Chapter 24: Liking Him
No sooner had Song Hemei spoken than she felt a subtle shift throughout the room.
The palm resting on her thigh stopped moving, yet it only grew hotter, the heat seeping through the thin fabric and making her instinctively want to flinch away, even as an even stronger sense of anticipation inexplicably arose within her.
After a brief pause, the breathing of the man before her became heavy and slow, each inhale and exhale gripping her heart in the depth of the night.
She felt her meaning was far too obvious, making her seem quite immodest. Yet she also thought, not only was there no need for her to be reserved in the first place, but in this situation, being demure was clearly superfluous.
She cleared her throat, leaned slightly closer to him, and lowered her voice to ask, "Why aren't you saying anything?"
Yu Yeqing's lips moved. In the moonlight, she could see his dark pupils quiver. He gazed at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, and uttered a single word in a low voice: "Yes."
The hot water was still there.
Such a simple statement was both compliance and tacit consent. Song Hemei felt that it wasn't just the leg and ankle he held that were hot; her entire body was uncontrollably burning.
Everything had a first time and second time. The first time, angry and grief-stricken, she had thrown caution to the wind and managed to find the right place—all credit to her sister-in-law's illustrated manual. The second time, she had gained some understanding, which was why lingering thoughts and expectations remained, now spreading and clamoring together.
Song Hemei waited, yet he didn't take the initiative. Still, thinking that he wasn't exactly specialized in this and that some inexperience and restraint could be forgiven, she magnanimously placed her hand over his and grasped it. "Are you doing this on purpose?"
Yu Yeqing's voice was hoarse. "What do you mean, on purpose?"
She held his hand and guided it toward her body. "What do you think?"
Caught off guard, Yu Yeqing let her pull his arm straight, sliding it forward along her knee. He realized what he was about to touch and instinctively clenched his hand into a fist.
As if feeling wrongly accused, his usually steady voice carried a hint of panic that was clearly discernible as he hurriedly explained, "I had no intention of overstepping."
"Is this the time to say that?" Song Hemei clicked her tongue lightly. "Do I have to tell you every single step?"
Her meaning was obvious. In the silent exchange under the moonlight, he could see the blatant urging in Song Hemei's eyes.
Yu Yeqing's Adam's apple moved. He steadied himself, unclenched his fist, and his long fingers hooked around her knee, pressing it firmly to the side. He rose slightly, and even though he was half-kneeling on the bed, his tall frame still cast a dominating shadow, trapping her beneath him.
This invasion was oddly mingled with a kind of courteousness. Even as Song Hemei tensed at the prospect of his possible, unpredictable intrusion, what she heard was him asking, with propriety, "May I kiss you?"
Song Hemei felt her entire face burn, hot and itchy. But emboldened by the darkness, she replied like a seasoned veteran, with worldly nonchalance: "Go ahead."
The next instant, the tall figure before her bore down upon her, but only a gentle kiss landed on her lips.
A brief touch that broke away, yet was immediately followed by a second one, capturing her lips. A warm, moist sensation spread, followed by a numbness from the suction, making her involuntarily close her eyes.
When her lips parted slightly, their tongues naturally met. She felt—apart from the hand on her leg—another arm encircling her waist. A sudden pull sent her crashing into his embrace.
Just as she thought he would continue gently, the abrupt jerk startled her eyes open, and she met his dark, heavy gaze. Then she saw a barely suppressed surge of emotion rising within him. Before she could decipher it, the hand on her waist slid downward and directly lifted her up.
"What are you doing?"
Song Hemei gasped breathlessly, but due to the unexpected lift, her leg instinctively hooked around the bend of his half-kneeling knee.
She didn't receive an answer; her lips were captured again.
This time it was more fervent, more clinging. Her mind could no longer stay clear. Hidden urgency and desire climbed higher, making her tightly wrap her arms around his neck. Her waist murmured with a slight movement, rubbing against him in a clear plea.
Not until the tie at her waist was undone, and scorching heat met moisture, did she evade his kiss and bury her face in the crook of his neck, panting heavily.
She originally wanted to wait for the lingering passion to subside and then tell him to let her lie down, because doing it herself was far too tiring. But before she could speak, two strong arms encircled her waist, followed by his rising and sinking.
