You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 10

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

As people age, their minds become less flexible. Nanny Yun’s belief that Song Xuwan and Zhou Minghai could rekindle their affection was unlikely to change anytime soon.

If Nanny Yun wouldn’t change her thinking, Song Xuwan would have to change the person.

However, Nanny Yun had been her wet nurse and genuinely cared for her. Song Xuwan needed to be tactful in her approach.

Forcing a smile, Song Xuwan said, “I understand what you mean, Nanny. My heart still feels unsettled right now. But give me a few days to clear my mind, and Master and I will be as loving as we used to be.”

“Really?” Nanny Yun’s eyes lit up, nearly bursting into tears of joy.

Song Xuwan nodded. “Really. These past few days, my mind has been too troubled to care for the children properly. Ningning’s wet nurse isn’t nearly as attentive as you are. Would you mind watching over Ningning for me these next few days?”

“Of course, Madam. Rest assured, I’ll take good care of Young Miss while you recover.”

Nanny Yun, as delighted as a child who had just received a piece of candy, hurried out of the room. As she left, Song Xuwan murmured under her breath, “Fool.”

Nanny Yun was a fool who believed that if a woman was virtuous and virtuous, a man would eventually return to her.

But Song Xuwan was not.

“Baizhi, I heard you’re engaged now?”

Over the years, all the maids who had served Song Xuwan had married out of the household. None had ever been kept as concubines for Zhou Minghai.

As a result, her senior maids were always well-behaved, finding husbands on their own when they reached marriageable age, which saved her a great deal of trouble.

Hearing this, Baizhi showed no shyness. She replied frankly, “Yes, Madam. His family helps Second Maternal Uncle manage the estate. After I marry, I’ll be living there and may no longer be able to serve you.”

Baizhi’s parents had been part of Song Xuwan’s dowry, both having come from the Song family. The girl’s marriage to a Song family servant meant she knew the household well.

“Would you and your future husband be willing to come and help me manage my shops? Perhaps one day you could even open your own business and become a shopkeeper yourself.”

“Is… is that possible?” Baizhi’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Song Xuwan smiled and pressed two taels of silver into her hand. “Work hard, and I won’t let you down.”

Two taels of silver was more than two months’ wages for Baizhi. Tears welled up in her eyes as she pledged her loyalty. “Madam, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“Good. Then I want you to become a mute.”

Baizhi’s face gradually paled. Song Xuwan, amused by her reaction, burst into laughter before turning serious. “I have some matters that must remain secret from everyone, even Nanny Yun. You will handle them from now on.”

“Yes, Madam,” Baizhi nodded vigorously. “This servant will become a perfect mute.”

With her two maternal uncles capable of resolving any issue in the Capital, she and Madam could commit murder and arson without fear.

Song Xuwan was pleased with Baizhi’s response. While all her maids were reliable, Baizhi was the most trustworthy when it came to keeping secrets. Moreover, with both her maternal and marital families dependent on the Song family for their livelihoods, the chances of her betrayal were virtually zero.

More importantly, Song Xuwan had no intention of committing actual murder or arson. She merely planned to use subtle, domestic tactics to make Min Rongxue’s life a living hell.

“Has Eldest Madam Min left the city?”

“She departed early this morning, accompanied by her two daughters. The elder daughter, Min Shunyun, is a concubine’s child, while the younger daughter, Min Zhitao, is the legitimate heir.”

Baizhi meticulously reported every detail from the paper in her hand, fearing that any mistake might cost her this important task.

Song Xuwan laughed freely. Eldest Madam Min would never suspect that the letter she received last night had been sent by Song Xuwan herself.

Ever since Min Rongxue settled into the Flowing Cloud Annex, Song Xuwan had known it was unlikely she would return to her maternal home. If she intended to, she would have gone long ago.

As long as the Min Family hadn’t severed ties, they would inevitably visit to show familial affection.

Given their strained relationship, neither side would bring up the letter directly. Instead, they would exchange polite, knowing pleasantries.

Once Eldest Madam Min arrived at the Annex, Song Xuwan had her carriage sabotaged, making it natural for the family to stay at the Flowing Cloud Annex.

During the long night, what if Ji Moyang accidentally wandered into the wrong room and slept with the wrong person—perhaps his cousin, his younger cousin, or even his aunt?

That would be utterly fascinating!

Moreover, she had specifically invited Ji Moyang’s classmates to breakfast early the next morning, using the Flowing Cloud Residence’s steward as her pretext. Both Ji Moyang and his classmates would simply assume it was the host’s hospitality.

Imagine the spectacle: Ji Moyang waking up next to a woman, just as his classmates arrived. The thought alone was thrilling.

Even officials caught in illicit affairs faced reprimands or demotion. Yet Ji Moyang, the son of a convicted criminal, had barely been pardoned to take the imperial examinations when he slept with his own relative.

If this scandal became public, his reputation would be utterly ruined, and the Education Commissioner might disqualify him from the examinations.

He would never again have a chance to enter officialdom, and his name would become infamous among scholars.

For the rest of his life, he would likely languish in dark corners, consumed by remorse and self-reproach.

Song Xuwan was pleased with her scheme. Only then did she remember to ask about Zhou Minghai’s whereabouts.

Learning he was still preoccupied with Min Rongxue’s affairs, Song Xuwan found it unsurprising.

It seemed Zhou Minghai was incapable of doing anything that would shock her further in the near future.

Meanwhile, outside the Flowing Cloud Annex, Eldest Madam Min had just stepped down from her carriage. Seeing no one at the gate, she nearly turned around in anger.

He clearly wrote that he had come to the Capital, yet he didn’t even bother to pay his respects to his elder sister-in-law first?

And now that I’ve come here first, Min Rongxue doesn’t even bother to greet me at the gate? Does she still think she’s Princess Consort Guangyang?!

Inside the Annex, Min Rongxue, who was praying to Buddha, heard the servant’s announcement of Eldest Madam Min’s arrival. She was so startled she thought she must have misheard.

She had told her brother to bring his children back to the Capital for the examinations. He had urged her to return home with them, but she had already promised Zhou Minghai and, feeling rather self-righteous, had refused.

She hadn’t expected her brother to tell her sister-in-law, and even more surprising, her sister-in-law had come to visit uninvited. Was this an invitation to return to her maiden home?

Her relationship with her sisters-in-law had never been good, so she feared she would have to disappoint her brother’s earnest intentions.

The two sisters-in-law met again after twelve years, both dressed in plain, muted-colored robes, their hair adorned with simple silver hairpins.

When Eldest Madam Min saw Min Rongxue’s modest attire, she felt relieved, knowing her husband hadn’t squandered large sums of silver on his sister’s support.

Seeing her sister-in-law’s simple clothing, Min Rongxue realized her brother’s family hadn’t had an easy time either. She decided not to hold a grudge over the meager sums he had sent her over the years.

“Now that you’ve come to the Capital, why haven’t you visited home?” Eldest Madam Min asked, breaking the silence.

Min Rongxue’s expression remained cold, as if unwilling to delve deeper into the conversation. “Mo’er spends most of his time studying at Fuyun Temple. Staying here is more convenient.”

Neither woman extended an invitation for the other to stay at their home, nor did they clarify whose residence this was. The topic was subtly dropped.

“This must be Liyue, then?” Eldest Madam Min asked, glancing at the girl standing behind Min Rongxue.