Chapter 44: Suffering
Suddenly hearing Yu Yeqing's voice, Song Hemei's hand paused for a moment—but only for a moment. She continued her movements, carefully fastening the sachet at Shao Wen'ang's waist.
In the past, this sort of task was never hers to do, but today she was anxious, wanting to send him off quickly. Yet she never expected such ill timing.
Yu Yeqing's tone was unreadable—neither anger nor pleasure. After all, this was the Shao residence. He merely stood at the moon gate, not daring to step rashly into the inner quarters. It was Shao Wen'ang who spoke first, clasping his hands toward the man ahead with a smile: "Forgive my indulgence, Lord Yu."
Yu Yeqing's burning gaze fell upon Song Hemei, as if trying to see through her. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "A wife like this is Your Honor's fortune."
His tone was cold. Though the words themselves were a compliment, they carried no warmth whatsoever.
Especially when they reached Song Hemei's ears—she felt as if she were being mocked.
A vague unease settled in her heart. Was it because of what Yu Yeqing had said and done last night? Or because the court had suddenly dispatched an Investigating Censor? She looked again at Shao Wen'ang, wondering if he was carrying a head on his shoulders but not actually using it for anything serious—whether he might be rushing headlong into some trap set by others, only to drag her and Lianzhu down with him.
She could feel Yu Yeqing's gaze fixed on her, but she did not lift her head to meet it. Instead, she turned to Shao Wen'ang. First, she shifted the sachet as close to the center as possible, then straightened his collar, lowering her voice to remind him: "Husband, be cautious in all things. Remember, come back early."
Shao Wen'ang's eyes held tenderness. He raised a hand to pat hers, then grasped it firmly: "With Mei'er worrying over me, I certainly won't linger outside."
Song Hemei sensed that burning gaze land on the back of her hand. She didn't need to think hard to know whose it was. Her fingertips instinctively stiffened, wanting to clench, but she forced herself to bear it.
After all, there was an outsider present. Shao Wen'ang only held her hand for a moment before releasing it. He turned his attention to Lianzhu, who was hiding behind Chunhui's legs, clutching them.
He walked over and scooped the boy up in one rough motion. Though he supported the child's bottom and legs, Lianzhu's body clearly tilted backward. Song Hemei's heart tightened. She immediately reached out to steady him with a push, barely preventing an accident.
Once the boy was securely held, she could no longer suppress her irritation. Her brow furrowed tightly, and her tone was noticeably displeased: "Husband, be careful. The child's waist is delicate—you might strain it."
But Shao Wen'ang seemed oblivious to her anger. He laughed instead: "I know, I've got him steady, haven't I?"
He pressed his cheek against Lianzhu's, acting affectionate.
Song Hemei watched, fuming inside. She thought that once he left, she would have to wipe Lianzhu's face clean.
But then Yu Yeqing spoke again: "If Your Honor cannot bear to part with your wife and child, there is no harm in remaining at the residence. The yamen certainly lacks no one to guide this official."
This time, his tone was unmistakably wrong. Song Hemei lifted her gaze to look at him. He stood entirely within the shadow cast by the moon gate, his expression dark and sullen, as if he were looking at something too repulsive to behold.
A chill ran down her spine. At last, she began to sense the truth.
He did not seem to want to see their happy little family of three.
What, did he resent her to this extent now? Or was it... something else?
Song Hemei hesitated for a moment. Shao Wen'ang answered first: "Forgive me, Lord Yu."
He bounced Lianzhu in his arms: "Son, quickly greet Lord Yu."
Lianzhu instinctively wanted to suck his fingers but held back. He mumbled a few words: "Demon... grab Mama."
Shao Wen'ang didn't catch it: "What?"
But Song Hemei clearly saw Yu Yeqing's expression shift slightly, his gaze shooting toward her.
Her back stiffened. So Lianzhu had truly seen clearly last night—Yu Yeqing holding her hand, refusing to let go.
And now the child was saying this at such a time. Anyone who heard would think she had been gossiping about him after returning last night!
Seeing that Shao Wen'ang was coaxing the child to repeat himself, she stepped forward immediately, reached out, and took Lianzhu back into her own arms. With her free hand, she pushed Shao Wen'ang: "Enough, Husband. Go now. Don't keep Lord Yu waiting."
Yu Yeqing's expression flickered. Watching her, she seemed unwilling to linger here any longer, urging Shao Wen'ang forward.
