Qin Yixian also saw them. She leaped to her feet at once, so frightened she could hardly speak: “Grandmother, Aunt, I—I didn’t, I’m not—”
The air fell silent. Wei Ling tapped his own head, still muddled, though his awareness was slowly returning. When he opened his eyes, he met Song Xian’s cold gaze from not far away. His heart gave a jolt—why was she here?
Turning, he finally realized the one at his side was Qin Yixian. In an instant, he understood, and his face darkened completely.
The Princess Royal said nothing. Those behind her dared not speak. Princess Duanrong and Song Xian wore calm expressions, while only Tan Huizhi could not contain her shock, her astonishment plain.
After a moment, the Princess Royal turned to Tan Huizhi, her face carrying a faint smile. “These two siblings have been close since childhood, always roughhousing. Forgive me, in‑law, for letting you see such a scene.”
Tan Huizhi, long experienced in the inner quarters, knew well that the Princess Royal’s words were meant to smooth things over. She herself had seen clearly just now—it was Wei Ling who pulled the girl into his arms. Siblings roughhousing to such a degree? Who would believe it?
Had it been Song Xuan, she might have argued for her daughter. But Song Xian—she had brought this upon herself. If she lacked the ability, how could she blame others for seeking ways to draw near her husband?
Tan Huizhi weighed her thoughts. This matter, at least, had nothing to do with their Marquisate. If she spoke up for Song Xian, she might only displease the Princess Royal. Better to turn a blind eye and let it pass.
With that in mind, Tan Huizhi smiled. “The Princess Royal speaks truly. Harmony between siblings is a blessing. To see you enjoying such family happiness is enviable indeed.”
“The in‑law must be tired today. Tea has been prepared in the flower hall—I’ll have someone escort you to rest.”
“Ah, very well.”
Once Tan Huizhi left, the Princess Royal’s face darkened. She nearly lost her balance as she looked toward the two in the waterside pavilion and shouted, “Come with me!”
Back in the rear hall, after the door was shut, the Princess Royal demanded, “What is going on here!”
“Grandmother, there’s nothing between my cousin and me. I only came out to find him. He was drunk and not in his right mind,” Qin Yixian hurried to explain.
The Princess Royal turned to Wei Ling, wanting to scold him, but recalling the events of the afternoon, her anger mingled with sorrow. “Yuchuan, you tell me!”
She understood well why he had lost control today—but even so, how could he have done such a thing?
Wei Ling glanced at the figure standing beside Princess Duanrong. Her head was slightly bowed, her face calm—neither angry nor sad, as though none of it concerned her. So Wei Ling had no desire to explain. “That’s all. I have nothing more to say.”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s all’? No, Cousin, you must make it clear—what happened between us?” Qin Yixian panicked. “Call Bai Yi in—he saw everything, he can testify for me.”
“Enough! Do you want to make this humiliation even worse?”
Qin Yixian rushed to Princess Duanrong. “Aunt, you were the one who told me to find Cousin. You said you feared something might happen to him.”
At once, everyone in the room turned their eyes on Princess Duanrong, probing.
Princess Duanrong remained perfectly composed. “Yes. How was I to know…”
The day’s events had taken her completely by surprise. She had only wanted Qin Yixian to show more concern for Yuchuan. Her mother always insisted nothing could happen between them, that Qin Yixian’s feelings for Yuchuan were pure. But she herself had never believed it. She only wanted her mother to see that Qin Yixian was more suitable than Song Xian to stay by Yuchuan’s side. But she hadn’t expected that Yuchuan might actually have feelings for Qin Yixian. It was, in truth, a pleasant surprise.
Hearing Princess Duanrong’s words, Qin Yixian’s expression went blank. She hurried to clutch Song Xian’s hand: “Cousin‑in‑law, there’s nothing between Cousin and me—you believe me, don’t you?”
Qin Yixian held on tightly, and Song Xian had no choice but to reply, “I believe you.”
If Song Xian could not see through this, she would be blind indeed. She believed Qin Yixian, but also what she had witnessed.
Everyone’s thoughts were different, but there was no need to ask further. Each already had their own conclusion in their heart.
The atmosphere froze. At last, the Princess Royal waved her hand lightly. “All of you go out. Duanrong, stay.”
After the three had left, the Princess Royal sighed deeply, her voice weary. “Duanrong, I am sixty years old now. Must you still make me worry over such things?”
Princess Duanrong ignored the fatigue in her mother’s tone, instead sounding almost excited. “Mother, you saw it yourself today. Yuchuan’s feelings for Yixian are not merely those of siblings.”
