Wife, Don't Be Like This!

Chapter 33 - The Mysterious Woman

The time was approaching noon. The dark clouds dispersed, and the late June wind rolled in waves of humid heat, teasing the study's window and making it creak.

A summer cicada on a treetop made a piercing sound, as if mocking him. Sometimes, a bird would fly by and the cicada's cry would disappear. The wind swept through the treetop, and the verdant green canopy would begin to sway lazily.

Song Hongtao's gaze drifted out the window. He felt that his head was just like those leaves.

Green, a very fresh feeling.

In olden times, a green turban indicated a lowly profession. Later, this evolved into a mockery of adultery. Therefore, the concept of a 'green hat' exists in this world.

The seed of doubt had already been planted in Song Hongtao's heart and was beginning to expand wildly.

Looking at that dark, nearby face, Song Yan felt a vengeful pleasure in his heart.

Just look at that. That's the woman you've doted on all this time. She killed three of your illegitimate sons and three of your illegitimate daughters, and you've raised an adulterer's son with all your heart and effort.

This feeling must be quite wonderful.

He knew the timing was right. He pursed his lips.

“Father, there is something more, but I don't know if I should say it or not..."

Butler Wang sighed imperceptibly. The Ninth Young Master's attack was still continuing... After all, when the phrase 'I don't know if I should say it or not' comes out, the content that follows is usually not very good.

"Speak!" Song Hongtao looked at Song Yan, and for the first time, there was no suspicion in his eyes.

This one was definitely his own flesh and blood. He could suspect anyone, but not him.

Song Yan cleared his throat.

"Then I'll say it. Father, you also know that I am just a concubine's son, and I've even been married out as a live-in son-in-law. The title of Duke and the position of family head will never fall to me, no matter what."

"I just don't know, who is Father preparing to establish as the heir apparent?"

Generally speaking, it is the eldest legitimate son who inherits the family business, but there are exceptions. For example, if the eldest legitimate son commits a serious mistake, parental favoritism, or if other legitimate sons are particularly capable.

"I have great faith in the First Mistress," Song Yan emphasized again. Every emphasis was a knife stabbing at Yang Shi's heart.

"But since this kind of rumor has come out, Father has to consider the problem from the worst-case scenario."

"If, and I'm just saying if, you absolutely must not take it seriously, Father."

"If what old woman Liang said is true, and Fifth Brother is truly the evil spawn of the Yang family, and you establish Fifth Brother as the heir apparent, then to speak with great disrespect, after you pass away, will the Dukedom that our ancestors traded their lives for on the battlefield be surnamed Song or surnamed Yang?"

Noble families value their lineage the most.

As soon as these words were spoken, Song Hongtao was startled in terror. Even Butler Wang's pupils shook violently.

Seeing the expressions of the two, Song Yan knew that his speculation had a high probability of being true.

Thinking this, Song Yan spoke again: "Could it be..."

Song Hongtao let out a heavy breath

“That's right. That Yang Miaoqing has advised me more than once to establish Song Zhen as the heir apparent."

Yang Miaoqing was Yang Shi's personal name.

As for the reason to establish Song Zhen as the heir, it was because the other brothers were all very capable and would have great futures even without the heir's position. But Song Zhen couldn't. Only the Duke's title could guarantee Song Zhen a lifetime of wealth and honor.

In Yang Shi's eyes, incompetence seemed to have become a virtue.

But is it really just that?

If one were to think about everything in the worst possible way, as Song Yan had said, Song Zhen is of the Yang family bloodline, and with Yang Shi's instigation, he gets the position of heir apparent. Once Song Hongtao passes away, the Duke Song's mansion will truly become the Duke Yang's mansion.

The glory of a hundred-year-old family would fall into the hands of others.

And the reason for raising Song Zhen to be unruly and mediocre was probably because they thought he would be easier to control in the future?

Not only Yang Miaoqing, but Song Jincheng's side has also expressed multiple times that Song Zhe has great ambitions and may be able to recast the glory of the Song clan.

Damn it.

Every single one of them is eyeing my title.

If the Yang family weren't so powerful, if Yang Miaoqing didn't have a younger sister who was a Noble Consort, I would definitely have this bitch drowned in a pig cage!

As for Butler Wang, who knows what he thought of, but a dense layer of cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his entire face was ashen, like a dead man's.

Song Yan's voice tore through the silence of the scene.

"Father, don't let the First Mistress know about these things, otherwise, I'm afraid..."

Song Hongtao returned to his senses. Although he was exceptionally furious in his heart, almost on the verge of exploding, he finally calmed down a bit when he saw Song Yan. There was even some gratitude in his eyes.

Thank goodness for Song Yan.

What a filial and good son. Otherwise, I'm afraid I would have become a sinner to the Song family.

He had clearly been so harsh to him before. Thinking this, he felt even more moved.

"I, as your father, naturally understand this. Oh right, for the matter I instructed you to do before, put it on hold for now." Song Hongtao chose his words carefully.

"As for old woman Liang and the others, I don't want any messy things to get out."

Originally, he thought he and the Yang family were in a cooperative relationship, but since the other party planned to pull the rug out from under him, he would not just sit and wait for death.

