Chapter 132: Bringing Cheng Yunshuo Back to the Estate

Chapter 132: Bringing Cheng Yunshuo Back to the Estate

Qin Shaojing's words briefly silenced the room.

Lu Lingyun had already informed Lady Qin and the Old Marquis about Cheng Yunshuo's situation.

She had spoken of it euphemistically, saying that after Xing Dairong died from difficult labor, Cheng Yunshuo had been deeply disheartened and had not been home for many days.

Lady Qin and the Old Marquis were well aware of their son's wayward behavior.

Now seeing that he really hadn't come back, they knew he must be engaging in his usual irresponsible actions again.

With guests present, the Old Marquis said sternly, "Ignore that unfilial son!"

"Yes, let us proceed with the meal; pay him no mind," Lady Qin added.

They chose to overlook the matter and dined with Qin Shaojing, then arranged for her to rest.

Qin Shaojing sensed something amiss but wisely refrained from asking further.

After everyone dispersed, she returned to her own courtyard.

Once inside, her senior maidservant observed, "The Marquis's estate seems much more magnificent than before."

When Lady Qin married into the Ningyang Marquisate, it was during its rise to prominence. She had managed the estate for over a decade, and it had only become better than before.

Especially when compared to the rapidly declining Qin Ducal Manor, the Ningyang Marquisate was visibly wealthier.

"This demonstrates the importance of staying in the Imperial City and maintaining the emperor's favor," Qin Shaojing sighed.

Although her family held ducal status, they were now faring worse than a marquis's estate. Truly, the world was unpredictable.

"We must firmly hold onto this great tree, the Ningyang Marquisate," the senior maidservant advised.

Their future depended on this trip; there could be no return to the Qin Ducal Manor. That place was utterly hopeless.

"I understand, Senior Maidservant," Qin Shaojing blinked. "By the way, check on my cousin."

"Yes!"

After Qin Shaojing left, Lady Qin and the Old Marquis still had to inquire thoroughly.

"Lingyun, what exactly is happening with Yunshuo?"

Lu Lingyun thought for a moment and replied truthfully, "Since Aunt Xing passed away due to childbirth complications, Cheng Yunshuo has been frequenting brothels for over ten days."

"Smash!" The Old Marquis smashed the teacup. "This disgraceful scoundrel!"

"You must also keep watch over him," Lady Qin, still partial to her son, added.

"How can you expect Lingyun to control him! She has been doing more than enough! While we're away, she manages the household perfectly, even adding three children. It's Yunshuo who is causing trouble!" the Old Marquis cursed.

Hearing this, Lady Qin fell silent.

He was right.

Lu Lingyun ran the household so well that no fault could be found.

Today, setting up the room for Qin Shaojing earned her some respect. Her own beloved son was, indeed, beyond her control.

What could she do about it?

Moreover, she had successfully assisted in the delivery of a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, and this year, had added three more people to the household. This was a great contribution.

"Father, Mother, this is my fault for not handling things well. I'll send someone to bring the Young Master back," Lu Lingyun said timely, observing Lady Qin's expression.

Lady Qin gave her a grateful and satisfied look.

Beside her, the old Marquis slammed his hand on the table, "Why bother calling! Just drag him back!"

The old Marquis forcefully sent people to fetch him from the brothel.

By the end of the day, he was brought back.

Dead drunk.

Neither Lady Qin nor the old Marquis said anything; they just put him in a room to sleep it off. But the next day, Cheng Yunshuo didn’t show his face, nor did he pay his respects. Instead, he ran back to the brothel.

Drag him back once more!

This continued for three days until Cheng Yunshuo finally came back on his own because he was out of money.

The old Marquis had informed the brothel that the Marquis's household would no longer cover his bills. With this firm action, Cheng Yunshuo was kicked out.

He wandered the streets for half a day, reeking of alcohol, looking like a beaten dog, and returned to the Marquis's residence.

It was then that Qin Shaojing, who had been staying at the residence for some time, finally met her long-awaited older cousin.

"Brother Yunshuo, do you remember me?" Qin Shaojing inquired, furrowing her brow as she gazed at the disheveled Cheng Yunshuo.

Cheng Yunshuo lifted his head, "Are you... the new famous courtesan from which place?"

Qin Shaojing: "......"

"You good-for-nothing! This is your cousin Shaojing!" The old Marquis, furious, slapped him, his anger boiling over.

The slap half-sobered Cheng Yunshuo.

He stared at them with bloodshot eyes, numbly recognizing his parents. His parents were back.

But he didn’t move, his eyes lifeless, staring motionlessly at the old Marquis.

It made the old Marquis want to grab a stick and hit him.

Seeing that the old Marquis was about to get serious, Lady Qin said, "Forget it, forget it, he's still not awake."

"Still a child! He’s already fathered three children, yet he’s still a child!" The old Marquis was furious, his heart aching from anger.

He knew seeing his good-for-nothing son would make him angry, but not this angry.

Seeing the situation, Lu Lingyun said at the right moment, "Father, since Yunshuo is like this, it's my fault for not managing him well. I'll take him back to sober up. He'll come to apologize to you tomorrow."

Under Lady Qin's watchful eye, she instructed the servants to carry the numb and unresponsive Cheng Yunshuo away.

Watching him leave right under their eyes, the old Marquis finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He slammed his hand on the table with a thud, exasperated and disappointed, "Doing this again!"

Qin Shaojing: "Uncle, I’ll go back to my courtyard and rest."

"Shaojing, go ahead. Don’t take offense. When your cousin sobers up tomorrow, I’ll beat him to vent your frustration."

Qin Shaojing fluttered her eyes. "Uncle, don’t worry. I’m fine."

After leaving the Ningxin Courtyard, Qin Shaojing’s brows knitted together in utter disgust.

Her cousin had turned out like this. How did he end up this way?

"Miss, this old servant has learned that the heir of the Ningyang Marquisate has always indulged in romantic escapades. Last year, he caused a huge scandal with a famous courtesan, which set the whole city buzzing." Qin Shaojing’s nursemaid said, "It seems he hasn’t changed one bit."

Qin Shaojing’s brows knitted tighter in utter disgust. "Enough, don’t mention him again."

"Yes."

Qin Shaojing had come to the capital to find a husband.

She would need to carefully screen every potential suitor.

Her cousin, Cheng Yunshuo, was the heir of the Ningyang Marquisate. She had a vague memory of him, having met him a few times when they were younger, and remembered him as a fairly decent man.

Now it seemed... He could drop dead for all she cared.

Her eyes darted around. She realized she would need to search more carefully.

Just then,

Lu Lingyun brought Cheng Yunshuo back to Yaoguang Pavilion.

Throughout the journey, Cheng Yunshuo remained in a state of numbness.

Even when placed on the bed, he remained motionless, his eyes bloodshot and intensely red.

Seeing him like this, Lu Lingyun sighed.

She sat beside him and said, "Crown Prince, if something is bothering you, please talk to me."