He truly was a master of the second time: "first time strange, second time familiar." Now he clearly knew where to go, with his own rhythm of urgency and gentleness, leaving her no means of resistance. Her entire body arched to receive him, but he took the opportunity to stroke her back.
His fingertips swept over her inch by inch, the resulting shivers making her response unmistakable, provoking an involuntary low groan from Yu Yeqing.
She opened her eyes dazedly, her mind sluggish. Some words slipped out of her mouth unbidden: "Your voice is really nice."
At this moment, such words were a death warrant. His searing kisses answered on her neck. Just as instinctive sucking began, he seemed to realize something and moved his lips away. Then he clenched her tightly, and devastating surges followed.
Song Hemei felt her body no longer under her control. All sensations spread outward from deep within her abdomen. She arched her neck, letting him peck her lightly. Her half-open pupils gradually unfocused. All she could do was hold him tightly.
She suddenly felt that the illustrated manual was still too superficial. Though it depicted what to do, it didn't convey that the same motion could differ depending on who exerted the force.
Not until the final dense shivers subsided did Song Hemei feel she could finally breathe. She unreservedly collapsed her full weight onto Yu Yeqing. Through their touching necks, she seemed to feel his powerful heartbeat.
Perhaps seeing that she showed no sign of moving away after a long while, Yu Yeqing paused and took the initiative to ask her, "Want to continue?"
As he spoke, his long, slender fingertips had already slid from her neck down along her spine. Song Hemei quickly reached back and grabbed his hand. "No, no. That's enough."
She didn't let go of his fingers, leaning against him without moving. "Aren't you tired like this?"
"It's alright." Yu Yeqing paused. "Don't you like this?"
Song Hemei didn't immediately grasp his meaning. "Like what?"
Yu Yeqing looked down, his gaze catching her smooth back in the moonlight. "Being on top."
Song Hemei's heart gave a violent lurch. Pressed so close together, she had lost any sense of shyness and felt only surprise. "How do you know?"
Yu Yeqing didn't answer right away. Some feelings were hard to put into words; some responses were difficult to describe. After a long silence, he finally replied, "I could tell."
With a slight sway of their bodies, she could still clearly sense his remaining capability. Song Hemei's eyes, which had nearly closed from exhaustion, snapped open.
What kind of proper feeling could that be…
She straightened up a little and patted him on the shoulder. "Alright, let go of me now."
Released from his embrace, she supported herself on his shoulder and slowly rose. She instinctively lowered her gaze and caught a glimpse of his narrow waist, but couldn't bring herself to look any further down—looking too much would be a bit embarrassing.
She pulled her clothes together and went to wash up, moving with practiced ease, all the while silently lamenting how truly crude this place was.
She had read many storybooks where a wealthy young lady marrying into poverty seemed like the most ordinary thing. But sometimes, daily life wore you down through small matters.
They hadn't even been in the house long enough to face the hardships of firewood, rice, oil, and salt. The mere matter of having bathwater after intimacy was enough to make one retreat in dismay.
If the hot water hadn't been kept warm on the stove, the chore of boiling water—whether before or after—would have been utterly disheartening.
She thought, maybe next time they should change location.
When she returned, the bedding on the bed had already been changed. She lay down on the inside, and as sleepiness flooded in, she heard Yu Yeqing's returning footsteps. The next moment, his voice came: "Are your legs still sore?"
Sore, yes, but not enough to keep her from sleeping now.
Before she could answer, Yu Yeqing's hand landed on her leg again.
Song Hemei stirred slightly, half-rising to grasp his long fingers. When she lay back down, she pulled him closer as well. "No need. Go to sleep quickly."
The end of her words trailed off softly, and her breathing became steady and long.
Yu Yeqing was very close to her, able to see her long lashes by the moonlight, then the tip of her straight nose, and further down, her crimson lips.
She fell asleep so fast, so fast that she didn't even realize her hand was still lightly holding his finger bones.
Yu Yeqing could feel his heart pounding violently, thumping in his chest again and again. Boldly, taking advantage of her grip on his hand, he slowly reversed the hold.
Her hand was smaller than his, allowing him to effortlessly encase it in his palm.
