Chapter 53: Making Amends
Song Hemei's sudden appearance startled the two who were speaking.
Both gazes fell upon her at once. Knowing one of them belonged to Yu Yeqing, she felt a momentary unease. Instinctively, she avoided looking at him and focused solely on Madam Qi.
The more someone bullies those within their own circle, the smaller their courage often is, and the easier they are to manipulate by outsiders. Madam Qi, who had been so full of bluster moments before, instantly wilted the moment she heard Song Hemei's voice. She shrank back, instinctively leaning closer to Yu Yeqing.
Song Hemei smiled. Stepping forward into the light, she said, "I hope I'm not interrupting your aunt and nephew's reunion?"
Madam Qi hurriedly forced a smile as well, waving her hands repeatedly. "No, no interruption at all. We disturbed you, Second Miss. Please don't hold it against us."
Song Hemei paced slowly, her gaze settling on her. With pointed meaning, she said, "Ordinarily, I wouldn't meddle in your family affairs. But I happened to overhear a bit just now. I didn't realize your son has found such a high branch to perch on?"
Madam Qi stammered, "N-no, that's not it at all. You must have misheard, Second Miss."
"Misheard?" Song Hemei stared at her, the smile fading from her face bit by bit. "Do you take me for a fool, Madam Qi? Back then, when you had your two sons come work at our Song family shop, do you remember what you said? Yes, our Song family isn't what it used to be, but is it already too small to accommodate those two great Buddhas of yours?"
Madam Qi immediately began to tremble, her face a mask of misery. In her panic, she stumbled over her words. "How could that be? Our whole family remembers your kindness, Miss. I was just joking with my nephew a moment ago."
With that, she shoved Yu Yeqing. "Say something, won't you? Explain things properly to the Second Miss!"
Only then did Song Hemei look at Yu Yeqing. The moment she raised her eyes, she met his dark pupils.
She couldn't fathom what he was thinking at that moment. Did he think her coming here was an unnecessary interference? Or that she shouldn't meddle in their family affairs? Or perhaps, because of what happened three years ago, he resented her and thought she was just putting on a show?
But she thought, thankfully, Yu Yeqing was not a harsh man. Even if he felt annoyance or scorn, at the very least, he wouldn't say anything too hurtful that would leave her without a graceful way out.
She took a quiet, deep breath, trying to steady herself as she met his gaze. "What do you think, Young Master Yu?"
She didn't address him by his official title, lest it give Madam Qi any more ideas she couldn't control.
Yu Yeqing, lost in his own thoughts, stared at her for a long moment before seeming to come to his senses. "My aunt means no such thing," he finally said.
Song Hemei nodded, quickly averting her gaze to Madam Qi. Her tone softened slightly. "We've known each other for a while. If your son truly has a better path to walk, I certainly wouldn't hold him back against his will. But His Majesty now is not like the late Emperor. As he is purifying the court administration, not just anyone can claim a share of the spoils. If you ask me, the peaceful life within your grasp right now is what truly matters."
She tucked her handkerchief away, a polite smile curving her lips. "Even if your son's fortune does change, he signed a contract with our Song family back then. There's no principle that allows a man to leave before the contract is fulfilled. In the past, I didn't make a fuss over the little extras your son skimmed from the shop. Madam Qi, that's enough. Don't be too greedy."
This string of veiled warnings left Madam Qi both flushed and panicked. She answered with a series of hurried "Yes, yes," feeling flustered. She hadn't expected the master of the house to know about her son's petty thefts. Now, she was terrified that her nephew's connections would fail, and they would lose the job at the Song residence as well.
She dared not say another word. Such matters, taken lightly, could be settled by simply making up the shortfall. But if taken seriously, they could be reported directly to the authorities.
She fell silent. The courtyard grew quiet. Song Hemei said nothing more. She wasn't sure if the aunt and nephew had anything else to discuss, nor did she feel comfortable asking them to leave. After a moment's hesitation, she finally mustered the courage to look at Yu Yeqing, trying to gauge his intentions.
Yu Yeqing's gaze had been fixed on her the entire time. Her words unconsciously reminded him of the past.
Back then, he had only been a companion reader at the Song residence for a short while. One day, he had come across some servants mocking a young boy. She had appeared then, just as she did now, walking into the light. Her red-and-white dress had caught his eye, and he hadn't been able to look away since.
She had been quite young then, but she had been able to cow those people. She had pointed a finger in the air at the troublemakers, saying exactly this: "You lot, that's enough."
After scolding them and sending the servants away, she had stood before that young boy. She had someone help him up and given him a gentle smile. "Are you alright?"
He still remembered what he had seen then: her crimson hair ribbon fluttering gently behind her in the breeze. The expression on that boy's face had been precisely the same as his own on the day she had hired him.
But that boy was different from him. The boy understood people and their ways better. He had poured out a stream of grateful and flattering words, slowly bringing a smile to her eyes and brows.
Finally, her tone had become familiar and warm. "I can't punish them for you. If I'm too harsh, they'll just make things harder for you later. Whether you can stand on your own depends on you. By the way, have you studied?"
