Xie left the table shortly afterward.
The others weren’t really interested in continuing either, so they all left.
Rong Shu glanced at the other side of the curtain; the group seemed to still be having a great time.
She didn’t send anyone to call Song Wenjing, and went back to Songtao Garden with Mei Yun first.
Ever since Xie Shi left, Qin Mingxiang had been wondering who had come and why Xie Shi’s expression had changed so drastically.
Unlike her other sisters-in-law, who were either timid and incompetent or stupid and naive, she was different.
She quickly changed her mind and, after leaving the east courtyard, sent an unremarkable old woman to the front yard to find out who was coming.
Not long after, the old woman came to report: “It is the headmaster’s wife of Guyue Academy who has come.”
Madam Qin had already returned to her courtyard. She picked up her two-year-old daughter and murmured, “What could it be?”
It’s freezing cold, and it’s so late, yet they still come to the door. Besides, Xie’s expression is clearly off.
Unfortunately, the front yard was closely guarded by Xie’s people, and the old woman could only find out who came from the gatekeeper; she couldn’t find out anything else at all.
Qin’s personal maid, Zhao Yue, was quick-witted. She said, “Isn’t Third Master studying at the Guyue Academy? Perhaps it’s related to Third Master.”
Of course, Madam Qin remembered that Song Wenjing had studied at the Guyue Academy, but what could Song Wenjing possibly have that would make the headmaster’s wife come to her door to talk to him?
She couldn’t understand it, and she became even more curious.
Before long, the old woman waiting outside said, “Third Master was summoned to the ancestral hall by the old lady.”
They actually went to the ancestral hall!
Qin’s mind immediately became active.
Then this matter must be related to Song Wenjing. Could it be that Song Wenjing caused some trouble at the academy?
Just as they were guessing, Second Master Song Wenyue returned first.
Ignoring his drunken state, Qin hurriedly asked him, “I heard that Third Master was summoned to the ancestral hall by Mother?”
Song Wenyue propped her head up with her hand and replied impatiently, “How should I know? Why are you so concerned about him?”
Qin was rebuffed and, feeling resentful, told the wet nurse to take the child away.
She retorted irritably, “I’m only doing this for your own good!”
She had barely begun to speak when Song Wenyue already knew what else she wanted to say. He became even more impatient and simply turned and left, going to his concubine’s room.
Enraged, Qin Mingxiang smashed a teacup.
…
Rong Shu was completely unaware of what had happened in the front yard.
But in the following days, Song Wenjing stayed at home and did not go to the academy, which made her very strange.
Although he stayed in the mansion, he always slept in the study at night and did not come back to her place.
Four or five days passed, and Rong Shu felt not only puzzled but also somewhat uneasy.
This has never happened before.
On the first snowy night of his previous life, Song Wenjing left the mansion after having dinner and no one knew where he went. He didn’t return until almost the winter solstice.
So what happened in his life that prevented Song Wenjing from going to the academy?
This wasn’t even the most perplexing thing for her.
What worried her was that the days when she could easily conceive had passed, and Song Wenjing hadn’t returned to the main house these past few days, causing her to waste this good opportunity.
If he doesn’t come back to sleep here soon, her period will be due in a few days…
Rong Shu was determined to get pregnant before he went to the capital.
Even after seven or eight days, Song Wenjing still stayed in the study, only having meals with her each day.
That night, she felt she couldn’t go on like this.
His decision not to sleep with her but to stay there made her feel uncomfortable.
Therefore, she made a decision: even if he didn’t like her, she had to take the initiative.
As bedtime approached, she called Mei Yun over.
What late-night snacks have you prepared in the kitchenette tonight?
This was the first time in many days that she had asked about preparing a late-night snack for Song Wenjing.
Mei Yun replied, “Madam, it is jade wonton.”
Rong Shu nodded, then put on her coat. “Go prepare it, I’ll take it to the study.”
Mei Yun was overjoyed.
These days, she could tell that her mistress wasn’t as attentive to the Third Master as before.
She thought the two of them had some kind of disagreement, but they didn’t seem to have argued, which really puzzled her.
Tonight, Rong Shu is finally going to the study on her own initiative, which naturally makes Mei Yun very happy.
She knew Rong Shu’s difficulties and was thinking of her.
Third Master will pass the imperial examination sooner or later, and then I’m afraid he’ll end up like the other gentlemen, with three wives and four concubines.
Mei Yun was worried that her wife, who wasn’t the strong-willed type, would suffer in the future.
The late-night snack was quickly prepared, and Rong Shu carried the tray, with someone carrying a lantern to lead the way.
Changshun was sitting on the bench at the entrance of the study. When he saw her coming, he quickly got up and bowed.
Rong Shu knocked on the door and was still somewhat dazed when she heard the familiar “Come in” from inside.
It wasn’t until she pushed open the door and went in that she met Song Wenjing’s gaze as he sat behind his desk.
She caught the impatience in his eyes immediately, but it was fleeting and quickly concealed by him.
Rong Shu’s courage vanished instantly.
My anxiety and shyness vanished, leaving only a touch of melancholy in my heart.
She placed the tray on the table, her eyelids lowered, and said, “The kitchen has prepared wontons tonight.”
Since Song Wenjing was disciplined by Madam Xie that day, he has been staying in the study to recuperate.
Fortunately, Rong Shu hasn’t come looking for him these days.
It’s best not to let Liu Qianyun know about her suicide attempt that day.
His back injury has healed considerably, and he had originally planned to go back to his room to rest tonight.
Unexpectedly, Rong Shu brought him a late-night snack tonight.
Actually, she usually brings it to him.
But lately, for some reason, she has hardly ever come to his study.
He put down his pen and said gently, “It’s cold, so let the servants do these things.”
He knew she was sensitive to the cold, and that she would be more comfortable staying in a warm room on such a cold day.
His study had neither a charcoal brazier nor a floor heater.
Rong Shu’s eyelashes trembled, but she still didn’t look up at him. She replied softly, “It’s nothing, I just brought it over.”
She didn’t know what to say to him, lost interest in saying anything, and even forgot the purpose of her visit.
He simply said, “Don’t stay up too late, I’m going home now.”
After saying that, he turned and left, not noticing that Song Wenjing was trying to stop him.
Until she returned to her room.
She secretly resented herself for letting these inappropriate thoughts get to her head.
Who cares if he’s impatient or not.
She should have pestered him to come back tonight and be with her…
It’s all for the sake of the child anyway, does his attitude really matter!
Rong Shu went to the bathroom with deep regret, and even while taking a shower, she was still thinking about it.
She even wondered if she should go to the study to look for him again.
I told him it was cold and there was no underfloor heating in the study, and that I was worried he would catch a cold, so I suggested he come to the main room instead.
Yet she kept recalling his impatient expression from just now, which gradually overlapped with memories of her past life…
Her mind was in turmoil; she hated herself for being so weak and for not having a strong enough heart.
After her bath, she returned to her room wearing only a thin nightgown, her half-dry hair wrapped in a handkerchief.
The entire main room was heated by an underfloor heating system, so Rong Shu didn’t feel cold at all as she walked back to the inner room.
But when she got back and saw the person sitting in the chair, she felt a chill.