Chapter 51: She Didn't Dodge
Song Hemei inclined her head slightly, avoiding his gaze, her thoughts spiraling unwillingly down that path of speculation.
If it were the former, it was understandable. Even if he could guess at the scheme of passing off a concubine's child as the legal wife's, he would find no evidence.
But, what if it were the latter?
Her emotions churned with this conjecture, and from it, other ideas began to sprout.
She cleared her throat twice, and when she turned her head back, her expression was as placid as ever. She feigned ignorance. "This shouldn't have anything to do with you, should it? I've never heard of an Investigating Censor's duties extending to the domestic affairs of an official's household."
Yu Yeqing's gaze grew even deeper and darker. "You are not yet considered a member of his household."
"Fine, fine. A guest, a temporary guest. Is that acceptable?"
Song Hemei tilted her head up to look at him, deliberately trying to feign innocence, blinking her eyes at him. "What difference does it make? A child is already involved. Why quibble over the title of husband and wife? Getting through life... isn't it all the same?"
Having said this, she watched his reaction closely, not letting a single detail escape her notice.
He seemed surprised by her words, yet also as if he was holding something back. His expression was stern as he nodded slightly, lowering his gaze to bore into her.
Song Hemei felt that her suspicions had been somewhat confirmed.
He must have feelings for her.
But when had this affection started, and how deep did it run?
He revealed so little, leaving behind such faint traces—what use were they? She wasn't a constable working a case at the yamen. She had never heard of romantic feelings being something one had to deduce.
But she knew one thing: true feelings were impossible to hide. If they could be hidden, it meant the sentiment was shallow, and there was no need to probe any further.
Not intending to continue the conversation with him, and seeing that the loading of the carriage ahead was almost finished, she deliberately ignored him and stepped forward.
But it was at this moment that Yu Yeqing suddenly spoke. "Second Miss Song, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Song Hemei halted her steps, pretending not to understand. "What's the matter? Was there something I said that wasn't clear enough?"
Yu Yeqing's gaze was profound, his reaction a mix of displeasure and confusion.
"Last night's affair. What was your intention?"
Was she toying with him? Using him? How could she act as if nothing had happened after what occurred last night?
Song Hemei tilted her head to look at him. "You were the one who wanted to speak with me alone last night. What intention could I have had?"
"But you didn't dodge."
Yu Yeqing stepped forward, his tall frame standing before her. The pressure he naturally exuded seemed to envelop her entirely, leaving her with no escape and no room to avoid him.
Song Hemei felt a pang of guilt under his scorching gaze, as if she were the one who had committed some betrayal.
She steadied her nerves. "I did dodge. I just didn't get far enough. Don't you know how strong you are?"
She lifted her head, her face neither flushed nor her breath quickened. "I'm a weak woman. Did you expect me to have the strength to move mountains?"
But Yu Yeqing's gaze remained fixed on her, unaffected by her words. His tone was firm. "No. You didn't even try."
Song Hemei felt a surge of heat threatening to rise from her neck to her face.
Did this man have to be so blunt? Didn't she deserve to save face?
He didn't seem to be playing a game of casual entanglement with her, nor did he treat her as some convenient dalliance. Instead, he seemed deliberately intent on provoking and challenging her.
Whether it was shame at having her thoughts exposed or annoyance at his lack of subtlety and his taciturn nature, Song Hemei gritted her teeth, her voice resolute. "I said I couldn't push you away, so I couldn't push you away. How would you even know whether I was trying or not?"
She turned and walked toward the carriage, but Yu Yeqing followed close behind, maintaining a short distance, and lowered his voice. "I do know."
He paused for a moment. "That time you pushed me with all your strength... you weren't weak at all."
His words struck her ear, sending a tremor through her heart.
Pushed him before? When could she have ever had the chance to push him away?
Wasn't it during those improper moments, at the peak of intimacy, when she instinctively wanted to retreat and push him away? But that was one of those rare times he wouldn't obey, holding her tight, refusing to let her go no matter how she pushed, until—well, it was hard to say exactly what happened, but it always ended with them wrapped in each other's arms.
Song Hemei did not turn around. Shame had reached a tipping point, transforming into anger. Her tone turned sharp, and she simply put all the blame on him. "What use was pushing? It wouldn't have worked anyway! Can't I even try to save my strength? Was I supposed to make a scene so everyone could come and enjoy the spectacle?"
As she finished speaking, she arrived at the carriage.
Whether it was fear of being overheard or because he had once again retreated into his taciturn shell, he didn't say another word. But his gaze still lingered on her, as if he were trying to decipher which of her words were true and which were false.
Song Hemei didn't look at him again. She quickly ducked into the carriage, finally escaping his line of sight.
