Th-this…!
Song Zhiyao’s expression shifted repeatedly, her mind spinning at the sheer audacity of the letter.
This was far too candid—no ordinary person could write something like this.
Instinctively, she clenched the letter tightly and said to Suxin, “You may leave now.”
Suxin acknowledged and quietly withdrew.
Song Zhiyao unfolded the letter once more and continued reading. By the time she finished, her expression was a mix of astonishment and confusion.
The letter was unmistakably addressed to “Song Zhiyao,” inquiring why she hadn’t kept their scheduled meetings, and whether anything had happened to her. Each sentence overflowed with concern and expressed four years’ worth of affection.
The signature at the end read: Mu Gen Si Zhi.
So this was someone named Mu Gen, writing to Song Zhiyao.
Song Zhiyao exhaled heavily.
She had seriously underestimated the person inhabiting her body. Not only had they relentlessly pursued Lu Jinyu in the Lu household and lavished him with wealth and treasures, but they even had a lover outside, with regular meetings—outrageous!
Song Zhiyao felt her head ache.
She had barely managed to reach a temporary agreement with Lu Yanzhi and had obtained an opportunity from Madam Lu. If any “lover” scandal surfaced, not only would the Lu family disapprove, but her own family might disown her.
Did the heart occupying her belong to eight different people at once? How could one person pursue Lu Jinyu and flirt elsewhere?
Song Zhiyao didn’t want any connection with this troublesome “Mu Gen,” but the letter had reached the Lu household, proving that Mu Gen was fully aware of her identity.
If she avoided him, he could send more letters—or even appear in person… then she would be completely finished.
This person had to be confronted. And then… she would cut ties once and for all.
But a problem remained: Who was Mu Gen? What did he look like? How old? Where would they meet? How could she contact him?
She was utterly at a loss.
Ideally, letters like this should never have been kept, but Song Zhiyao thought that examining the paper and handwriting might reveal some clue. She carefully hid it in the secret compartment of the canopy bed for the time being.
Because of the letter, Song Zhiyao felt mentally overwhelmed, so much so that even at lunch she was somewhat distracted.
Not just Lu Yanzhi, but even Lu Jiande and Lu Jianwei noticed.
Lu Jiande glanced at Song Zhiyao several times. Lu Jianwei tugged lightly at her sleeve.
Song Zhiyao turned and smiled at her daughter. “Weiwei, what’s the matter?”
Lu Jianwei shook her head, then patted Song Zhiyao’s hand.
Song Zhiyao realized she was offering comfort.
“Thank you, Weiwei,” Song Zhiyao said, holding her daughter’s small hand. “I’m fine. I was just thinking about what little animal to make for you next.”
Lu Jianwei immediately grinned sweetly.
Lu Jiande followed her sister’s lead with a shy smile, while Lu Yanzhi did not fully believe Song Zhiyao, though he asked no further questions.
As long as Song Zhiyao didn’t damage the Lu family’s reputation or harm Lu Jiande and Lu Jianwei, he would not interfere.
After lunch, Song Zhiyao cleaned the children’s wounds and coaxed Lu Jianwei to sleep. The afternoon required no lessons. She stayed with the two little ones, as usual, and spent their nap time reviewing accounts.
By evening, seeing no activity at Qingshan Courtyard, she sent Suxin again.
Lin Guanguan drove Suxin away.
Lu Jinyu frowned. “Guanguan, send them back.”
Lin Guanguan was absent today, but seeing Song Zhiyao’s personally written petition, he realized she was serious.
If delayed further, Song Zhiyao would certainly take him and Lin Guanguan back to court.
For attempting to seize his sister-in-law’s dowry, no matter the verdict, such a scandal would ruin his reputation for life.
Although he had acknowledged Lin Guanguan’s behavior in front of Lu Yanzhi and Madam Lu, in the Jingzhao residence, he had excused it as poor supervision of servants, smoothed over by his father. His reputation remained intact.
But Song Zhiyao would not show mercy when it came to her dowry.
Reluctantly, Lin Guanguan smiled at Lu Jinyu. “Alright, understood. I’ll follow your instructions.”
“Brother Jinyu, you’re injured. Don’t worry too much; I’ll handle everything.”
