You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 6

Ji Moyang didn’t bother responding. To be honest, when he first arrived at Fuyun Temple, he had been somewhat taken aback by his own reputation.

But he quickly grew accustomed to it. Having been the center of attention since childhood, such casual remarks barely registered in his mind.

Another classmate, Xia Yongyan, chuckled, “You can tell you haven’t seen much of the world. Moyang and I have been classmates for a decade, and we’re always the center of attention wherever we go. I’ve heard enough praise to fill at least eight or ten baskets—not to mention Moyang, even I’m completely unfazed by it now.”

“They weren’t praising you,” Zu Hongyuan retorted, amused.

“I share in the glory!” Xia Yongyan replied nonchalantly, showing no trace of jealousy.

After all, Ji Moyang had been writing calligraphy by age four and composing poetry by five. Such a prodigy was beyond envy.

Rather than envying such a freak of nature, Xia Yongyan preferred competing with peers closer to his own level, where he actually stood a chance of winning.

As they spoke, Lu Zhengwen, who was walking ahead, slowed his pace, pointed to the left, and ducked behind the others, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.

“Moyang, they’re here for you.”

Ji Moyang looked up to see several young ladies standing beneath a tree, gazing in their direction.

Ji Moyang remained composed amidst the scholars’ discussions, but the daily pursuit by a group of young ladies stirred an almost uncontrollable urge to flee.

He dared not linger, his face hardening as he urged Lu Zhengwen to keep moving.

“Ignore them.”

Just then, a bold young lady threw a sachet in their direction.

Unfortunately, her aim was off, and it landed on Xia Yongyan instead.

Xia Yongyan picked it up and tossed it back, apologizing, “Thank you for your kindness, young lady, but I am already married. Your affection is misplaced.”

“Shameless! It wasn’t even meant for you!” The young lady stomped her foot in anger from afar, her companions erupting in laughter.

Seizing the opportunity, the group quickened their pace and finally reached the foot of the Library Pavilion.

“That was close! I’ve never encountered so many young ladies in my entire life, and every single one of them was trying to pelt me with sachets!” Zu Hongyuan exclaimed, feigning shock.

The others remained unfazed, prompting Zu Hongyuan to ask curiously, “Isn’t this Fuyun Temple? It’s usually filled with scholars preparing for the Autumn Provincial Exam. Why are there so many young ladies here? If they’re seeking marriage, shouldn’t they be at Daxiangguo Temple?”

“You wouldn’t understand,” one of them replied knowingly.

Xia Yongyan waved his folding fan and said, “As the saying goes, ‘A thousand-mile marriage is tied by a single thread.’ Daxiangguo Temple has conveniently transferred the marriage prospects to Fuyun Temple. Just look around—all these young ladies are here to meet the candidates for this year’s imperial examinations, their future husbands.”

He pointed his fan at Ji Moyang and teased, “And let’s not forget our great scholar, Ji Moyang, is here too.”

Ji Moyang’s expression remained unchanged, as if the teasing weren’t directed at him.

In the Library Pavilion, Song Xuwan leaned over the railing, gazing down.

A middle-aged man in brown work clothes stood three steps away, meticulously pointing out the individuals below.

“Madam, see that man in the blue Daoist robe? That’s Ji Moyang. He’s incredibly talented—everyone in the temple knows him. Many young ladies come here hoping for a chance encounter, hoping to find a match.”

“He doesn’t seem to be engaged?” Song Xuwan recalled that the information she had didn’t mention any engagement.

The middle-aged man wiped a bead of sweat, bowing respectfully. “Our inquiries suggest he’s not engaged, but such private matters require further confirmation.”

Fearing that Song Xuwan might perceive their handling of the matter as inadequate and report them to her elder brother, the Censor-in-Chief, the middle-aged man carefully considered his words before continuing his explanation.

