You Stole My Husband, So I Seduced Your Son - Chapter 9

“Yes, that’s right. Why do you ask?” Second Madam Song said, curious.

“Oh,” Song Xuwan replied casually, as if making idle conversation. “I went to Fuyun Temple to offer incense today and heard there were poems and writings of his on the stone walls. It just reminded me of him.”

Second Madam Song’s face lit up with realization. “It’s true—the bridal sedan chair arrived at the gate, and the matchmaker climbed over the wall! Grand Academician Min himself guaranteed your marriage. How could you almost forget?”

“Indeed!” Song Xuwan couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Back then, Grand Academician Min had repeatedly assured her that Zhou Minghai’s character and talent were unparalleled, personally nurtured by him, and destined for greatness.

Yet Zhou Minghai only passed the imperial examinations at thirty and remained a minor official in a green robe. Song Xuwan felt too embarrassed to socialize, fearing ridicule from her former high-born friends who had married into more prestigious families.

Even if his career prospects were bleak, Song Xuwan had once found contentment in her private life, able to laugh freely behind closed doors.

But over the years, Zhou Minghai had shown no affection for her, treating her merely as a vessel for producing heirs.

This is beyond endurance!

“What’s the situation with the Min Family now? Is your cousin still in the Capital?” Song Xuwan asked.

Second Madam Song’s smile faded slightly as she sighed. “Grand Academician Min was highly favored by the Late Emperor and renowned among scholars, enjoying unparalleled glory for a time. But after being implicated in the Palace Coup, the family scattered—some died, others fled—leaving the household desolate.”

“I heard my cousin’s husband is serving as an official far away, so she stayed in the Capital to raise their children. Eldest Master Min is also serving as an official elsewhere, leaving his wife at home to care for their children. The Min Family must be mostly women and children now.”

If the Min Family still has members, why hasn’t Min Rongxue returned home? Could it be strained relations with her sisters-in-law?

“What do you know about Eldest Miss Min, the one who married Prince Guangyang?”

Second Madam Song looked blank, but Song Xuwan, intrigued, welcomed the chance to bond with her husband’s younger sister.

“I honestly don’t know much. My cousin and I rarely keep in touch. If you’re bored at home, I’ll ask around and tell you all about it someday. Their family drama is probably as juicy as a romance novel.”

“That sounds lovely. I’ll come by for tea soon.”

On the way back to the estate, Song Xuwan sent a message to the Min Family, informing them of Min Rongxue’s return.

If the Min Family showed little concern for Min Rongxue, Song Xuwan would have fewer reservations about taking action.

Back at the estate, she learned Zhou Minghai hadn’t returned home yet. She didn’t even bother asking about him, instead instructing a servant to follow him and simply reviewing the reports later.

She feared that if she spoke to Zhou Minghai now, she’d lose control of her simmering rage.

Impatience is a fatal flaw in warfare.

In the Min family residence in the Capital, Eldest Madam Min had already removed her hairpins and was preparing for bed when a maid suddenly presented her with a letter. A smile immediately bloomed on her lips.

Eldest Master Min served as an official in a distant province, and though the couple lived apart, their frequent correspondence kept their bond strong. She was quite content with their relationship.

However, after reading the letter, her drowsiness vanished completely. She stormed to Second Madam Min’s courtyard. No one knew what the two sisters-in-law discussed, but the maids felt the atmosphere grow so oppressive they could barely breathe.

Returning to her chambers, Eldest Madam Min remained awake all night. Knowing they would inevitably meet sooner or later, she rose early to confront her younger sister-in-law.

“Mother, what happened? I heard you had a disagreement with Second Aunt last night?”

Eldest Madam Min thickly powdered the dark circles under her eyes before finally looking up at her daughter, who stood before her like a delicate flower. A pang of bitterness struck her heart.

When her father was alive, he had been a high-ranking official, and the Min Family had been at the height of its power. Had it not been for the Palace Coup years ago, her daughter would now be adorned in gold and silver, draped in silk and brocade. Instead, she lived in reduced circumstances, barely maintaining the dignity of a noble lady. Behind closed doors, their lives were little better than those of commoners.

