You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 19

“Young Master, please focus on your studies and forget about that day.”

The soft silk handkerchief was slowly drawn from Ji Moyang’s hand, its gentle, ticklish touch evoking the memory of her tender admonishment that day.

As the handkerchief slipped away, it felt like this young woman before him would gradually fade from his mind after today, until one day she completely forgot him.

I can’t bear it!

This wasn’t just a fleeting dream; it was a destined encounter.

Just as the handkerchief was about to be completely withdrawn, Ji Moyang suddenly reached out and firmly grasped Song Xuwan’s delicate hand.

Startled, Song Xuwan tried to pull away, but Ji Moyang’s grip tightened.

His palm was clammy with sweat, and she could feel his nervousness, excitement, and pent-up energy—just like that day on the bed, his stamina far surpassing Zhou Minghai’s.

Song Xuwan quickly banished the sensual thoughts from her mind, feigning fear. Her rosy cheeks paled, and she gazed up in terror at the man who towered over her by a head.

“Young Master, you mustn’t repeat this mistake. Reputation is paramount.”

Indeed, reputation mattered—hers and his. The imperial examinations were the most important event in a scholar’s life, and such a violation of social norms and propriety could ruin everything.

His heart pounded like a thousand galloping horses, but when Ji Moyang saw the terror in the young woman’s eyes, he immediately released her hand.

“My apologies for my rudeness. This will never happen again,” Ji Moyang said before turning and leaving.

Song Xuwan stared at the red mark circling her wrist. Had Ji Moyang truly let go, ceasing his pursuit? Or was he even more captivated by her now?

No matter, she thought. I’ll keep provoking him. There’s still over a month until the Autumn Provincial Exam. If I can unsettle Ji Moyang and Min Rongxue accidentally discovers it, everything will be ruined for him.

In his study, Zhou Minghai sat slumped in his Grand Armchair, motionless for half an hour.

This can’t go on, he thought. There’s just over a month until the Autumn Provincial Exam. If Ji Moyang fails, Min Rongxue will return to her ancestral home.

Even if Ji Moyang passes, Min Rongxue might move to the Capital. And if she doesn’t, he’ll have to get rid of her anyway. Otherwise, when Song Xuwan visits the hot springs this winter, they’ll inevitably cross paths.

Despite his repeated visits, Min Rongxue remained aloof. He didn’t want anything more than to be her close friend, but why was it so difficult?

He recalled the days when he studied under Grand Academician Min. Min Rongxue would often bring snacks, calling him “Senior Brother” with every bite. How different she was now, frighteningly distant.

Does time truly erode everything?

I’ll definitely find a way to bring back the old days, he thought suddenly, recalling the many gifts Grand Academician Min had given him: brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, robes, shoes, and socks.

That’s it! Zhou Minghai realized he had found the perfect way to rekindle their relationship. It was as if fate itself were guiding him.

Before that, however, he needed to acquire a piece of auspicious land.

Two or three days later, Song Xuwan returned to Floating Cloud Residence. She waited near the side chambers for half a day, but Ji Moyang never appeared. She even deliberately strolled past him, but he didn’t approach her.

Has he really given up?

Song Xuwan refused to accept defeat. If Ji Moyang wouldn’t take the bait, how could she break Min Rongxue’s heart?

Just then, Lu Yuan approached hesitantly to report, “Madam, Master has gone to the Annex again today. He took leave from the Government Office early this morning and left immediately. After arriving at the Annex, he and Madam Min departed together in a carriage. I also heard Master purchased a plot of land.”

What’s going on? Had the two suddenly grown close? Were they building a love nest?

If she left the estate, wouldn’t it be more difficult to keep an eye on her?

Besides, she might accidentally cause someone’s death. Song Xuwan had no desire for her children to have illegitimate siblings.

“Take her to the Annex.”

