Chapter 281: Chapter 281: Lesson Learned
Everyone thought that Third Master was cured, including Su Jin.
However, three days passed, and Third Master still hadn’t left the house.
But Xingxing couldn’t hold back her eagerness to collect the debt.
They had agreed to pay once the illness was cured.
It’s been a full three days, and still no money has been delivered.
Xingxing worried that they might plan not to pay at all.
This kind of money clearly belongs to my lady, yet not being able to grasp it feels really uncomfortable.
These people, really have no sense at all.
In the morning when Su Jin woke up, the first thing Xingxing said to her was, "Miss, when you go to pay respects later, don’t forget to remind them about the payment."
Xie Jingchen, returning from practice, happened to hear this sentence.
"There’s no need to collect the debt anymore," he said.
"Did they give you the money?" Su Jin asked.
"Your reputation is ruined, and Third Uncle’s illness isn’t cured," Xie Jingchen replied.
"..."
Su Jin lifted the quilt and got out of bed, looking at Xie Jingchen, "Are you joking with me?"
Xie Jingchen looked at her.
Su Jin was at a loss.
For such a big matter, he wouldn’t be joking.
"That’s impossible," Su Jin frowned.
"I used all my skills, yet I couldn’t cure your Third Uncle’s illness?" Su Jin was shocked.
She had never encountered a patient who failed her repeatedly.
Her golden reputation was shattered.
Xie Jingchen sat down and poured himself some tea.
"Third Uncle hasn’t left the house these days; if he were cured, he wouldn’t act like this," Xie Jingchen said.
That’s true.
Outside, everyone was gossiping about Third Master’s impotence; only by stepping outside would those rumors collapse on their own.
But—
Su Jin felt something was not quite right.
"I formulated the medicine myself; no one understands its effects better than me. It should have been clear to the entire Duke Mansion that your Third Uncle was cured, not a pretense," Su Jin said confidently.
If it was just a pretense, why have Third Madam shake the bed for half an hour inside the house?
Why wouldn’t Third Master fake it thoroughly, walk out of the mansion openly, just like before?
In the end, he still stayed inside; what was the point of all this?
Besides, Third Master even took a concubine.
Third Master’s illness was caused by psychological rejection; as long as he took a step forward, overcoming the psychological barrier would be enough.
Since he took that step, why wasn’t he cured?
Su Jin pondered for a long time but couldn’t figure it out.
Finally, during breakfast, she suddenly realized, "I know what happened."
Xie Jingchen looked at her.
What did she figure out?
Su Jin looked at him and said, "Your Third Uncle’s illness was cured by my medicine, but then something else happened, giving him a new psychological shadow, leading to this."
Xie Jingchen, "...."
"If your speculation is right, then my Third Uncle is really quite unlucky, isn’t he?" Xie Jingchen said exasperatedly.
"...."
"Your Third Uncle was already quite unlucky."
"...."
Pitied by his mother, and then further ruined by Princess Nanzhang.
This time, who knows if it was Third Madam’s doing, or if he did it to himself.
Su Jin stuffed a bun into her mouth.
Xie Jingchen looked at her.
"Don’t look at me, I’m out of options for your Third Uncle’s illness; find someone more skilled," Su Jin said in frustration.
If it were any other difficult disease, she would be eager to try.
This illness doesn’t interest her.
Third Master has sons and daughters; he need not worry about having no heirs, so it doesn’t matter if he’s not cured.
She hadn’t forgotten the grudge when Duke Zhen Country Mansion sent her a bowl of sterility medicine when she married in.
"Miss, should Third House still pay?" Xingxing asked.
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, they should pay," Su Jin said.
Qihao Hall.
Old Madam sat on the Arhat Couch, her fingers rapidly turning the Buddha Beads.
If even Xie Jingchen understood Third Master, how could Old Madam, who raised him, not understand?
Hongxiu came in.
Mrs. Wang asked, "Where is Third Master?"
Hongxiu shook her head, "Third Master is in the study. When this servant went to invite him, Third Master didn’t open the door."
