Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 124: Xie Jingyu Falls Ill from Rage

Yun Chu smiled.

"Filial piety? Sincerity?" she mocked. "An Ge'er's spot at the Imperial College came from the Yun family. Ping Jie'er's position as Princess Consort was secured through my efforts. The Xie family's prestige was maintained with my dowry... Everything you couldn't accomplish, Xie Jingyu, was achieved through me. They should naturally be filial to me! Yet the truth is, while I painstakingly paved their way, they joined you in deceiving me for four years. Would you want such filial piety and sincerity? How could it not be sickening?"

"You... You!"

Xie Jingyu felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Then his head seemed to explode, his vision went black, and he collapsed onto the carriage floor.

When he woke again, he was in his own bed. He instinctively tried to push himself up, but found his left arm completely unresponsive.

Panic washed over him.

He looked up and saw Yun Chu sitting by his bedside.

For some reason, seeing her impassive face filled him with an indescribable dread.

"The physician said you drank too much wine, suffered from acute anger, and have blocked qi and blood," Yun Chu said, handing him a bowl of medicine. "Your left arm is temporarily paralyzed. Rest at home for now—I've already requested leave for you."

Xie Jingyu strained to lift his left arm, but despite his utmost effort, it wouldn't budge.

Yun Chu had her maid help him sit up and placed the medicine bowl in his hand. "The physician said you must avoid anger and emotional extremes."

If he remained calm, he might live a while longer.

But if he kept getting enraged like today, his body wouldn't hold up.

Xie Jingyu tried to speak, but his throat hurt too much to make a sound. He could only watch helplessly as Yun Chu left.

Outside, Yun Chu lowered her voice: "No need to bring him any more medicine from now on."

She intended to let Xie Jingyu die slowly from illness, not from sudden poisoning...

Ting Shuang nodded in acknowledgment.

At the doorway, they encountered Old Madam leaning trembling on her cane, with Yuan Shi following close behind. Yuan Shi grabbed Yun Chu and asked, "How is Jingyu? What did the physician say?"

"The physician said it's an illness caused by excessive drinking," Yun Chu replied. "He just took his medicine and fell asleep. Please don't disturb his rest, Old Madam and Mother."

"How could he suddenly fall ill? He's always been strong and never sick before," Old Madam fretted. "I should have told him not to go to the Yun residence."

Yuan Shi interjected, "General Yun has just returned to the capital after five years. As his son-in-law, how could Jingyu not visit? He has only himself to blame for drinking too much."

"The physician said it's nothing serious," Yun Chu said. "I was thinking of arranging for the children to formally meet their maternal grandfather soon."

Old Madam had heard from Xie Shi'an that Yun Chu hadn't taken them to see their grandfather. She had been quite displeased about it, but hadn't pursued the matter due to Jingyu's sudden illness.

Now that Yun Chu brought it up herself, she felt somewhat relieved. "That's only proper. When would be convenient for your father?"

"My father said he wants to meet every child registered under my name," Yun Chu raised her eyes. "Including Wei Ge'er."

"That... might not be appropriate," Old Madam's fingers tightened. "Wei Ge'er's condition... your father might not be pleased to see him. Let's forget about him.""Since the child is registered under my name, that makes him my father's grandson, and my father also wishes to find a good placement for Wei Ge'er." Yun Chu smiled. "Wei Ge'er has reflected on his behavior at the estate for so long, he should be much more sensible now. I'll arrange for someone to bring him back."

Yuan Shi immediately nodded: "Yes, yes, Wei Ge'er can't just be left to ruin. It's rare that your father is willing to take charge, so let him take a look."

The Old Madam always felt an ominous premonition in her heart.

But when she tried to pinpoint it, she couldn't tell where this feeling came from, so she could only attribute it to overthinking.

Yun Chu returned to her courtyard.

She had someone bring writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and began writing down the events that would soon occur in the Yun family on paper. Since these weren't major matters, she sometimes mixed up the sequence.

But it didn't matter, as long as these events would happen soon—her main purpose was to make her family believe in that dream.

As for why she didn't claim to be reborn? Because it was simply too unbelievable. Even she herself had taken several days to accept this fact.

While she was writing, Ting Shuang entered and reported: "Madam, the servant sent to investigate Marquis Xuanwu has returned."

Yun Chu paused her brush, folded the paper, and put it away: "Let him in."

The servant entered the hall bowing, speaking respectfully: "This humble servant pays respects to Madam. Madam assigned me to investigate Marquis Xuanwu, and I've actually discovered some things."

Yun Chu motioned for him to continue.

Ever since learning that the man from her wedding night was Marquis Xuanwu, she had begun arranging for people to keep watch on that despicable man.

He took her innocence and thought he could escape unscathed? What a dream!

"I followed Marquis Xuanwu for over ten days and finally discovered that he actually has another residence in Tofu Lane in the west of the city—a medium-sized two-courtyard house. After giving substantial benefits to an elderly woman nearby, I learned that two women live there, both addressing Marquis Xuanwu as husband!" The servant lowered his voice. "I suspect these two women are completely unaware of Marquis Xuanwu's identity. They likely live in that residence as his equal wives. I heard one of them is even pregnant, about five or six months along."

Yun Chu sneered.

The outside world claimed Marquis Xuanwu deeply loved his wife, keeping his rear courtyard clean without a single Concubine. Every woman in the capital envied the Marchioness of Xuanwu.

The more such men boasted about loving their wives, the more disgusting they were—equally repulsive as Xie Jingyu.

No wonder Marquis Xuanwu behaved this way. The Luo family not only held high official positions but were also wealthy. Relying on the Luo family's money, he could maintain the dignity of his declining marquis household.

If one were to ask what Marquis Xuanwu cared about most: first, naturally, would be their Qin family's most precious possession—the hereditary title that could be passed down.

Second, would probably be children.

He was willing to risk offending Prince Pingxi to protect his own child. In this aspect, he was somewhat better than Xie Jingyu.

She just didn't know whether he cared more about the heir or the child born outside wedlock...

Yun Chu tapped her fingers on the table and said: "Find an opportunity when Marquis Xuanwu visits that small residence to lead Luo Shi there."

As she spoke, she tossed a money pouch to him.

The servant beamed: "Madam, rest assured. This humble servant will take full responsibility for this matter."

After the servant withdrew, Yun Chu said: "He seems quite clever and reliable. Increase his monthly stipend."

Ting Shuang made a note of this matter."By the way," Yun Chu said with a faint smile, "When we were at the Yun residence this morning, Yu Ke's parents approached me about proposing a marriage. Ting Shuang, what are your thoughts?"

Ting Shuang, who had been pondering how much to increase the servant's copper coin allowance, suddenly heard these words, and her fair face instantly flushed red.

She recalled when Madam had stayed at the Yun residence recently - while she remained by Madam's side serving, that man had come to see her every day, sometimes bringing rouge, sometimes hairpins.

She could afford such rouge and hairpins herself. What truly moved her was that day by the lake when he draped his cloak over her shoulders...

But if she married, she could no longer stay by Madam's side to serve. If forced to choose between the two, she would rather not marry.

"If you marry Yu Ke, you can manage the hot spring manor for me," Yun Chu, who could clearly see her dilemma, spoke up. "Prince Pingxi and I are co-managing it, and I need a reliable person to reside at the manor. Ting Shuang, you're the most suitable candidate."

Ting Shuang's eyes immediately lit up.

Though she couldn't remain by Madam's side after marriage, becoming a married woman would qualify her to manage external affairs - she might actually be able to assist Madam even more.

So it turned out she could have both the fish and the bear's paw.

With a blush, she nodded in agreement.