Chapter 12: Hypocrisy
Song Hemei stared at Shao Wen'ang's face, so earnest and pleading. She had never imagined she would ever read hypocrisy on those features.
She had always been quite fond of Shao Wen'ang's eyes. Set upon his refined, gentle face, when he smiled at you, it was like a warm spring breeze brushing past, your whole heart warming in response, then beginning to beat faster and faster.
Born into a merchant family, she was not bound by as many rules as the daughters of official households. From childhood she had met many young men of similar age.
There were those with shifty eyes and roving glances; there were those so arrogant and overbearing that you couldn't see their eyes, only their nostrils. And then there were the timid and cautious ones who stammered when they spoke, making their parents worry they'd never be able to inherit the family business.
But Shao Wen'ang was different. Even as a young man, he knew propriety and observed the rites. When he met her, he would politely call her "Second Miss Song," and speak to her of the poetic charm of verse, the deep affection between mountains and rivers.
They had grown up together. She knew the heavy burdens and hardships he bore, his sorrow and his joy. She believed she would be the one who understood him best in this world—the wife who would walk beside him for the rest of his life.
Yet now, she realized he was no different from anyone else. Perhaps even more hypocritical and terrifying.
What kind of person could keep a secret for five whole years without letting a single crack show?
As disgust and revulsion churned in her stomach, she looked at his warm, gentle features and felt a chill run down her spine.
Song Hemei curled her lips into a smile, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Fine, I've already said what I want: if you want this to pass, then get rid of Cao Lingchun's child. But you refuse to agree, don't you?"
Shao Wen'ang's face twisted in pain. "Mei'er, don't be like this. Why must you be so relentless? The child is already five months… it's probably already formed…"
Song Hemei's face was cold, unmoved by his words.
In truth, she herself didn't know what she truly wanted. Did she really want to see the child aborted?
She did have compassion—she was only speaking in anger.
What answer did she hope to hear from Shao Wen'ang? If he hesitated and then agreed, she would think him heartless and cold-blooded, and she would be left with no graceful way out.
But if he refused? Would she quickly retreat from a losing battle, or keep twisting and turning to see who would bow first?
Either way, there was no going back to how things were. The deed was done; the child existed.
Could every shattered mirror truly be made whole again?
Song Hemei slowly exhaled. Suddenly, she thought of her father.
That day she had been able to return home, it seemed her father and Senior Lord Shao hadn't reached an agreement. So what scheme did Shao Wen'ang intend to carry out today, coming here?
She thought of a way to get rid of him quickly. "Before you came, did you inform your esteemed lord father and lady mother?"
Shao Wen'ang pressed his lips together. "Mother is aware."
Song Hemei understood now. She put the matter bluntly.
"The matter between us is no longer something I can settle with just a nod. You had a child during your period of mourning. If this gets out, you know very well what it will do to your reputation. Let your father and my father negotiate first."
She started to close the door, expecting Shao Wen'ang to back off. But to her surprise, he gripped the door frame and refused to let go.
"Mei'er, are you making a scene now because my father didn't agree to your father's terms?" Shao Wen'ang raised his head, disappointment showing in his eyes.
"Our families have known each other for years. How can Uncle seize a handle and make such a lion's share demand, forcing someone into a corner?"
Song Hemei saw his disappointment. As his words hit her ears, a flame of anger flared in her chest. So he had come today intending to get her to soften first, so he could welch on the debt. This was already pretense wrapped in falsehood, and within that falsehood was yet another layer of deceit. Song Hemei gritted her teeth.
"You married me to plug a hole, and now you're turning around and biting me, saying my father is forcing your hand? If you had the ability, you wouldn't have made this mess in the first place! Who could force a handle on you? Let this marriage be ruined! Did you think I would be stuck in your Shao family forever?"
She shoved at the door. "Get out! Don't let me see you again!"
Shao Wen'ang pushed back against the door, determined to take her with him today. Whether out of affection or necessity, he absolutely refused to go back alone.
No matter how much he looked like a frail scholar, he was still a man. When he used his strength, it was quite an effort for Song Hemei, a girl, to handle.
It was at that moment that she heard a sound from behind the screen—her heart sank. She absolutely could not let Shao Wen'ang see that there was another man in her room!
She suddenly stomped hard on Shao Wen'ang's boot. Caught off guard, he gasped in pain and loosened his grip.
Song Hemei pushed him in the chest and, quick as lightning, slammed the door shut with all her might.
That shut the door right on Shao Wen'ang's hand, pinching it in the gap. He grew angry and started to push again.
Just as Song Hemei's anxiety peaked, a hand reached around from behind her—fair, slender fingers pressing against the door.
With what seemed like a light push, yet an incredible force, the door pinched tighter. She thought she heard the crack of Shao Wen'ang's finger bones, followed by a muffled cry of pain from outside.
He yanked his hand back abruptly.
The last crack of the door closed tight. Song Hemei froze and turned her head to see Yu Yeqing, his face as cold as water.
He drew close to her, and the scent of ink once again tickled her nose.
Then… he slid the bolt shut, securing it firmly.
Song Hemei looked at Yu Yeqing's gaze fixed on her. For some reason, her heart beat a little faster. Maybe it was because the situation had been so critical, or because he had appeared at just the right moment, or maybe it was his swift action and Shao Wen'ang's cry of pain—she couldn't tell.
She just looked up at the man in front of her. "Why did you come out? What if he saw you?"
If the Shao family caught such a hold over her, they would bundle her up and send her straight to the Shao residence, not only to cover up Cao Lingchun's belly, but he himself would also suffer the consequences.
Yu Yeqing swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing. At her reproachful words, he tried to avert his gaze, clenching his fists inside his sleeves. She was right.
There was too great a gap between their stations. What was between them was already a mistake in her eyes—how could it ever be exposed? Even if she wanted to use him as an excuse to force Shao Wen'ang to back down, he was not qualified for that role.
His thin lips parted slightly. "I stood behind the door. He shouldn't have been able to see me," he said, his voice low and hoarse.
Song Hemei looked at him. Her gaze unconsciously slid from his finely sculpted nose down to his lips.
The damp, lingering sensation still seemed to be there. Now that the room held only the two of them, with no rage or impulse to drive them, all that remained was an awkwardness and unease that was hard to put into words.
Was this a maiden's shyness? She figured it might be, or maybe not.
Just as she was about to say something, she suddenly heard her mother's voice outside the door.
"Aiya! How did your hand get so injured? Call for a physician immediately!"
Then came a slap against the door. "Xiao He! Open the door this instant! Look at what a mess you've made!"
Song Hemei turned sharply to look at Yu Yeqing. Why did everyone have to come knocking on her door one after another? What kind of mess was this?
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