The closer he was, the harder it became to suppress the impulse in his heart. Her unintentional closeness and indulgence only fed his craving for more.
He bent down inch by inch, and for the first time, without her permission, he gently kissed her lips.
By his nose was the clean scent of her body. That sweet fragrance was gone, giving him the illusion that only he could be by her side, that only he could gain her favor.
He closed his eyes and lightly rubbed his nose against hers, but he could go no further. That was all.
The full moon had drifted aside; the golden crow ascended the sky.
When Song Hemei opened her eyes, she found herself nestled in Yu Yeqing's embrace.
The thin blanket was tucked tightly around her, as if afraid she'd catch a chill. Yu Yeqing's arm was wrapped around her, pressing the quilt down more firmly.
She looked up. Beside her, he slept peacefully. With his eyes closed, much of his aloof coldness dissipated. He was so clear and handsome that her gaze uncontrollably drifted to his lips.
A desire to kiss him rose in her heart, but it seemed untimely.
Kissing while awake was desire; stealing a kiss while dreaming was affection.
She subconsciously made this distinction very clear, and their relationship, after all, should not be tangled up with feelings.
Just as she was thinking this, Yu Yeqing's long lashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes, unexpectedly meeting her gaze.
Song Hemei's pupils quivered. She blurted out, "Awake?"
Yu Yeqing gave a low hum in response, but soon realized that he was holding her very tightly.
So, when she woke up and looked at him, was it because she couldn't escape his embrace?
Yu Yeqing lowered his eyes, averting his gaze first, and immediately withdrew his arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend."
He was too courteous. This made Song Hemei somewhat relieved that she hadn't impulsively kissed him, that she hadn't muddled the lines that should stay clear.
She turned onto her back, stared at the canopy, and said nonchalantly, "It's fine. You don't need to be so polite with me."
Yu Yeqing looked at her. The impulsive act he had committed after she fell asleep last night now made him feel a sudden pang of guilt. Seeing that she was silent, he hesitated before taking the initiative to ask, "Does Second Miss wish to return to the Song residence?"
If she was going back, she needed to leave early.
If only he hadn't mentioned it. The moment he did, the feeling of being abandoned by her mother surged back. She said in a muffled voice, "No."
Her frustration was hard to dispel, and her tone turned somewhat harsh. "What? Can't I even stay here for a few days?"
"No, of course you can stay for as many days as you like."
Yu Yeqing stood up. The secret joy in his heart was suppressed before it could even rise, crushed by the inevitable problem.
How could the Second Miss Song, raised in luxury since childhood, possibly live here with him for long?
Compared to the Song residence, this little courtyard of his fell short in every aspect of clothing, food, shelter, and transport. A day or two might be novel, but after a few days, how could she endure such hardship?
There were things he was always powerless to change. Powerlessness bred worry, worry was hard to resolve, and it all eventually coalesced into a fierce, clotted unease in his heart—an unease born of not knowing when she might discard him.
To have grown close to her and then be separated, to have intertwined and then been torn apart—just the thought of that possibility felt like every breath he took was scraping his lungs.
Yu Yeqing closed his eyes briefly, trying his best not to let his emotions seep into his tone. "Would Second Miss like some breakfast?"
Song Hemei nodded. "Sure."
She knew Yu Yeqing was poor. At worst, she thought, it would be plain congee and simple dishes—enough to fill her stomach.
She got up to wash and fixed her hair back into a bun. A married woman's hairstyle had this advantage—it was much simpler than the elaborate coiffures of an unmarried girl.
After tidying her clothes, she thought for a moment and then turned toward Minglian's room. But as soon as she reached the door, she heard a faint cough from inside.
She raised her hand and knocked. "Minglian, are you awake?"
There were a few more coughs, then, after a moment of silence, a slightly puzzled voice came from within. "Second Miss Song?"
"It's me."
She pushed the door open and saw Minglian already sitting up in bed, her hair slightly disheveled and puffed behind her head. Her eyes, fixed on Song Hemei, were full of surprise.
"Second Miss has come so early. Is there something you need from my brother?"
Song Hemei was taken aback, then realized that Minglian didn't know she had stayed overnight.