Then she turned to him, polite but distant, maintaining the proper boundary between a married woman and an unrelated man. With the child in her arms, she gave a slight nod and turned to retreat into the inner quarters.
Shao Wen'ang had already walked up to him. He waved a hand and smiled: "Do not take offense, Lord Yu. My wife is always reluctant to part with me. Even when I leave for work, she can't bear to let me go. I often tell her not to act this way—I'll be back after work—but she never listens. Ah, truly a bother."
With that, he bent at the waist, clasping his hands: "Allow me to apologize on behalf of my wife."
Yu Yeqing's hands clenched slowly in his sleeves. His cold, sharp gaze swept over Shao Wen'ang, and he only said in a deep voice: "Do not waste any more time."
Shao Wen'ang immediately raised his hand in a gesture of invitation. Yu Yeqing walked ahead, and they both boarded the carriage.
The carriage was not small. Two men sitting together were not overly cramped.
But whether or not it was an illusion, Yu Yeqing seemed to catch the faint scent emanating from the sachet.
Three years ago, she had also given one to Minglian. But this fragrance was completely different.
Thinking of Minglian, his heart cooled again. He deliberately tried to ignore the irritating scent.
But Shao Wen'ang, of all things, picked up the sachet and toyed with it, speaking unprompted: "My wife's embroidery is excellent. Everything I wear against my skin is made by her hands. As the saying goes, first establish a family, then a career. Your Honor, you should find a companion for yourself soon."
Yu Yeqing's gaze shifted to him.
Sachet? Every half of the Song residence knew that Second Miss Song was not skilled in needlework. Those so-called personal items were probably all made by her personal maids.
They had been married for three years, and he still didn't know?
The corner of Yu Yeqing's mouth curled into a mocking smile. It seemed their marriage wasn't so deeply connected after all.
His thin lips moved as he spoke slowly: "Truly enviable. It seems all those old affairs have been turned over a new leaf?"
Shao Wen'ang's expression immediately turned awkward.
These words were a ruthless exposure of his shortcomings, but also a rare mention of the past.
After all, when that scene had unfolded at the Shao residence's gate, this Lord Yu had witnessed the entire thing. But at the time, he had paid no attention, taking him for nothing more than an insignificant servant.
Thinking back on things long past was pointless. Shao Wen'ang could only laugh again: "In my youth, I was foolish, and I made many mistakes. But a prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. My wife long ago stopped holding it against me. That is how peace and harmony flourish in the household."
But Yu Yeqing was not always inclined to answer his small talk. He averted his gaze now and did not engage further.
The carriage continued to the yamen. The case files from previous years and the records of officials' achievements had already been retrieved, awaiting inspection.
Though the rank of Investigating Censor was not high, he was on a tour of inspection in the emperor's name, empowered to exercise authority over those of higher rank. Who dared to be negligent? Yet for several days, they had tried flattering him, but never managed to hit the mark. Shao Wen'ang had privately discussed strategies with his colleagues, but no one could crack this tough nut.
After an entire day of standing by, waiting to be lectured, Shao Wen'ang was on edge. Summer was already hot and stuffy, and by the time he returned home in the evening, his official robe was soaked through with sweat. He had just bathed and changed when Song Hemei sent someone to summon him to the rear courtyard.
Unsure whether she intended to drink and chat again, Song Hemei had not ordered the servants to prepare supper in advance. She waited only for Shao Wen'ang to return, asked a few casual questions, and then cut to the chase: "Why did the capital suddenly send an Investigating Censor? Has something happened?"
Shao Wen'ang took a sip of cold tea, not looking at her: "It's nothing, Mei'er. You're a woman; you don't need to worry about such things. These are matters for us men to ponder."
Song Hemei leaned against the round table. Ignoring his attempts to deflect, she guessed on her own: "Are we going to war with Northern Wei again?"
Shao Wen'ang waved his hand: "You're overthinking it. We've only just managed to sue for peace. It's not so easy to start a war."
Song Hemei paused for a moment, then said bluntly: "Then someone must have committed a crime, and that's why they're being jointly investigated."
Shao Wen'ang still tried to play it vague.
Finally, Song Hemei could no longer tolerate his evasiveness. She slammed her hand hard on the table.
This startled Shao Wen'ang. He looked at her in surprise, only to meet her eyes—half-smiling, half-mocking: "Good husband, you really keep your secrets well."
