You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 62

“Really?” Zhou Minghai asked, his eyes welling with tears of emotion as he believed the words. After all these years, his Honored Teacher had rarely praised him. “My Honored Teacher has been gone for many years, and I’m only now beginning to observe mourning rites. I’ve been terribly unfilial.”

“Lord Zhou’s sincerity transcends timing,” Ji Moyang said calmly. “If Grandfather could know of this in the afterlife, he would be deeply moved.”

A tear finally escaped Zhou Minghai’s eye. “I dare not boast of other virtues,” he said, “but sincerity is something I’ve always upheld. I’ve steadfastly maintained a vegetarian diet and abstained from carnal desires. It’s rare for my Honored Teacher to have recognized this—but these are simply the duties of a disciple.”

Hearing this, Ji Moyang felt a pang of surprise. Could he have been mistaken? Was Song Xuwan’s poor health not due to Zhou Minghai’s mistreatment, but rather his own excessive indulgence those few days?

Min Rongxue, listening to the conversation about Grand Academician Min, suggested, “It’s been too long since we offered incense to Father. With Moyang’s imperial examination approaching, we should inform him.”

“Mother, I’d prefer to visit his grave after I pass the examination,” Ji Moyang replied.

Before he could finish, Zhou Minghai interjected, “That makes perfect sense. Besides, the cenotaph is quite a distance from the Annex. Moyang should focus on resting these next few days.”

Turning to Ji Moyang, he added, “Oh, Moyang, your mother and I have discussed it. You should stay at my residence tomorrow for a day. It will be more convenient to go directly to the Examination Compound on the ninth.”

Ji Moyang fell into deep thought. He desperately wanted to see Song Xuwan, as today was supposed to be their meeting day. Would he have to wait until tomorrow?

After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds. If I move on the eighth, I might not rest well that night.”

“If we leave the Annex on the ninth, we might be cutting it too close,” Min Rongxue worried.

“Why not stay here tonight to adjust, then rest at my residence tomorrow? No need to rush, and you’ll get a good night’s sleep,” Zhou Minghai suggested.

“That sounds good. Thank you for your kindness, Lord Zhou.” Ji Moyang rose to bow, but Zhou Minghai quickly returned the gesture, sighing, “There’s no need for such formality. You’ve only stayed at my residence for a few days. I, on the other hand, lived at your grandfather’s estate for years. His kindness was as vast as the mountains; I’m merely repaying a fraction of it now.”

Min Rongxue suddenly recalled something. She had always found it odd that Ji Moyang had been away from home for several days, unsure if he had truly been staying at Academician Zeng’s residence.

She smiled and said, “Academician Zeng has been helping Moyang revise his examination essays these past few days. I think it would be proper for you to accompany Moyang to express our gratitude tomorrow, Lord.”

Ji Moyang broke into a cold sweat, his voice trembling with anxiety. “Let’s wait until after the results are announced to thank him. Academician Zeng’s health isn’t good; he’s been busy these past few days. It wouldn’t be right to disturb him now.”

Zhou Minghai searched his memory. Academician Zeng was a renowned scholar, but he had reportedly been bedridden for years. Had his health improved? Could he now rise to help Ji Moyang review his examination essays?

Seeing Ji Moyang’s reluctance to visit, Zhou Minghai quickly smoothed things over. “Indeed, Academician Zeng prefers quiet. He rarely receives visiting scholars these days. It’s a rare honor that Moyang has caught his eye. I agree that it would be more appropriate to visit after the results are announced.”

Hearing Zhou Minghai’s endorsement, Min Rongxue’s suspicions lessened considerably. It seemed Ji Moyang hadn’t been lying about his whereabouts these past few days.

At the Zhou Residence, Song Xuwan was still debating whether to visit the Annex after lunch when a servant entered to report, “Madam, Master has sent word that Madam Min and her family will be staying at the residence today. He requests that you prepare the guest quarters to receive them.”

Song Xuwan sprang to her feet, her voice sharp with anger. “Didn’t he call me stingy and tell me to clean up myself when he returned? Why is he bothering me with this?”

Nanny Yun quickly pressed down on the agitated Song Xuwan, soothing her. “My Young Miss, no matter how wrong Master is, now is not the time to lose your temper or give him the cold shoulder.”

