Chapter 390 - 388: Her Secret (Second Update)

Chapter 390: Chapter 388: Her Secret (Second Update)

Song Qingyun naturally wanted to refuse, but Xu Jing stood up to go outside, using the excuse that Madam Song and Zhao Shaohua had taken such good care of her previously, and that she should return the favor.

In truth, if Xu Jing wanted to buy some snacks, she could have simply sent Chunyang to do it.

But everyone present was clever, and naturally saw that Xu Jing wanted an excuse to go outside for a while. Song Qingyun thought Xu Jing had something to attend to, so she didn’t continue to refuse.

Once Xu Jing went out, she walked directly to a corner at some distance from the main hall, turned her head toward Nanny Kang who quietly followed her, and said warmly, "Did Nanny Kang call me out because you have something to say?"

Nanny Kang was an old hand beside Madam Song, and Xu Jing was a bit surprised to see her following Song Erniang this time.

Nanny Kang wore a face full of worry, and when she heard the question, she sighed deeply and said, "This old servant dared to trouble Miss Xu to come out, hoping Miss Xu can help persuade our lady."

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback.

Nanny Kang slightly pursed her lips and couldn’t help but sigh again, saying, "Miss Xu, you must have heard from our Young Madam that our lady nearly got engaged to the Sun Family’s Third Son. The old servant and Madam thought this marriage would be easily settled, but who knew just a few days ago, we found out that Sun Sanlang has been keeping a mistress outside all along!"

Xu Jing’s brows knitted suddenly.

"That mistress is a girl from the brothel, of low status, not even qualified to become a concubine in the Sun family. Yet, somehow, she bewitched Sun Sanlang, making him deeply infatuated. Not only did he redeem her secretly and keep her outside, but also... they even have a child together! We found out about this because that woman, relying on her situation, came to the Sun family, demanding Lady Sun let her in!"

Nanny Kang had seen many filthy affairs in the backyards of influential families, but she had never expected these things would one day happen to their lady!

Nanny Kang couldn’t help but grit her teeth, unable to hide her anger, saying, "And the Sun family still wanted to keep it from us and continue discussing the marriage. Fortunately, some brothers of our Young Madam heard some gossip outside and specifically told her about it!

Our Madam was furious and immediately went to confront Lady Sun. Who knew she would say that every young man has his dalliances? Moreover, despite being the legitimate daughter of our Song family, our lady’s age might make her less desirable for young talents in the capital. Instead of marrying into another family as a second wife, it would be better for her to marry into the Sun family... Our Madam had never suffered such humiliation and broke off relations with Lady Sun on the spot.

Once this matter spreads, it will surely affect our lady’s reputation. Madam is worried our lady will be hurt by this, so she asked her to stay at her own maternal home for a while to avoid the storm..."

These things must have happened in these few days; she had seen Zhao Shao Hua just a day before coming to Anping County. If this matter had happened then, Zhao Shao Hua wouldn’t have kept it from her.

She frowned and said, "Since that’s the case, what does Nanny Kang want me to persuade Song Erniang about?"

She thought that returning to her mother’s family was Song Erniang’s idea, and Nanny Kang wanted her to persuade Song Erniang to return to the Western Capital.

Nanny Kang couldn’t help but sigh once more, saying, "The most worrying thing is our lady’s attitude. Madam originally thought that after such an event, our lady would be somewhat affected. Who knew she would remain so calm, even looking relieved upon hearing the engagement was annulled, saying she might as well not marry for life with things as they are.

This scared Madam so much she hasn’t been able to eat or sleep well these past days. The most troublesome part is that it’s clear our lady meant what she said, with no spite or jest. She truly thinks this way!

But how can a daughter remain unmarried? Even if Madam and the Lord can support her for life, she will still be subject to others’ gossip. Because of this worry, Madam sent this old servant to stay by our lady’s side, hoping I could persuade her, but no matter what I say, our lady just ignores it..."

Xu Jing understood now, Nanny Kang hoped she could persuade Song Erniang not to genuinely hold such thoughts about not marrying.

She couldn’t help but find it amusing; Nanny Kang had truly found the wrong person for this task. She had never believed that women must marry and bear children. If Song Erniang really had such a thought, she would only respect her decision.

It’s just that people’s thoughts can change, and if one day Song Erniang wishes to marry someone, she would sincerely bless her.

Xu Jing simply gave Nanny Kang a few perfunctory responses and returned to the main hall.

When she left, she had left Chunyang behind to entertain Song Erniang in her stead.

Upon returning, she was slightly surprised to see that Chunyang was animatedly talking to Song Erniang, who was holding a teacup in both hands and staring straight at Chunyang, obviously completely enthralled.

She listened closely for a while, and amusingly discovered that Chunyang was talking to Song Erniang about the dismemberment case she solved yesterday.

Despite being such a bloody and terrifying case, Song Erniang appeared not at all afraid. Her peach blossom eyes sparkled, and her cheeks flushed with excitement as she intently listened. When Chunyang mentioned that Xu Jing sensed the murderer was nearby, she couldn’t help but ask, "How did Miss Xu know the criminal was still nearby?"

Chunyang, who was animatedly speaking, suddenly fell silent, her mouth agape for a long time, not knowing what to say.

Naturally, Xu Jing wouldn’t take her along on her cases. What Chunyang knew was mostly from the guards and Chen Hu who had accompanied her. While she understood the events, she couldn’t analyze deeper details.

Seeing Chunyang’s awkward and troubled expression, Xu Jing chuckled softly, walked over, and said, "If Song Erniang is interested in yesterday’s case, you can certainly ask me."

Song Qingyun hadn’t expected to be caught by the person involved while inquiring about the incident, and her face flushed slightly.

But after having a heart-to-heart with Xu Jing earlier, she was evidently less formal than at the beginning. After hesitating for a moment, she couldn’t help but say, "Would Miss Xu be willing to tell me?"

Seeing the woman in front of her with bright, beautiful eyes, unable to hide her eagerness, Xu Jing raised her eyebrows, feeling that only now did she truly get to know the woman before her.

No wonder Xiao He coveted her for so many years.

Her eyes curved slightly, and she said, "Of course."

Song Qingyun was indeed very interested in the case. After Xu Jing finished explaining the dismemberment case, she began asking about the staged suicide case of a woman that had occurred in the Western Capital earlier in the year, and Xu Jing, with nothing else pressing today, patiently and thoroughly explained both cases to her.

Time slipped away unnoticed as they talked, and eventually, darkness began to fall.

Finally, Xu Jing glanced at the sky, took a sip of tea to moisten her throat, and said, "It’s getting late, and it’s not safe to travel at night. Why don’t you stay here for the night, Song Erniang?"

Song Qingyun also glanced at the sky, showing a bit of hesitation.

Xu Jing considered, "Earlier, when I went to Lingzhou, I solved two cases. If Song Erniang is interested..."

Song Qingyun: "Alright, I shall trouble Miss Xu for one night!"

Seeing Xu Jing’s face unable to hide a smile, Song Qingyun felt slightly embarrassed, lightly coughed, and said, "Tao Liang, bring my luggage from the carriage."

After Tao Liang fetched the luggage, Xu Jing personally led Song Qingyun to the guest room. However, while descending the courtyard steps, Tao Liang accidentally tripped, and the bundle in his arms flew into the air.

As Chunyang and others hurriedly helped Tao Liang up and Xu Jing was about to step forward, a piece of paper leisurely floated down in front of her. She instinctively caught it, seeing a short line written upon it—

Lady Xu’s Collection of Exonerations, Volume Three...