Chapter 118: Off Duty
In the private room above the garment shop, Song Hemei had barely crossed the threshold when she met the dazed eyes of the young woman inside.
The girl appeared to be about her age, with composed bearing and elegant clothing, but clearly she had not anticipated so many people arriving. Her flustered expression was almost endearing.
Young Master Lu showed no hesitation, walking straight into the room and cupping his hands toward the girl inside. "Miss Xie is here too, what a coincidence."
He went directly to sit on the round stool by the table, pouring himself a cup of tea, and even spoke on behalf of Miss Xie: "Please sit, Lady Song."
Song Hemei's gaze swept over the two of them. Since both were from the capital's prominent families, it was hardly surprising that they knew each other. But seeing how flustered Miss Xie appeared, she felt a pang of sympathy.
She had originally thought that sending a maid to make such a mysterious summons meant the visitor had ill intentions. Had she known it would be like this, she would not have brought Young Master Lu upstairs as well.
Still, she walked over to sit on the round stool and spoke first to Miss Xie: "I happened to meet Young Master Lu downstairs. He, like you, has something to say to me. Since I am new to the capital and unfamiliar with both of you, I thought it would be simpler to have you both come together and say what you need to say, to avoid extra trouble."
After saying this, her gaze swept between the two in front of her: "Which of you would like to speak first?"
Young Master Lu squinted at her and let out a soft laugh. "You've truly turned the tables on us, my lady. But I am indeed curious—how did you become involved with him? Was it before or after your marriage to your former husband? I wondered why he stayed away so long before returning; it seems a fair lady's hand held him back."
Song Hemei was not flustered by this. Her affairs with Shao Wen'ang were easy to discover with a little inquiry. She had neither intended to hide them nor could she have done so successfully.
She studied the man before her carefully, unwilling to directly answer his provocative words. Instead, she asked first: "Young Master Lu, which son are you in your family? And how old are you this year?"
Young Master Lu's expression stiffened, whether because she had not answered his question or because she had asked such a thing, it was hard to tell.
But as she asked, Song Hemei recalled that her father had mentioned something three years ago—it was the Second Young Master Lu who had caused Shao Wen'ang to fall from his horse.
Looking at the man before her and his reaction to her words, she guessed that he must be younger than Yu Yeqing.
A smile curled at the corner of her lips. "I come from a humble household and truly do not understand the rules of the capital. I didn't realize that in the capital, a man is free to ask a married woman about her relationship with her husband, and may be so rude to his sister-in-law."
Song Hemei gave a light click of her tongue. "But I suppose I should not blame you, Second Young Master, for not recognizing me as your sister-in-law. It is also my fault for not anticipating that I would meet you today, and I failed to prepare a gift for you as a welcome—I was not thoughtful enough as your elder brother's wife."
Second Young Master Lu's face darkened with anger at her words, the smile at his lips barely holding. "Sister-in-law? What sister-in-law are you? I have only one elder brother."
"What a pity then. If you are dissatisfied, you should go speak with Lord Lu about it."
Second Young Master Lu clenched his teeth and leaned slightly forward. "A bastard is not worthy to call me brother—it's all because his mother—"
"Second Young Master Lu, please watch your words. I imagine you wouldn't want those words to reach Lord Lu's ears, would you?"
Song Hemei cut him off coldly, unwilling to give him even a perfunctory smile. "I don't know why you sought me out to throw your weight around, but if you are truly capable, go say it to Lord Lu."
She stared coldly at him. "As for what happened three years ago, I don't know how you have the nerve to bring it up. Causing someone to fall from a horse is no small matter. And you yourself should know why that incident did not blow up. I heard that to smooth things over back then, you even had to give out considerable compensation. How is it that now you speak of it without any caution?"
Second Young Master Lu was clearly stymied by her words and could not immediately retort. Just as he was about to speak again, voices sounded from outside, and the next moment the door was pushed open.
Song Hemei turned her head to see a man who bore some resemblance to Second Young Master Lu step inside. His expression was dark and unreadable. Behind him followed a young boy of about ten or so, handsome in appearance, lacking the usual liveliness of his age and instead showing a maturity beyond his years.
