Song Zhiyao had no hidden agenda. She just wanted to tell Lu Jinyu to stop being so presumptuous and return what was owed.
Lu Jinyu was nearly seeing red. His chest heaved violently, his eyes reddened, and he stared at Song Zhiyao in utter disbelief.
“Song Zhiyao, these past years, it’s you who—clinged to me, shamelessly, relentlessly…”
For a moment, Song Zhiyao felt a flicker of guilt—but quickly straightened her posture. None of those things had been her doing.
“I gave you my things, and you accepted them. If I told you to die, would you have done it?” Song Zhiyao shot back.
Lu Jinyu was momentarily speechless. Naturally, the answer was no.
“You—”
Just as he was about to speak, Song Zhiyao cut him off. “Enough talk. I’m asking for my money back—now.”
“Lu Jinyu, I’m not joking. My dowry list—Song family has a copy too. Or do you want the Song family to come demand it from you?”
Lu Jinyu’s face darkened. He snapped out, “Fine, fine, fine!”
“Song Zhiyao, do you really think I care about your things? Don’t regret this!”
With that, he turned to leave.
He had been sent here by Guan Guan to persuade Song Zhiyao to settle down with his brother peacefully. But now, it seemed all that effort had been completely unnecessary.
As Lu Jinyu strode out of the Guipu Courtyard in a huff, he saw someone standing outside. Immediately, his anger evaporated. He paused mid-step, feeling a pang of guilt, and politely bowed his head. “Brother.”
Standing outside was none other than Lu Yanzhi. His gaze was cold, indifferent, scanning Lu Jinyu sharply.
Lu Jinyu tensed instantly. Would his older brother misunderstand? But he had no feelings for Song Zhiyao! His intention had only been to persuade her to live peacefully with Lu Yanzhi…
“Still not leaving?” Lu Yanzhi’s voice rang out.
Relieved as if pardoned, Lu Jinyu quickly replied, “Yes,” and briskly left.
Lu Yanzhi’s gaze shifted to Song Zhiyao. She realized Lu Yanzhi had arrived only after hearing Lu Jinyu’s voice. She hurried out, fearing any misunderstanding.
After all, she knew her own past misdeeds over the years—someone had been using her identity—and she did not doubt that Lu Yanzhi had been aware.
“Lu Yanzhi,” Song Zhiyao coughed lightly, “I only came for Lu Jinyu to return what he owes, nothing else.”
Lu Yanzhi understood. He had heard everything: Su Xin going to Lu Jinyu’s courtyard, Lu Jinyu coming to Guipu Courtyard.
He had come for that reason.
“Do as you wish,” he said, letting it go.
Indeed, Lu Jinyu had accepted many of Song Zhiyao’s things, but much of her dowry was not meant for him.
After saying this, Lu Yanzhi turned to leave.
“Lu Yanzhi,” Song Zhiyao quickly called after him, “tomorrow is Shenshen and Weiwei’s birthday. I’d like to see them.”
Lu Yanzhi halted but said nothing immediately.
Song Zhiyao seized the opportunity, not hesitating to plead. “Twins are hard to carry; the belly is bigger than usual. I remember I labored for a whole day and night to deliver them. Lu Yanzhi, I just want to see them.”
Lu Yanzhi finally relented, “They may not want to see you.”
Song Zhiyao’s heart sank, but she held her tongue.
“Only tomorrow. I will be present.”
She knew he had agreed. Her face brightened. “Lu Yanzhi, thank you!”
She had already prepared gifts—this was the first time she would celebrate her children’s birthday herself. She needed it to be meaningful.
No one could stop a mother from meeting her children. Yet, given her notorious past, it was understandable that Lu Yanzhi acted cautiously to protect them.
Lu Yanzhi paused briefly, saying nothing, and continued on, leaving Guipu Courtyard.
Song Zhiyao was in high spirits.
Lu Jinyu, on the other hand, returned to his courtyard, steaming with suppressed anger.