His expression gradually returned to calm. Although he was extremely furious in his heart, Song Hongtao also understood that now was not the time to lose control. There were many things he had to arrange meticulously, otherwise, with the current state of the Duke's mansion, he might not see many more sunrises.

As he spoke, some commotion could be heard from outside.

It was the sound of somewhat chaotic footsteps.

In the Duke's mansion, to be able to step directly into the study without being announced, the identity of the visitor was clear.

Yang Miaoqing!

The First Mistress of the Duke's mansion.

The matriarch of the Song family.

According to the rules of this world, even Song Yan had to call her 'Legitimate Mother' upon seeing her.

That Yang Miaoqing was already over forty years old, but due to a life of luxury and proper maintenance, a glance revealed that time had not left too many marks on her face. Dressed in a purple ruqun, her figure was also graceful, and she had a pair of large, moist almond eyes. Her charm still remained.

Behind Yang Miaoqing were three other people.

It was Yang Zhen... oh no, Song Zhen.

Song Lu.

And another woman.

Song Zhen and Song Lu, being young, did not have such a good temperament. The moment they saw Song Yan, a trace of ferocity flashed deep in their eyes.

Especially Song Zhen, his fists were already clenched. However, the woman beside him shot him a sideways glance, and Song Zhen's temper immediately vanished.

This behavior made Song Yan unable to help but glance at that woman a couple more times. This woman, dressed in a light-colored dress, was not exceptionally beautiful, but she was dignified and poised, not lacking in grace, possessing a kind of graceful and intellectual beauty.

In her twenties, she was a little older than Song Yan.

Noticing Song Yan's gaze, she took the initiative to nod at him.

Song Yun wasn't here... A pity. Otherwise, I really would have liked to see what kind of expression Song Yun would have after losing his fiancée.

The visitor comes with ill intent… Song Yan thought.

Song Zhen had vomited blood from anger, Song Yun had lost his fiancée, and he had insulted Yang Miaoqing in front of Song Lu, losing face all over Song Prefecture. With Yang Miaoqing's personality, wasn't she likely to order her servants on the spot to drag him out and beat him to death?

Fortunately, he had come prepared, calling on his younger sister-in-law and Daoist Priestess Yushuang, as well as several dozen household guards. Even if a real fight broke out, he wouldn't be afraid.

As Song Yan was thinking this, he saw that Yang Miaoqing first glanced at him, then took a deep breath. The dignity on her face gradually dispersed, and it was forcefully filled with a gentle smile. The next instant, before Song Yan could offer his greetings, she quickly walked over, affectionately taking both of Song Yan's hands in her own, just like a gentle and benevolent mother.

"Yan'er, how have you been at the Luo family these past few days?"

"Look at you, you've gotten so thin."

"It truly breaks your mother's heart."

"Why are your clothes so thin?"

"Could it be that Luo Yuheng is deliberately tormenting you? Just you wait, I definitely won't let that Luo Yuheng get away with it."

Shudder.

Song Yan's body trembled.

What was this?

Even with Song Yan's temperament, for a moment, he had difficulty processing this shock.

She had instructed Zhang Xiaoshan to do such a thing. At that time, Song Yan had already written Yang Shi off in his heart as someone not worth mentioning. Who could have thought that Yang Shi's attitude would now undergo such a huge transformation.

Could this Yang Miaoqing have been possessed?

Something's not right. Ten parts, no, twelve parts not right.

But he still had an actor's self-discipline. His brow just furrowed slightly, and Song Yan quickly adjusted his mentality, also putting on a smiling face.

“This child is doing well in all things. I wouldn't dare trouble Mother with worry. You shame this child."

The scene was one of a benevolent mother and a filial son.

Both of their acting talents were quite good. Even though they wished they could strangle each other, neither of them showed it.

After a long while, the pleasantries finally ended. Only then did Song Yan look at Song Zhen and Song Lu.

"Fifth Brother, Eighth Brother..."

Song Lu had already adjusted his mentality and even smiled as he patted Song Yan's shoulder, as if they were very close. Only when he noticed Song Yan staring at his nose did a trace of anger appear on his face, probably also remembering the feeling of having his nasal bone smashed crooked by Song Yan before.

That Song Zhen's eyes were fierce, but after being glanced at quietly by that woman, he again ceased his hostilities, though his face was contorted from holding it in.

This behavior made Song Yan even more curious about this woman.

He opened his mouth: "I wonder who this young lady is..."

That woman smiled gently at Song Yan, then took two steps forward and gave a graceful curtsy:

"Nujia Yang Siyao, greets the Ninth Young Master."

[N: Nujia (奴家, nújiā) is an archaic, first-person pronoun ("I" or "me") used exclusively by women. It is a humble or self-deprecating way for a woman to refer to herself, similar in function to signing off a letter with "Your humble servant.”]

Her voice was soft and sweet, like silk wrapped around cotton floss. When the final note rose slightly, it was like a silk thread being gently pulled through the air, creating a clinging arc. It was also like the evening wind during the plum rain season in Jiangnan, damp and gentle, carrying the lingering melody of the soft Wu dialect.

It was hard to imagine how such a plain-looking woman could produce such a moving and melodious voice.

At this time there was no wind, but in the haze, there seemed to be a special fragrance that lightly drifted into his nasal cavity.