You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 2

“How could this be?!”

Nanny Yun handed Song Xuwan a peach blossom pastry to tide her over, smiling. “I heard about it early this morning. Master withdrew a considerable sum from the treasury this month.”

“As Madam knows, Master usually spends very little. All his daily expenses are covered by the estate, and he only withdraws a few taels each month to treat his colleagues to tea. The only time he spends more—about a hundred taels—is during Madam’s birthday month to buy her a gift.”

Nanny Yun’s smile widened. “Madam, can you guess how much Master withdrew this time?”

Song Xuwan took the pastry and slowly put it in her mouth, savoring the sweetness as it melted into every pore. Only when the flavor had completely faded did she ask, “How much?”

Nanny Yun held up three fingers and shook them, her grin practically splitting her face. “Three hundred taels in total! Master is really going all out for Madam’s gift this year.”

Hearing this, the maids behind Song Xuwan erupted in excitement, chattering about past gifts and speculating about what this year’s extravagant present might be.

As the sweetness in her mouth faded completely, Song Xuwan finally grasped the oddity: why had the money been withdrawn in separate installments rather than a single payment?

Did he visit several jewelry shops to buy gifts?

Zhou Minghai should have known she only appreciated the craftsmanship of Linlang Studio.

At the Flowing Cloud Annex, Zhou Minghai helped Min Rongxue settle in and insisted on hosting a welcome banquet.

After a long and tiring journey, with her daughter still unwell and her son unaware of her arrival—he was staying at Fuyun Temple with his classmates—Min Rongxue was in no mood for celebrations.

“It’s been such a rush today. I haven’t had a chance to tell Mo’er I’m here. Why don’t we wait until tomorrow, when he can come from Fuyun Temple, to hold the banquet?”

Zhou Minghai persisted. He hadn’t seen Min Rongxue in twelve years and couldn’t bear to part so soon after their reunion. Even if he returned home, his thoughts would undoubtedly linger at the Flowing Cloud Annex.

Reluctantly, Min Rongxue instructed the staff to prepare a few simple dishes and a pot of clear wine.

After years apart, a few cups of wine brought back memories of their youth.

A rosy flush gradually spread across Min Rongxue’s cheeks, instantly enlivening her pale complexion and drawing Zhou Minghai’s gaze repeatedly.

Sensing Zhou Minghai’s intense gaze, Min Rongxue felt a flicker of distaste. She stopped drinking and began pouring wine for him instead.

It was only a pot of clear wine; he wouldn’t get drunk.

But wine doesn’t intoxicate; people intoxicate themselves. Even a slight buzz had already made Zhou Minghai forget what day it was.

As a servant helped him into the carriage, he was still belting out tunes from his youth.

As twilight deepened, the stifling heat scattered, and Song Xuwan’s heart gradually cooled.

She stepped down the stairs, her lotus-like feet moving with graceful steps.

“Go wait for Master at the second gate.”

The maids and servants covered their mouths as they followed her, lining up to await their master’s return at the second gate—a custom typically observed by newlywed brides.

Their madam and master had been married for over a decade, yet she still waited so anxiously for his return. It was clear their marital affection was unparalleled in the Capital.

Nanny Yun grew even more convinced that her young mistress had chosen well. This son-in-law was truly worthy of the husband the late Master and Madam had meticulously selected years ago.

From dusk until the moon hung above the willow tips, Nanny Yun waited at the second gate until her legs grew numb. She repeatedly sent servants out to inquire about Master’s whereabouts.

“Master might have been dragged off for drinks by some tactless colleague, Madam. Let’s return to the rear courtyard and wait there.”

Song Xuwan shook her head, unsure of her own thoughts. She stood there numbly, “craning her neck in anticipation.”

A cool breeze swept through, scattering the intense jasmine fragrance that clung to her. Even when she tried to gather her robes, not a trace of the scent remained.

She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling a chill in the summer night wind, a coldness that crept into her heart.

Just as this chill threatened to fill her heart, a commotion erupted near the shadow wall. A loud shout carried to the second gate:

“Master has returned!”

The desolate courtyard gradually came to life. Servants rushed to light lanterns, others hurried to greet him, and Nanny Yun, overjoyed, ordered the kitchen to reheat the dishes.

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Minghai was being helped to Song Xuwan’s side. The man leaning heavily on his personal attendant still wore the stone-blue Hangzhou silk robe he had worn when he left, now crumpled beyond recognition.

Song Xuwan frowned briefly before smoothing her expression. “Don’t reheat the dishes,” she instructed Nanny Yun.

It was clear he had returned after a night of feasting and drinking.

Nanny Yun grumbled about his drunken state while directing the servants to escort Zhou Minghai to the rear courtyard.

“Settle him in the study,” Song Xuwan directed.

After years of marriage, Zhou Minghai had never been drunk before. Song Xuwan had no idea how to care for an intoxicated person. If he vomited in the middle of the night, her newly laid carpet would be ruined.

After a flurry of activity, Zhou Minghai lay obediently on the bed in his study.

Song Xuwan learned from his personal attendant that Zhou Minghai had encountered an old friend from his youth, reminiscing about the past and drinking too much.

Socializing among men was common, and given Zhou Minghai’s usually impeccable conduct, Song Xuwan didn’t press for further details.

After dismissing the attendant and servant boys to rest, she took a warm towel from Nanny Yun and began wiping Zhou Minghai’s face.

The once handsome features, which had still retained some elegance when they first married, had blurred with the passage of time, leaving only a familiar visage.

Watching Zhou Minghai, completely disheveled in his drunken stupor, Song Xuwan suddenly felt a strange sense of detachment. Is this really my husband?

Noticing Song Xuwan’s troubled mood, Nanny Yun couldn’t help but offer comfort. “Madam, please don’t be upset that Master didn’t return to celebrate your birthday today. You know how rarely the gentlemen of the Capital dine at home. For Master to get drunk outside for the first time in over a decade—he’s truly a rare and devoted husband.”

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Song Xuwan nodded. She was no longer a naive young girl who would make a fuss over trivial matters.

As the matriarch of the family, maintaining dignity between husband and wife and providing a warm, peaceful home environment for the children were far more important than fleeting romantic affections.

It was just her 27th birthday—neither a significant milestone nor a round number. She wasn’t going to dwell on it.

Seeing Madam’s brow still furrowed, Nanny Yun couldn’t help but nag, “Men hate nagging wives. Tomorrow morning, Madam, please don’t bring up today’s incident. Act as if nothing happened. The more magnanimous you are, the more guilty Master will feel, and he’ll cherish you even more in the future.”

“Perhaps Master is carrying your birthday gift right now.”

The thought eased Song Xuwan’s heart. She began helping Zhou Minghai undress, removing his garments one by one. But beneath the layers of clothing, there was nothing but more clothing—no sign of a gift.

Clutching Zhou Minghai’s inner robe, Song Xuwan felt an urge to kick him awake. Had the three hundred taels withdrawn from the accounts simply vanished into thin air?

Suddenly, Zhou Minghai mumbled something. Song Xuwan leaned closer to hear, catching only, “Twelve years… I’ve always thought of you.”

“Twelve years? Who have you been thinking of?” Song Xuwan pressed, her voice sharp.