Lin Guan Guan had been waiting at the gate, smiling brightly. She rushed to him and asked with concern, “Jinyu Gege, how did it go?”
The question only fueled Lu Jinyu’s anger further.
“Song Zhiyao is simply… unreasonable!”
Hearing this, Lin Guan Guan immediately assumed the worst. “Did she make unreasonable demands? You didn’t agree to her, right?” Her face was filled with worry.
“Of course not,” Lu Jinyu replied, feeling awkward. This time, Song Zhiyao had truly wanted nothing from him.
“Guan Guan, this time Song Zhiyao seems serious—she just wants us to return what is owed. Her dowry…”
“No way! She’s just bluffing. She could never give up on Jinyu Gege,” Guan Guan interrupted firmly.
Lu Jinyu hesitated. Song Zhiyao’s words earlier had been harsh, almost unbearable.
He couldn’t bring himself to explain further, so he said, “Guan Guan, I believe Song Zhiyao is telling the truth.”
“Jinyu Gege, trust me,” Lin Guan Guan said with certainty. “I’m a woman—I understand women better than anyone. I know how much Song Zhiyao likes you.”
Lu Jinyu frowned. “But…”
“Jinyu Gege~” Guan Guan coquettishly added, “I know what I’m saying is true. Song Zhiyao just wants you to yield and appease her.”
“Impossible!” Lu Jinyu said without hesitation.
Misunderstanding him, Guan Guan smiled gently, thinking he only had eyes for her.
“But if Song Zhiyao really escalates this, Jinyu Gege and the Lu family could become the laughingstock of the capital.”
Lu Jinyu frowned. “Those things… just return them. I never wanted them in the first place; she insisted on giving them. Now she wants them back? She really is something else.”
“Darling,” Guan Guan said, “Song Zhiyao’s threat is only a means, not her goal.”
Lu Jinyu’s gaze darkened. “She’s extremely calculating.”
“I understand, Jinyu Gege. Consider it for the sake of the Lu family,” Guan Guan reassured him.
Feeling humiliated, Lu Jinyu said nothing more.
The two agreed to give Song Zhiyao some cold treatment.
Meanwhile, Song Zhiyao remained blissfully unaware, excited to celebrate her children’s birthday the next day.
After breakfast the next morning, she headed straight for Zhimou Courtyard. She had asked Su Xin to find out that Lu Jianwei, though he had a separate courtyard, spent most of his time here.
Today was quieter than she expected—just an ordinary day.
Perhaps under Lu Yanzhi’s instructions, she walked into the courtyard without obstruction.
Just as she reached the door, she heard Lu Jianshen’s exaggeratedly mature “baby talk”: “Little sister, don’t be scared, the medicine isn’t bitter.”
She looked up.
Lu Jianshen held a medicine bowl, looking much more energetic than usual. Across from him sat little Lu Jianwei in pink.
The girl’s cheeks were plump, her eyes round, her face full of doubt.
Lu Jianshen tilted the bowl back and drank it in one go. He frowned instinctively, then forced a smile, patting his chest: “See? It’s really not bitter.”
Before he could finish, the little girl dug into her little pouch and shoved a preserved fruit into his mouth.
Lu Jianwei smiled at him.
Lu Jianshen smiled back, heart warmed. He rubbed her head gently. “Thanks, Weiwei.”
It was an utterly heartwarming scene.
Song Zhiyao couldn’t help smiling.
Soon, Lu Jianshen noticed her. His smile vanished, and his face—so similar to Lu Yanzhi’s—tightened instantly.
He instinctively shielded Lu Jianwei behind him, his black eyes fixed warily on Song Zhiyao.
Lu Jianwei, following her brother’s gaze, saw Song Zhiyao too. Her face turned pale, and she hid behind Lu Jianshen like a frightened little raccoon.
Lu Jianshen, with the air of an elder brother, stood tall, clearly protective.
Song Zhiyao’s chest tightened.
