You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 32

Song Xuwan saw through Zhou Minghai’s petty schemes. Her only regret was not being able to exact revenge on him and Min Rongxue sooner.

After a moment’s thought, she suggested, “Since the roads are treacherous, Master, why not stay the night? The conditions should improve by tomorrow.”

“You can’t compare to me,” he grumbled. “I have to go to the yamen tomorrow, while you can sleep in as long as you please.”

With that, he abruptly stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Zhou Minghai visited Ningning and Liyue, praising their progress in their studies. He then seized the opportunity to speak privately with Min Rongxue, thanking her for tutoring Ningning in calligraphy, before reluctantly taking his leave.

After he left, Min Rongxue fell into deep thought. She had noticed a distinctive fragrance on Zhou Minghai, and strangely, the same scent lingered on Ji Moyang. How could this be, when the two men had never met?

She summoned Madam Ma and voiced her suspicions. “Go to the Young Master’s room and see if you can detect a familiar fragrance. It’s been bothering me.”

Madam Ma concocted an excuse and went to Ji Moyang’s room. He had been studying at the Annex these past few days. Madam Ma brought him a cup of tea and quickly withdrew.

Back in Min Rongxue’s room, she casually remarked, “There is a scent. It smells like Madam Song’s perfume. But all our clothes come from her, so they probably use this fragrance at home.”

Hearing this, Min Rongxue understood where the familiarity came from. It reminded her of the scent Zhou Jingning had when he first arrived. She dismissed it from her mind.

That night, Song Xuwan had made two preparations. She sent Nanny Yun to check on Min Rongxue and arranged for Baizhi to wake someone up in the middle of the night. Surely not everyone would be asleep.

Unfortunately, her suspicions proved correct. By midnight, there was no movement outside, and Song Xuwan had lost hope.

Seizing a moment when Ji Moyang was resting, she leaned over and wept against his chest.

“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? I was being so gentle.”

The emotions she had carefully cultivated nearly shattered at Ji Moyang’s crude remark. She quickly sobbed, “Young Master, I’m so scared! Every time I close my eyes, I see Madam Min standing at the foot of my bed. I’m terrified!”

Ji Moyang remained completely relaxed, showing no trace of tension. He casually supported Song Xuwan’s smooth back and gently reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ve drugged her. Even thunder wouldn’t wake her.”

“Ah?” Song Xuwan was completely taken aback.

Ji Moyang continued smugly, “I was worried your nanny and personal maid might notice, so I drugged them too. If you’re still afraid, I’ll drug everyone in the courtyard tomorrow. You could scream and no one would hear.”

Song Xuwan was utterly stunned. How could this be happening? She had sacrificed herself to the tiger, only to find it was all for nothing. Min Rongxue had been drugged.

“What kind of drug is it? What if it fails? Where did you get it?” Song Xuwan fired off questions one after another.

“Give me a kiss and I’ll tell you.”

A flush crept across Song Xuwan’s deathly pale face.

Ji Moyang began to explain, “Back in my ancestral home, there was a martial arts academy near the academy I attended. I became friends with the young master there, and we started training together.

“I have a photographic memory. Attending school in the morning and practicing martial arts in the afternoon didn’t affect my studies at all. But when my mother found out, she vehemently opposed it. With no other choice, I had to drug her and sneak out to train at night.”

“I’ve been using this medicine for years. It won’t fail. Rest assured.”

Song Xuwan wasn’t just reassured; she was utterly resigned.

The plan to have Min Rongxue catch her in bed with Ji Moyang in the middle of the night had failed. Seducing Ji Moyang during the day and getting caught by Min Rongxue seemed equally unlikely. Ji Moyang actually behaved like a decent person during the day, unlikely to do anything that would tarnish her reputation.

Her only option now was to leave clues for Min Rongxue to find and uncover the truth herself.

When Song Xuwan woke again, seeing the equally guilty expressions on Nanny Yun and Baizhi’s faces, her heart was as still as water.