Before she could react, Second Young Master Lu stood up first. "Brother, why are you here?"
First Young Master Lu cast a faint glance at him, then turned to nod at her. "Sister-in-law."
This one had manners—whether sincere or not, at least he would not give anyone cause for criticism.
Song Hemei stood up but did not respond to his address.
She had spoken that way to Second Young Master Lu only to provoke him; it did not mean she would acknowledge the Lu family for Yu Yeqing.
Her reaction seemed to be within First Young Master Lu's expectations. He merely wore a polite smile. "I don't know if my second brother offended you. Please, sister-in-law, do not take it to heart. On behalf of my brother, I apologize."
Song Hemei wanted to say that was quite unnecessary, but Second Young Master Lu was clearly more distressed by the apology. "Brother, why are you apologizing to her!"
First Young Master Lu glanced at him again, and Second Young Master Lu immediately fell silent, though his face still showed defiance.
"Return to the residence. Mother is thinking of you."
With that, he cupped his hands to Song Hemei. "Take your time, sister-in-law. The tea is on the Lu family's account. I will take my second brother away now."
Song Hemei still did not speak, but she nodded slightly, hoping he would take the man away quickly.
She truly did not want to say another word to someone who called her husband a bastard, nor give him any good face.
Second Young Master Lu was still fuming, but under his elder brother's compelling gaze, he finally left the room, his face dark, leaving only the young boy who had entered with First Young Master Lu.
Perhaps sensing that Song Hemei was looking at him, the boy cupped his hands in greeting. "Sister-in-law of the Yu family."
Song Hemei opened her mouth, momentarily uncertain whether to respond. How many sons did this Lu family have?
But Miss Xie beside her spoke first: "Third Young Master, why are you here too?"
She had remained silent until now, and her voice was very light, revealing a clear sense of guilt.
Third Young Master Xie stepped forward. "I wanted to ask Second Sister too—why did you invite Sister-in-law of the Yu family over?"
The young boy was not old, but Miss Xie clearly feared him a little. At his words, she instinctively glanced at Song Hemei. "I was just curious, wanted to see her. No other meaning. The marriage hasn't gone through anyway…"
Her voice faded, but Song Hemei heard every word clearly.
Her heart tightened. What marriage? Yu Yeqing had never told her anything about this!
Third Young Master Xie said calmly, "That's good, then."
Turning to Song Hemei, he continued, "Sister-in-law, Lord Yu will return home late today. He is still in the palace. He originally entrusted me to inform his servant, so I believe you would have known when you returned home. But I did not expect to meet you here first."
This was a rule she had set—if he was going to be late, he must send word. He could not be like in Linzhou, disappearing all night without sending any message.
Song Hemei nodded, feeling somewhat awkward as she said, "Thank you for your trouble."
A half-grown boy more than ten years younger than her, repeatedly calling her "sister-in-law"—she truly found it disconcerting. But looking at Miss Xie beside her, she could understand.
If Miss Xie had truly been discussing marriage with Yu Yeqing, this young master would have been calling Yu Yeqing his brother-in-law.
Even though the marriage was off, Yu Yeqing seemed to have a good relationship with this young master, enough to entrust him with passing messages, and the young master had agreed.
She hesitated, then could not resist asking, "Just now, Miss Xie mentioned something about marriage. What marriage?"
Miss Xie twisted her handkerchief, pursed her lips, and looked down, clearly too embarrassed to speak. Third Young Master Xie took over the conversation.
"It was just a joke between the elders of both families. It is getting late. Is Sister-in-law returning to the residence? I will escort you."
Third Young Master Xie was perfectly courteous, and Song Hemei could tell he did not want to discuss this in front of his sister.
She also had a younger brother. Seeing him so considerate of his sister touched her. Besides, she had been planning to return home anyway, so she nodded and agreed.
The Xie family's carriage was larger. At Third Young Master Xie's invitation, she boarded the Xie carriage, leaving her own purchases on her family's carriage. Once the curtain dropped, leaving just the two of them, he spoke.