“Did you not smell the wine on him? How can you take that seriously?”
“He has always been calm and rational. He knows what he is doing,” Princess Duanrong insisted.
“You, you…” The Princess Royal shook her head again and again. “How have you become so deluded? And you even brought the Marchioness Suqing along—was it not enough of a scandal already?”
Princess Duanrong fell silent. The only unexpected part of the matter was the presence of the Marchioness. She had thought nothing excessive would happen between the two, so whether the Marchioness was there or not would make no difference.
That scene just now—any outsider would have called it unfair. Mother merely tested them with a word, and yet she pretended she had seen nothing. After all, she was not her own daughter—how much concern could she truly have?
“Mother already sent her away.”
“You!” The Princess Royal was at a loss for words. “Your courage grows greater by the day!”
“I truly don’t understand what you’re thinking. Yixian is my own granddaughter, raised with care in the Princess Royal’s household. Do you mean for Yixian to become a concubine? If outsiders learned of this, where would her reputation stand?”
“Of course not. Mother, you exaggerate. Yixian’s reputation will not be harmed.”
Princess Duanrong’s calm reply startled the Princess Royal, who suddenly thought of something and grew furious again. “What are you thinking! Do you imagine you can simply cast aside the Marquis of Suqing’s daughter as you please?”
“Why not? On the grounds of childlessness alone, we have every justification.”
She had not truly intended to go so far as divorce. Bringing Song Xian today was only meant to make her retreat in the face of difficulty. If they parted, it would be better for her, and better for Yuchuan and Yixian as well.
“I do not agree!”
“Mother, Yuchuan and Yixian are both children you raised. What harm if they are together? Besides, you saw it yourself today—the two of them are clearly of one heart.”
The Princess Royal could not fathom why her daughter was so obsessed. But this matter was far‑reaching, not something two women could decide in a fit of passion. And Song Xian—whether to call her sensible or foolish, she had not uttered a word.
The Princess Royal felt regret. Song Xian was gentle, considerate, and thoughtful—more suited to Yuchuan than Yixian. Yet today she seemed cold and detached. Three years together, and nothing had come of it.
The Princess Royal braced herself against the table, pressing her forehead. At last, she said, “In any case, you must not act rashly. It cannot be as you wish alone. Whatever happens, both children must agree.”
Princess Duanrong seemed to glimpse hope. “Of course. If they both consent, then it will be settled.”
Seeing her daughter’s excitement only made the Princess Royal’s head ache all the more. “Go and call your father and your brother.”
Princess Duanrong immediately went out.
Unlike the heavy atmosphere in the rear hall, the small garden was still bustling with voices.
The Emperor and Crown Prince had left early, and the banquet relaxed—conversation and drinking were no longer restrained.
Prince Consort Qin, being older, was surrounded at the center. Regardless of rank, all who came to offer birthday congratulations wanted to toast him. Naturally, Prince Consort Qin could not drink it all, so the wine was passed to his grandson Qin Pei.
Qin Long sat together with Wei Haifeng and Song Ken, watching the scene of toasts ahead and laughing aloud.
Song Ken remarked, “Qin Pei may be young, but he’s quite the drinker.”
“All trained by his father,” Qin Long laughed heartily. “The old man must have foreseen this day long ago.”
The group all laughed together.
“I heard that early this morning, Young Master Wei was summoned to Qinzheng Hall. General, do you know why?” one official suddenly asked.
“How should I know what trouble he’s stirred up again?” Wei Haifeng snorted. That boy never told him anything. Even when he took up his post at the Court of Judicial Review, Wei Haifeng was the last to know.
“I did hear something,” another voice chimed in. “It’s said the Minister of Agriculture and the Grand Chancellor have accused the young master before His Majesty. The Emperor was furious and held him to account.”
Song Ken frowned in puzzlement. “But that can’t be right—wasn’t Yuchuan just now escorting the imperial carriage?”
“That I cannot say. I heard from several colleagues that the Grand Chancellor means to act in earnest this time.” The man shook his head. “Tell me, Young Master Wei is only a Vice Minister at the Court of Judicial Review—how is he worth such a commotion?”
“Whatever the case, the General and Marquis Qin must take care. The young master is new to court affairs; inevitably, he doesn’t understand much yet, and it’s easy for him to stray.”
Qin Long, a leisurely marquis with little knowledge of such matters, began to worry. “General, what do you think?”
“I’d rather he run into some walls,” Wei Haifeng said dismissively. “Better that than him looking down even on his own father.”