"Didn’t say he was coming, nor that he wasn’t."
That certainly means he wouldn’t come.
Mrs. Wang sighed in her heart.
Old Madam raised her hand, and Mrs. Wang helped her stand up.
Su Jin had just arrived at the door of Qihao Hall when she saw Mrs. Wang assisting Old Madam out.
Su Jin walked forward and paid her respects to Old Madam.
Old Madam ignored her.
Su Jin silently rose and followed behind.
Xie Jinxiu glared at her, "Grandmother is going to the South Courtyard; why are you following?"
"To collect payment," Su Jin said straightforwardly.
"Collect payment?" Xie Jinxiu was infuriated.
"It’s because of your Dongxiang Marquis Mansion that my father ended up like this, and you didn’t even cure him. How dare you take money?!" Xie Jinxiu lashed out at Su Jin.
Ignoring her, Su Jin still headed to the South Courtyard.
But she ultimately didn’t enter the courtyard gate.
Because after Xie Jinxiu went in, she instructed the maids and old servants in the yard, "If she dares to come in, chase her out with brooms!"
She said it very loudly.
Old Madam paused in her steps, glanced back.
But she didn’t scold Xie Jinxiu.
The old servants stood ready.
Xingxing already had her whip out.
As soon as Su Jin gave the word, a brutal battle would unfold.
However, Su Jin just laughed softly.
"Let’s go," she said.
Xingxing looked at her, unable to believe their young lady just retreated without a fight.
"Are we really leaving?" she asked.
"It was my oversight, forgetting the principle of trading cash for goods," Su Jin said.
"This time, consider it buying a lesson for two pills."
Su Jin turned and left.
Xingxing glared fiercely at the old servants and stuffed the whip back into her bag.
The maids and old servants of the South Courtyard felt triumphant.
On the way back to Agarwood Pavilion.
Xingxing didn’t speak at all.
Su Jin laughed, "Why aren’t you talking?"
"It was so embarrassing just now; I’m thinking about how to regain face," Xingxing said.
"Have you thought of a way?" Su Jin asked with a smile.
"Yes!"
"How will you regain face?" she asked curiously.
"When I return, I’ll instruct the maids in the yard that if anyone from the South Courtyard dares to approach Agarwood Pavilion, chase them away," Xingxing said fiercely.
"...."
"It’s a pity Little Black isn’t here, otherwise I could have it bite people."
"...."
Su Jin was speechless.
"Miss, isn’t my method great?" Xingxing asked with a strange confidence.
Su Jin couldn’t bear to burst her bubble, "It’s a fantastic lousy idea."
In the South Courtyard, inside the study.
Old Madam pushed the door, but it was bolted and wouldn’t open.
She knocked a few times.
Mrs. Wang called out, "Third Master, Old Madam is here to see you."
No one answered her.
Old Madam’s heart tightened, afraid that Third Master might do something foolish, she ordered the old servants to kick the door open.
The door crashed to the ground with a bang.
Old Madam walked in, seeing her son’s haggard appearance, her heart wrenched.
Mrs. Wang guarded the door, sending everyone else far away.
After a short while, Old Madam’s voice came through, "Tell Third Madam to get over here!"
Third Madam hurriedly arrived.
Seeing Old Madam’s furious expression, Third Madam was frightened to her knees.
Old Madam raised her hand and slapped her.
The illness was originally cured, but she, the jealous wife, ruined it, how could Old Madam not be angry?
Makes her son suffer so much, even flaying her wouldn’t quench her anger.
"Where is Mrs. He?!" Old Madam’s voice was icy cold.
"If Old Madam wishes to see her, I’ll send someone to call her," Third Madam said trembling.
Old Madam almost couldn’t catch her breath.
"She’s still alive?!" Old Madam was so angry her lips trembled.
Third Madam quickly explained to Old Madam that it wasn’t the right time to end Mrs. He’s life yet.
Old Madam was furious, "How could I have such a stupid daughter-in-law like you!"
"Have Mrs. He leave the mansion to handle affairs!"
"If she comes back alive, then you will move back to your parental home!"