She couldn't help but feel a little awkward, but she couldn't explain it to Minglian. Not only because Minglian was too young, but also because one couldn't, in front of a younger sister, speak of her brother sharing a bed with another woman.
She stepped inside and made her tone casual. "Yes, that's right. I have nothing much to do now anyway, so I thought I'd just wander around."
Minglian's eyes crinkled with understanding and a smile. Her tone carried a hint of envy and sentiment. "It seems Second Young Master is truly good to you. I've heard that after marrying, a woman often finds it very tiring at her husband's home. Miss, you are a good person; you deserve to marry into such a good family and have a happy marriage."
Song Hemei's expression stiffened slightly, involuntarily recalling her experiences at the Shao residence yesterday.
Yes, if she had truly married into that family, all kinds of hardship would have been unavoidable. She knew Minglian sincerely meant that she was a good person, but hearing the words "happy marriage" made her feel nothing but rueful.
Song Hemei sat down on the round stool beside the bed, raised her hand, and used her fingers to smooth Minglian's hair, throwing in a few casual remarks to cover her feelings. "Who told you he's good to me? You're still young; what do you know about marriage or fate? Whether one person treats another well isn't something that can be explained by one or two things."
Following her movements, Minglian obediently tilted her head. At her words, she replied with a dazed, "My brother said so."
Song Hemei's hand paused. "What?"
"Brother once said that Second Young Master treats you very well, and that you treat him with true sincerity—that it's a very good match."
Song Hemei was surprised. "Does Young Master Yu usually talk to you about these things?"
"Brother has always been a man of few words. Although he does talk with me, most of the time he just reads to me." Minglian seemed afraid that Song Hemei might misunderstand, so she hastily added, "Brother would never gossip about the family he serves."
Seeing her nervousness, Song Hemei smiled and gently patted her shoulder to reassure her. "I know Young Master Yu's character. I would never jump to such a conclusion."
As soon as she spoke, Minglian visibly breathed a sigh of relief. She blinked and looked at her. "Brother says you are kind-hearted. Minglian thinks so too."
The smile on Song Hemei's lips deepened slightly.
Kind?
Thinking back, from the very moment she had used silver to threaten him into intimacy with her… that heart that had considered her kind—was it already gone?
Minglian continued. "Miss treats all the servants at home very well. You prepare gifts for every festival, make new clothes for every season, and even give my brother a separate portion distinct from the other servants, saving his face. Minglian remembers all this in her heart."
The young girl looked at her with grateful eyes, which made Song Hemei feel a little embarrassed.
This wasn't really much of a kindness. It was simply the principle of "if you receive money, you solve the problem; if you eat well, you're soft; if you take a gift, your hands are tied." Since time immemorial, that was the way things worked. To make those around you serve you wholeheartedly, you had to give them enough silver and favors.
As for Yu Yeqing, it wasn't that he received a unique favor. At the residence, he was unique; in the shops, there would be an accountant or a steward who also received such unique benefits. Due to different statuses and different duties, they couldn't all be lumped together. Over time, favor could turn into resentment instead of gratitude.
She didn't say this directly to Minglian. Instead, she simply braided her loose hair and let it hang down her back. "What's the use of just remembering? You need to repay it. So you must get better quickly."
Minglian pressed her lips together and nodded, but a flash of regret flickered in her eyes. After all, she had been ill for many years—weak from birth. Being alive was already no small feat; how could she ever hope to fully recover?
They had talked long enough. Just then, Yu Yeqing pushed the door open and came in. Seeing Minglian's already combed and braided hair, he paused briefly, then nodded at Song Hemei. "Thank you for the trouble, Second Miss."
He opened the doors and windows, but made sure the breeze wouldn't blow directly onto Minglian. Then he set up a small table in the room and brought the dishes in one by one.
Yu Yeqing had originally set aside a separate portion for her, but she found it troublesome and decided to eat with the siblings.
Still, it was beyond her expectations. The breakfast he brought over included meat and vegetables, fish and meat—though not much of each, and without elaborate presentation.
Song Hemei was quite surprised. "Did you prepare all this especially for me?"
Yu Yeqing filled a bowl of congee for her. "I made a few extra dishes, but we usually eat like this."
He helped his younger sister sit up, draped an outer robe over her, and then sat down beside Song Hemei. "Minglian is frail; she needs to eat a little of everything every day."
