You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 50

Having strived so long, she couldn’t bear to abandon her plan now. If she didn’t act decisively, Ji Moyang would truly participate in the Autumn Provincial Exam.

Even if Madam Ma discovered her scheme, the woman would leave the Capital with Min Rongxue when they returned to their ancestral home. Who in the Capital would ever know?

It would simply mean one fewer candidate among the examinees this autumn.

Tonight, she would lure Ji Moyang out of the Annex for a secret rendezvous, then confront Min Rongxue and her son outside. Tonight was the night to crush them.

After receiving her instructions, Baizhi immediately began making arrangements.

Soon, in a shadowy corner of the Annex, Madam Ma overheard two servants gossiping. “I heard that girl who tried to sneak into Young Master’s bed last time got thrown out. I thought Young Master Ji was a true gentleman, but guess what?”

“What?” the other servant asked eagerly.

“Turns out he has someone else in his heart. They say he often meets her secretly at the temple. I heard it from someone who works there…”

The servant rambled on for a while, but Madam Ma strained her ears and couldn’t make out a word until she heard the final exchange:

“Tonight? Really tonight at the temple?”

“Why would I lie? Just watch if Young Master leaves tonight.”

Madam Ma suddenly felt as if she had been struck by a thunderbolt. The Young Master was going out for a secret rendezvous tonight, and it seemed everyone in the Annex knew about it except the Min Family.

The thought of the Young Master’s possible romantic relationship with Young Master Xia sent a chill down her spine. This was no trivial matter. If things continued this way, the Young Master’s reputation for such affairs would spread even before the results of the Autumn Provincial Exam were announced.

No matter what, I must inform Madam first and then decide what to do.

She turned to head toward Madam Min’s chambers, but halfway there, she ran into Feng Shi, who looked as if he had nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

“What happened to you? You look like you’re fleeing a disaster!”

“Don’t ask,” Feng Shi said weakly. “Just help me back to my room.”

Once Feng Shi was back in his room, had some water, and eaten, he finally had the strength to complain. “I still don’t understand why Madam insisted I follow the Young Master, and secretly at that. I nearly didn’t make it back today!”

Madam Ma didn’t want to discuss the matter. The Young Master’s reputation was paramount. She pressed him, “So, after all that, what did you discover today?”

Feng Shi sighed repeatedly. “That’s the problem—I discovered nothing! That’s why I can’t understand why Madam wanted me to follow the Young Master. He’s been diligent in his studies since childhood, doesn’t keep bad company, and has no vices. What could Madam possibly be worried about?”

After complaining, he recounted everything he had seen that day, unable to resist adding, “Honestly, if Madam wants to know something, she should just ask directly. This tailing is exhausting for me, but more importantly, what if the Young Master finds out and misunderstands? Wouldn’t that affect his mood? The Imperial Examinations are just around the corner, aren’t they?”

Only then did Madam Ma realize how impulsive her earlier decision to tell Min Rongxue had been. With the Imperial Examinations so close, what would Min Rongxue do if she discovered the Young Master’s secret rendezvous?

Even if she pretended nothing had happened, what if the Young Master couldn’t save face? Wouldn’t that still affect his performance in the examinations?

And what if Min Rongxue’s emotions exploded, leading to a violent conflict between mother and son? That would undoubtedly disrupt the Imperial Examinations.

Madam Ma was immediately thrown into a panic, unsure what to do. She murmured to her husband, “What if the Young Master has done something he shouldn’t have—something that would infuriate Madam? If we find out, should we tell her?”

Exhausted from his day’s work, Feng Shi snapped irritably, “What’s so urgent that it can’t wait until after the Young Master enters the examination hall in a few days?”

“In a few days?” Madam Ma asked uncertainly.

“In a few days,” Feng Shi replied firmly.

“We know our Young Master well. What could possibly be so urgent? Is the sky going to fall? What harm could a few days do? These days are crucial. If anything goes wrong…”

Feng Shi didn’t finish his sentence. Madam Ma herself hesitated. She stood up and said to Feng Shi, “You go to sleep first. I’ll go check on Madam.”

As she walked, she remained torn. If she didn’t tell Madam, wouldn’t that be concealing information? What if Madam found out and blamed her?

But if she told Madam, and Madam had an emotional outburst, how would they handle the aftermath?

She took two steps back, wondering if she should just tell her after all. She could accompany Madam to Fuyun Temple to investigate. What if they were both mistaken and the Young Master wasn’t having a secret rendezvous?

Even if he was, she could persuade Madam to endure a few days. Surely that wouldn’t be too much to ask.

Just as she was wavering, Ji Moyang appeared out of nowhere and asked, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“I… Young Master… I… I wanted to see if Madam was asleep,” Madam Ma stammered.

“Good.”

Ji Moyang held up a box of pastries and offered it to Madam Ma. “I bought these today. Take them to Mother. I won’t disturb her while she’s praying.”

“Very well, very well,” Madam Ma said, her steps light as she hurried toward Min Rongxue’s room.

Min Rongxue had just finished her Buddhist devotions and was preparing for bed when Madam Ma entered, her face beaming. She placed the pastries on the table and said, “Madam, the Young Master bought these specially for you, knowing you haven’t been feeling well these past few days.”

The words visibly softened Min Rongxue’s expression. She smiled faintly. “He does have a thoughtful side.”

Seeing Min Rongxue’s mood improve, Madam Ma quickly summarized the day’s events.

“My husband returned. He said the Young Master spent the day either studying or borrowing books, doing nothing out of the ordinary. We’ve watched him grow up, and he’s not the type to act foolishly. Even if he made a mistake once, he’s probably already regretting it deeply. Let’s just pretend nothing happened and stop investigating, shall we?”

Min Rongxue, who had been about to taste the pastries, froze at Madam Ma’s words. Her face turned cold. “Have you discovered something you’re hiding from me?”

Madam Ma dropped to her knees with a thud, weeping. “This servant wouldn’t dare! I’m just afraid of Madam’s anger. Normally, you could punish the Young Master however you see fit, but the Autumn Provincial Exam is only a few days away. Madam, please show mercy and let him focus on his studies.”

“If you were to get angry, Young Master’s mood would be ruined, affecting his performance on the exam. He’d have to wait another three years, and who knows what the situation will be like then?”

Min Rongxue was well aware of these reasons. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have secretly ordered someone to follow Ji Moyang.

But this was the first time her son had ever slipped out of her control, and she was genuinely panicked, desperate to know the truth of the matter.

Seeing Madam Ma’s worried expression, she sighed. “I feel the same way you do. That’s why I’ve been tormenting myself these past few days. I don’t necessarily want to catch him in the act; I just need to know how bad things have gotten and how this will end.”

Sensing Min Rongxue’s softening tone, Madam Ma quickly wiped away her tears. “It’s not that this servant was trying to hide anything from you. I was just afraid you’d lose control and confront Young Master. I heard he’s planning to meet someone tonight. Should we just pretend we don’t know?”