Song Zhiyao looked at Lu Yanzhi with eyes full of certainty.
Of course she was annoyed by his words, but the actions of “Song Zhiyao” over the past few years were indefensible. No matter how indignant she felt, there was no explanation.
Seeing her gaze, Lu Yanzhi’s anger cooled slightly. They truly were husband and wife—at least for now, that was undeniable.
He asked, “What did my mother say to you?”
He cared about the three children and was wary of Song Zhiyao harming Shen Shen or Weiwei. Naturally, he knew that after dinner, Madam Lu had left Song Zhiyao behind to talk. And everyone in the Lu household was aware of Song Zhiyao’s recent insistence on divorce.
Before Song Zhiyao could respond, Lu Yanzhi said, “I’ll explain things to my mother.”
Song Zhiyao’s brows relaxed, and she let out a relieved sigh. “If that’s so, then thank you, Lu Yanzhi.”
Lu Yanzhi: “…”
The courtyard was quiet. Song Zhiyao’s sigh carried clearly in the still air—there was nothing flirtatious in her tone. Realizing this, Lu Yanzhi almost laughed in anger.
Clearly, Song Zhiyao was using him as a tool to create a pretense for his mother. Just now she was “husband,” now she was Lu Yanzhi. Fine, very fine.
A wave of cold authority emanated from Lu Yanzhi.
Song Zhiyao didn’t notice his change in mood; she merely felt a little colder and wrapped her cloak tighter.
“It’s late, and it’s so cold outside. Lu Yanzhi, you should rest early.”
Her eyes curved in a gentle smile.
Lu Yanzhi’s earlier words had given her a sense of security, so her mood was pleasant.
Lu Yanzhi studied her deeply, then turned and walked toward the outer courtyard of the Guipu Residence. Reaching the door, he glanced back once.
Song Zhiyao had already returned to the main house.
The speed of her backstabbing—ha!
Meanwhile, Lu Jinyu stormed back to the Qingshan Residence and immediately saw Lin Guanwan waiting at the gate.
Seeing him, Lin Guanwan hurried forward, “Jinyu-gege…”
But seeing his dark expression, her smile faded slightly. She asked with concern, “Jinyu-gege, what happened? What’s wrong?”
Lu Jinyu drew in a deep breath. “Guanwan, according to yesterday’s list, check Song… all her things and send them to Guipu Residence.”
He would never give Song Zhiyao another kind look.
She had insisted on sending things before; now that she wanted to take them back, she better not come asking for favors again!
Lin Guanwan was shocked, hurriedly asking, “Husband, what happened? What exactly went wrong?”
Lu Jinyu didn’t want to explain. Could it be that Song Zhiyao had been playing with him all these years?
Guanwan, kindhearted, would certainly be upset hearing Song Zhiyao’s harsh words.
Lu Jinyu drew a deep breath. “Just do as I say and send the things back.”
His voice left no room for argument.
Seeing his grim expression, Lin Guanwan immediately agreed, “Okay, all right. I’ll start checking them tomorrow.”
At this, Lu Jinyu finally felt a bit at ease.
He pulled Lin Guanwan close. “Guanwan, follow me. I’ve made you suffer enough.”
Compared to the manipulative Song Zhiyao, Guanwan was the one person in the world who loved him wholeheartedly, willing to stay by his side without status or title.
Lin Guanwan shook her head, leaning against Lu Jinyu. “As long as Jinyu-gege has me in his heart, I don’t feel wronged.”
Her eyes sparkled, and in her mind, she thought: I’ve only agreed to check the things, didn’t say how long it would take. Song Zhiyao, just wait.
Back at the main house, Song Zhiyao did not rest immediately. She went to the desk to grind ink.
Suxin hurried forward humbly. “Young Madam, I’ll do it.”
“No need,” Song Zhiyao said. “Your hands are swollen; I can manage myself.”
She was preparing to write a letter.
In the past few days, she had learned that her father had been working in Jiangnan for several years, and the whole family had gone there. The letter was for her mother.
She had delayed writing, partly to investigate the situation and partly because she didn’t know where to begin.
At home, she had been spoiled, yet the person occupying her body had acted outrageously, making her mother ill and even scolding her for being “favoring sons over daughters” and “using daughters for her own advantage.”
Hearing Suxin recount this, Song Zhiyao felt darkness cloud her vision.
She had been given life by her parents—she had been unfilial.
After much hesitation, she finally began writing, making sincerity and apology the priority.
After a long time, the letter was complete. She folded it, placed it in an envelope, and handed it to Suxin: “Deliver this to my mother in Jiangnan.”
Suxin nodded and stepped out.
The next morning, after washing up, Song Zhiyao went straight to the Zhimo Courtyard.
