Chapter 34: Bound Together
In the slightly muggy weather, Madam Zhang gently fanned herself with a round silk fan, unhurriedly awaiting her reply.
A surge of fire rushed up within Song Hemei, even causing her heart to tremble with it.
What a fine scheme. But in this scheme, what did they take her for?
It was not enough that she acknowledge this child; they also wanted her to elevate the child's status and save face for them—legitimizing it as legitimate while conveniently covering up the matter of conjugal relations during the mourning period. Why not just wait until the child was born and have it take her surname too?
Her expression must have been visibly unpleasant, for Madam Zhang set down her fan and sighed softly: "What household can bear such a calamity? I only pray to Heaven that Lingchun bears a son, so that the Shao family may have an heir, and you may have a child to rely on."
With that, Madam Zhang leaned in. Song Hemei failed to dodge as the older woman grabbed her hand, patting it within her own: "Good child, I watched you grow up. How could I not cherish you? How could I not know that you, too, have suffered grievances? This is all for your own good."
She wore a look of concern, explaining earnestly: "Though whoever raises the child will be close to them, once they grow older and understand who they truly came from, they may harbor other thoughts. What can ever overshadow blood kinship? But this so-called bloodline is merely a matter of words. If enough people say it and witness it, it becomes truth. My dear Xiao He, I am doing this for your benefit."
Song Hemei's entire body was stiff. The corners of her lips twitched slightly, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Yet beneath this humiliation, her reason remained intact.
Madam Zhang was right. Even if a concubine-born child was raised as one's own, the birth mother would always hold a place in their heart. But if from the very beginning the child believed they came from the principal wife's womb, they would be loyal to her from the depths of their heart.
And for the sake of her future life, this was indeed the best course of action.
The only problem was that she had to acknowledge the very child Shao Wen'ang had conceived while deceiving her. Not only had she been fooled, but she now had to help them cover up their shame.
Song Hemei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and forced herself to suppress all these feelings so that reason could prevail.
With the situation already decided, all she could do was bargain for more benefits.
She pressed her lips together. When she raised her eyes again, a troubled expression had settled in them: "This matter is certainly negotiable. But if I were to be with child, how could I manage the inner household for Mother? If people saw, wouldn't they grow suspicious?"
Madam Zhang's eyes shifted slightly. She immediately understood the implication—this was about the authority over the household.
She smiled knowingly, gripping Song Hemei's hand more tightly: "That's no trouble at all. When I was pregnant with Wen'ang, I had already taken over the household management from your mother-in-law. When others see such a capable daughter-in-law, they are more than envious—they have no time for gossip."
This meant the previous promises still held.
Song Hemei's lashes fluttered. She still appeared reluctant: "Mother's words make me ashamed. I am still unfamiliar with the affairs of the household and fear I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."
Madam Zhang tilted her head to look at her, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
Each knew the other's thoughts well enough. She narrowed her eyes slightly and made a concession: "Your family has raised you well. Managing accounts and running a household should not be difficult for you. It's only unfamiliar at first. I have two ready-made clothing shops in excellent locations. I'll have someone fetch the tally and deeds for you now. Study them first when you return home."
Hearing this, Song Hemei did not care whether Madam Zhang felt pleased or not. At least her heart found some balance.
Some things could not be demanded all at once today.
She took a step back, and the smile at the corners of her mouth finally gained a hint of sincerity: "Since Mother trusts me so, I will not let you down. As for the esteemed physician, I will have to trouble Mother to see to it."
Thus the matter was settled. Madam Zhang released her hand: "Good. Rest assured."
After a few more pleasantries, Song Hemei left the side room and went to see Shao Wen'ang again.
She had originally thought Madam Zhang would come along, forcing her to endure the nausea of playing the devoted wife once more. But Madam Zhang clearly could not bear to see her son in such a state. She did not even enter the main room—only glanced in that direction, sighed softly, and turned away.
Song Hemei was glad to be left alone. She followed suit, claiming her heart ached at the sight, said a few words to Cao Lingchun at the doorway, and then found an excuse to return to the Song residence.
The whole ordeal had consumed most of the day. She had thought she might have to stay overnight, but returning now was earlier than expected.
The carriage traveled back to the side gate. Song Hemei took a small path toward her courtyard, walking slowly. She spotted her elder brother standing sideways by a moon-viewing gate. Even from half his face, she could tell he was furious. He was scolding a servant before him: "Left early? Are you useless? Can't even bring a single person back?"
The servant bowed his head, looking troubled: "Eldest Young Master, please calm your anger. I was careful not to draw attention and calculated the time precisely. Who would have thought… Young Master, maybe he anticipated it and fled ahead of time?"
