You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 48

“Originally, one or two people would have been enough, but the Vice Minister insisted on sending four. It’s a perfect opportunity to curry favor with him, but it’s a real hardship for us subordinates. We have to endure five sweltering days at the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“I wouldn’t mind enduring a few days, but the Autumn Provincial Exam is just around the corner. I had planned to take Moyang to visit several renowned scholars. Being sent on official duty at this crucial time could jeopardize Moyang’s chances of passing the exam. It would be a terrible loss for little gain.”

Watching Zhou Minghai’s anxious demeanor, Song Xuwan couldn’t help but wonder, Is Ji Moyang your son? Why are you so concerned about him?

When your own son was studying, you acted like a distant uncle, completely indifferent. Yet when it comes to someone else’s child’s education, you’re more attentive than you would be to your own father.

If she hadn’t been convinced that Min Rongxue lacked the audacity to cuckold Prince Guangyang, Song Xuwan would have investigated Ji Moyang’s true parentage.

The more agitated Zhou Minghai became, the colder her heart grew. “Master, rest assured,” she said. “Young Master Ji is exceptionally talented. Missing a few visits to renowned scholars won’t prevent him from achieving high honors.”

Zhou Minghai nodded earnestly. “I know he’s a brilliant student and could pass without my help. But wouldn’t having more guidance increase his chances of success?”

Such dedication! Song Xuwan nearly lost control of her expression, feeling deeply resentful for her own son’s sake.

“Master, should you visit the Annex before you depart to give some instructions?”

Zhou Minghai’s eyes lit up, then slowly dimmed. “There probably isn’t time. I’ve arranged to leave with my colleagues. Tell you what, go to the Annex and keep an eye on things for a few days. Make sure Moyang isn’t troubled by anything during this crucial period. Once he successfully completes the Autumn Provincial Exam, I’ll finally be able to put my mind at ease.”

“Very well. After all, he’s staying in our home. If he passes, we’ll share in the glory.”

As Song Xuwan spoke, she frantically began inserting hairpins into her hair—gold, jade, gemstone—as if determined to use every last one from her jewelry box.

Seeing Song Xuwan’s ostentatious display, Zhou Minghai immediately intervened. “Didn’t I tell you to dress more plainly at the Annex? It’s not just about Madam Min finding it distasteful. Every time I see Liyue standing next to Ningning—one dressed simply, the other adorned with gold and silver—it pains me deeply.”

“Pains you?” Song Xuwan sneered. “If Master cares so much for that child, why not properly advise Madam Min? I’ve sent her so many fine fabrics—tell her to dress Liyue in them! She’s a widow herself, yet she insists on forcing a young girl into the same fate. And you blame me for this?”

Zhou Minghai knew Min Rongxue’s temperament well. She was not one for ostentatious displays of wealth and would naturally disapprove of her daughter’s gaudy attire.

Zhou Minghai sensed his wife’s growing dissatisfaction with Madam Min. Anxious to avoid conflict, he quickly changed the subject. “The annex is at the foot of the mountain, teeming with snakes, rats, insects, and ants. Madam, please take plenty of medicinal powder with you, especially to sprinkle around Moyang’s room. We mustn’t let this interfere with the Autumn Provincial Exam in a few days.”

Listening to Zhou Minghai’s endless fretting about Madam Min’s children—worried about their reputation and their performance in the exam—Song Xuwan’s teeth itched with anger. She repeatedly reminded herself to stay calm. Impulsive actions would only lead to emotional outbursts, solve nothing, and make her look like a shrew.

Stay calm, she thought. Deal with this in your own way.

Today was supposed to be her secret rendezvous with Ji Moyang. Since Zhou Minghai was so concerned about the Min Family, she would simply go to the annex and meet Ji Moyang there. This time, Madam Min would learn the truth, no matter what.

After days of careful preparation, even the slightest hint of trouble would now trigger Madam Min’s secret investigation. It would be impossible for her to remain unaware of Ji Moyang’s affair.

Forget the Autumn Provincial Exam, Song Xuwan thought. Let the Min Family’s scandal be exposed, forcing them to slink back to their ancestral home to prepare for the New Year in shame.

A knowing smile crept across her face. “Rest assured, Master,” she said. “I will take excellent care of Young Master Ji, just as I care for you.”

Everywhere, above and below the bed, she thought. I’ll take care of him thoroughly.

Zhou Minghai finally relaxed, chuckling, “I know you can be temperamental at times, but you never falter on important matters. If you handle this Moyang affair diligently, I will certainly reward you handsomely in the future.”

“I’ll be waiting for Master’s reward,” Song Xuwan replied with a triumphant smile.

At Fuyun Temple, Ji Moyang left the Annex, greeted Xia Yongyan and the others, and announced he was going to town to borrow books before heading down the mountain.

“Do you think he’s sneaking off to meet a young lady?” Xia Yongyan speculated.

“Most likely. Who borrows books that often? And always for a whole day,” Zu Hongyuan added, joining the conjecture.

Lu Zhengwen tapped Xia Yongyan and Zu Hongyuan on the head with his book, saying earnestly, “With his talent, he could pass the imperial examinations without even studying. It’s fine for him to relax a bit. But for the likes of us, we need to seize every moment and learn as much as we can.”

Hearing this, Xia Yongyan and Zu Hongyuan reluctantly put away their envious glances and picked up their books with renewed seriousness.

Nearby, Feng Shi watched Ji Moyang leave the temple. He followed discreetly down the mountain, only to discover Ji Moyang riding his horse at breakneck speed.

Feng Shi, relying solely on his two legs, couldn’t hope to hide, let alone keep up with Ji Moyang even in broad daylight.

He hastily hired a horse-drawn carriage and urged the driver to hurry. “Don’t lose him! Faster!”

Throughout the journey, the driver’s whip cracked relentlessly, nearly sparking from the friction, until they gradually caught up with Ji Moyang near the city gate.

Once inside the city, the crowded streets forced Ji Moyang to slow his frantic pace, allowing Feng Shi to follow with ease.

They trailed him to a small courtyard, where Feng Shi watched Ji Moyang enter directly.

Feng Shi stood beneath a nearby tree, his eyes fixed on the courtyard gate. He remained there until mid-afternoon, but no one entered or left.

After making inquiries, he learned that someone had recently rented the courtyard, though no one seemed to reside there regularly.

Feng Shi pondered the situation for a long time, eventually concluding that Ji Moyang must simply be seeking a quiet place to read.

As dusk approached, Feng Shi grew anxious about the city gates closing and preventing his exit. Just as he was considering knocking on the door to call Ji Moyang out, the courtyard gate swung open.

Ji Moyang led the horse, walking dejectedly ahead, while Feng Shi followed behind, his head drooping.

Once they were outside the city walls, Ji Moyang spurred the horse into a gallop. It was then that Feng Shi remembered he was on foot. He had spent all his money on a horse-drawn carriage that morning and hadn’t eaten all day. At this rate, how long would it take him to walk home?

Worse still, he hadn’t eaten all day. He might starve to death before he collapsed from exhaustion.

They rode hard until they reached the foot of the mountain where Fuyun Temple stood. The sky hadn’t yet darkened, but Ji Moyang’s mood was gloomy after not seeing Song Xuwan all day.

Several times while they were in the courtyard, he had considered going directly to the Zhou Residence, but he feared missing Song Xuwan if she was already on her way. So he had stubbornly waited all day for nothing.

“She didn’t come, and she didn’t even send word. How mischievous,” Ji Moyang muttered to himself. Three times in three days, five times in five days… He was already planning how to tease Song Xuwan during their next meeting.