You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 37

The two children must have sensed the tension between their parents, subtly urging them to get along. Standing nearby, Song Xuwan’s eyes instantly welled up. Though her children might lack exceptional talent, each one was remarkably considerate and filial.

Zhou Minghai, moved by the scene, turned away for a long moment before finally saying, “It’s getting late. We should set off soon.”

After seeing Zhou Xinglin off, Zhou Minghai stood beside Song Xuwan and sighed, “Now that the children are grown, shouldn’t we parents be more understanding and avoid worrying them?”

His tone carried a hint of reconciliation. Considering their young children, Song Xuwan refrained from her usual sarcastic retort.

For a fleeting moment, Song Xuwan considered abandoning her plans for revenge. Zhou Minghai harbored feelings for someone from his dreams, and she had given him a taste of his own medicine. They were even, in a way.

But then a servant announced, “Master, Young Master Ji from the Annex has arrived.”

Zhou Minghai instinctively strode off without a word, completely forgetting his wife and daughter standing beside him.

Song Xuwan cursed her own foolish tenderness. Even if she genuinely wanted to return to her family, Zhou Minghai would likely remain entangled with Min Rongxue for the rest of his life.

Any future expectations she harbored for Zhou Minghai would be her own fault.

Just after sending Ningning back to her courtyard to study, a servant from the second gate arrived to announce, “Master requests Madam’s presence.”

What business of mine are the men’s guests? she wondered. Surely Ji Moyang wouldn’t come here to expose himself? Unlikely. Still, she decided to go and see.

Upon entering the Flower Hall in the front courtyard, she found Zhou Minghai and Ji Moyang seated in order of seniority. Zhou Minghai leaned forward, his tone gentle. “My son spoke of you for half the night yesterday, Young Master Ji. He truly admires your erudition. I would be grateful if you could spare some time to guide him.”

Ji Moyang quickly clasped his hands in a respectful bow. “Not at all, not at all!”

He suddenly noticed Song Xuwan entering, his posture stiffening. He nearly knocked over a teacup on the low table. Recovering quickly, he added, “You flatter me, sir. It would be my honor,” and bowed politely to Song Xuwan.

Song Xuwan nodded coolly at Ji Moyang, offering only a perfunctory greeting as she took a seat on the opposite side of the octagonal table.

Zhou Minghai’s displeasure at Song Xuwan’s coldness was evident, but he refrained from scolding his wife in front of Ji Moyang.

Straightening his posture, he glanced sideways at Song Xuwan and said blandly, “Young Master Ji came to borrow books. Liyue specially embroidered two handkerchiefs for you and Ningning. I summoned you to instruct you to prepare a proper return gift for Liyue, lest we appear discourteous.”

Song Xuwan sneered inwardly. Was Zhou Minghai afraid she wouldn’t return the two coarse cloth handkerchiefs, or was he worried she might return two heavenly silkworm silk handkerchiefs instead?

She desperately wanted to argue with Zhou Minghai, but remembering Ji Moyang’s presence and his perception of her as living cautiously, she knew it was inappropriate to reveal her shrewish temper.

Lowering her gaze submissively, she replied, “As Master commands.”

“If there are no further instructions, I shall return to the rear courtyard to prepare the return gifts.”

Zhou Minghai was pleased with Song Xuwan’s docility, feeling his status as Eldest Master now firmly established. He couldn’t resist flexing his authority further.

“No need to rush. My carriage has taken Xinglin to school. Arrange another carriage; I’ll take Young Master Ji to visit an old friend and borrow a book.”

“What book do we lack that we need to borrow?” Song Xuwan blurted out.

“It’s the Commentary on the Four Books. Our family’s copy is a manuscript; I’m taking Young Master Ji to borrow the original. Never mind, you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

Her impatient demeanor deeply troubled Ji Moyang, who sat nearby.

He hadn’t seen Song Xuwan in days, his heart aching with longing. He feared that visiting her unannounced would reveal his feelings, yet he couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering in silence.

Finally, he resolved to check on her. His fears were confirmed: Song Xuwan was indeed living miserably, constantly ordered around by Zhou Minghai, too cowed to utter a word of protest.

Given her powerful family background, how could Zhou Minghai wield such control over her?

Ah, she depends on her husband for everything, he realized. She must be afraid to defy him in any way. Besides, she’s always been so delicate—even I, a notorious rake, lack the courage to oppose him. How could she possibly stand against her husband, who looms over her like the heavens themselves?

He bitterly resented his own lack of power and influence, which prevented him from protecting her. Hurriedly pulling out the handkerchief Liyue had prepared, he offered it with a contrite bow. “My lord, thank you for your trouble today.”

Seeing Ji Moyang so eager to leave and borrow books, Zhou Minghai thought, As expected of a talented scholar—all he cares about is reading.

He glanced at Song Xuwan. Enough for now. I’ll scold her later. Today, more pressing matters take precedence.

Only after Zhou Minghai had left with Ji Moyang did Song Xuwan rise slowly from her chair, her voice heavy with melancholy.

“Nanny, I remember when Young Master Xinglin was starting his education, we asked Master to invite an Academician who had retired from officialdom to tutor him. But Master kept putting it off—today, then tomorrow, then the day after. In the end, it was Elder Brother who arranged for a tutor.”

The memory was distant, and Nanny Yun struggled to recall the details. “I do remember when Young Master was going to study at the Imperial Academy, you asked Master to secure a spot for him. Master was busy and kept forgetting. Eventually, it was the Maternal Uncle who helped Young Master get a place.”

“Busy? As if he could be busier than Elder Brother! He just didn’t care,” Song Xuwan said bitterly.

Nanny Yun quickly tried to comfort her. “Men are like children. They grow up little by little. Look at Master now—he’s so diligent, not putting anything off.”

“Yes, Master is certainly eager today.”

Too bad it’s not because he’s changed, but because he’s doing this for Min Rongxue’s son.

What does Ji Moyang have to do with him? Why is he running errands like a servant for him, while completely neglecting his own flesh and bl00d?

Does he even deserve to be called a father? Does he deserve Xinglin’s filial respect?

Perhaps he just wants to be a father to Ji Moyang.

If that’s the case, she was determined to sleep with Ji Moyang, and she’d make sure Zhou Minghai caught them in bed. She wanted to see if he’d still want Ji Moyang as his son after that.

At dinner time, Zhou Minghai returned, and as expected, Ji Moyang followed behind him. Given their close family ties and the difference in their generations, there was no need for separate seating arrangements for men and women.

Seeing the table laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, Zhou Minghai finally felt a bit more at ease. Song Xuwan had at least shown some sense by not serving stir-fried vegetables or cold bean sprouts to their guest.

He considered praising Song Xuwan for her generosity but quickly dismissed the idea, fearing it might make Ji Moyang suspicious of their family’s unusual dining habits. He pretended not to notice the lavish spread.

During the meal, Zhou Minghai excitedly recounted the various compliments he had received while taking Ji Moyang to borrow books, as if those praises were directed at him personally.

Song Xuwan, thoroughly annoyed, turned to Ningning and asked, “What return gift did you prepare for Sister Liyue?”

Ningning replied shyly, “My embroidery skills aren’t as good as Sister Liyue’s, so I didn’t want to embarrass myself. But the embroidery master happened to have a beautiful floral pattern, so I traced a copy to send to her.”