Given that they were about to enter Changzhou City, it was unseemly for them to share the same carriage and invite gossip. So she returned Yu Yeqing's horse to him and instructed him to ride on ahead.
Hiding inside the carriage, Song Hemei pressed herself into a corner, trying to evade any possible line of sight he might have into the vehicle. Today, Lianzhu was surprisingly well-behaved. She wasn't sure how Yu Yeqing had managed to coax him, but the boy was willingly holding a book, tracing the strokes of characters with his finger.
Since Lianzhu was still young, she hadn't been in a hurry to find him a tutor to begin his formal education. As a result, his literacy was limited to a few characters: the opening lines from the classics, plus "father," "mother," and his own name. But today, he pestered Chunhui to teach him more.
People said you could tell what a child will be like at three and what he'll be at seven. She felt Lianzhu wasn't naturally inclined toward studying—after all, which child who loved books would fall asleep at the mere sight of one? But now, he seemed to be actively suppressing his nature.
It wasn't exactly a bad thing, so Song Hemei let it be, sitting quietly in the carriage, waiting to enter the city and return to the Song residence.
Before they had decided to return, Shao Wen'ang had already sent a rider ahead with a message. The Song household had made preparations in advance, dispatching a servant boy to wait at the city gate and report back as soon as they arrived. When the carriage pulled up before the manor gates, her elder brother was already there to greet them.
Ever since their father had fallen gravely ill, her brother had taken over the family's business affairs. By now, he was practically the head of the household. It was only proper that he personally receive the Investigating Censor from the capital.
Three years had passed, and the messenger boys running errands within the household had changed countless times. Song Yunyao stood at the gate, watching the carriage approach from afar. The man on horseback was largely obscured by the carriage, making it difficult to see him clearly.
When the carriage stopped before the gates, Song Hemei was helped down first. Seeing her brother, her expression became unavoidably complicated, but in front of the servants, she could only greet him politely: "Elder Brother."
Song Yunyao, however, did not seem to share her reservations. He smiled and welcomed her. "You're too much. The journey must have been exhausting. Why go to all the trouble of coming back?"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to look behind her. "I heard from your husband's message that the Investigating Censor accompanied you to Changzhou. Where is the—"
His voice died in his throat.
From behind the carriage, a man on horseback slowly emerged, gradually revealing his full figure as he came around the side of the vehicle.
Song Yunyao's eyes flew wide open, staring at the man as if he had seen a ghost. He stood frozen in place.
Song Hemei noticed his abnormality. She called out to him softly: "Elder Brother?"
Song Yunyao snapped back to his senses. He was, after all, a seasoned merchant, and he forcefully suppressed the turmoil within him, clinging to a thread of hope. "Who is this?"
Song Hemei studied her brother's expression carefully. Having grown up together, she could not fail to recognize his panic.
So her guess had been correct. The incident of Yu Yeqing leaving home three years ago must have had something to do with her brother.
She forced the corners of her mouth into a semblance of a smile. "Elder Brother should still recognize him, shouldn't he? This is Lord Yu, the Investigating Censor."
Song Yunyao's pupils trembled. A fine sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead. It took him a long moment to gather his wits, and he steeled himself to step forward and address Yu Yeqing, who was still mounted on his horse, cupping his hands in a respectful salute. "A humble commoner greets the Lord Censor. May I ask if you have lodging arranged? If you do not find it beneath you, my humble abode still has—"
"There is no need." Yu Yeqing's voice was ice-cold.
His eyes held a chilling edge as he looked down upon Song Yunyao from his height.
This was even colder and harsher than the man she had encountered on that first night they had reunited.
Even back then, she had felt he exuded an aura that kept people at a distance. But now, there was an even more intimidating force of authority, making his voice deeper and more menacing. The slow clop of his horse's hooves seemed to trample upon a person's throat, bringing with it an overwhelming, suffocating dread.
For a moment, even Song Hemei was stunned into silence. Then, she heard Yu Yeqing give a cold laugh. "Lord Song's kindness is something this official cannot bear."
Song Yunyao immediately bowed even deeper, his whole body trembling slightly.
Without another word to him, Yu Yeqing swept his gaze over Song Hemei. Seeing her frozen in place, he unconsciously pressed his lips together.
When he spoke again, his tone was slightly softer. "I cannot stay long. Second Miss Song, I take my leave."
He wound the reins tightly around his hand, and under his command, the horse's head turned. Not until his departing figure had faded into the distance did her brother suddenly collapse to the ground, his eyes vacant, as though his soul had left his body.
Song Hemei was startled, and finally snapped out of her own daze. She immediately crouched down. When her hand touched his back, she found it soaked through with sweat.
Her expression grew grim. The urgency she felt could no longer be contained. Not caring that they were still outside the manor, she pressed him directly. "Elder Brother, what exactly are you hiding from me?!"
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