You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 41

Fortunately, there were no bronze mirrors here, or she wouldn’t have had the face to look at her reflection. After combing her hair, she eagerly had Baizhi help her leave as quickly as possible.

Just as they stepped into the courtyard, Ji Moyang emerged from the inner room, smiling. “Leaving so soon?”

Song Xuwan’s legs were so weak she could barely stand. She turned back, her voice sharp with anger. “What more do you want?”

She was terrified Ji Moyang might do something even more outrageous. Even though Baizhi was her personal maid, the situation was mortifying enough.

Fortunately, Ji Moyang still had some sense of propriety in public. He extended his palm, revealing a ruby earring nestled in his hand.

“You’re missing an earring. Didn’t you notice?”

Song Xuwan felt a pang of embarrassment. She had been so focused on escaping that she hadn’t noticed. She quickly gestured for Baizhi to retrieve it.

But Ji Moyang slowly closed his hand, sidestepping Baizhi as she approached. He descended the steps from the main hall, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he slowly advanced toward Song Xuwan.

“What are you doing?” Song Xuwan asked nervously.

Watching Song Xuwan’s frantic, defensive posture, Ji Moyang suddenly thought she resembled the squirrel he had once caught in the mountains—all claws and teeth on the surface, but utterly adorable underneath.

He stood before Song Xuwan, grinning without a word, then tilted his head and personally fastened the earrings onto her.

“I’ve already done everything I wanted to do for now. If there’s anything else, let’s save it for three days from now.”

Song Xuwan couldn’t believe she had been teased by a young man. As she helped Baizhi leave, she was terrified Ji Moyang might chase after them.

Only after settling into the carriage did Song Xuwan fully realize the reason for her failure.

Zhou Minghai trusted her completely, without a shred of doubt. He had even forbidden anyone from speaking ill of her or tarnishing her reputation.

If this were true, the only way to make Zhou Minghai believe her would be to tie him to her bed and force him to watch her and Ji Moyang together.

But that would be utterly pointless. Without suspicion, anxiety, the need for verification, and the emotional rollercoaster of catching them in the act, the whole affair would lose its thrill.

Since Zhou Minghai was a dead end, perhaps she could sow doubt in Min Rongxue’s mind instead?

If she could make Min Rongxue suspicious, the woman would either investigate on her own or drag Zhou Minghai along to verify her suspicions.

Either way, the outcome would be the same.

Seeing Baizhi sitting beside her, hesitant to speak, Song Xuwan said wearily, “After buying a hair clip for Ningning today, I also arranged for your dowry.”

“Yes, Madam,” Baizhi replied quickly, her mind sharp. “I saw a bolt of crimson brocade silk, but it was out of stock. I’ll accompany you back in a few days to pick it up.”

Such a quick-witted servant, Song Xuwan thought. Since there was no way to get through to Zhou Minghai, she would temporarily maintain the lie to avoid raising suspicions among the household staff and making them think Madam was restless and going out every day.

It wasn’t that she feared Zhou Minghai would discover anything; the main concern was the Main Branch of the Zhou family. The two branches maintained close ties, and if the servants noticed anything amiss and started gossiping, it would inevitably reach the Main Branch. Her eldest sister-in-law would be delighted to spread any scandal about her.

If her reputation were tarnished, it would inevitably harm her children as well.

Returning home feeling dizzy, Song Xuwan gave the hair clip to Ningning. After a moment of delight, Ningning pouted and said, “Mother should have taken me with her. I wanted to pick one out myself.”

Song Xuwan rubbed her temples and said softly, “We’re not just picking out hairpins today. Baizhi is getting married after the New Year, and I’m taking her to choose fabrics for her wedding dress. You’d only cause trouble if you came.”

“How could I be trouble?” Ningning protested, her face clouding over. “I’m learning embroidery now, and my teacher often talks about different fabrics. I’d learn so much if I came along!”