The food was passable. Song Hemei sipped her congee and looked at the spread on the table, realizing even more how much Yu Yeqing doted on his sister, and how much higher his expenses were than she had imagined.
She did a rough calculation in her head. For them to live like this and not owe any outside debts was already a blessing from heaven. No wonder Yu Yeqing, even after working at the Song residence, still went out to write couplets on the street at year's end, just as he had years ago.
After the meal, Yu Yeqing had to go as usual to accompany the Third Young Master at the Song residence. Before leaving, he stood at the door, seeming to want to say something to Song Hemei but hesitating.
Song Hemei looked at him. "What's wrong?"
Still unable to find the right words, Yu Yeqing could only say, "Today, my aunt might come to visit Minglian. She has a very direct personality and might not be pleasant. So, Second Miss—"
He trailed off; saying what came next was difficult.
"So, you hope I won't stay here during the day?"
Yu Yeqing lowered his eyes. He didn't nod, but he didn't deny it either. "I'm only afraid that my aunt might offend you, miss."
Song Hemei didn't care much about that. Her status was what it was; she wouldn't be insulted by a peasant woman.
"If I get bored, I'll go elsewhere. I stayed here during the day just to chat with Minglian. It's perfectly aboveboard and nothing shameful. Why should I have to hide away?"
Yu Yeqing said nothing more. He just made a slight bow with his hands and then left.
But once he had walked a short distance, he turned his head as if compelled, and saw Song Hemei pacing in the small yard, looking around at the cramped space.
When he was young and had gone out with his father, his mother would stay at home, standing in the yard and smiling as she saw them off.
Perhaps if he had a wife, it would be a similar scene. But at this moment, he wouldn't be so shameless as to imagine Song Hemei as a wife waiting for him at home.
She was too brilliant and noble, completely out of place amidst all the surrounding shabbiness. She didn't belong here, and she didn't belong to him. A bright moon resting briefly, a phoenix alighting for a while—it would never last. This sense of loss always mixed with faint joy, tangled in his heart.
He had never thought himself special in Song Hemei's eyes. It was just as he had heard Minglian say.
In the residence, she did treat him differently from the other servants, but only because he was a study companion, not a servant. Because his role was different, not because he, as a person, was different.
There were many people who seemed to have received her partiality. There were many people like him who had survived thanks to the Second Miss Song. And there were far more than just him who looked up to her.
He set off toward the Song residence, while Song Hemei turned back into the house.
At this hour, the light from the window happened to fall perfectly on the bed, illuminating Minglian's pale face. Her sickly appearance, in that moment, made her look like a delicate "sick beauty" from an ancient tale—fragile and pretty. The siblings shared similar features, but on Yu Yeqing they created a standoffish coldness that kept people at arm's length. On Minglian, however, with her pallid complexion, she seemed like a woodland spirit.
"You're really beautiful."
Song Hemei walked over to her, took one of the hairpins from her own hair, and inserted it into Minglian's braid. "When my mother was pregnant, I hoped for a younger sister. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. My younger brother is obedient, but he can never be as close to me as a sister would be."
Minglian's face flushed red with shyness. She tried to refuse, feeling embarrassed to accept such a gift.
Song Hemei studied her for a moment, then suddenly remembered something her father had once said: if fighting broke out at the border and affected Changzhou, what would happen to Minglian?
This girl was already frail by nature, having to stop every few steps even during a normal walk. If something really happened, how could she possibly flee?
She thought for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Young Master Yu is very learned. The tutors my family has hired often praise him. How come I never see him take the imperial examinations? Is there some difficulty? Some things he's not comfortable telling me, but since you and I get along, don't keep anything from me."
Minglian shook her head gently. "Actually, I don't know what my brother thinks either. I've tried to persuade him, but he always refuses. He says he wants to stay and take care of me forever, that he won't abandon me."
She looked down, appearing guilty. "But I never think that him taking the exams would be abandoning me. I hope he can leave, instead of being held back by me. He always says my chronic illness is his fault, but my condition was congenital. How can he blame himself… My brother is always like this—it's like there are a lot of things he's hiding from me."
