You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 63

Before she knew it, evening had arrived. After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms. Song Xuwan instructed a servant to carry two bowls of Calming Decoction to the study in the front courtyard.

The servant led her to Zhou Minghai’s study, where Ji Moyang happened to be present. She greeted them politely, “I apologize for the hasty arrangements. I hope Young Master Ji finds the accommodations satisfactory. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Ji Moyang was about to reply when Zhou Minghai interjected, “Just tell me. It’s inconvenient for her to move around the rear courtyard. Let me know what you need, and I’ll have it arranged.”

Very well. Song Xuwan instructed the servant to serve the Calming Decoction and smiled. “You’ve both had a long day. I had this decoction specially brewed to help you relax. Please drink it and get a good night’s rest.”

The bowl intended for Zhou Minghai had been laced with a sleeping draught, allowing Song Xuwan to act freely once he was asleep.

To her surprise, Zhou Minghai pushed the bowl away, refusing. “Moyang has trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds. This decoction would only make him need to get up to relieve himself. I plan to stay up late tonight and talk with Moyang, helping him ease his pre-exam anxiety.”

Song Xuwan glanced at the bowl and tried again, “I specially obtained this recipe and spent over an hour brewing it. It might actually help.”

Zhou Minghai was still hesitating when Ji Moyang reached out to take a bowl. Unfortunately, he picked up Zhou Minghai’s bowl. Song Xuwan quickly pushed the other bowl toward him, signaling him to drink that one instead.

Ji Moyang didn’t know what difference there could be between the two bowls of soup, but he naturally wouldn’t refuse anything Song Xuwan offered him.

All this was observed by Zhou Minghai, who frowned at Song Xuwan’s stinginess. It’s just Calming Decoction, he thought. The guest should have it first. He said, “I don’t like this stuff. Give both bowls to Moyang.”

How could she do that? Song Xuwan thought. The other bowl is spiked. If Ji Moyang actually falls asleep, how will she carry out her plan?

“Master, this…”

Before Song Xuwan could finish, Zhou Minghai cut her off, his refusal clear.

No matter how much Song Xuwan tried to persuade him, Zhou Minghai stubbornly insisted on giving both bowls to Ji Moyang. Song Xuwan desperately tried to stop Ji Moyang from drinking, until finally, Zhou Minghai grew angry. “It’s just a bowl of soup, Madam. Why are you being so precious about it?”

Fine, the soup is ruined, Song Xuwan thought. She quickly changed the subject. “Master, what do you plan to discuss with Young Master Ji tonight? If it’s not urgent, perhaps we should all retire early. Even if you can’t sleep, resting with your eyes closed is better than burning the midnight oil.”

Zhou Minghai nodded in agreement. “Let’s not discuss anything else. I’ll just bring out a few calligraphy scrolls and paintings left to me by my Honored Teacher, share them with Moyang, and then retire for the night.”

“Really? I’ve never seen Grand Academician Min’s posthumous works before,” Song Xuwan said, feigning great interest.

To her surprise, Zhou Minghai completely ignored her, snapping impatiently, “You barely know a few characters. What could you possibly understand?”

Normally, Song Xuwan would have immediately argued back, but tonight she was determined to stay and first coax Zhou Minghai to sleep.

She smiled warmly. “I may not have known many characters before, but since marrying Master and being influenced by your teachings, I can now appreciate poetry and calligraphy with ease.”

Zhou Minghai was about to retort with a sarcastic remark when Ji Moyang interjected, “I happen to have several renowned calligraphy scrolls and paintings at my residence. If Madam is interested, I’ll have them sent over tomorrow.”

“Wonderful!”

“What does she know about art?!”

Song Xuwan and Zhou Minghai spoke simultaneously, then fell silent. The topic was dropped.

Unwilling to stage a marital quarrel in front of Ji Moyang, Zhou Minghai reluctantly brought out his cherished collection of calligraphy scrolls and paintings. The three of them earnestly began to appreciate the works.

“This was written to me by your maternal grandfather during my first year as his disciple, encouraging me to work hard. Back then…”

As Zhou Minghai reminisced about the past, Song Xuwan grew drowsy. However, Ji Moyang’s occasional interjections kept the conversation flowing smoothly between the two men.

Unable to suppress a yawn, Song Xuwan immediately drew a glare from Zhou Minghai. Ji Moyang quickly interjected, “We’ve been neglecting Madam. Please, Madam, look here. This is a common technique in cursive script…”

“Oh~ oh~” Song Xuwan murmured occasionally in agreement.

Just as she was about to drift off again, her hand suddenly tightened. Song Xuwan’s eyes widened—Ji Moyang had taken hold of her hand.

Zhou Minghai remained engrossed in discussing the calligraphy scroll, while Ji Moyang nodded earnestly in agreement. Only Song Xuwan struggled frantically to free herself.

Despite Ji Moyang’s grip being firm but not painful, Song Xuwan couldn’t break free.

Just as she was breaking into a cold sweat from anxiety, news arrived that Min Rongxue was requesting an audience outside. The tightly clasped hand finally loosened.

As a servant led Min Rongxue into the room, she said, “I came to check if Mo’er is resting.”

“Moyang said he couldn’t sleep because he’s not used to the bed,” Zhou Minghai hurried to explain. “I’m taking him to see the Honored Teacher’s calligraphy.”

“Which pieces?” Min Rongxue asked, stepping forward and nudging Song Xuwan aside.

Song Xuwan, who had no desire to be so close to the desk, slowly drifted backward, waiting for everyone to tire of the conversation so she could find a private moment with Ji Moyang.

Unfortunately, despite her best efforts that night, Song Xuwan couldn’t find a chance to be intimate with Ji Moyang and ended up falling asleep first.

The next morning, Song Xuwan hastily ordered breakfast to be prepared, laced with a generous dose of laxatives, and had it delivered to the study in the front courtyard.

By chance, she ran into Min Rongxue at the second gate, who was leading servants carrying two bowls of wonton noodles toward the study.

“I made Mo’er’s favorite wonton noodles,” Min Rongxue said. “Would Madam like to try some?”

Song Xuwan shook her head. It was just polite conversation; she couldn’t possibly take her up on the offer.

When they reached the study, Zhou Minghai noticed that both Min Rongxue and Song Xuwan had sent breakfast over. “Madam,” he asked, surprised, “did you make this yourself?”

Having rushed over so early, Song Xuwan feared Ji Moyang wouldn’t eat if she didn’t claim to have made it herself. She forced a smile and replied, “Master is so perceptive! I woke up early to prepare this for Young Master Ji and Master to enjoy.”

“You can’t eat that,” Zhou Minghai said firmly, blocking Ji Moyang’s attempt to reach for the food. “My wife has never cooked a day in her life. Even if it won’t poison you, it’ll give you diarrhea. You can’t risk eating her cooking right before your exams.”

“My stomach isn’t that delicate,” Ji Moyang insisted, still reaching for the food.

But Zhou Minghai stood his ground. “Absolutely not. If you really want to try it, wait until after the exams and have Madam make it for you then. For now, it’s best to be cautious.”

Song Xuwan was so angry she wanted to dump the breakfast on Zhou Minghai’s head. Seeing her displeasure, Ji Moyang quickly said, “Just a small taste.”

Zhou Minghai blocked him again, turning to Song Xuwan. “Madam, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but we’ll skip breakfast today. We have some excellent ginseng. I’ll have a tonic soup prepared for Moyang at noon to replenish his energy. He looks pale, with dark circles under his eyes and weak legs. He needs to build up his strength before the exams.”