Chapter 27 No New Clothes

Chapter 27 No New Clothes

Kang Ping took the money from the marquisate's account and went to the government office to settle the matter.

Although the issue was resolved, today’s closure of Jufu Buffet had already become common knowledge, with a group of peddlers and suppliers suing Jufu Buffet in court.

This was all because Xing Dairong, who was once praised throughout the streets, was now accused of owing money, and this news spread just as quickly.

Within a day, Xing Dairong’s reputation plummeted.

From being known as a kind-hearted and generous woman, she became labeled as someone who owed innocent peddlers their dues, used others’ goods to build her own reputation, and ultimately forced the marquisate to pay off her debts.

Meanwhile, rumors began circulating that Xing Dairong planned to open an underwear shop, which was considered scandalous.

Given her past in a brothel, people added more fuel to the fire, spreading malicious gossip.

They said she came from a brothel, bullied innocent peddlers, used others’ flowers to make herself look good, borrowed others’ money to boost her own reputation, and was full of dirty ideas, only knowing how to seduce men and deceive the marquisate’s heir.

All her previous praise vanished.

Those who had previously spoken highly of Cheng Yunshuo marrying such a wonderful woman now turned their tone, ridiculing him.

As a result, Cheng Yunshuo did not dare to go out for some time and stayed in his Yaoguang Pavilion.

Although his monthly allowance was cut off, his meals were still provided.

However, he could no longer add extra dishes to his meals as before, as those were now discontinued with the cessation of his monthly stipend.

Anything beyond the standard required payment.

Soon, Mid-Autumn Festival approached.

Qiu Ling received a new set of clothes.

The marquisate was large, and ordinary maids and servants received two sets of new clothes each year, while concubines and mistresses had new clothes allocated for each season. Concubines received one set per quarter, and during festivals, they would receive an additional set.

Qiu Ling happily wandered around the courtyard in her new embroidered autumn jacket, which had just been delivered from the storeroom.

From a distance, she saw Xing Dairong still wearing her summer clothes.

“Oh, Sister, you’re still wearing summer clothes? Aren’t you cold?”

Qiu Ling waved her fan as she approached.

The tables had turned; when she was in power, Qiu Ling had avoided her. Now that Xing Dairong had fallen from grace, she couldn’t help but step on her.

Xing Dairong glanced at Qiu Ling in her new clothes and snorted, walking away.

"What’s the rush? Can’t we chat for a bit?"

"What do I have to talk about with you?"

Qiu Ling directly flaunted her new clothes. "Look at my new outfit. Isn’t it nice? Where are your new clothes? Everyone has been given clothes for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Oh, sorry, I forgot! You’re not a concubine yet, so you don’t get any."

Xing Dairong: "..."

She gritted her teeth, looking at the smug Qiu Ling. Damn it, this wench always knows how to rub salt in the wound!

Ever since Cheng Yunshuo’s allowance was cut off, she had no money either.

She had no official status in the marquisate and thus no monthly allowance or stipend.

Her food and clothing all depended on Cheng Yunshuo’s money. She came from a brothel and brought no autumn clothes with her. Now that Cheng Yunshuo had no money, she couldn’t afford new clothes.

By mid-August, she was still wearing her summer clothes.

Not a single piece of autumn clothing.

"What do you have to show off? It’s just a set of old clothes!"

"Old clothes... Do you even have any?" Qiu Ling paused, fanning herself and blinking at her.

"Loofah, let’s go back!"

Xing Dairong didn’t want to argue anymore. She was in a low position and didn’t want to fight with her.

"Sister, don’t be in such a hurry to leave. If you really don’t have any autumn clothes, tell me. I have a couple of old ones you can wear." Qiu Ling smiled.

"If that doesn’t work, offer a cup of tea to the young mistress. She’s kind and will definitely give you new clothes!"

Xing Dairong stormed off faster, enraged.

Back at Yaoguang Pavilion, Cheng Yunshuo was reading in the study.

Since the buffet incident was settled, they had been in a silent feud for several days, neither speaking to the other.

Xing Dairong was angry that Cheng Yunshuo didn’t stand by her side, didn’t support her, and didn’t understand her. Her business failure was already painful enough, and she didn’t do it on purpose. Why did everyone blame her?

Cheng Yunshuo thought Xing Dairong was becoming increasingly unreasonable. Even though she made mistakes, he tried his best to help her, but she still acted high and mighty, expecting others to placate her.

After all, they were just ordinary people.

Ordinary people with average abilities and plenty of flaws.

They continued their silent feud, neither acknowledging the other.

Xing Dairong, having just endured Qiu Ling’s taunts, kicked open Cheng Yunshuo’s door in frustration.

"What are you doing?" Cheng Yunshuo looked at her unhappily.

Xing Dairong put her hands on her hips, biting her lower lip as she glared at him, "This is how you treat your wife!"

Cheng Yunshuo turned his head away, too lazy to bother with her, and continued reading.

"Cheng Yunshuo!"

Seeing that he was ignoring her, Xing Dairong rushed forward to snatch his book.

"Xing Dairong, what's wrong with you now!"

"You say I'm crazy?" At this, Xing Dairong's eyes welled up with tears, feeling both angry and wronged. She had come to this world alone.

At the height of her love, she had entrusted everything to this one man, and now he called her crazy.

"You're a liar! You said you would be good to me for life, and look how long it took for you to call me crazy! You liar, liar, liar!"

Xing Dairong tore Cheng Yunshuo's book in a frenzy.

Seeing his book being torn, Cheng Yunshuo became annoyed. He grabbed her hand, "Where have I ever lied to you! Where have I not been good to you!"

"Then where are my new clothes! It's already autumn, and I'm still wearing summer clothes. Do you know how that wench Qiu Ling mocked me just now! When a woman marries, she should have food and clothing, but you don't even give me new clothes. Is this how you treat me?!"

Xing Dairong felt wronged, and so did Cheng Yunshuo!

Hearing her complaints, Cheng Yunshuo bluntly replied, "I've been filling your holes! I've spent all my monthly allowance on you! Where do I have money to buy you new clothes!"

"Hmph! So it's all my fault then!"

"Isn't it because you insist on doing things your way without any business sense!"

"Cheng Yunshuo, you have no heart!"

Xing Dairong cried out in frustration.

Just then, Qingfeng came to report.

"Prince, Madam requests your presence."

Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo let go of Xing Dairong. Seeing he was about to leave, Xing Dairong clung to him like an octopus, "I won't let you go! Where are you going! You can't go anywhere!"

Once or twice was fine, but the third time was too much.

Cheng Yunshuo pushed Xing Dairong away, "Qiu Kui, lock her in the room!"

"Cheng Yunshuo!"

Xing Dairong, held back by someone, screamed hysterically and threw things inside the room.

In Lu Lingyun's courtyard.

Cheng Yunshuo arrived with an unhappy face.