Before he could continue pretending to be clueless, Song Hemei sneered: "It's about what Father-in-law was involved in, isn't it? Otherwise, why would they suddenly come to inspect this region? And why stay in our home? How long has it been since Father-in-law's incident? Did you know all along and deliberately keep it from me?"
Seeing her angry, Shao Wen'ang let out two exaggerated sighs: "Wasn't I afraid you'd worry? You're a woman—even if you knew, what could you do? It's better to know nothing, live your peaceful life, and let me handle everything."
Song Hemei's teeth ached with fury. He really was one to play tricks.
As the saying goes, "three years old sees the old." His nature had been set from the start. Back then, he had managed to keep Cao Lingchun's matter under wraps, and now he could do the same with Senior Lord Shao's affair. Back then, he came up with a host of lofty excuses, and now he was no different.
She almost laughed from rage. Keeping it from her wasn't to spare her worry at all—it was clearly to prevent her from reporting the matter to her father early, so that the Song family wouldn't withdraw their help.
But after all, Father had always said not to kick a man when he's down. When Senior Lord Shao was demoted, Father had poured in a great deal of favors and silver.
Song Hemei could no longer speak. She turned her head away, closed her eyes, and slowly tried to calm her emotions.
But Shao Wen'ang chose that moment to offend her further. He pressed on: "I say, this isn't really a big deal. How the higher-ups decide depends on what Lord Yu reports back. Mei'er, your family knew him in the old days. Can little Third Brother help us open a path to him?"
Song Hemei was not foolish enough to drag Jilang into this. Not to mention the fact that Yu Yeqing was now harboring unknown resentment toward her, but even setting that aside, this was a matter of a former attendant rising in the world—and the former young master going to him to call in favors. How could that end well?
Who would be so servile?
But she didn't immediately contradict him. She only said: "It's possible, but I'll need to return to Changzhou first and talk it over with little brother."
Regardless, she had to go home first and see if she could cut ties with this marriage early and return to her family.
But unexpectedly, Shao Wen'ang hesitated: "Mei'er, you just came back. Why go home again? The journey is long and bumpy, too much hardship. Better to write a letter. If you don't know how to say it, I can write it for you. That way, I can also explain the matter thoroughly to little brother."
Song Hemei lifted her eyes to look at him. The man before her wore a sincere expression, as if he were truly considerate as he claimed.
But she was no longer fooled by this facade. He wasn't worried about her suffering—he was afraid she would meddle. He even wanted to control the letters she wrote.
Song Hemei bit her lip. The breath caught in her throat, unable to go up or down.
She didn't answer immediately. She forced a smile and said only to wait a little longer, using it as a stalling tactic.
Then she said nothing more. A few words drove him out. She had a bellyful of anger with no place to vent. She paced back and forth in the room, hating that she didn't know exactly what crime Senior Lord Shao had committed. Otherwise, at this moment, she would go straight to Yu Yeqing and send him and his nine generations to the grave together.
By evening, a servant came to report, his expression somewhat urgent: "Madam, please come quickly. The master urgently summons you. He says Lord Yu wants to take his leave and has asked the madam to bring some wine."
Song Hemei was very surprised. He was leaving already?
But the servant hesitated and added: "The master seems to have some other plan. He only said you'll understand once you go. As for the rest, this servant does not know."
Song Hemei acknowledged this. She sent someone to the cellar to fetch some good wine and went herself. But in her heart, she couldn't fathom what this meant.
Had he finished his investigation and was returning to the capital to report? Was the outcome good or bad?
It was still the same pavilion as last night. This time, when Song Hemei approached, she was much more composed. Even though Yu Yeqing's gaze was no longer as distant as last night—he was watching her without a moment's pause, his eyes fixed upon her—she could ignore it completely.
When she reached them, Shao Wen'ang spoke first: "Perfect timing, Mei'er is here. Lord Yu, Mei'er often travels between Changzhou and Linzhou. She knows the fastest route. And my son's maternal grandfather is always mentioning he wants to see the child. How about having my wife accompany you back to Changzhou tomorrow? What do you think, Lord Yu?"
Song Hemei was stunned. Before she could react, she instinctively looked at Yu Yeqing, meeting his deep, dark eyes.
His low voice emerged: "Madam, would you be willing to travel with me?"
Get instant access to all chapters now.
Post a Comment