Song Yunyao's expression darkened further. Just as he was about to scold again, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a plain-colored figure. He instinctively turned and saw Song Hemei approaching.
A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly concealed it: "They let you return so soon?"
Song Hemei nodded. As she drew near, her brother had already signaled the servant to withdraw.
She hesitated, then probed: "Has something happened?"
Song Yunyao's lips moved. He did not deny it but instead changed the subject: "It's nothing—just your sister-in-law. Forget it, let's not talk about her."
He looked at his sister with concern: "What did the Shao family say?"
Song Hemei did not press further. She sighed softly, walked slowly ahead, and recounted everything she had seen and heard that day to her brother.
Upon hearing it, Song Yunyao's face turned ugly: "Outrageous! In the future, that bastard child will have to call our father 'Grandfather'? The Shao family has some nerve!"
Song Hemei glanced sideways at her brother. She was silent for a long moment, watching his anger but hearing no follow-up. She immediately understood his meaning.
Her brother and mother were the same—they grieved for her, but that was all it was: grief.
She no longer looked at him. Having been to the Shao residence already left her in a foul mood. Facing her brother now, she did not bother to restrain herself. She smiled mockingly: "Enough, brother. Between us siblings, there's no need to pretend to be so indignant for my sake. You might as well go back and enjoy yourself."
Song Yunyao did not understand. He took a few steps to catch up: "What do you mean by that? You're my sister. How could I be happy when you've been wronged? Do you take me for some beast?"
Song Hemei glanced at him dismissively: "Resolving the crisis for the Song family—isn't that something worth celebrating? Brother, if you truly think I've been wronged, well, it's not dark yet. Go to the Shao residence right now and tell them we're backing out. This marriage is off. Your sister will never marry into such a crippled family."
At her words, Song Yunyao stopped in his tracks, silent.
Song Hemei had expected as much. Seeing her prediction confirmed, she even had the leisure to raise an eyebrow: "See? I was right."
She did not bother to see what expression her brother wore behind her. She turned and quickened her pace back to her own courtyard.
Song Yunyao watched his sister's retreating figure, his heart a tangled mess.
He felt utterly useless. But as his sister had said, how could he rush off to the Shao residence so impulsively?
For a moment, he thought: his sister had suffered so much, sacrificed so much for the family. Since her future in the Shao household was essentially living as a widow, if she truly had her eye on Yu Yeqing, wouldn't keeping him by her side for amusement bring her some joy?
But the thought had barely arisen before he suppressed it sharply.
That was far too heretical!
What respectable girl would do such an outrageous thing? Even if her husband's family was worthless, she could not entertain thoughts of betrayal. Such affairs might be hidden for a day or two, but over time, they would inevitably be discovered. If word got out, the Song family's reputation would be ruined.
Right now, his sister was the only daughter of the family. But he and Wan'er would have children in the future. Third Brother would marry and have children too. If those children had such an aunt, how would they find spouses in the future?
He hardened his heart. No, absolutely not. Yu Yeqing could not be indulged.
Changzhou had been stiflingly hot all day. That night, it finally broke into the first summer rain.
In the dark, he boarded a carriage and set out, accompanied by four or five servants wearing straw rain capes.
When they arrived at a low hut on the outskirts, a servant standing guard at the door held an umbrella to help him dismount, reporting: "Young Master, the man is inside. Our brothers were about to force their way in to bring him out, but unexpectedly, he came out on his own."
Song Yunyao's expression soured.
What good could come of going out so late at night?
Was he trying to sneak into the residence to find Mei'er?
He let out a cold laugh and quickened his pace into the thatched cottage.
Yu Yeqing's hands were bound together. Surrounded by four or five men, a sack covered his head. He was unconscious.
Song Yunyao raised a hand. Immediately, someone stepped forward, removed the sack, and splashed a ladle of water onto him.
The sudden chill made the unconscious Yu Yeqing's brows furrow slightly. As his reason returned, the memory of what had happened before he lost consciousness came flooding back. He opened his eyes.
His hair and brows, darkened by the water, made his sharp gaze all the more piercing—the kind that made people instinctively look away. Though his hands and feet were bound, the ropes accentuated his narrow waist and powerful arms. He was not like the frail scholars one usually saw. If not for the eight or nine men in the room, one might doubt they could even restrain him.
Song Yunyao stared at him intently. The sight of his handsome face only deepened his displeasure.
A blaze of fury rose within him. He stepped forward and delivered a kick directly to Yu Yeqing's chest: "You wretch! How dare you!"
"Daring to touch what you shouldn't—have you looked at yourself in the mirror to see if you're worthy?"
Get instant access to all chapters now.
Post a Comment