“He is the son of Prince Guangyang, demoted to commoner status and returned to his ancestral home. This is common knowledge in the region, which complicates matters of marriage. Madam Min might look down on a daughter of the poor, while noble families fear being implicated in his past affairs. Thus, despite his renowned talent, few are willing to marry him.”

Song Xuwan nodded. The young ladies of the Capital likely remain unaware of Ji Moyang’s true circumstances, only knowing him as a brilliant young man. They flock to him recklessly, heedless of the consequences.

Recalling how Ji Moyang had walked from afar, instantly becoming the center of attention wherever he went, and how people continued to turn back to gaze after he passed, she understood that he truly was a phoenix among a flock of wild chickens.

Though she couldn’t discern his features from the distance, his tall, jade-like figure and simple scholar’s attire exuded an otherworldly elegance.

As expected of a descendant of dragons and phoenixes, even reduced to commoner status, his innate nobility shone so brightly among the ordinary folk that he was impossible to ignore.

Min Ruxue, widowed for years, must be immensely proud to have raised such an exceptional son.

A young prodigy like this likely needed only to pass the imperial examinations to leap like a carp through the dragon gate.

But Min Rongxue had made the fatal mistake of taking up residence in the Flowing Cloud Annex—Song Xuwan’s dowry annex.

To live in her house and seduce her husband? She would pay the price.

Song Xuwan’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

There’s no such thing as a free meal in this world. Every gift you believe fate has bestowed will demand a bitter price at the appointed time.

Very well, then. She would ruin this young prodigy, letting Min Rongxue taste the agony of pouring her heart and soul into something for over a decade, only to see it crumble at the final moment.

Nanny Yun stood nearby, her heart pounding with trepidation. Her mistress had always been fiercely unwilling to suffer losses. When wronged, it was better for her to vent her anger. The more she suppressed it, the more ruthlessly she would make her enemies pay.

Seeing Song Xuwan’s complete indifference after learning of Zhou Minghai’s affair, Nanny Yun knew she wouldn’t let him off easily.

Now, witnessing Song Xuwan specifically tasking Eldest Master Song’s men with investigating Min Rongxue, Nanny Yun sensed that Song Xuwan was preparing to strike hard.

Her anxiety grew as she kept glancing down, fearing her mistress had already arranged for an assassin to drop a brick from the upper floor and kill Ji Moyang.

“Madam, murder is a crime! Even if Eldest Master Song is the Second-Rank Censor-in-Chief and Second Master Song is the Deputy Commander of the Five Wards Directorate, if you commit murder and it’s discovered, it will be impossible to cover up!”

Below, Ji Moyang, the man causing Nanny Yun such anxiety, had just entered the Library Pavilion, disappearing from Song Xuwan’s sight.

The previous abbot of Fuyun Temple had been a wandering monk in his youth, amassing an extensive collection of books across various subjects. As a result, the Library Pavilion was exceptionally grand.

Later, when Fuyun Temple became a gathering place for scholars, the temple specifically designated half of the Library Pavilion for students to study and review their lessons.

Ji Moyang and his companions had just entered the Library Pavilion and were about to settle down to study when a kindly-faced monk in his fifties approached them.

The monk stopped before Ji Moyang, extended his hand, and smiled. “Young Master Ji, is this jade pendant yours?”

The pendant was made of green jade, not particularly valuable, but smooth and warm to the touch, clearly cherished by its owner.

Ji Moyang examined it closely. Carved into the jade was a majestic tiger, its form seemingly straining to break free from the pendant’s seal, its aura radiating power in all directions.

Shaking his head, Ji Moyang replied respectfully, “It doesn’t belong to me.”

He turned to his classmates, seeking confirmation with a glance. When they shook their heads as well, he respectfully returned the pendant to the monk.

The monk didn’t take it back but gently pushed it toward him.

“I’ve asked everyone in the temple, and no one claims it. Perhaps its owner has gone elsewhere. Would Young Master Ji be willing to keep it safe until they return? Returning it would be a good deed.”