His tone was full of scorn. The others laughed knowingly and let the subject drop.
Later, servants from the Princess Royal’s residence came to summon Marquis Qin, and the gathering dispersed.
Song Ken also returned home, and at last Tan Huizhi had the chance to be alone with him. In the carriage, she recounted in detail what she had seen at the waterside pavilion of the Princess Royal’s residence. Song Ken was greatly astonished, then sighed. “So this is what you meant by Princess Duanrong’s maneuver?”
“To me, it didn’t look that way. Who ever heard of taking a concubine from among the Princess Royal’s granddaughters?” Tan Huizhi recalled. “The Princess herself was clearly shocked—otherwise she wouldn’t have dismissed me so abruptly.”
“Then what does it mean?”
“I think your son‑in‑law, whom you praise to the skies, already harbors other intentions. All that affection he shows in our household is nothing but a façade.”
“Nonsense!” Song Ken refused to believe it. “Impossible. I trust Yuchuan.”
“Whether you trust him or not makes no difference. Just watch how the General’s household handles this matter.” Tan Huizhi spoke with the air of one standing apart.
Song Ken suddenly grasped the situation, his words flustered: “Then what about Ah Xian?”
“It’s not entirely a bad thing. This matter might even turn out to be that girl Song Xian’s good fortune.”
“Good fortune? How could it be good fortune?”
Tan Huizhi shot him a glance. “You don’t understand. In the end, this is the fault of the General’s household and the Princess Royal’s household. What does it have to do with our Marquisate Suqing? If they dare to act, I’ll spread word of it. Luckily, I followed along today—otherwise how could I have witnessed such a spectacle?”
Song Ken hesitated. “The Princess Royal’s household is not one we can afford to provoke.”
Tan Huizhi couldn’t help but rap him with her hand. “We’re in the right—what are you afraid of? You’re always saying how much you protect this daughter, so why now do you shrink from opposing the Princess Royal’s household?”
“Ah.” Song Ken sighed again. “That’s a woman’s way of thinking. I’m not doing this for Ah Xian—I’m doing it for Song Yu, for the Marquisate Suqing! Song Yu’s prospects are rising fast. How can we afford to offend the General’s household?”
Tan Huizhi had not considered that angle before. Hearing it now, she fell silent. How could Song Xian compare with Song Yu?
She had thought she held the General’s household firmly in her grasp, but now realized her lifeblood was in their hands.
This time it was Tan Huizhi’s turn to ask, “Then what should we do?”
“First, watch how the General’s household moves. If it comes to the worst…”
If it came to the worst, they could only sacrifice the pawn to save the king.
Qin Yixian followed Song Xian and Wei Ling out the door. Clutching Song Xian’s sleeve, she walked beside her, her voice trembling with the hint of tears: “Cousin, say something, please!”
Wei Ling strode ahead, his pace swift.
Qin Yixian still wanted to follow them out of the residence, but Song Xian persuaded her: “Yixian, you should go back first.”
“Cousin‑in‑law…”
“Be good—go back now.”
Qin Yixian looked back again and again, then finally disappeared into the night.
Wei Ling was already seated in the carriage. Song Xian lingered outside for a moment until Bai Yi asked cautiously, “Madam?”
Song Xian lifted her skirts and stepped into the carriage.
All the way, neither husband nor wife spoke. Only the sound of Bai Yi driving the horses broke the silence. With a sharp “Hyah!” they arrived at the General’s residence.
The compound was quiet—most were still at the Princess Royal’s lively banquet.
Song Xian alighted first, walking quickly ahead. Wei Ling followed, trailing her into the rear courtyard of Liuying Pavilion.
Song Xian had no mind to speak with him. At the doorway, she stopped. “Second Master, you’ve drunk too much today. Go back and rest early.”
She pushed the door open, intending to close it behind her, but suddenly his hand blocked the way. The force of her push caught his hand in the doorframe, reddening it at once.
Song Xian glanced down briefly, then ignored him and turned inside. She truly was exhausted. Only now did she realize she hadn’t had a sip of water all day. She lifted the jug on the table—empty. So she went out again, asking Wan Cui to boil some hot water.
On the couch, her embroidery lay scattered, threads of every color tangled together. The sight unsettled her, so she tidied it all away.
By the time she finished, Wan Cui had brought the hot water. Song Xian poured a cup; steam rose thickly. In her haste, she burned her mouth.
Setting the cup down, she felt sticky and uncomfortable. She asked Wan Cui to boil more water, then sat before her dressing table to remove the jewelry that had weighed on her all day.