At the Annex, Song Xuwan found only a docile, frail girl. The girl was innocent and answered every question truthfully, but she knew little beyond what Song Xuwan already knew. There were no bombshell revelations.

Impressed by the girl’s meekness, Song Xuwan gifted her a red coral bracelet, which the girl vehemently refused.

Truly docile.

“You’re Liyue, right?”

“Yes, Madam. Mother left the Capital while pregnant with me, hence the name ‘Liyue’—’Leaving the Moon.'”

It seemed Min Rongxue hadn’t been particularly excited about her daughter’s arrival.

Just then, a servant announced, “Madam, Master’s carriage is approaching.”

He’s back? Song Xuwan felt a thrill of excitement at her first attempt to catch her husband in an affair. She hurried Ji Liyue to the Annex gate to wait.

The carriage halted, and Zhou Minghai dismounted first. As he turned to help Min Rongxue alight, he froze at the sight of his wife standing nearby, watching him with a smile.

Panic seized him. Would Song Xuwan erupt into a shrewish tirade against Min Rongxue? Would she storm back to her maiden home? Would her two elder brothers simply have him killed?

Inside the carriage, Min Rongxue noticed that Zhou Minghai hadn’t offered her a hand as he dismounted, nor did she hear his footsteps moving away. Curious, she lifted the curtain and stepped out.

Her feet had barely touched the ground when she saw a radiant woman standing before her, gazing at her with a half-smile.

The woman’s hair was styled in a peony bun, adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with phoenix patterns and a pair of gold filigree hairpins set with ruby-eyed phoenixes and kingfisher feather tassels. Her appearance was dazzlingly opulent.

Her orange-red gauze gown trailed to the ground, its satin sash fastened with a piece of exquisite Hetian jade. The glass-beaded girdle swayed in the breeze, its tinkling pendants chiming softly. Beneath the flowing skirt, embroidered shoes peeked out, each embellished with a South Sea pearl the size of a pigeon’s egg.

This lavish attire was fit for a princess or noble lady, leaving Min Rongxue momentarily uncertain of the woman’s identity.

Song Xuwan had been waiting quietly for Zhou Minghai and Min Rongxue to dismount. As Zhou Minghai’s face grew paler, she said with feigned cheerfulness, “Husband, who is this lady?”

The word “husband” drained all color from Min Rongxue’s face. She had assumed Zhou Minghai’s wife knew about her presence here, and had even resented the woman’s lack of courtesy for not visiting her.

Today, she realized Zhou Minghai had never informed his wife about her. Now that she had been discovered, she felt like a shameful mistress, exposed and illegitimate.

Min Rongxue, renowned throughout the land, had never been subjected to such brazen scrutiny, especially with eyes filled with disdain and mockery.

Her usually pale face flushed faintly with suppressed anger.

Zhou Minghai inwardly regretted his decision. If only he had found another residence.

In previous years, Song Xuwan had only visited this annex occasionally during the winter. He never imagined she would suddenly appear in the summer, catching him completely off guard.

Knowing that playing the ostrich wouldn’t help—and that his silence would only deepen Min Rongxue’s embarrassment—he spoke up.

“This is the daughter of Grand Academician Min. The Grand Academician was my esteemed mentor. A few days ago, while paying respects to my late teacher at Fuyun Temple, I happened to meet Madam Min. Hearing that she had brought her young master to the Capital for the imperial examinations, I immediately invited them to stay here.”

The explanation sounded plausible, but Min Rongxue’s face paled further. She could tell Zhou Minghai didn’t even dare speak the truth.

It was Zhou Minghai who had repeatedly written letters, urging her to stay here. Now he claimed it was a chance encounter, making it sound as if she were a homeless wanderer whom he had kindly taken in.

Despite her anger, she couldn’t afford to lose her composure. Maintaining her dignified bearing, she greeted Song Xuwan with proper decorum. “I apologize for any inconvenience I’ve caused. I hope Madam will not take offense.”