She stepped in and offered a gentle smile. “Shenshen, Weiwei. Today is your birthday. I brought gifts and wish you happiness and success in everything.”
She stepped forward with the presents prepared the day before.
“Don’t come any closer!” Lu Jianshen immediately blocked her. “We don’t want your things!”
He glanced at Lan Xin, saw she was there, and relaxed slightly.
“Sorry,” Song Zhiyao said sincerely.
“I may have done many wrong things over the years and hurt you, Shenshen and Weiwei. I apologize, and I don’t ask for forgiveness now—but please give me a chance.”
As their mother, she humbled herself.
She felt aggrieved too—after all, someone had taken over her body these years. But she reminded herself that if it weren’t for her identity, how could they have been harmed?
Lu Jianshen and Lu Jianwei sat on the bed. The room was warm, their clothing thin, Lu Jianshen partially covered by a blanket, revealing only half his head.
Their expressions were dazed, and Song Zhiyao couldn’t help but smile. How could they be so cute?
“What are you smiling at?” Lu Jianshen barked angrily, his little face flushed.
Song Zhiyao quickly composed herself. “Sorry, I just couldn’t help it—you’re too adorable.”
Lu Jianshen had nothing to say but looked even angrier.
To Song Zhiyao, seeing this little big-mouthed, headstrong, yet cute Lu Jianshen was irresistibly endearing.
“Go out! Leave!” he shouted, stomping his tiny feet, seemingly ready to jump off the bed.
“Shenshen, don’t get too excited,” Song Zhiyao hurriedly said. “Don’t fall—I can’t save you today, my waist isn’t healed yet.”
“I’m not asking you to save me!” Lu Jianshen fumed. He hadn’t forgotten who pushed him into the water—and that it was because of her that Weiwei still couldn’t speak.
Song Zhiyao said, “I know. I acted on instinct.”
“Father!”
Lu Jianshen’s gaze fell on Song Zhiyao behind him, all anger vanishing as he called respectfully.
Lu Yanzhi had arrived. Fresh from court, he had rushed over when he heard Song Zhiyao came to Zhimou Courtyard. Seeing all was well, he finally relaxed.
Song Zhiyao had seen father and sons interact before, but now, noticing their unfamiliarity, she realized something was off.
Little Lu Jianwei still clung shyly to her brother, trusting no one but him.
Song Zhiyao glanced at Lu Yanzhi, silently judging his parental skills.
Seeing her glance, Lu Yanzhi’s eyes met hers. She smiled warmly.
“Let’s have lunch together as a family today,” she said.
Lu Jianshen frowned, wanting to refuse, but with Lu Yanzhi’s nod, he swallowed his words.
Song Zhiyao understood the children’s hesitancy, so she turned to prepare lunch herself, intending to spend more time with them at midday.
She brought Su Xin along to Zhimou Courtyard’s small kitchen.
As they walked, she whispered, “Weiwei is timid and doesn’t like to speak. In the future—”
“Madam,” Su Xin couldn’t help speaking softly, “Miss Weiwei doesn’t dislike speaking.”
“What?” Song Zhiyao froze, heart sinking with a dreadful premonition.
Lan Xin had already informed Su Xin of the household situation. Though she hadn’t been with the Lu family for years, she knew the current state.
Su Xin said quietly, “Little Miss… can’t speak.”
Song Zhiyao stopped dead, face pale. “How… how is this possible?”
Su Xin glanced briefly at her, then looked down again.
In that instant, Song Zhiyao’s sharp instincts caught on. “Because of me?”
Su Xin lowered her head. “I’m not entirely clear on the details myself.”
Song Zhiyao closed her eyes.
Su Xin didn’t deny the matter was related to her.
Her heart tightened with hatred for the person who had occupied her body.
Why?
Occupying her body, tarnishing her reputation, clinging to Lu Jinyu—fine. But why hurt her children as well?
Song Zhiyao clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
The person who had taken her body—if they ever appeared before her again, she vowed she would never forgive them.
She noted every single grievance, one by one.