Song Hemei thought, perhaps it was true that worry clouds judgment. When someone you care about has a slight ailment, you always end up blaming yourself.
Since persuasion didn't work, she would have to be firm. When he came back, she would have a good talk with him. The imperial examinations were one thing; finding a way out and leaving this place earlier was what really mattered. Besides, maybe changing locations and consulting more doctors could cure Minglian after all.
She made a silent decision and continued chatting casually with Minglian. As they spoke, noises came from outside.
Just as Song Hemei turned her head toward the door, the wooden door was pushed open from the outside. The woman she had seen that night stood in the doorway, holding a bundle in her arms. She froze when her eyes met Song Hemei's.
"We have a guest?"
Minglian leaned against the bed and raised her hand to introduce her. "This is Second Miss Song, from the Song family where my brother serves as a study companion."
The woman was taken aback for a moment, then instantly broke into a fawning smile. "Oh, it's Second Miss Song! Look at me, I didn't know you were here. I haven't prepared anything."
Song Hemei waved her hand. "No need to be polite. Please sit, Madam Yu."
The woman, who had been about to sit, froze for a second, a sheepish look crossing her face. She let out a couple of "ah" sounds, put down the things she was carrying, and finally sat down on a nearby round stool.
Minglian leaned in and whispered to Song Hemei, "It's Qi. I share my aunt's surname—Qi."
Song Hemei was startled for a moment. One family, and they could have two different surnames?
At that moment, Madam Qi spoke up, chiding Minglian. "Child, whatever Second Miss likes to call me is fine. Qi or Yu—it doesn't matter."
Song Hemei had seen many people eager to please. Seeing Madam Qi like this, she couldn't say she was particularly disgusted, but she knew she couldn't feel as close to her as she did to Minglian.
"I wonder if Madam Qi has come to see Minglian about something. I'll take my leave for now."
"No, no, don't trouble yourself, Second Miss. I'm just here today to bring some feminine articles."
With that, Madam Qi opened the cloth bundle she had brought and took out a sanitary belt. She walked over to Minglian and spread it out. "When your monthly cycle comes, pad this inside your undergarments, wrap the ties around your waist twice. Your brother is a man and can't properly handle these things for you. I've been making them bit by bit these past few days. When they're ready, I'll bring them over for you, so you don't have to blush asking your brother."
Minglian's face did indeed redden. She quickly said she understood twice. Only then did Madam Qi fold the sanitary belt back into the cloth bundle, stand up, and put it into a cabinet nearby.
Song Hemei's gaze toward her softened slightly. The woman had spoken harshly and unpleasantly to Yu Yeqing, but she did seem to have genuine affection for Minglian.
One surnamed Yu, one surnamed Qi… Could it be that Madam Qi was not Yu Yeqing's biological aunt?
Song Hemei didn't ask directly. Madam Qi turned back, sat down, and kept stealing glances at her.
Changzhou's most famous wealthy household was the Song family—generous and kind-hearted. In the lean years, she had even drunk several bowls of the Song family's winter congee charity.
Her nephew's job with the Song family was really a good one! The banknotes he had brought home that night had secured two good marriage matches for her sons.
Thinking of the Song family's benefits, she started scheming. She took the initiative to strike up a conversation with this Second Miss. "My nephew is usually taciturn and not the easiest to get along with. I wonder if he can get along with the Third Young Master of your esteemed residence? Does the Young Master like him?"
Song Hemei looked up, finding her words a bit odd, but still replied, "Young Master Yu is quite knowledgeable and has been very helpful to my younger brother's studies."
Madam Qi pressed on. "Oh, the Young Master of your distinguished house is so gifted! My nephew can't even compare to him. I'm just afraid his poor temper might cause displeasure to the family."
Song Hemei smiled at her but didn't respond.
Unfazed, Madam Qi kept chattering. "Studying is such a dreary task. You can't get by without someone sensible and perceptive by your side. Truth be told, miss, my two sons were personally taught by my late brother. They're not inferior to my nephew at all. What do you think—perhaps those two useless boys could keep the Third Young Master company as well?"
Minglian's expression changed. On one side was her own brother; on the other, an elder. She wanted to speak up for her brother, but she had truly received a lot of care from her aunt over the years.
