Chapter 5: One of the Family
This sudden turn of events drew everyone's attention, though all eyes fell upon the furious Song Jilang.
The thirteen-year-old youth was shorter than everyone else by a head, yet he possessed the boldness of a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger. His whip cut through the air with a sharp whistle, as if the next instant it would land on Cao Lingchun, splitting her skin open.
His momentum was so fierce that it caused everyone to overlook Yu Yeqing, who had dismounted from his horse a step behind him.
But it was Song Hemei whose gaze drifted over, meeting his eyes unexpectedly. There was no particular emotion in his dark pupils. Her line of sight traced down along his straight nose bridge to his slightly pursed thin lips, yet she found not a trace of amusement in his expression as he watched the spectacle.
He truly seemed to be drifting outside this farce. He raised a hand to stroke his horse's mane, leading it over to hitch beside the carriage, still carrying that self-contained, modest, and refined demeanor.
Song Hemei felt inexplicably annoyed. Perhaps it was because she was trapped within the vortex, unable to bear seeing others at leisure and ease.
She knew this thought of hers was utterly despicable, so she simply shifted her gaze away, observing the few people before her—
Her elder brother was pulling at their younger brother, telling him not to cause a scene. Cao Lingchun knelt on the ground, trembling, her eyes filled with a watery mist that lent even her plain features a touch of pitiable delicacy.
And Shao Wen'ang?
He was holding the woman firmly in his embrace, protecting her, his hand resting familiarly on her shoulder. He looked at Song Jilang with a mix of urgency and helplessness.
"You're still protecting her!" Song Jilang's voice suddenly rose. "My second sister is right here!"
Shao Wen'ang snatched his hand back as if bitten by something, straightening up abruptly: "Mei'er..."
His lips moved, calling out to her, but there was nothing more.
No explanation. No exculpation.
It was as if he intended to drag this out, let it fester, let it stew, waiting for everything around him to pressure her.
Waiting for her to have no other choice, no path to retreat, no place to escape, then bow her head and propose a demand neither good nor bad. Finally, everyone would be a happy family again.
He acted with impunity, because he knew everyone was on his side—even her own parents and elder brother.
Song Hemei lowered her eyes to look at her younger brother, who was barely restraining himself. She said softly, "Stop it. Getting angry at him isn't worth it."
She took her younger brother's wrist, pulling him in front of her. With gentle movements, she smoothed the hair at his temples and the edges of his clothes that had been ruffled by the wind during their hurried journey.
Seeing this, Shao Wen'ang's heart sank halfway.
When he saw his Mei'er, he noticed her pale pink cloud-silk dress and her hair styled in the married woman's chignon—she looked every bit the part of a newlywed young wife.
He thought she was no longer angry, that she was willing to return and reconcile with him. But when he met her eyes, which seemed to contain shards of ice, he had a vague sense of foreboding.
Now, outside the residence gate, was hardly the right time for conversation. But since such a disturbance had already occurred, and the Song parents hadn't arrived yet, it was inappropriate for the younger generation to enter the estate alone. And the elders on both sides were deliberately delaying their appearance—clearly, this was meant to give the newlywed couple a chance to talk.
If there was a misunderstanding, clearing the air would be best. It would save the elders from having to step in and potentially lose face.
Shao Wen'ang recalled his parents' instructions. Taking a deep breath, he tried to step forward: "Mei'er, I know I was wrong."
But Song Hemei took an imperceptible step backward, the blood-red jade earrings dangling from her ears swaying lightly with the motion: "Lord Shao, if you have something to say, it can wait until my parents arrive."
She raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze dropping downward as she curled the corner of her mouth ambiguously: "Concubine Cao is still kneeling on the ground."
Shao Wen'ang scrambled to explain: "What concubine? I promised you I would never take a concubine."
Cao Lingchun bit her lip and immediately spoke up: "This slave is of lowly birth. Kneeling is of no concern. As long as the Lady's anger is appeased, this slave is willing to do anything. I dare not even think of such things."
She seemed about to kowtow twice to show her loyalty, but unfortunately, the round belly she carried made it impossible for her to bend over.
Yet she persisted, undeterred, as if getting those kowtows in would make everyone see her sincerity.
Song Hemei stared at her for a moment, then glanced at Shao Wen'ang standing by her side.
He seemed a little reluctant, but only a little. There was mostly anticipation in his eyes as he looked at her, hoping to see a softening expression in her gaze.
Song Hemei felt he had suddenly become a stranger to her—repulsive, even.
That woman had shared his bed. That child was his flesh and blood. It seemed he could use even them as tokens of goodwill.
If that was the case, why couldn't he have controlled himself in the first place?
Looking at Cao Lingchun, she felt a bitter taste in her heart: "Enough. Get up."
A flicker of surprise lit up Cao Lingchun's face as she awkwardly struggled to her feet. Shao Wen'ang also thought there had been a softening in her tone, a turning point in the matter.
But Song Hemei immediately asked: "How old is this child?"
Cao Lingchun stroked her belly, answering timidly: "The physician at the residence said about six months."
Song Hemei fell silent.
Six months, then.
That would be around the eleventh month of last year.
Old Master Shao had passed away in the second month. Last year, in the eleventh month, they were indeed still within the mourning period.
And she remembered. The eleventh month, nearing the end of the year. The mourning period would end in the second month of the coming year. Using the New Year as an excuse for the two families to interact, they had been discussing the marriage between them.