With Lu Yanzhi’s permission, she could come and go freely, though Lu Jianshen clearly was not pleased to see her.
He had already woken up and was reading outside the door.
Seeing Song Zhiyao, he immediately stood up, looking like a bristling little hedgehog, his tone full of disdain: “What are you doing here?”
Before, he and his sister had sneaked to Guipu Residence to see her, getting scolded if caught.
Now she came to Zhimo Courtyard every day.
Song Zhiyao was unfazed and smiled brightly at Lu Jianshen. “I came to see you and Weiwei.”
“Shenshen, where’s Weiwei?”
“That’s none of your business!” With no outsiders present and Lu Yanzhi absent, Lu Jianshen’s tone was extremely rude.
“Of course I have a right to know.” Song Zhiyao was not afraid of Lu Jianshen. “I’m your mother.”
Lu Jianshen glared angrily at her. “You’re not! You’re not!”
Don’t think he’d forgive her so easily.
Song Zhiyao’s heart ached seeing him this way. The little guy must have been hurt badly before to reject her like this—but that was okay.
Their real mother had returned. She would make it up to them.
Song Zhiyao said, “You’re reading. Are you following the teacher’s lessons now?”
“Then you should know a saying, right?”
“Recognizing mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue.” Song Zhiyao said, “Those who err deserve a chance to make amends.”
“Shenshen, I hope to have such a chance.”
Song Zhiyao didn’t treat Lu Jianshen as a mere child. Perhaps because Lu Weiwei was timid, Lu Jianshen had learned to protect his sister, making him more perceptive.
Lu Jianshen said nothing.
Song Zhiyao reached out to touch his head, but he quickly turned away, stepping back to maintain distance.
He wasn’t Weiwei—he wasn’t easily fooled.
At that moment, there was movement inside the room. Lu Jianshen immediately turned, his voice softening in warmth, “Sister.”
Song Zhiyao quickly stepped inside.
Lu Weiwei had just woken, her hair messy, sitting on the bed. One plump little hand rubbed her sleepy eyes, while the other clutched her lamb tightly.
Song Zhiyao couldn’t help but smile.
She reached the bed before Lu Jianshen, her voice gentle, “Weiwei, you’re awake?”
Lu Weiwei hadn’t even opened her eyes yet. Hearing her voice, she crawled toward the bed, reaching out her hand—wanting to be held.
Song Zhiyao instinctively lifted her, holding Weiwei close.
The little girl was warm and soft, just out of bed, her plump body snug against her. Her small arms hugged Song Zhiyao’s neck, her head resting on her shoulder, soft hair brushing her cheek.
Song Zhiyao’s heart raced. Her body stiffened, frozen, unsure how to respond.
What… what to do?
She had never held a child before.
Still, she instinctively supported Weiwei, worried the little one might fall.
“Little sister!” Lu Jianshen erupted, rushing over as if Weiwei were being harmed. “You’re holding the wrong person, sister!”
Song Zhiyao had prepared for the little girl to resist and escape, but Lu Weiwei did not object much.
Her heart softened completely.
“Good morning, Weiwei.” Song Zhiyao’s voice was gentle beyond belief, her smile huge.
Still, Lu Jianshen succeeded in pulling Weiwei from her arms.
He stood in front of her, glaring angrily.
The little girl hugged her brother, her plump hands patting his back, silently comforting him not to be angry.
Lu Jianshen was never truly mad at Weiwei; seeing her like this, he couldn’t be angry at all.
She was innocent. It was all the fault of that bad woman!
Song Zhiyao said, “Shenshen, you’re here. Could I really do anything improper in Zhimo Courtyard in front of you?”
“Let Weiwei change and wash up first.”
“You’re a little man; Weiwei is a little girl. It’s not appropriate for you to be here.”
Lu Jianshen glanced between Weiwei and Song Zhiyao, clearly worried.
“All right, I’ll go with you outside,” Song Zhiyao said, and Lu Jianshen finally nodded.
Song Zhiyao’s eyes curved warmly at Weiwei. “Weiwei, you see, brother insists on having Mother with him. Mother and brother will wait outside for you.”
Lu Jianshen was fuming.
He didn’t insist on that at all!
But Weiwei nodded.
“Let’s go. Weiwei must be hungry. After changing and washing up, we’ll eat.” Song Zhiyao’s words calmed Lu Jianshen, quelling his urge to argue.
Outside the inner room, the side room also had a heated floor. Song Zhiyao sat down, and a servant brought her hot tea.
Song Zhiyao was calm. Lu Jianshen, however, kept staring at her, upset by what she had just said.
“I didn’t insist you come with me.”
Song Zhiyao nodded. “Yes, yes, of course not.”
Lu Jianshen: “…“
He seemed even angrier now.