You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 26

Song Xuwan suddenly understood. “I think I get it now. The Late Emperor punished so many Imperial Princes back then. Now that the Emperor sees them as no threat, he deliberately issued an edict pardoning them. This earns him a reputation for benevolence while subtly defying the Late Emperor’s decree.”

“You’re being unusually clever today,” Song Zhijian praised.

“So, associating with these exiled descendants of the Imperial Clan poses no political danger. The Emperor sits firmly on the throne and doesn’t even glance at these disgraced relatives. As long as no one uses their names to raise a banner of rebellion, the Emperor likely won’t even notice them.”

Does that mean Zhou Minghai’s actions are beyond reproach? Song Xuwan felt a pang of frustration.

“If you have something on your mind, just say it,” Song Zhijian said. “Don’t worry yourself to death.”

“No, no, I’m fine,” she insisted.

Terrified that Song Zhijian might sense something and intervene to separate her from Zhou Minghai, leaving him with lifelong regret, Song Xuwan hastily took her leave.

Back home, Ningning had just finished her embroidery lesson. She picked up her own lotus flower embroidery and then Liyue’s pouch, her little face wrinkling in a frown.

“Even though Sister Liyue never had a proper embroidery teacher, and I’ve been taught by the masters at the Brocade Pavilion, my work isn’t even a tenth as good as hers. It’s so embarrassing!”

Seeing Ningning so troubled at such a young age, Song Xuwan quickly reassured her, “You’re only eight, while Liyue is eleven. She’s had three more years of practice, so it’s natural she’s better. In three years, you’ll definitely be as skilled as she is.”

“You’re good at comforting people,” Zhou Minghai said sarcastically as he entered the room, removing his outer robe. “Always making excuses for your own shortcomings. Three years to master embroidery? I doubt it!”

The atmosphere in the room instantly chilled. Ever since Min Rongxue arrived in the Capital, Zhou Minghai had been finding fault with everyone in the family.

When he was away, the household was harmonious and cheerful. But the moment he returned, he became irritable and critical, finding fault with everything.

Song Xuwan straightened her back and said coldly, “If Master believes Ningning isn’t suited for embroidery and won’t improve even in three years, then she shouldn’t learn it at all. Everyone has their own strengths. Why force her to do something she’s not good at?”

“You!” Zhou Minghai stamped his foot in anger. “Lacking both virtue and talent, is this how you raise our child?”

“You yourself know nothing, and now you’re letting our daughter learn nothing either? Have you considered what will happen when she grows up and knows nothing?”

Song Xuwan rolled her eyes at the stomping Zhou Minghai. “Didn’t Master say that even if Ningning studied, she wouldn’t learn well? Why waste her time? She struggles with her studies, makes no progress, and is constantly scolded by her father. It’s better for her to focus on what she’s good at and enjoys.”

“What is she good at? What does she enjoy? It’s all your fault—she’s incompetent at everything!” Zhou Minghai showed Song Xuwan no mercy.

Song Xuwan felt Zhou Minghai was deliberately nitpicking, completely forgetting her past merits.

“Master, that’s going too far. While I may not excel at everything, my calligraphy is decent. Ningning’s handwriting is already quite presentable. Let her focus on practicing her calligraphy—at least that will be something she can show off when she grows up.”

“Hmph!” Zhou Minghai sneered coldly.

“You’ve been spoiled by your family. How dare you call that handwriting good? Have you ever seen Madam Min’s calligraphy? Once you do, you’ll understand what true artistry looks like.”

“Forget Madam Min—even Liyue’s handwriting is a hundred times better than yours! Such shameless boasting! How can you even claim your calligraphy is good?”

Song Xuwan finally snapped. She had tolerated their petty criticisms before, but today they were directly comparing her to Min Rongxue—a blatant provocation.

She had tried to provoke the Min family with gentle methods, but her approach had clearly been too mild. She should have gone straight to her elder brother and had their legs broken before tossing them out of the Capital.

Then she would have Zhou Minghai tortured and imprisoned in their estate, ensuring the star-crossed lovers would never see each other again.

“Nanny Yun, pack our things. We’re leaving. If they can’t stand us here, why stay and invite their contempt?”

Nanny Yun, who had been anxiously pacing as Madam and her son-in-law traded barbs, now frantically blocked Song Xuwan’s path.

“Madam, all couples argue. Don’t run home over such a trivial matter—people will laugh at you. Besides, the Old Madam and Maternal Uncle always side with reason, not family. If you complain about the Young Miss’s calligraphy or embroidery, they’ll only scold you.”

From the moment Song Xuwan threatened to return to her maiden home, Zhou Minghai was terrified. He knew his two elder brothers-in-law’s temperaments all too well. If he let Song Xuwan go back, he feared he wouldn’t be out of the Imperial Prison before the New Year.

Fortunately, Nanny Yun worked tirelessly to mediate the situation. He could sense her protective intentions, realizing there was still room for negotiation. His face pale, he begged for forgiveness, “I didn’t mean to say your calligraphy was truly bad. I just meant there’s always someone better, and learning never stops, right?”

“As Nanny Yun said, if you go back to complain, our elderly mother-in-law will inevitably worry and overexert herself. We’ll both be scolded, and what good will that do besides making us a laughingstock?”

Seeing Song Xuwan’s stubbornness softening, Nanny Yun added, “Madam, you’re a mother of two now. Arguing like this will only make the children laugh at us.”

“Besides, our Young Master is studying at the Imperial Academy and only returns home every half-month. If he comes back to find his parents at odds, he’ll be worried sick.”

The mention of her children instantly deflated Song Xuwan’s anger. No matter what she did, her children’s well-being always came first.

A harmonious family and a capable father were the cornerstones of her children’s future security. Zhou Minghai’s life, for now, had to be preserved for their sake.

But staying home felt suffocating. Song Xuwan snapped, “We’re going to the Annex.”

“Look at the sky, Madam,” Nanny Yun cautioned. “It’s about to rain. Perhaps you should go tomorrow.”

“Someone, prepare the carriage!” Song Xuwan insisted on leaving.

Nanny Yun sighed helplessly and ordered servants to quickly pack toiletries, muttering, “A trip to the Annex will do her good. It’s also a chance for Young Miss to learn more from Young Miss Liyue.”

Seeing Song Xuwan finally abandon her plan to visit her maiden home, Zhou Minghai felt as if he had won a battle. Forgetting his earlier terror that had nearly made him wet his pants, he sneered, “Exactly! You should learn from Madam Min. Look how well she raised her children. Even in the backwoods, she managed to bring up such outstanding offspring…”

Song Xuwan glared back, silencing him instantly. He quickly turned to Ningning, “Study hard from your Liyue-jie. I don’t expect you to be as brilliant as her, but if you’re half as good, I’ll be satisfied.”

In the carriage leaving the estate, Ningning’s eyes welled with tears. “Mother, am I really that stupid?”