Chapter 100 -
The gentle morning sunlight filtered through the delicate paper windows of the pavilion, waking Yueqing from a restless night.
After a quick, silent routine of getting dressed both she and Wenzhe carefully avoiding eye contact while pretending last night’s chaotic events had never happened Yueqing joined Lanyin in the outer courtyard. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, washing away the lingering tension of the night before.
"Did you rest well, Sister-in-law?" Lanyin asked softly as they strolled side-by-side down the covered garden walkway toward the main dining hall. "Brother looked... unusually focused when I saw him earlier."
Yueqing gave a dry, awkward laugh, instantly remembering Wenzhe’s stiff, stoic expression from thirty minutes ago. "Oh, you know your brother! Always a stone statue, morning or night!"
[If only you knew your precious brother turned into a feral wild animal in the middle of the night, Lanyin!] Yueqing’s mind added hysterically.
Lanyin, who had grown quite used to hearing her sister-in-law’s dramatic inner thoughts by now, nearly choked on air. She snorted softly into her silk sleeve, quickly composing herself while sneaking a glance at Yueqing. A wild animal?! Brother?! What in the world did he do to her last night?!
Yueqing, completely unaware as usual that her brain had a live broadcast, kept her face perfectly composed as they approached the entrance of the grand dining pavilion.
Suddenly, a tall figure stepped out from behind a stone archway, blocking their path.
"Young Madam Xi. Lady Lanyin."
Yueqing stopped in her tracks, blinking in surprise. Standing right in front of them was Young Master Song. Dressed in elegant blue silk robes, he gave a polite, refined bow. While he greeted both of them, his soft, tender eyes remained locked firmly on Yueqing a gaze heavy with the deep, unspoken affection he had secretly carried for the original Su Yueqing.
"Young Master Song?" Lanyin greeted politely, her brow furrowing slightly. "Good morning. Are you heading into the dining hall as well?"
"Good morning, Lady Lanyin," Young Master Song replied smoothly, offering a polite smile before turning his full, earnest attention back to Yueqing. "Actually... I was hoping I might have a brief word with Young Madam Xi. In private, if possible."
Yueqing raised an eyebrow, caught completely off guard. "With me? Personally?"
[Wait, what is he looking at me like that for?!] Yueqing’s inner thoughts immediately blared straight into Lanyin’s head. [Is this guy about to pull a romantic confession on a married woman before breakfast?! Nine, give me a quick scan! Is he part of the original plot?!]
Lanyin held back a long sigh as Yueqing’s inner thoughts echoed in her mind. She knew all too well about Young Master Song’s lingering feelings for Yueqing, but leaving her sister-in-law alone with a man who pined for her was a recipe for total catastrophe, especially with Wenzhe nearby.
"Sister-in-law..." Lanyin whispered hesitantly, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Should I wait for you?"
"It will only take a moment, Lady Lanyin. I assure you," Young Master Song added gently, his eyes never leaving Yueqing’s face.
Yueqing gave Lanyin a reassuring nod and a small smile. "It’s fine, Lanyin! Go ahead inside and grab us a good table near the breakfast spread. I’ll be right in."
Lanyin hesitated for one more second before bowing slightly. "Very well. Please do not be long."
Turning on her heel, Lanyin quickly walked toward the dining hall entrance. As soon as she stepped out of their sight, her gentle pace turned into a fast, urgent stride.
I need to find Brother right now! Lanyin thought frantically, her eyes sweeping across the crowded breakfast hall for Wenzhe’s tall, imposing figure. Young Master Song is out there looking at Sister-in-law like she’s his lost treasure! If Brother doesn’t get out there immediately.
"How have you been?" Young Master Song asked, his voice soft and heavy with a lingering, gentle sadness. "When I heard of your marriage to General Xi... my heart felt as though it had been torn apart."
He took a step closer, his eyes searching her face with deep, tender longing.
Young Master Song was undeniably handsome in a refined, scholarly way. Dressed in elegant sky-blue silk robes, he possessed smooth, fair skin, a neatly sculpted jawline, and soft, expressive dark eyes framed by long, dark lashes. He looked like the picture-perfect prince straight out of a classic romance painting.
Yueqing blinked, taking in his handsome features for a brief second.
[Well, well, well... hello there, handsome second lead!] Yueqing’s inner thoughts purred with amusement. [Not bad looking at all! If this were an ancient romance drama, viewers would definitely be crying over second-lead syndrome!]
Since she had a few minutes before breakfast and didn’t mind having a little fun playing along with his tragic romance setup, Yueqing crossed her arms, a sly, amused smile playing on her lips.
"Young Master Song, tell me truthfully," Yueqing began, her voice carrying a dramatic, exaggerated sigh. "You stand here acting so deeply heartbroken over my marriage... but isn’t it true that you are already engaged to the Governor’s daughter?"
Young Master Song’s eyes widened, his handsome face instantly flushing a violent shade of red as he froze mid-stride.
"I—well, that is—" he stammered, his polished, smooth facade completely shattering into sheer embarrassment. "The engagement with Lady Lin was... was arranged by my father! My heart... my heart has always—"
"Your heart has always been remarkably forgetful, it seems," Yueqing interrupted smoothly, raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
[Aha! Busted, you hypocrite!] her inner voice cheered, completely unaware that far down the hallway, Lanyin was practically sprinting to find Wenzhe. [You have a whole fiancée inside the dining hall right now, and you’re out here playing the tragic star-crossed lover with a married woman before breakfast! The sheer audacity!]
"Yueqing, please, you must listen to me," Young Master Song pleaded, stepping forward again and reaching out his hand to grasp hers. "It isn’t what you think! If you just give me a chance to explain—"
"Explain what, Young Master Song?"
A voice as cold as deep winter ice suddenly cut through the morning air.
Young Master Song’s hand froze inches away from Yueqing’s wrist as a tall, imposing shadow fell completely over them both.