"As for marriage, it was only a casual mention between the parents. We happened to meet once at a banquet. But—"
Third Young Master Xie paused. "But Lord Yu clearly had no interest. He ate very carelessly during that meal, and he ate a great deal—bowl after bowl of rice. By the end, even Lord Lu's expression turned sour. I suspect he was deliberately ruining his own reputation to prevent my second sister from taking a liking to him. But although such behavior would be blamed on Lord Yu if it got out, for my second sister, being rejected in such a drastic manner for a marriage that was only a budding idea… it was rather…"
He stopped at the right moment, but Song Hemei, being a woman herself, could feel the subtle discomfort in that.
A perfectly fine young lady, whose marriage had only been mentioned in passing—not even a formal arrangement—was rejected so thoroughly by him just to avoid her. How could that not be painful?
This made Song Hemei feel guilty even looking at Third Young Master Xie. "I am sorry. He certainly did not mean to slight Miss Xie. I will have him come to your residence and apologize properly another day."
Third Young Master Xie smiled and nodded. "Rest assured, sister-in-law. Lord Yu has already apologized."
Song Hemei smiled awkwardly, still feeling both embarrassed and guilty. Fortunately, the Yu residence was not far from the garment shop. Soon she bade farewell to Third Young Master Xie and alighted to return home. Only after entering the residence did she finally relax a little.
Then she took the purchased clothes to see Minglian, accompanying her while she changed and dressed for quite a while.
As the sky darkened and Yu Yeqing still had not returned, she coaxed Minglian to sleep. Having nothing else to do, she decided to take a carriage to the palace gate to pick him up.
The early autumn evening was pleasantly cool. After sitting in the carriage for a while, she heard the driver say that Yu Yeqing had come out from the palace gate.
She hurried down from the carriage and looked up to see Yu Yeqing standing opposite Lord Lu. Their expressions did not seem pleasant.
She walked slowly toward them. Lord Lu's voice, laced with frustration, reached her ears: "How many years have you been in court service, and you already want to fight the Yuan family? It was just a dead merchant, and even that was an accidental fall, not the Yuan family's own hand. How long will you keep hounding him?"
Yu Yeqing looked at him coldly, his words resolute: "Buying and selling warhorses is consorting with the enemy. His Majesty should know of this."
Lord Lu thought he understood him: "Do you think I don't know? Is it truly for His Majesty's knowledge, or is it because that merchant was Song's elder brother?"
"That does not conflict."
"Qing'er, how did that man surnamed Qi teach you to be so stubborn?"
Lord Lu was clearly angered. "Or is it that Song woman whispering in your ear? She was never a steady one—she had ties with you while still a wife of the Shao family. And she is a widow-maker. Look at what the Shao family has become now. Do you want to meet the same miserable end as Shao Wen'ang?"
Song Hemei startled. Shao Wen'ang… dead? When did this happen? It had been less than half a year since she left Linzhou. How had he died? Why hadn't Yu Yeqing told her? And if he was dead, what about Lianzhu?
But clearly Yu Yeqing knew of this, and Lord Lu's words had angered him. "Shao Wen'ang died in a brothel. That was a matter of his own moral failings, and has nothing to do with my wife. Do not speak another word defaming my father or my wife, or else—"
"Or else what? Yu Yeqing, I am your father. Your biological father. Would I harm you?"
The more he said this, the more intense Yu Yeqing's anger became. His hands clenched tightly. Fearing he might act rashly, Song Hemei quickly stepped forward. "Yeqing, work is over. Why aren't you coming home?"
Her sudden voice made Yu Yeqing whip around to look at her. The anger in his eyes instantly dissipated. He strode quickly toward her until he stood before her, shielding her form from Lord Lu's gaze.
He took her hand, his voice as gentle as ever. "Why did you come? How long have you been waiting? Didn't I send word to you?"
He wrapped his hand around hers, a frown of concern creasing his brow. "Are you cold? Your hand is a bit chilly."
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