After I died, the scumbag prince cried down the city wall

Jiang Xuejun's face was immediately filled with displeasure.

"Don't underestimate that thoughtful woman. She will never let go of a grudge. You embarrassed her in public and almost ruined her reputation. She must remember this account. Maybe at this moment, she is constantly whispering to our eldest cousin, thinking about how to replace you, who has not yet married into the family."

"It's ridiculous! With her lowly status, she dares to interfere in Master Xie's marriage?!"

Xie Xiuyun snorted coldly: "How can status compare to the means of deceiving people? Although she can't be the main wife of the Xie family, it's easy for her to change her cousin's fiancée by using some means, right?"

"Her tricks to seduce men are really powerful. Although my cousin has rarely been home these days, you can see Cuizhu running to her place every day. Who do you think she is trying to pass on information to?"

Jiang Xuejun's face became increasingly ugly. How could Song Yanyi be so doting on that enchantress?

Looking back to that day in Qiu Shui Courtyard, the afterglow of the setting sun gently fell on the bluestone path, but it could not warm the pain in Xu Cui Rong's heart caused by deliberate provocation and revenge. The pain was like a sharp dagger, cutting silently in the heart, leaving scars that were difficult to heal.

Hatred was boiling in her chest, she only hated herself for not being able to solve this problem once and for all. Now it was she who couldn't sleep at night, constantly worrying about the other party's revenge plan waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

At this moment, Xie Xiuyun's eyes seemed like a bottomless cold pond, and the ruthlessness contained in them was enough to scare people: "Miss Jiang, I would like to remind you that if you have done something, you should cut the grass and root it out, and don't plant the seeds of disaster for yourself."

Jiang Xuejun had the same idea in her mind, but since then, Xu Cui Rong seemed to have sensed the crisis and took precautions everywhere, while she herself had not yet officially entered the Xie family, and for a moment, she could not find a foolproof plan.

Her heart was like a swarm of ants on fire, running around in panic, fearing that Xu Cui Rong would take the lead and use malicious words to tarnish the engagement she had been waiting for for so long, making it come to nothing.

Xie Xiuyun saw the worry between Jiang Xuejun's brows and raised a meaningful smile: "If Miss Jiang is anxious about this matter, I may be able to help you."

Hearing this, Jiang Xuejun's eyes flashed with contempt, as if he had heard some ridiculous joke: "You?"

In the Xie family, the status of the third branch is already marginal, and Xie Xiuyun is even more insignificant in her eyes and not worth mentioning at all.

Jiang Xuejun never took this unknown woman into consideration.

"I have spoken, and I will do it."

Xie Xiuyun's tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

Although Jiang Xuejun was shaken in her heart, her face was still full of doubt: "So, what is the reward you want?"

"I don't ask for much. I just hope that you can help me find a good match for me when you gain a foothold in the Xie family in the future."

Jiang Xuejun raised her head proudly and said with disdain: "It's such a small matter. As long as you can really get rid of Xu Cui Rongrong, I will naturally speak well of you in front of the Madam and help you find a good marriage that is well-matched."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Xuejun looked directly at Xie Xiuyun with a sharp gaze: "The premise is that you must be sure to deal with her."

Xie Xiuyun's smile deepened, but still remained cold: "I heard that there are horse bandits roaming around the capital recently. People who fall into their hands are often humiliated and then killed. If someone can make them interested in someone, it goes without saying what that person's fate will be. Miss Jiang's brother has a wide network of contacts, so it shouldn't be difficult to smooth things over."

Jiang Xuejun sneered, as if she was sneering at this plan: "Xu Cui Rong is now living in seclusion, so is your bad idea to lure bandits into the Xie family?"

"The Flower Festival is approaching, and there will be a lantern festival at night with a large crowd of people. This is the perfect time to act. As for Xu Cui Rongrong, I naturally have a way to make her fall into my trap."

Jiang Xuejun's eyes sparkled, as if she saw a ray of hope: "Deal."

---

Xu Cui Rong returned to Qiu Shui Courtyard and unexpectedly found Xie Xiulin waiting in the courtyard.

Cui Rongrong was slightly surprised: "Xiu Lin?"

The salt tax case controversy has been settled a while ago. The evidence of Duke Zheng's guilt is solid. Not only was his title stripped away, the women in his family became slaves, the men were exiled to the frontier, and even Duke Zheng himself was executed on the street. His ending was miserable.

Since then, Xie Xiulin locked herself in the room and refused to go out. Cui Rongrong knew that she needed time to digest this sudden blow and humiliation.

"Sister Cui Rongrong, you're back."

Xie Xiulin looked thinner, but his eyes showed a calmness and tenacity different from before.

"Feeling better?"

Cui Rongrong asked softly, her tone full of concern.

Xie Xiulin forced a smile and said, "I am sorry that I have made my sister worried because of my depression. But there is always a time to grow up in life. I was too eager for quick success before, so I was easily taken advantage of. What is there to be upset about now? Instead, I want to thank you for saving my life."

She held Cui Rongrong's hand tightly, with gratitude in her eyes: "If it weren't for you, my ending would be unimaginable."

Cui Rong gently patted the back of her hand and comforted her with warm words: "Let the past be the past. You haven't lost anything substantial. Your reputation is still clean. People should always look forward."

A complex emotion flashed across Xie Xiulin's eyes, and then he tried to force out a smile: "Yeah, fortunately those things were not exposed."

Cui Rongrong began to organize the medicinal materials in the medicine cabinet, and Xie Xiulin, as always, silently assisted her.

"The Flower Festival is coming soon, how about we go out for a walk together?"

Xie Xiulin suddenly suggested, with anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Cui Rongrong shook her head, showing no interest: "I'd rather not go. I don't feel like going out lately."

She prefers quietness to begin with, and given her current situation, she has lost all desire to go out and play.

"I heard that this year's Flower Festival will have a beautiful woman from Loulan acting as a goddess. The scene is spectacular and rare to see. The lantern festival activities at night are also rich and colorful. It would be a pity to miss it."

Xie Xiulin said almost pleadingly, "Even if you want to accompany me, you can't always lock yourself up at home. Can you go out and get some fresh air?"

Cui Rong pursed her lips, struggled for a while, and finally nodded slowly.

They knew in their hearts that this gathering might be the last holiday they spent together.

Seeing this, Xie Xiulin was overjoyed and said, "Then it's settled!"

Cui Rongrong agreed with a smile, but a barely perceptible sadness flashed across her eyes.

Xie Xiulin continued to assist Cui Rong until all the herbs were collected. The two talked while they were busy. In a trance, Xie Xiulin seemed to have found his former lively and innocent self again.

As the night deepened, she reluctantly bid farewell to Qiu Shui Courtyard, leaving behind a long shadow that stretched and intertwined in the moonlight.

---