Madam Song knew her future daughter-in-law was more than capable of standing her ground, so she simply stepped aside to let the scene unfold.
“I shall go look at the new arrivals and pick out some pieces for you to try on later.”
Once Madam Song had departed, the composure on Su Qingwan’s face crumbled entirely.
“It seems, Elder Sister, that you are quite fond of the Song family.”
Ye Tong watched Su Qingwan, whose smile had taken on a wild, almost desperate edge, and felt a prickle of alarm.
Su Fuying looked her up and down, the corners of her lips lifting in a faint, knowing smile. “And are you not equally fond of the Qin family?”
Betrothal discussions had only taken place a few days prior, yet nearly every garment Su Qingwan wore came from Qin family shops. It was no wonder she could scarcely stay at home—once installed as the young mistress of the Qin household, she would never want for fine clothes or jewellery. Yet Su Fuying suspected that once married, Su Qingwan would find herself with no freedom to stroll through shops at all.
Su Qingwan bristled under Su Fuying’s steady gaze. “The Song family is merely what I chose to set aside. I only hope you will speak so fondly of them once you are wed.”
Su Fuying’s expression remained calm. “I return the very same wish to you.”
A chill ran down Su Qingwan’s spine. Could Su Fuying have been reborn as well? She studied the woman before her, forcing her breathing to steady. If Su Fuying truly possessed memories of a past life, surely her first act would have been to seek vengeance.
Su Qingwan gave a dismissive huff. “Song Bo is consumed by duty—today he could not even spare time to walk with you. Meanwhile, Young Master Qin has granted me full privileges within the Qin household and escorts me wherever I please. That sentiment, I believe, applies far more fittingly to you, Elder Sister.”
Just then, the rumble of an automobile drew near, followed by the sharp click of a closing carriage door. Song Bo appeared, clad in a crisp military uniform.
All present stood transfixed. His uniform and polished boots lent him an air of formidable stature; he radiated an aura of quiet authority that kept all but the boldest at a distance. Faintly, Su Fuying heard the shop assistants whispering behind them.
“Good heavens—Commander Song has actually come! He is magnificent!”
For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Su Qingwan’s composure fractured completely.
Song Bo stepped into the shop, his gaze travelling directly to Su Fuying. He carried a faint, clean scent that made her pulse quicken for reasons she could not quite explain.
“My apologies. Matters detained me.”
His tone was gentle—strikingly so, compared to the sharp rebuke he had delivered to Su Qingwan at the Su family estate only days before.
Madam Song returned at just the right moment, beaming. “You arrived sooner than expected. I am getting on in years and cannot possibly fathom what young people prefer. Why don’t you escort Fuying while I head to Central Street and finalise arrangements for the engagement banquet?”
She turned to Su Fuying, her smile warm. “Buy whatever pleases you. If you are uncertain, ask Bo for his opinion. Take your time, enjoy your stroll, and after luncheon, let Bo see you safely home.”
Madam Song turned to leave, then paused at the door and looked back with a knowing smile. “Do not forget our appointment at the jeweller’s soon. Go, select as you please—and it is high time Bo began drawing upon his bridal allowance to spoil his future wife.”
Bridal allowance.
Su Fuying glanced toward Song Bo and found him watching her in return. For a heartbeat time seemed to hang still, the air charged with quiet tension—until he looked away. Unobserved, she caught the slight bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
Su Qingwan could bear it no longer. “Commander Song is usually so occupied with official business—truly I did not imagine you would have time for such outings. When Auntie Song spoke so generously earlier, I assumed she spoke merely to comfort my sister.”
Song Bo’s lips twitched as though in faint amusement. “The grand military assembly has been cancelled. My time is therefore my own.”
As he spoke, he cast a glance toward Ye Tong, who stood trembling and silent. “Miss Ye, I should make haste home if I were you. Your father is expecting you.”
A wave of alarm crashed over Ye Tong. The Ye and Song families had long stood on opposing sides. Why would Song Bo warn her now?
Suddenly Su Qingwan remembered—only days before, as she had stood at the Su family gate bidding Song Bo farewell, she had spoken carelessly of the assembly. Could it be about the grand military assembly?
The assembly was a joint training exercise involving several garrisons near the city. In her past life, Su Qingwan recalled, Song Bo had been occupied with those very preparations from betrothal through to wedding day. When Madam Song had mentioned their outing, Su Qingwan had blurted out classified details she had overheard, and had later dragged Ye Tong along to cover her slip. A proposal still under internal discussion had been leaked. And now—the Ye family was about to fall.
Ye Tong, still bewildered, murmured, “What grand assembly?”
Another automobile pulled up outside. A soldier in uniform appeared at the door.
“Miss Ye. My master has sent me to bring you home.”
Ye Tong looked to Song Bo, her eyes wide with fright, before climbing uneasily into the carriage and departing.
Watching the scene unfold, Su Fuying understood roughly what had transpired. She turned to Su Qingwan and offered a faint, knowing smile. It seemed the bond between Su Qingwan and Ye Tong had reached its end.
Song Bo glanced over the garments on display and turned to Su Fuying. “Do any of these please you?”
Su Fuying answered honestly. “Not particularly.”
“Then let us go elsewhere.”
He walked out first, Su Fuying following. At the threshold, she glanced back. Su Qingwan stood frozen, clearly realising that her careless words had brought ruin upon the Ye family. Whether she grieved the harm done or merely feared that ruin would soon spread to herself, Su Fuying could not tell.
The day was bright, and someone else was settling the bill—so Su Fuying selected several gowns without hesitation. Song Bo waited in the lounge area, reading the newspaper, his demeanour composed and patient. While she changed, she saw him motion an assistant over and speak quietly. Upon emerging from the fitting room, she found several attendants standing ready, each holding an exquisite gown.
Song Bo looked up, his tone casual yet deliberate. “Choose one that pleases you. It would be suitable for the engagement banquet.”
Su Fuying had not yet given the matter thought. In her past life, she had buried herself in studies right up to the engagement; the Qin family had selected and delivered everything in her stead. This second time around, she would face this union with dignity. Especially since the Song family had treated her with nothing but kindness from the start—she owed them no less than respect.
And so Su Fuying began their first proper conversation. “Commander Song—which do you believe suits me best?”
Song Bo looked at her, his gaze unflinching and earnest. “It is a joyous occasion. Wear red.”
Su Fuying turned toward the two crimson gowns. “Then I shall try both.”
The first was a traditional cheongsam, its hem and cuffs adorned with glistening crystal. When she stepped out, she was striking—but the waist hung loose, lacking elegance or form.
She returned and emerged wearing the second: a mermaid-cut gown that clung gracefully and swayed with every step, like a lotus blooming in motion. The scholarly reserve that had marked Su Fuying all her life fell away entirely; she stood transformed, radiant and impossible to ignore. The endurance and quiet strength of her past life seemed to shine through, making her the most captivating presence in the room.
Su Fuying loved it. She turned toward Song Bo, delight lighting her face. “What do you think?”
Song Bo nodded, his fingers tightening slightly around the newspaper in his grasp. “It is perfect.”