“Think about it. Marital discord creates opportunities for others to exploit. The more strained your relationship becomes, the more you must feign affection in front of Madam Min. Otherwise, you’ll become the laughingstock of the neighborhood.”

“The more magnanimous a woman is, the more a man will cherish her.”

Hearing Nanny Yun’s words, Song Xuwan’s simmering anger surged from five to eight. She sneered, “Nanny, do you truly believe Master still cherishes me? He merely sees me as a useful steward. My good temper and willingness to endure everything only make me a convenient steward. How could that possibly inspire even a shred of affection?”

“Nonsense!” Nanny Yun retorted. “Master and Madam have been married for over a decade. How could there be no affection between them? As the saying goes, ‘A single night of intimacy brings a hundred days of affection.’ The love between you two far outweighs the fleeting memories Madam Min left him, doesn’t it?”

A single night of intimacy brings a hundred days of affection? If that were true, then her one night of intimacy with Ji Moyang would be equivalent to half a year of affection with Zhou Minghai. Given the countless nights they’d shared, her affection for Ji Moyang had long surpassed anything Zhou Minghai could ever offer.

Thinking of Ji Moyang, Song Xuwan suddenly had an inspiration. She needed to make careful arrangements for these two nights on her territory. After all, she could do whatever she pleased here.

“Nanny, your advice is wise. Please proceed with the arrangements. Settle Madam Min and Young Miss Ji in the guest rooms. As for Young Master Ji, there’s a vacant room right next to Master’s study—let’s put him there. It will be convenient for Master to guide him day and night.”

“Madam, you’re doing the right thing. This virtuous approach will surely impress Master when he returns. He’ll praise your magnanimity.”

Watching Nanny Yun leave in high spirits, Song Xuwan grew equally excited. If she could carry on an affair with Ji Moyang right under Zhou Minghai’s nose, that would be the sweetest revenge!

By mid-afternoon, Madam Min’s party finally arrived at the Zhou Residence. Song Xuwan greeted them with warm hospitality, drawing frequent glances from Zhou Minghai. Despite her fiery temper, Song Xuwan never faltered in maintaining proper appearances—a rare virtue.

Once everyone was settled, Zhou Minghai leaned in to whisper, “Thank you, Madam, for your thoughtful arrangements.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Song Xuwan retorted coldly, turning away. “I have my own considerations.”

As if you’re not just trying to cultivate a reputation for virtue, Zhou Minghai thought. What other considerations could you possibly have?

Unnoticed by the others, Ji Moyang’s face was as dark as still water.

In the rear courtyard’s side room, Liyue had just finished tidying up when she heard Ningning’s cheerful voice approaching. “Liyue-jie, I don’t want you to sleep in the side room! Come sleep with me!”

Min Rongxue frowned at Ningning’s boisterous entrance, her displeasure evident. She shot Liyue a sharp glance, instantly erasing the smile that had just bloomed on Liyue’s face.

“Please?”

In an instant, Ningning was standing before Liyue. She quickly curtsied to Min Rongxue before turning back to Liyue, her voice softening into a coaxing tone. “Please?”

Liyue, unsure how to respond, quickly picked up the grapes she had brought from the Annex and offered them with a smile. “Try these.”

Ningning glanced at the grapes and noticed they were smaller than the ones at the Song Residence. A flicker of displeasure crossed her face. The Song Residence sent so many grapes—why would the servants offer guests the smallest ones?

But Ningning wasn’t one to blurt out her thoughts. She smiled sweetly and said, “No, thank you. I accidentally ate a sour one at Grandmother’s house the other day, and now just looking at grapes makes my teeth ache.”

Liyue put the grapes back and laughed, “I ate a sour one too! It was so sour I almost cried.”

“Really?” Ningning pulled Liyue down to sit and began to chatter, “I wonder where these grapes came from. The Emperor gifted several baskets to Eldest Maternal Uncle, and Mother brought a bunch back from the Song Residence. We thought Imperial Gifts were always the best, but some of these are sour! It’s fine if we eat them, but what if the Emperor gets a sour one? I wonder if he’ll be angry.”

As the young girl rambled innocently, Min Rongxue’s face turned icy. She remembered Zhou Minghai saying these grapes were a gift from a colleague. So he’s just showing off with his brother-in-law’s things!

How utterly vulgar!

Min Rongxue felt so disgusted she nearly vomited the grapes she’d eaten earlier. She excused herself, leaving Ningning and Liyue to continue their conversation.