One thought consumed her: I must go home immediately, or I’ll suffer here for nothing.

When Zhou Minghai arrived, Song Xuwan abandoned all pride and practically begged him.

“Master, I can’t stay at the Annex any longer. I’m going home today.”

Zhou Minghai refused, his face cold. “Look at me today—my boots are covered in mud, and half my robe is filthy. What good would it do for you to go back? You’d only make things worse.”

“But I can’t stay here any longer!” Song Xuwan cried, tears streaming down her face.

Nanny Yun, her heart aching at the sight, wiped her own tears and pleaded, “Master, please open your eyes and see Madam. Her spirit is truly weakening. If we delay any longer, the demon will drain all her vital energy.”

Growing increasingly exasperated, Zhou Minghai retorted, “She’s just being lazy. Tell her to take a few laps around the courtyard, and she’ll be bouncing around like a rabbit by tomorrow.”

“Come, I’ll help you walk around the courtyard.”

Song Xuwan wanted to cry but had no tears left. It wasn’t that she refused to walk; her legs simply wouldn’t support her. Even sitting, her back ached terribly.

Seeing Song Xuwan’s immobility only reinforced Zhou Minghai’s conviction.

“See? She’s just being lazy and blaming it on evil spirits in the courtyard. Hmph!”

Zhou Minghai swept his sleeves and strode away, leaving Song Xuwan to sob into her pillow. “Master, please take me back to the manor…”

That night, Song Xuwan made no plans. She had completely surrendered to fate’s cruel mockery, knowing any effort would be futile.

But her submission earned her no mercy from the male demon. He snarled, “I hear someone’s been crying to leave?”

Song Xuwan, terrified, burrowed deeper under the covers, muttering, “My body really can’t take this anymore.”

Lifting a corner of the blanket, Ji Moyang saw the marks on her body and felt a rare pang of sympathy. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll find out when he comes home?”

“No, after erecting a memorial tomb for your grandfather, he declared a year of mourning, during which we’ll live separately.”

This eased Ji Moyang’s mind somewhat, but he immediately thought of the many hypocritical men like himself who maintained a facade of virtue. How could anyone resist touching such a stunning beauty?

Zhou Minghai would likely break his vow within ten days or two weeks.

At this thought, Ji Moyang felt a murderous rage toward Zhou Minghai, completely forgetting that he was the adulterer.

“If he ever acts like an animal, you must refuse him and tell me immediately.”

This piqued Song Xuwan’s curiosity. What right did Ji Moyang have to interfere in their marital affairs?

“What do you plan to do, Young Master?”

“I’ll say I dreamed of your grandfather, who discovered his disciple’s insincere mourning.”

Well, that’s a convenient excuse.

After a night of debauchery, Ji Moyang promised, “If you stay here obediently, I won’t be so rough in the future. But if you ever dare to cry your way home again, you know what I’m capable of.”

Song Xuwan shuddered in fear, pleading pitifully, “I can’t stay here forever.”

“You’ll leave only when I allow it.”

After Ji Moyang leaped out the window and left, Song Xuwan shook her head with amusement. What a hot-headed young man, she thought. He really thinks he’s so capable. It’s just that I’m willing to humor him.

She would leave whenever she pleased, and today was the day. No one could stop her.

When Zhou Minghai arrived that afternoon, Song Xuwan had no patience for pleasantries. She immediately ordered the maids and servants to pack her belongings.

As soon as Zhou Minghai went to check on Ningning, she signaled Nanny Yun and the others to carry her to the carriage. She couldn’t bear to stay another moment; otherwise, she might truly lose her life here.

Fleeing as if escaping a den of tigers and wolves, she feared that any delay would allow the demons to drag her back.

Zhou Minghai entered the small study to find Min Rongxue guiding Ningning and Liyue in calligraphy. He stood quietly by the side, waiting until Min Rongxue dismissed the children for a break.

“Father, you’ve come to see me again?”