She looked nervously at the woman before her, hoping in her heart that either both cousins would be taken in, or only her brother would be kept.
Song Hemei tapped her fingertips on the edge of the bed, deliberately pausing before slowly responding. "As the saying goes, 'In the boundless sea of learning, hard work is the boat.' Study requires concentration; a lack of amusement is no great loss."
She looked at Madam Qi with a smile. "I understand a mother's love for her sons, Madam Qi. But since Young Master Yu has done nothing wrong, and you keep saying he has a poor temper, you're making me… unsure of how to handle him."
Her words suggested she neither wanted Madam Qi's two sons nor intended to keep Yu Yeqing, instead looking for a replacement.
Minglian immediately grew anxious, and even Madam Qi's expression changed. If her own sons couldn't get the benefit, it was better for her nephew to have it than an outsider. If her nephew had an income, she could still get a share of it.
She hastily waved her hands in surrender. "Oh, it's this old woman who misspoke! Please don't take it to heart, Second Miss. My nephew may be cold-natured, but he's a good person. He's well-read and learned, and ordinary people really can't compare to him. He's been by the Third Young Master's side for so many years, so I'm sure he's the most suitable."
Afraid that Song Hemei had made up her mind, Madam Qi quickly sang Yu Yeqing's praises. Only when Song Hemei was satisfied did she slowly say, "Since that's the case, as Madam Qi says, I can feel more at ease with Young Master Yu staying by my younger brother's side."
Madam Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief. In that brief moment, sweat had beaded on her forehead. She wiped it with her sleeve and now felt distinctly uncomfortable sitting in the same room.
She gave Minglian a few more instructions, didn't linger any longer, stood up to take her leave from Song Hemei, and quickly left the courtyard.
Song Hemei watched her go and shook her head lightly. This woman wasn't without cunning, but she didn't have much of it either. She had some ill intentions, but she could still tell what was important.
She turned to Minglian, whose expression was still a little shaken. Song Hemei patted her hand gently. "I said that to cut her off and kill any ideas she might have for the future. Otherwise, she might not come to me, but go to Young Master Yu and ask him to introduce those two. It wasn't about replacing your brother."
Minglian blinked in confusion, trying to piece together the meaning of her words.
Song Hemei sighed softly. She was still young and not used to dealing with people. Slow to understand these things was only natural.
She dropped the subject and instead asked, "Young Master Yu isn't your full brother?"
Minglian shook her head gently. "He is my brother. But he was born to my mother before she married my father. Then I came along. My aunt has never liked him because of that."
Song Hemei silently thought, no wonder. But since it concerned their parents, she didn't pry further.
Minglian soon grew drowsy after taking her medicine. Song Hemei had talked with her long enough, so she tucked her in and left for Yu Yeqing's room.
This time she had the entire bed to herself, but oddly enough, it didn't feel roomier.
She had been busy all day and night. She fell asleep instantly, and when she woke up, her head felt foggy from sleeping too long.
Turning her head, she saw Yu Yeqing sitting by her bed, his expression heavy, his hand gently patting her forearm. She had no idea when he had returned.
Song Hemei was slow to react, her eyes still dazed, when she heard him say in a deep voice, "It seems the Old Master and Madam have been looking for you. They found out you didn't stay at the Shao residence last night."
The words sank in. Song Hemei didn't take it seriously. She closed her eyes again and let out a bitter laugh. "They must be furious. I didn't do what they wanted."
"But they also seem to… know about you and me."
This time, Song Hemei's eyes shot open. She stared directly into Yu Yeqing's deep black eyes. "How is that possible? Even my personal maids don't know about you and me. How could they?"
She sat up and looked him over from head to toe. "If they really knew, would they have let you come back so easily?"
Yu Yeqing pondered for a moment. "I don't know either. But when I arrived at the Song residence today, the whole household was in a flurry. Even the Third Young Master sensed something was off, but the Old Master and Madam didn't tell him the reason. Later, as I was leaving, the Young Madam called out to me."
Song Hemei was caught off guard. "Sister-in-law?"
Yu Yeqing nodded.
He himself was puzzled. On his way out, Qiu Wan had stopped him and told him the reason for the household's commotion: they had learned that Song Hemei had left the Shao residence and vanished into an alley with a man. In a panic, the entire household had gone out to search, not caring about gossip.