Wei Ling remained standing at the doorway, watching her bustle about, never sparing him a glance—as if he were nothing but air.
By now, the wine had completely worn off, and he understood clearly what had happened today. It was nothing more than his mother’s petty tricks, transparent at a glance. He himself didn’t care much—in fact, somewhere deep inside, he even felt a faint anticipation, wanting to see how she would react. But she seemed truly indifferent. From the Princess Royal’s residence until now, she hadn’t asked him once what had happened.
Wei Ling’s anger slowly rose. He walked over, picked up the hairpin she had just removed, and finally spoke: “If you’re uncomfortable, you could at least say it outright.”
Song Xian drew a deep breath, wanting to speak—but when the words reached her lips, she realized there was no point.
Everyone cared about what had happened, about whether it was true or false. Yet not a single person had asked about her feelings. Even Tan Huizhi had pretended not to see. That moment chilled her heart more than Wei Ling pulling Qin Yixian into his arms—it was far more disappointing.
It wasn’t even a great matter. This was what she had wanted all along. She had thought to sacrifice her own reputation in exchange for a divorce decree—but now she wouldn’t need to. If she asked for separation at this moment, neither the Princess Royal nor the General’s household would object. Still, she felt powerless. She had thought she would have more time, but it had come so suddenly. She wasn’t prepared at all.
Her mother’s side, Yangzhou, even her shop—none of it had yet been arranged for resale. She had too many worries now. Comfort or discomfort hardly mattered.
Song Xian turned her head to look at him. It was almost laughable—he was the one who had done it, yet now he wore a questioning expression, as though he had the right to demand answers.
“Second Master, I’m tired. Whatever it is, let’s talk tomorrow.” Song Xian gave a faint laugh and added, “Why not go to Mother? You can discuss it with her.”
Wei Ling didn’t leave. Gritting his teeth, he asked, “You don’t care at all?”
“Care about what? Care about whether you pulled Cousin into your arms?”
“You know that’s not what I mean.” Wei Ling’s eyes fixed on her, as though trying to see through her.
Care? She had long since stopped caring. Only poor Yixian—her eyes had been full of panic then, afraid she would misunderstand, afraid she would be hurt.
Song Xian had never wanted to use her, but Princess Duanrong hadn’t let her go.
Perhaps it was for the best. Once she herself left, Princess Duanrong would at least not mistreat Yixian. The girl would never end up living like her—a shadow of herself. Wei Ling was truly difficult to deal with. He seemed to live only for himself, and entering his heart was no easy feat. Yixian was different. Song Xian hoped she could succeed and suffer less.
Seeing her silent, Wei Ling turned her body toward him, gripping her shoulders with all his strength. Song Xian endured it quietly.
“You never cared, did you?”
She didn’t know why he was so fixated on this question. In the past, she might have deflected, but now there was no need to hide. “Yes.”
Wei Ling’s heart sank, as though crushed under a thousand weights, leaving him breathless.
“Truly?” he pressed again.
“Yes. Seeing you like Yixian makes me very happy.”
“You know what you’re saying?”
“I do.”
Wei Ling’s eyes slowly reddened, his voice harsh. “You hate me?”
Song Xian was about to say she didn’t, but he continued: “Just because I don’t want children? Is that what you want so badly?”
Children.
“Yes.” Song Xian answered lightly. To lay the blame for their hollow marriage on the matter of children was no great stretch.
Wei Ling released her, stepped back two paces, and shook his head. “Song Xian, I thought you were different.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
The two faced each other, their gazes locked in midair, neither yielding.
For a moment, the only sound was their breathing.
“Madam, the water is ready,” Wan Cui suddenly poked her head in to say.
“Get out.” Wei Ling didn’t even turn his head. It was the first time Wan Cui had seen him angry—his voice was terrifying. She worried for her mistress, but dared not approach and withdrew quietly.
Wei Ling lowered his voice. “What do you want?”
“Second Master, let’s leave it at this. Our marriage has run its course.” Song Xian lowered her eyes, speaking as if it were the most ordinary thing.
Sooner or later, they would part. Since matters had come to this point, better sooner—it would be good for both.
Wei Ling laughed then, as though he had heard something absurd. After a while he fixed his gaze on Song Xian, like a beast. “Just because of this one matter?”
Song Xian no longer wished to explain. Any explanation was superfluous. “Yes.”
Suddenly, Wei Ling grew fierce. He seized her chin. Song Xian winced in pain, but she could not move, forced to meet his eyes in silent defiance.
Then, word by word, he declared: “I tell you—I do not agree!”