Hearing this, Lu Jinyu nodded.
Lin Guanguan left the main hall but did not immediately order servants to move the items. She whispered to Lu Yan, instructing him carefully.
“Remember what I said?” she asked.
Though young, Lu Yan nodded knowingly.
Lin Guanguan patted his shoulder. “Go.”
After some time, she told the Qingshan Courtyard staff to begin counting and moving items. The treasures remained in the courtyard, yet the commotion was considerable.
Inside, Lu Jinyu, resting from his injury, exhaled in relief.
Such a commotion could not escape the notice of the Lu household.
Madam Lu, hearing the news, sighed softly, her feelings mixed. “If she can settle down and live properly from now on, that would be for the best.”
She did not doubt that Lu Yanzhi had suffered.
Before Song Zhiyao’s marriage, she had worried over Lu Yanzhi’s union, suggesting other brides or concubines, all of which he had refused.
Even during Lu Jinyu’s runaway wedding, when Lu Yanzhi married on his behalf, Madam Lu had expected disputes between her son and husband. She did not expect him to agree.
Madam Lu had never been able to control Lu Yanzhi, so now she had no choice but to accept Song Zhiyao. Besides, she also had to consider Lu Jiande and Lu Jianwei—they were, after all, Song Zhiyao’s biological children.
At that moment, a servant called from outside, “Master.”
Lu Laoye had arrived.
Madam Lu collected herself and went to the door.
Before she could speak, Lu Laoye demanded, “How have you been managing the household?”
Madam Lu raised an almost imperceptible brow, quickly composed herself. “Father, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”
Lu Laoye continued, “Today, such a commotion occurred. You, as matriarch, did nothing, letting a woman run amok, causing discord among brothers. Do you want the imperial censors to accuse me of poor governance?”
His words were sharp, and all servants instinctively withdrew, leaving only Madam Lu and the two of them.
Madam Lu met his gaze, piercing through his intent. “You came for Qingshan Courtyard?”
“You know what happened and also that these were Song’s dowry items.”
“Dowries are private property; how could I manage them?”
She sneered inwardly. Years ago, when Song Zhiyao sent her belongings to Qingshan like a river, Lu Laoye had said nothing. At that time, she had wanted to intervene, knowing the items would benefit the children in the future, but he had shut her down.
Lu Laoye hesitated, recalling his own words, but quickly said, “Song is unreasonable, stirring discord between the brothers. You should handle it.”
As a father-in-law, he could not intervene in his daughter-in-law’s affairs directly.
Madam Lu replied, “You overestimate Song. She’s only been married to Yanzhi for three years, with less than three months of interaction—how capable could she be?”
“Father, Song’s items aren’t just hers—they came from her family,” she added bluntly.
Lu Laoye was momentarily silenced.
Her words inflamed his anger, and he glared coldly. “Fine, then I’ll address you.”
“You, as matriarch, should treat all children equally. Yet you favor Yanzhi…”
“Father,” Madam Lu could not tolerate this, “When have I shown favoritism toward Yanzhi?”
“Yesterday’s minor squabble among children, and you let them take it to court…”
“Are you going to claim I also ordered Lu Yan to live separately in the courtyard?” she countered.
Lu Laoye did not respond but clearly intended the accusation.
Madam Lu said no more, merely: “Since you disagree, that’s fine. But remember, Jiande and Jianwei are both three years old and in separate quarters—don’t accuse me of favoritism then.”
Lu Laoye frowned.
Madam Lu, unwilling to argue further, said, “Father, I am tired.”
It was a clear dismissal.
Lu Laoye left in a sour mood.
Madam Lu exhaled and instructed, “Check who whispered in his ear before he arrived.”
The nanny quickly reported, “Madam, before the master arrived, Young Master Yan went to see him.”
Madam Lu smirked. “Well calculated.”
She turned to the nanny again. “Go personally to Qingshan Courtyard. Compare with the list and ensure all of Song Zhiyao’s items are counted and sent to Guipu Residence.”
They wanted her to manage it? Very well, she would manage it thoroughly.
Lin Guanguan had sent Lu Yan to inform Lu Laoye, but the matriarch’s nanny arrived even faster.