Chapter 121: Usurping the Nest
"That person... was also chosen by you personally?"
Yu Yeqing never expected that meeting the woman from his dreams would be so easy.
Ever since his mother passed away, he had taken Minglian to the Capital, yet he always dreamed of what would have happened if he had never returned.
He had been selected by the Song Family's Second Daughter to become Song Jilang's study companion, struggling to get by with Minglian in tow.
Every time he opened his eyes in a dream, he was standing in some corner.
But the one constant was that the first thing he saw upon waking was always the Second Miss Song's face.
From only being able to see her back, the hem of her robes, to the Second Miss Song walking up to him, smiling as she handed him new clothes and asking him to be patient with her younger brother, to the night before her wedding, when she appeared in his courtyard, blushing as she spoke to him: "Young Master Yu, Brother Shao's literary talent is no match for yours. When he comes tomorrow to pick me up for the wedding, please don't make things too difficult for him, alright?"
The dream version of him felt a dull, unbearable ache in his chest, yet still nodded calmly in agreement.
The moment he woke, he sat on the bed, his heart unsettled for a long time, somewhat angry at himself for agreeing to such a request.
That was why, on this tour inspecting the three border prefectures, after discovering the Shao Family's collusion with the Capital's Yuan Family and dealing with them, he intentionally accepted the Song Family's gesture of goodwill and went to their residence for a simple meal.
The covered walkways and courtyards of the Song residence were exactly as he remembered. He had barely taken a few steps inside when he saw the Second Miss Song passing by the corridor. She paused when she spotted them.
Song Yunyao beside him gestured to her with his eyes: "Mei'er, this is Lord Yu."
Song Hemei raised her eyes to look at him. Her almond-shaped eyes were exactly as they were in his dreams. The silk ribbon tied in her hair fluttered with her movements as she nodded slightly, lowering her gaze. "Lord Yu."
Her tone was distant, utterly lacking the familiarity with which she had called him Young Master Yu in his dreams.
Yu Yeqing couldn't help but freeze for a moment before stiffly replying, "Miss, there's no need for such formalities."
But her gaze only swept over him briefly, completely devoid of the inexplicable strangeness he felt inside. As he watched her leave with polite detachment, he was certain — he was the only one who had ever had those dreams.
Men and women could not sit together at meals, so he was destined not to see the Second Miss Song at dinner. But this visit was not entirely in vain.
He had learned one unexpectedly crucial piece of information—
The Second Miss Song had long since severed ties with the Shao Family and was now still living in her maiden home, unwed.
The marriage had fallen through. The scenes from his dreams would never come to pass. When he felt a sudden lightness in his chest upon receiving this news, Yu Yeqing finally realized just how much he had been bothered by this matter.
So when Old Master Song proposed that he stay temporarily at the Song residence, he hesitated for a moment due to this strange feeling in his heart, then nodded in agreement.
The Song residence was large, but without him even trying, he ran into the Second Miss Song with ease.
The first time they met, the Second Miss Song looked at him in surprise before stepping forward to greet him.
The second time they met, the Second Miss Song was slightly startled for a moment before nodding to acknowledge him.
The third time they met, the Second Miss Song took the initiative to walk up to him, and those almond-shaped eyes reflected his image.
"How are you settling in at the Residence, Lord Yu? Have any of the servants been negligent?"
Yu Yeqing thought for a moment. "I appreciate your concern, Miss. Everything is fine."
Song Hemei nodded in satisfaction and offered him a smile. "Lord Yu, if you need anything, just send someone to take care of it. Or you can come find me yourself. There's no need to stand on ceremony with me."
Yu Yeqing paused, his eyes sweeping over the account books in her hands. After a moment's deliberation, a plan formed in his mind. He let a look of slight difficulty appear on his face. "Since you ask, Miss, I do have a favor to ask."
Song Hemei was surprised by the seriousness of his words. How could this be considered a favor?
Then she heard him continue, "You see, I am originally from Changzhou. My younger sister and I were still young when we left. Unfortunately, she has been frail for years and has been unable to return to her hometown. I would like to bring some things back for her to ease her homesickness, but unfortunately, I am no longer very familiar with Changzhou..."
