you forgotten? At the beginning of the year, I asked someone to order a pair of glass lamps from Yuhuifang."
"Ah, so, that glass lamp and the young master's are a pair. I didn't dare to think that way! I thought, how could my cousin have something of the young master's?"
Xue Yuan pretended to be enlightened: "So, the inkstone screen on the desk is also like that?"
"What inkstone screen?"
Cheng couldn't believe it. One glass lamp wasn't enough, was there something else?
Xue Yuan hesitated, as if she was afraid of upsetting Cheng, and spoke softly, "It's the small screen with the painting of green bamboo."
If Cheng had looked closely at Xue Yuan's eyes at this moment, she would have known that there was no fear in her eyes at all, but rather excitement as she watched Cheng's anger grow. Unfortunately, Cheng was so concerned that she had forgotten to distinguish right from wrong.
"Go, call Du Dashan back from the warehouse!"
Xue Yuan responded and went out of the house to instruct the little maid. At this moment, Nanny Li was still waiting outside the house as Xue Yuan had indicated before. When she saw her come out of the main room, she also came forward.
Du Dashan, who had been in the mistress's living room all afternoon, finally took a break to catch his breath when he heard the little maid in the mistress's room calling him.
Before he could even swallow a mouthful of tea, he almost choked: "Calling me? I just got back."
The little girl nodded: "Yes, that's what I'm calling you. Sister Xue Yuan asked you to bring the account book with you."
Confused, Du Dashan had no choice but to do as he was told. He hurried forward, not wanting to delay. After entering the main hall, he saw that his wife's expression was completely different from when he had listened to the song request details. He was worried: "Madam, are you looking for me?"
Cheng asked coldly, "Have you delivered any items to the library in the past few days?"
Library?
Du Dashan immediately shook his head: "The Second Madam's library never asks for anything from the storehouse."
"If that's the case, then why are the glass lamp and Xuezhu Fufeng's inkstone screen in the library?"
Du Dashan thought the words sounded familiar, so he pulled out the account book Xue Yuan had asked him to take with him. After flipping through a few pages, he pointed at the book and said to Cheng, "A few days ago, the young master's study asked for these, along with Huzhou pens, pine smoke ink, and Chengxin paper. Look, madam, there's even Qingquan's signature on it."
Cheng's heart sank when she heard this. Heng'er's study had requested these, and then Qingquan sent them over? Could it be Heng'er?
Xue Yuan, however, brought over a cup of ginseng tea at this moment and interrupted Cheng: "Madam, these originally belonged to the young master. It's not surprising that he wanted them."
After that, he turned to Du Dashan and said, "Manager Dashan is really dedicated and responsible. He remembers the accounts clearly. Keep this account book away and don't let anyone see it."
Xue Yuan's words reminded Cheng that since Heng Ge'er was involved, the fewer people who knew about this, the better. So she followed Xue Yuan's advice and said, "Leave this account book for now. You've worked hard today. Go to the accounting office and get a red envelope."
Du Dashan was puzzled. Why had they hurriedly called him here just to ask about the items he had received from the young master's study? But at least there was a red envelope, so he didn't think too much about it. He was indeed a little tired today, and after going to the accounting office later, he planned to treat himself to a meal.
Seeing Du Dashan retreat, Xue Yuan said to Cheng: "Madam, please be patient. Drink this cup of ginseng tea first to calm your nerves."
Xue Yuan didn't want her mistress to think that the young master had feelings for her cousin. If her mistress agreed to the young master's wishes in order to let him concentrate on preparing for the exam, wouldn't she lose both the wife and the army, and she would have no chance of going to the young master's room.
"Madam, the young master is usually kind and responsive to young ladies' requests. I think the things in the library were probably requested from the young master by my cousin. He is so busy on weekdays, how could he have any other thoughts? Don't you agree?"
People are always willing to believe what is good for them. Cheng certainly did not want her son to have any thoughts about Su Ying at this time. After hearing Xue Yuan's suggestion, she naturally thought that Su Ying intended to get close to Heng Ge'er.
Seeing Cheng's expression change, Xue Yuan couldn't help but add fuel to the fire.
She knelt down before Cheng and said in a panicked voice, "Madam, I have remembered something that seems strange now. I wonder if I should tell you."
Cheng was furious: "It's already this late, just tell me."
"On the Laba Festival, we set off to return home. The young master helped you and my cousin onto the carriage and then walked towards his horse. Originally, nothing happened, but my cousin slipped when the young master passed by."
Xue Yuan paused mid-sentence, glancing at Cheng's reaction. Seeing that Cheng was getting restless, she continued, "The young master reached out and supported the cousin. I don't know what happened to the cousin, but he didn't let go for a long time after he helped her."
Cheng stood up suddenly, "I told you Rong Ruolan had bad intentions, and you all said I was suspicious. Now look at me using this trick!"
Xue Yuan knew that the "you" Madam was referring to weren't her, but the masters who could speak for the cousin. Seeing that Madam had already believed her, she figured that if Madam wanted to take the opportunity to drive the cousin away, no one would be able to stop her. Feeling satisfied, she pretended to persuade her, "Madam, please don't be angry. Words are not enough. These are just what I saw. They may not be taken seriously and cannot be counted!"
Cheng nodded. "You're right. Words are not enough. It's not that easy to expose a fox's true face! Rong Ruolan is very clever. She planned every step carefully. She played the victim first to get my mother-in-law's permission. Then, knowing that I was obsessed with Heng'er, she used that priceless strategy to coax me into giving her something. But what tricks did this little fox use to make Heng'er willingly give her things? She actually threw herself into my arms in just a few days. It's obvious that she planned it all along and was just waiting for Heng'er to fall into her trap!"
Just as Cheng was frowning, a little maid lifted the curtain and announced, "Madam, Madam Li said she has something to report."
Cheng was simply annoyed and asked, "Why are the Dushun family joining in the fun at this time?"
Xue Yuan advised at the right time: "Madam, Nanny Li has always been a member of her own family. I think something really happened."
Cheng recalled how Du Shun had worried that Su Ying's beauty would distract the young master from his duties when she first arrived. She'd even scolded her severely, withholding several months' salary. Now, it seemed the old woman had been right. She felt a surge of regret. She should have listened to the old woman's advice. Heng'er was certainly a good person, but no matter how prudent and self-disciplined he was, he was still young. How could he stand up to a woman so prepared?
Thinking of this, Cheng sighed heavily and said, "Let her in!"
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