You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 23

Song Xuwan felt deeply uncomfortable hearing this. She suspected that Zhou Minghai’s insistence on raising their daughter to be a cultured young woman stemmed from his lingering affection for Min Rongxue.

The more she thought about it, the more resentful she became. She was determined to give Ningning another day off.

“Very well,” she said. “I had planned to take Ningning to the Annex tomorrow to deliver some gifts to Sister Min. But since Husband believes studying is paramount, I’ll supervise Ningning’s studies diligently tomorrow instead.”

Zhou Minghai, who had been basking in his perceived victory in their verbal sparring, froze.

He hadn’t visited the Annex since their last awkward encounter. He feared visiting too frequently would arouse Song Xuwan’s suspicions, and he was at a loss for how to mend his strained relationship with Min Rongxue.

If Song Xuwan initiated the visit, however, it would be different. He could conveniently stop by after work under the pretense of picking her up, making his visit appear legitimate and proper.

The sarcastic retort he had been about to deliver died on his lips. He quickly shifted his expression.

“Perhaps I’ve been too strict,” he said. “Since your mother is pleading on Ningning’s behalf, she may have another day off tomorrow. But no more slacking afterward!”

Song Xuwan rolled her eyes at his sudden change of demeanor. Still, to get closer to Min Rongxue and Ji Moyang, she would swallow this humiliation for now. She would repay him tenfold in the future.

The next morning, Song Xuwan took her daughter, Ningning, and some clothes and food to the annex.

During the sweltering summer, the city was stiflingly hot, but the Flowing Cloud Annex at the foot of the mountain was remarkably cool. Ningning was overjoyed and begged to stay longer.

“Ningning, there’s an aunt and some older siblings staying here now. The older sister is very sensible and quiet. Play with her often, and if you behave well, I’ll bring you here more often.”

Hearing about the older sister at the annex, Ningning’s eyes lit up. “Don’t worry, Mother,” she said excitedly. “I’ll be a perfect hostess and treat her like royalty!”

The carriage soon arrived at the Flowing Cloud Annex. After exchanging greetings, Song Xuwan once again offered the coral bracelet to Ji Liyue.

Though she had been refused before, Song Xuwan had noticed the longing in the girl’s eyes. For some reason, she desperately wanted to see the girl in her plain cloth dress and skirt wearing red and green, just like Ningning.

Min Rongxue couldn’t scold Ji Liyue in front of everyone, so she frowned silently, grudgingly allowing Liyue to accept the bracelet.

Of course, she had to reciprocate. She didn’t have anything valuable to offer, and a silver bracelet would likely be beneath Song Xuwan’s notice. Instead, she presented Zhou Jingning with a calligraphy copybook, personally handwritten by herself, which was considered a proper gesture.

The adults had vastly different personalities and hidden agendas, making meaningful conversation impossible.

Moreover, Ji Moyang was absent during the day, leaving Song Xuwan with no opportunity to provoke him. She suggested, “Why don’t we visit Fuyun Temple?”

“Yes, yes!” Zhou Jingning immediately agreed.

Ji Liyue looked pleadingly at Min Rongxue, who sighed inwardly. Well, it’s awkward here anyway. At the temple, I can at least see my father’s poetry.

The group quickly arrived at Fuyun Temple. Min Rongxue spoke first: “Since coming to the Capital, I haven’t had a proper chance to view my father’s poetry. I’d like to pay my respects. Madam Song, would you mind…?”

“Mother, let’s go too!” Zhou Jingning said, her face full of anticipation.

But Song Xuwan was hoping for a chance to “accidentally” run into Ji Moyang!

She hesitated. “Aunt Min probably wants to pay her respects to her late father alone with Liyue. It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to intrude. Besides, we’ve seen those poems countless times.”

“But I want to play with Liyue!”

Indeed, in the young girl’s eyes, outings were for fun, especially with a new friend. Whether they looked at poetry or not was irrelevant.

Ningning’s words made Min Rongxue frown. She had come to mourn her late father with a heavy heart, yet Song Xuwan and her daughter saw it merely as a visit for leisure.

How disrespectful!

But then she remembered Zhou Minghai’s words: “Madam hasn’t had much schooling. She probably gets a headache just looking at poetry.”

She smiled. “Poetry and literature can be dry and complex. It’s only natural that Song-meimei and Ningning wouldn’t understand or be interested. Why don’t you wait in the side room? I’ll take Liyue to see her grandfather’s works.”

Song Xuwan understood the sarcasm in her words. So, reading a few more books makes you think you’re morally superior? At least I didn’t drag my entire family into the mud.

She couldn’t be bothered to look at Min Rongxue’s haughty expression. “Very well,” she replied with a forced smile.

Ningning insisted on going, and Song Xuwan didn’t stop her, sending Nanny Yun along to watch over her. This left Song Xuwan free to act alone.

Learning that Ji Moyang was reading in the Library Pavilion, she marched there with Baizhi. But after searching both floors twice, Ji Moyang remained motionless as a statue, staring at his book without so much as a blink for an hour. He didn’t even notice her presence.

I can’t return empty-handed!

Especially after Min Rongxue’s mockery, she was even more determined to pounce on Ji Moyang immediately and make Min Rongxue vomit bl00d with rage.

“Baizhi, have the carriage sabotaged. We’ll stay overnight at the Annex.”

“Madam, the Annex is yours. You can stay whenever you please. Why sabotage the carriage?” Baizhi asked, puzzled.

Why? She still wanted to leave Ji Moyang with the impression that she was staying out of necessity, not out of deliberate seduction.

“Oh, and while you’re at it, sabotage Master’s carriage too. That way he can’t come to the Annex today.”

If Zhou Minghai showed up at a crucial moment, she’d have to ride back to the estate in his carriage. She couldn’t risk such a complication again.

After touring Grand Academician Min’s poetry and prose, the group idled away the afternoon with a vegetarian meal before leisurely returning to the Annex.

As fate would have it, the carriage axle broke just as they arrived.

Song Xuwan wore a look of feigned helplessness, while Ningning beamed with delight. “Mother, the carriage is broken! Let’s stay overnight! Sister Liyue has been telling me so many wonderful stories, and I haven’t heard enough yet!”

“Indeed, Madam,” Baizhi interjected, “it’s getting late, and there wouldn’t be time to send for another carriage from the Capital.”

Given the circumstances, Min Rongxue and Ji Liyue promptly urged Song Xuwan to stay.

Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, Song Xuwan graciously accepted.

As the hostess, she naturally wanted to inspect her residence, muttering, “It’s been neglected for years. I’ll take a look around to see what needs repairing. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience Sister Min.”

Min Rongxue offered a polite acknowledgment and retreated to her room. She and Song Xuwan had little in common.

Meanwhile, Zhou Minghai, who had just reached the city gate, suddenly found his carriage had stopped.

“Master, the axle is broken. We won’t be able to leave the city today.”

Zhou Minghai glanced at the sky and inwardly groaned in despair before reluctantly hiring another carriage to return home.

At Fuyun Temple, Ji Moyang had spent the entire day sitting idly, his classmates watching him with concern.

“Moyang, what’s been troubling you these past few days? You seem so listless. Is it the upcoming imperial examinations making you anxious?”