He paused deliberately. Song Hemei, without a second thought, followed his lead. "That's no problem. I don't know if you have the time, Lord Yu, but I was about to go check on the shops. Perhaps we could go together?"
Yu Yeqing lowered his eyes to her and offered a faint smile. "Then I'll trouble you, Second Miss."
Song Hemei stared at him, watching as the cold sternness of his features softened into a gentle warmth when he smiled. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she didn't feel anything was amiss at all.
But just as she was about to lead the way, she suddenly stopped.
"I completely forgot something important." Song Hemei turned back to look at him. "Lord Yu, please wait here for a moment. I need to go check on my third younger brother and another study companion surnamed Yu—the Yu written with the character for "surplus." I'll be right back."
Yu Yeqing's expression froze. Alarms blared in his heart, and the smile on his lips barely held. "Yu? Which Yu?"
Song Hemei chuckled. "His surname is the Yu written with the character for "surplus," not the Yu in your name. He is my third younger brother's study companion."
Yu Yeqing found his expression truly difficult to maintain. Where had this person come from? He had never seen him in his dreams.
He steadied himself. "I have nothing to do anyway. Would it be convenient if I accompanied you, Miss?"
Song Hemei didn't think much of it, simply assuming he wanted to take a stroll around the Residence, so she said it was convenient.
As she turned around, Yu Yeqing's face immediately darkened. His brow furrowed involuntarily. He was acutely aware of the displeasure and defensiveness rising within him.
It shouldn't be like this.
A trace of panic he couldn't suppress welled up in his heart, accompanied by hostility towards the other Yu companion.
Because in his dreams, he could clearly feel that the Second Miss treated him differently. But now, her younger brother had another study companion. Would she also treat the other Yu companion differently?
He walked behind her, following her around the long corridor, step by step towards the Third Young Master Song's study. When he saw the study companion, before he could even react, he heard Song Hemei speak in a low voice, "Why did I hear from the tutor that you two sneaked out again?"
She strode into the room, scolding Song Jilang for several sentences in a row. Then she turned to the other Yu companion, who was about the same age as Jilang. Unable to speak too harshly, she could only sigh. "Your studies should be your priority. If Jilang acts like this again, I must trouble you to discipline him, or else send word to me, and I will come to teach him a lesson myself."
The two half-grown boys lowered their heads simultaneously, nodding vigorously in agreement.
Song Hemei gave a few more instructions before finally leaving the study. She looked at Yu Yeqing, who was watching her, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I've made a fool of myself before you, Lord Yu. My younger brother is mischievous. He needs to be kept in line often."
Yu Yeqing gave a faint smile. The panic in his heart had completely dissipated upon seeing the actual person. He even managed to offer words of comfort. "It's not uncommon for young people to be fond of play. They will become more mature once they are older."
He paused, his tone laden with implication. "That other Yu companion is about the same age as the Third Young Master. It's no wonder they share similar interests."
Song Hemei pondered his words as if following his train of thought. "You are right, Lord Yu. I ought to choose someone a few years older than Jilang, someone who can better look after and discipline him."
She walked forward, and Yu Yeqing followed slowly behind her. His gaze rested on the top of her head as he asked softly.
"That other Yu companion... was he also chosen by you personally?"
His emphasis on the word 'also' caused Song Hemei to gloss over that particular character.
She answered truthfully, "No, my elder brother chose him."
Yu Yeqing's expression completely relaxed. He followed her to the carriage waiting outside the government office.
Song Hemei lifted her skirts to step onto the footstool, but a hand suddenly appeared before her, followed by his clear voice at her ear. "After you, Miss."
Song Hemei paused. Her eyes inevitably fell upon his wrist and long, distinct fingers. Following that line of sight, she saw the warm smile in his eyes beside her, which struck her heart unexpectedly.
He raised his hand slightly with a smile, seemingly unaware of her daze. "Why aren't you getting into the carriage, Miss Song?"
Post a Comment