Poverty was one thing; the ups and downs of officialdom meant wealth could never be guaranteed. But her muddle-headed husband had actually written to arrange their daughter’s engagement to Min Rongxue’s son—something she would never agree to.

Leaving aside questions of social status and wealth, Min Rongxue herself was no good as a mother-in-law. Having endured her bullying for a lifetime, would her daughter have to suffer the same fate?

Half a month ago, Lord Min had sent a letter saying Min Rongxue was bringing her son to the Capital for the imperial examinations and asking her to prepare rooms. He also casually mentioned wanting to strengthen family ties by arranging their daughter’s marriage to Ji Moyang. Furious, she had refused to reply.

She had assumed yesterday’s letter was Lord Min’s apology, only to discover it was from Min Rongxue herself, announcing her arrival in the Capital and residence at the Annex below Fuyun Temple.

Eldest Madam Min wanted to ignore it, but she feared Lord Min and Min Rongxue might secretly arrange the children’s marriage, leaving her with no recourse.

Since the matter had to be resolved sooner or later, she rose early that morning to have a proper talk with Min Rongxue.

“Your aunt has come to the Capital. Tell your sister to come over; we’ll visit her together.”

Within fifteen minutes, Eldest Miss Min Shunyun and Second Miss Min Zhitao, dressed in their finest attire, arrived to wait for their departure.

Eldest Madam Min frowned deeply as she surveyed her daughters, who wore pale pink jackets embroidered with auspicious patterns and gold hairpins inlaid with pearls.

The family wasn’t wealthy, so the two daughters rarely wore their precious clothes. They only dressed so elaborately when visiting guests.

But today, there was absolutely no need for such finery.

“Go back and change into something simpler. A silver hairpin will do.”

Min Shunyun and Min Zhitao were puzzled. Weren’t they going to see their aunt? Why dress so plainly?

Ever obedient, they returned to change. Fifteen minutes later, the carriage set off.

As the legitimate daughter, Second Miss Min Zhitao felt more at ease with Eldest Madam Min. She glanced around and asked, “Isn’t Second Madam coming?”

Eldest Madam Min rubbed her temples, her tone displeased. “Your Second Madam isn’t feeling well. She’ll stay behind.”

She feared that if Second Madam came, she might slap Min Rongxue across the face.

Eldest Madam Min had no desire to revisit these old family scandals in front of the younger generation.

Yet the oppressive atmosphere was palpable to the two Min sisters. They knew perfectly well that Second Madam was usually in excellent health. Just yesterday, she had been full of vigor. This sudden illness this morning seemed suspiciously staged.

At the Zhou Residence on Academy Lane, Song Xuwan had just woken up. Maids filed in to help her dress, while Nanny Yun stood beside her, her expression hesitant, as if she had something to say but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

“Nanny, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Song Xuwan casually pinned a red ruby-tipped filigree hairpin into her hair, glanced at it, and added a delicate gold pendant inlaid with red agate before finally feeling somewhat satisfied.

In the past, Zhou Minghai had disliked her wearing excessive jewelry. To please him, she had rarely worn many of her precious ornaments, truly letting pearls gather dust.

Now that she knew Zhou Minghai didn’t prefer simple women—he simply disliked her—even if she wore mourning clothes, he wouldn’t be moved.

She might as well prioritize her own happiness. From now on, she would adorn herself with jewels and finery, regardless of anyone else’s disapproval. Her own joy was all that mattered.

Once Song Xuwan was fully dressed and adorned, Nanny Yun gently advised, “Madam, Master slept in the study again last night. They say a night spent together as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection. If you two continue to live separately and remain so estranged, your marital bond will inevitably wither away!”

Song Xuwan stared at Nanny Yun as if she had seen a ghost. How could Nanny Yun possibly believe there was any marital affection left between her and Zhou Minghai?

Hadn’t that been nonexistent from the start?