“Is that so?” Song Xuwan smiled. “Nanny Yun, did you hear that? Our Eldest Miss wants to learn about fabrics. Go open the storeroom—if she can’t recognize all the fabrics there, why would she need to go outside?”

Nanny Yun chuckled in agreement. “Exactly, Young Miss. What fabric don’t we have in the storeroom? Even the fabrics worn by the imperial concubines—the ones our Maternal Uncle received as rewards—are stored for Madam. Just tell me what kind of fabric you want to learn about, and I’ll take you there.”

Realizing she wouldn’t be able to go out and wander, Ningning resigned herself. Then, another thought struck her, and she said earnestly, “Mother, there really are fabrics I don’t recognize. When I first met Liyue-jiejie, I couldn’t identify the fabric of her clothes. I’d never seen it before, so I assumed it was very expensive. After guessing for ages, I finally learned it was the cheapest material. I wonder if Liyue-jiejie felt uncomfortable when I kept asking about it like that?”

Song Xuwan stroked Ningning’s head in silence, then said earnestly, “Her family has always been frugal. When you’re with her, try to avoid talking about daily expenses. Stick to discussing poetry, embroidery techniques, and things like that.”

The young girl was sensitive. Seeing others adorned in gold and silver, discussing nothing but precious metals, jade, and fine silks, Song Xuwan feared the simple, reserved child might become overwhelmed and develop a bitter personality in the future.

To her dismay, Min Rongxue had returned all the fine fabrics and jewelry she had sent. If the girl were less magnanimous, she would surely grow up feeling inferior and insecure.

Song Xuwan’s concerns were well-founded. At that moment, Ji Liyue was in her room, caressing a coral bracelet. Each bead glowed a brilliant red, reminiscent of the red hair ribbon her brother had bought her for New Year’s one year.

Sadly, her mother had forbidden her from wearing it, forcing her to hide it at the bottom of her chest—just like the coral bracelet now.

Hearing Feng Shi and his wife, Madam Ma, greeting Ji Moyang outside, Liyue quickly put away the bracelet, pushed open the door, and ran out.

“Brother’s back?”

She had adored the floral embroidery patterns Ji Moyang had brought her last time. She had been constantly asking about him, hoping he would visit the Zhou Residence again to ask Ningning for more patterns and help her obtain a few.

Ji Moyang met his sister’s eager gaze with a guilty conscience. He hadn’t gone to the Zhou Residence today.

He awkwardly patted Liyue’s shoulder and whispered, “Next time. I forgot this time.”

“It’s okay, I’m not in a hurry. Borrowing books is more important, Brother.”

Every time Ji Moyang went to town, he used borrowing books as his excuse. Liyue understood this perfectly and wasn’t particularly disappointed.

Ji Moyang was about to say something more when he saw Min Rongxue emerge from the house. After bowing respectfully, he heard Madam Ma approach and announce, “Madam, dinner is ready.”

The family ate in silence. Whether it was Min Rongxue’s imagination or not, she sensed a palpable joy radiating from Ji Moyang after his trip to the city—a stark contrast to his despondent mood of the past few days.

As the Autumn Provincial Exam drew near, despondency was common. His sudden exuberance seemed peculiar.

“You seem in high spirits today. Did you meet some learned scholar in the city who offered you guidance?”

Ji Moyang’s heart skipped a beat. His mother was perceptive; he couldn’t let her suspect anything.

Moreover, he hadn’t brought Zhou Minghai along to borrow books today, fearing exposure later. He couldn’t use Zhou Minghai as a cover this time.

“Not exactly. I was just reading at the study when I overheard students from other academies discussing the upcoming Autumn Provincial Exam. They were guessing the exam questions, and I found their proposed solutions remarkably simple, which naturally lifted my spirits.”

Min Rongxue’s expression turned icy. She set down her chopsticks and said, “So, hearing others guess the exam questions and knowing all the answers makes you think you’re invincible?”