She remembered the elders then waxing poetic about how perfectly matched they were, while she and Shao Wen'ang sat to one side, exchanging glances, both blushing to the roots of their ears.
Later, she had signaled her elder brother to help create an opportunity, so they could go out to the corridor and steal a few private words.
The elders had relented. They went out one after the other. Shao Wen'ang was so nervous he was all thumbs, even tripping over the doorframe as he went out.
She had laughed at his clumsiness, and under the moonlight that night, his eyes had shone with a beautiful light, brimming with tender affection. He had scratched his head sheepishly: "I'm just too happy. I got carried away."
For half a year after that, every time she thought of that day, her heart would well up with sweetness.
But recalling it now, she only felt sick.
So then, before he came to propose, had he come from Cao Lingchun's bed?
When he went back, had he indulged in pleasure with her again?
The beauty of the past had long since rotted from the roots. Song Hemei forced a smile and asked in a gentle, measured tone: "And when exactly did you give yourself to your master?"
"Mei'er—"
Shao Wen'ang tried to stop her, but Song Hemei shot him a glare that choked off his words. He could only use his eyes to signal Cao Lingchun.
And this Cao Lingchun—whether she was too simple-minded to understand his meaning, or she wanted to pledge her loyalty to her future mistress, or she simply wanted to sabotage the marriage—
She lowered her head and answered honestly and obediently: "...Five years ago."
Even though she had been prepared for it, Song Hemei still felt a ringing buzz in her head.
This time, she laughed fully and completely. She laughed until Shao Wen'ang's heart began to pound with anxiety. She laughed until Song Yunyao couldn't help but grip her shoulder.
"Well done. You've learned your lesson well. A full five years of learning."
Shao Wen'ang was sweating with anxiety, his forehead beaded with perspiration. Song Hemei didn't want to waste another word on him. She simply turned her head away and said nothing more, waiting silently for her parents to arrive.
Someone had likely been watching and relaying messages back to the residence the whole time. Now that their conversation had stopped, it wasn't long before the carriage carrying Father Song and Mother Song pulled into the alleyway.
The two elders alighted from the carriage. Father Song, after years of business dealings and social engagements, had long since lost his handsome features of old. His protruding belly was almost as big as Cao Lingchun's pregnant one. His brows were tightly knit with worry.
Mother Song was past her prime, but her beauty remained. However, after a night of anxiety, not even the powder on her face could conceal her poor complexion.
Her eyes landing on Song Hemei, Mother Song lifted her skirts and rushed over first.
Meeting the overflowing worry in her mother's eyes, half of Song Hemei's hardened heart softened. In front of her parents, her vulnerable side was difficult to hide. Bitterness welled up within her.
But before she could even shed a tear, Mother Song took her hand and forced a smile at Shao Wen'ang: "It was our Xiao He who caused you trouble. Good son-in-law, whatever needs to be said, let's go inside and talk."
Even though she had anticipated this, Song Hemei's heart still throbbed with a dull ache. She wanted to pull her hand away from her mother's grip, but her mother held fast, unwilling to let her escape even a little.
Shao Wen'ang looked as if he had seen a savior. He clasped his hands in greeting to Father and Mother Song, addressed them as his parents-in-law, and then led the way inside.
The entire Song family was invited in. The male guests were led to the front hall to see Senior Lord Shao, while the female guests were escorted to the rear courtyard to see Madam Shao, nee Zhang.
Only Song Jilang, a half-grown boy, was taken to the garden, with the explanation that the young lord was still young and could amuse himself there to pass the time.
Song Jilang, of course, refused to accept this. But he was powerless to do anything about it. Kicking at the stones by the lake, he even stubbed his toes painfully.
Yu Yeqing had been following this Third Young Master Song all along. Though he was technically a study companion, he often acted more like a personal attendant, appearing to others as just a little servant boy at the Third Young Master's side.
Now, however, he felt fortunate to have this identity, as it meant he wouldn't be turned away at the door.
His eyes were deep and cold, terrifyingly so. He had heard everything just now, and now he finally understood why the Second Miss Song had been in that state last night.
It must have been revenge—revenge sought through the very means of her own destruction.
He had stumbled upon a windfall, yet there was not a shred of joy in his heart. Only an endless, chilling afterthought.
What if she had encountered someone else last night? What then?
Song Jilang paced restlessly beside him, gnashing his teeth: "Young Master Yu, what do we do now? Will they bully my second sister?"
He was so anxious his teeth ground together: "Such a huge matter, and my elder brother, my parents—they all knew! And they hid it from me alone! If you hadn't told me this morning, I would still be kept in the dark!"
Yu Yeqing's eyes flickered. He said nothing.
Song Jilang kept on chattering. Yu Yeqing's gaze swept across their surroundings. After a moment of deliberation, he said: "Third Young Master and Second Miss are truly close siblings."
Song Jilang puffed out his chest: "Of course! Second Sister and I are the closest. For her sake, I'm willing to fight the Shao family to the death!"
Yu Yeqing's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and the corner of his mouth curled into a genial smile. But the smile didn't reach his eyes. His tone carried a hint of coaxing, meant to steer the young man: "Since Third Young Master has such a resolve, I wouldn't dare to stop you. I can only resort to a less-than-ideal course of action and go look for Second Miss."
Song Jilang was a little dejected: "I'd like to, but who knows where they've taken my second sister? This Shao residence is huge. It would take forever to find her."
Yu Yeqing's eyes darkened, bit by bit. The hand hidden within his sleeve clenched slowly into a fist: "She would naturally be... at the Madam Shao's place."
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