You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 61

Seeing the argument escalating, Song Xuwan knew that if she quit now and failed to arrange proper accommodations for Madam Min and her companions, it would jeopardize Ji Moyang’s imperial examinations.

Zhou Minghai’s chest heaved with suppressed fury, but he forced himself to speak cautiously, “Alright, I misspoke. I won’t bring the grapes. Keep them if you want, or give them to the Song Residence. I won’t bring any tomorrow, okay?”

Though his words sounded conciliatory, Song Xuwan could sense the simmering anger beneath. She sneered, “What kind of ‘good stuff’ are those grapes? Does the Song Residence look like we can’t afford grapes? Go ask around! We’ve been enjoying Imperial Gift grapes for days now. Why would we want your two baskets of leftovers?”

“My mother thinks of us in everything. She sent four baskets to our residence. And you’re being so generous, arguing with me over a single basket of grapes and calling me stingy!”

“Take your two baskets of rotten grapes to the Annex and let Madam Min enjoy them. The Song family wouldn’t touch them!”

With that, Song Xuwan slammed the curtain and stormed into the inner chamber, leaving Zhou Minghai alone in the main hall, his face flushed with anger. He pointed a trembling finger at the inner chamber and finally spat out, “Abusing your power to bully others! I know the Song Residence is powerful and you’ve always looked down on me. Just you wait!”

Inside the inner chamber, Song Xuwan wept uncontrollably, her eyes red with fury. She knew her noble birth might make Zhou Minghai feel inferior, so she had always humbled herself since their marriage, fearing that her elder brother’s intimidation might strip him of his manly courage.

Yet after years of virtuous and submissive behavior, in Zhou Minghai’s eyes, she was still the aloof, superior woman he had always resented.

Even as a village woman, Min Rongxue remained haughty and never glanced at Zhou Minghai. Why, then, did he fawn over her so eagerly? Didn’t he find her aloof and arrogant?

The truth was simple: he didn’t care for Song Xuwan and found fault with everything she did.

After this outburst, Song Xuwan woke up the next morning still feeling uneasy. Only the thought of the brutal revenge she would exact on Zhou Minghai when their affair was exposed brought her some comfort.

The next morning, after breakfast, Song Xuwan waited for Zhou Minghai to summon her, but he never came. “Isn’t Master supposed to go to the Annex today?” she asked. “Why hasn’t he called for me yet?”

Baizhi cleared her throat awkwardly. “Master left early this morning with two baskets of grapes, taking the carriage out alone.”

Clang! Song Xuwan slammed the teacup lid down, nearly throwing the cup itself. That Zhou Minghai! He’s reuniting with Min Rongxue and her family!

“Madam… should we still go… after him?” Baizhi stammered.

Chase after him? How humiliating! Song Xuwan shook her head firmly.

But if she didn’t go to the Annex, how would she exhaust Ji Moyang’s energy? Today was the seventh day of the eighth lunar month. If she let Ji Moyang rest for two days, wouldn’t he enter the examination hall on the ninth, full of vigor?

Whether to go or not, both options were agonizing. Song Xuwan paced furiously in her room, considering having the Annex servants slip Ji Moyang a laxative.

No, that won’t work. Two days might be enough for his young, healthy body to recover. She’d have to administer the laxative on the eighth to ensure Ji Moyang could barely stand by the ninth.

Just as Song Xuwan was wavering, torn between options, Zhou Minghai arrived at the annex, handing two baskets of grapes to a maid.

He smiled at Min Rongxue. “These grapes just ripened. A colleague sent them—they’re from the same batch as the Imperial Gift from the palace. Try them and see if they taste like the ones from years ago.”

Imperial Gift from the palace… Min Rongxue couldn’t remember the last time she had tasted such delicacies. A rare smile lit up her face. “You must be tired from your official duties. Has everything gone smoothly these past few days?”

Hearing such genuine concern warmed Zhou Minghai’s heart. After his arduous official trips, Song Xuwan only remembered to quarrel with him upon his return. He hadn’t expected Min Rongxue to be the one to ask if he was tired.

He waved dismissively. “Serving the Emperor is no hardship. I came today to ask: for the examination on the ninth, why don’t you stay at my residence on the eighth? We can all escort Moyang to the Examination Compound together on the ninth.”

Min Rongxue nodded. With the Imperial Examinations approaching, every inn in the city was fully booked. They wouldn’t be able to find a decent place to stay anyway, so spending the night at the Zhou Residence seemed like the best option.

“Then we’ll be imposing on you,” she said.

Zhou Minghai, delighted by her prompt agreement, quickly replied, “Between us, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Freshly washed grapes were brought in. Zhou Minghai urged Min Rongxue to try them. She picked up a grape, brought it to her lips, then set it down and instructed a maid, “Prepare a plate for the Young Master.”

Since Ji Moyang’s return that day, she hadn’t allowed him to leave the Annex. As a result, he was currently in his room, dutifully reading.

Zhou Minghai quickly added, “Right, right! Prepare another plate for Liyue to enjoy as well.”

The maid left with two plates, leaving only a small handful of grapes. Min Rongxue tasted one. It tasted exactly as she remembered—back when Prince Guangyang was still alive, and she was still the daughter of Grand Academician Min.

Zhou Minghai watched Min Rongxue eat grape after grape, unconsciously swallowing his own saliva. He hadn’t even had a chance to taste one yet.

Liyue was embroidering. Ever since Song Xuwan praised her needlework, she had been thinking about making more things to give to her.

When a maid brought in a plate of grapes, Liyue happily ate one before asking where they came from. The maid informed her that Zhou Minghai had arrived.

“Where’s Ningning? Why hasn’t she come to see me?”

“I heard Madam isn’t feeling well, so she didn’t come. Young Miss didn’t come either.”

Suddenly, the grapes in Liyue’s mouth lost their flavor. Knowing they were a gift from Lord Zhou, she figured her mother must have plenty.

Carrying the plate of grapes, she went to Ji Moyang’s room.

“Brother, there are too many grapes. Let me share some with you.”

As Ji Moyang ate the grapes, he thought back to those carefree days at the Small Residence. Before he knew it, he had finished the entire plate.

When Liyue offered him more, he accepted without hesitation. “I heard Lord Zhou came. Why isn’t Ningning playing with you?”

“Oh, they said Madam Song wasn’t feeling well. Lord Zhou didn’t have the heart to wake her early, so Ningning didn’t come along.”

Suddenly, the grapes in Ji Moyang’s mouth turned bitter and astringent. What does he mean he didn’t have the heart to wake her? They don’t even sleep together, do they?

Could it be… last night?

That Zhou Minghai! He swore to observe a year of mourning, and he’s already broken his vow? And Song Xuwan… the thought of her yielding to Zhou Minghai’s desires last night ignited an inexplicable rage in his heart.

In a flash, he stood up and stormed to the main hall to confront Zhou Minghai.

In the main hall, Zhou Minghai was discussing matters related to the Examination Compound with Min Rongxue. Seeing Ji Moyang enter, he immediately stopped and asked, “Moyang, the examination is in two days. Are you well-prepared?”

Ji Moyang’s expression was grim as he bowed respectfully. “Everything else is fine, but I’ve been dreaming of Grandfather lately. He mentioned you, Lord Zhou, and said he was deeply moved to hear you’re observing a year of mourning for him.”