After telling him this, before he could respond, Qiu Wan had looked at him meaningfully and said, "Young Master Yu, hurry and tell Second Sister about this."
That meant she definitely knew about them, but she hadn't told Song Hemei's parents that it was Yu Yeqing who had taken her away.
Song Hemei's heart thumped wildly. She didn't even know what she truly wanted.
Part of her wished her parents did know.
If she told them that while they had planned to send their daughter to Shao Wen'ang's bed, she had instead spent the night in debauchery with another man—what kind of faces would they make?
Would they regret? Blame themselves?
But she was also afraid of them finding out. A child who has done wrong—no matter how big or small the mistake—always feels nervous and scared before their parents. And for a woman, this mistake was no different from ruining her life.
But if she let her parents keep searching, they would surely trace it back to Yu Yeqing. She didn't want to drag him into it.
She forced a lighthearted air as she got out of bed. "Don't worry. I won't give you up."
She slipped her feet into her embroidered shoes and added, with a hint of regret, "It's a shame. I was planning to stay a few more days here."
She walked slowly toward the door, but Yu Yeqing followed. Just as she was about to step over the threshold, he suddenly called out to her. "Second Miss."
Song Hemei turned around, meeting his determined, deep eyes. "I'll go with you."
He stepped closer. "This fault is also mine. You shouldn't have to bear it alone."
Yu Yeqing's expression was resolute and serious.
As he was now, he had no right to say he would marry her and take responsibility.
But if she was willing, he could stake his life to carve a path for her future. He could go to that person. He could—
Song Hemei let out a soft laugh, cutting off his thoughts.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she looked up at him. "How could it be your fault? I paid the silver, you did the job. We settled accounts and each got what we wanted. As for responsibility… those words are too heavy."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Alright, no need to see me out. I'll go back on my own."
Yu Yeqing's hopes and courage were shattered by her few words.
So it was. She had never thought of being with him.
He stopped in his tracks. He no longer had the right to follow her with desperate abandon. The fist clenched in his sleeve slowly loosened. He felt abandoned here, as he had been many times before, only able to watch her back from the shadows.
Song Hemei was completely oblivious to his feelings. She walked alone through the alley, step by step, toward the Song residence.
When she saw the vermilion lacquered gate of the Song residence, her heart sank lower and lower. Never before had returning home felt so difficult.
The servant on gate duty spotted her first and immediately shouted out in delight, "Second Miss is back!"
A page boy came out to greet her. "Second Miss, the Old Master and Madam were very worried about you. Please go and see them quickly."
Song Hemei nodded and walked straight toward the main courtyard. Someone had already hurried ahead to inform her parents of her return. The two of them came out together to meet her, but the moment they saw her, the worry in their eyes turned entirely into anger.
Her mother was the first to step forward. She grabbed Song Hemei's arms, looked her up and down, then raised her hand high and brought it down heavily on her back. "You child, you—"
"Enough. Let's talk inside."
Her father cut her mother off. He flicked his sleeves and walked toward the main hall with a cold face.
The servants were dismissed. Her elder brother, who had been out searching for her, hadn't returned yet. The doors were closed, leaving only her parents and sister-in-law in the hall.
Her father sat at the head, his expression very grim. There were things he needed to know immediately, but as a father, he couldn't ask. He could only signal to her mother with his eyes.
Mother Song took her daughter's hand and pulled her behind the folding screen. "You child! Have you lost your mind? Where have you been? Who were you with last night!"
Once inside the screen, Song Hemei looked at her mother's furious face and couldn't help but smile.
"Mother, what kind of question is that? You're making it so hard for me to answer."
"Of course it's exactly what Mother wished for—on Shao Wen'ang's bed, tangled up with him all night."
Mother Song's expression shifted. It was hard to tell whether she was angry at her daughter for lying or for speaking so casually about such intimate matters.
Song Hemei took a step toward her. "What's with that look, Mother? Isn't this what you wanted? You must have known what would happen if I stayed at the Shao residence. When he was humiliating your daughter, were you chanting 'Amitabha' in front of the Buddha, praying I'd quickly learn to obey and seal the deal?"
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