To be honest, hearing that at the time had filled him with panic and fear. The boy was younger than him, better able to converse with the Song family's Third Young Master. He was also more eloquent and more likable. He had been terrified of being so easily replaced.
But the boy had shaken his head.
Song Hemei had seemed a little disappointed but hadn't said much. She had arranged for the boy to be sent to one of the Song family's jewelry shops, instructing the shopkeeper there to look after him well.
Later, he couldn't remember when exactly, an improper longing had begun to grow in his heart. Or perhaps, because they shared the same feelings, he had also started paying more attention to that boy.
Without parents or burdens, the boy could save up silver. Every New Year and festival, he would personally visit the residence to pay his respects to her. The gifts he gave were the most expensive among all the servants' tributes. He, on the other hand, was from a poor family with a sick younger sister. He couldn't afford to give anything at all.
On the night of the wedding to the Shao family, that boy had drunk heavily at the feast prepared by the main family. He had almost lost his composure and rushed to the main table, startling the guests.
He had lost count of the number of people who had received favors from the Song family's Second Miss.
In his memory, the figure of Second Miss Song had gradually matured. The crimson hair ribbon had been replaced by a dangling hairpin atop her coiled hair bun. As the person before him tilted her head slightly, the hanging red pearl pendant swayed gently.
Seeing him remain silent, Song Hemei took the initiative to ask, "Young Master Yu, would you like to continue your reunion?"
Before he could answer, Madam Qi spoke first. "No, no. There are still chores to do at home. I'll be going now. I won't disturb you, Second Miss."
She accompanied her words with a series of forced laughs, bowed slightly to Song Hemei, and then fled as if escaping.
When only the two of them remained in the courtyard, Song Hemei looked up and met Yu Yeqing's complex and burning gaze. She couldn't help swallowing hard.
She had planned everything she wanted to say to clear things up. But now that the words were on the tip of her tongue, her heart suddenly lost its footing. Even her breath became disordered.
It was Yu Yeqing who spoke first. "Let's talk inside. It'll save us from the heat."
He turned and walked toward the house behind him. Song Hemei had no choice but to follow slowly.
He pushed open the door. The room looked the same as when he had left it. After three years, it was still so tidy; the table was free of dust.
Once inside, he stood with his back to her. Song Hemei felt she could finally speak more easily. "I came specifically to find you. I have something I want to say."
Yu Yeqing paused. His voice was low and rough. "Alright. I'm listening."
Song Hemei took a deep breath.
He was too calm. His tone hadn't changed at all, as if he didn't care what she had to say.
Or perhaps, it was that nothing she said could change what was in his heart.
"Just now… I asked my elder brother."
She lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze unconsciously falling on the scarred palm of Yu Yeqing's hand. Her heart ached with an indescribable bitterness. But some things couldn't be avoided.
She steeled herself and continued, "I knew nothing about what happened three years ago. I didn't know my brother had gone to see you. And I certainly didn't know that he—"
Yu Yeqing said nothing. He didn't turn around. She couldn't tell what expression was on his face now.
Resentment? Or scorn?
She couldn't help but imagine the worst possible scenarios, yet she felt even her worst fears might not be enough.
She closed her eyes. "But in the end, it all started because of me. Our Song family wronged you. You can ask for anything you want. I'll make amends to you on behalf of my elder brother."
Making amends?
Yu Yeqing nodded. The bones that had healed and regrown seemed to ache with a dull, lingering pain. The feeling of being choked by the rushing river water, along with the terror of nearly losing Minglian, surged back over him.
He walked slowly forward, sat down on the clean and tidy bed, and placed his palm on it. Then he turned to look at Song Hemei.
For three years, he had imagined what it would be like to see her again.
She might be terrified, because as far as she knew, he was a dead man. Seeing him again would be no different from seeing a vengeful ghost seeking her life.
Or else, she might be guilty and angry. After all, to her, he was nothing but a base individual. What right did he have to come and demand her life?
But what he saw now was completely different from what he had imagined.
She stood at the door, her head slightly bowed. That proud neck of hers was bent at a gentle curve. She was completely shrouded in self-reproach and guilt.
Suddenly, he felt that any reaction from her would have been better than this.
Yu Yeqing looked at her, somewhat dazed. The chaotic years of the past three seemed twisted in his mind. Coming back to this room, seeing her inside it, involuntarily brought back memories of the stolen intimacies they had once shared.
The room had been quiet for too long. Song Hemei sensed his gaze upon her. But the prolonged silence made her timid. She dared not lift her head.
She held her breath. An eternity seemed to pass. Then, his cold, distant voice reached her ears. "Making amends? How can you make amends?"
Song Hemei's lips moved, but the words caught in her throat.
Originally, she had planned to offer silver. Or perhaps, to cut a scar on both her own and her brother's hands to match his, as recompense.
But at this moment, she suddenly remembered that the disparity between them seemed to involve more than just that single scar. For a man, she had humiliated him from the very beginning. How could something like that ever be atoned for?
With silver alone? The Song family was no longer as prosperous as before. How much silver could they even offer to make amends?
While she was caught in this dilemma, his voice reached her ears once more.
"Second Miss Song, kiss me. Surely you know how to do that, don't you?"
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