Chapter 162: Song Jingning’s Background

Song Mingyu deliberately brought up Ye Chutang’s early-deceased older brother.

“If Miss Ye’s brother were still alive, he would surely be as outstanding as you—talented and unparalleled, famous across the land.”

This comment made Ye Chutang feel that Song Mingyu was acting strangely.

He mentioned her mother, which didn’t surprise her. After all, from noblemen to commoners, everyone knew Tang Wanning. Many people had already talked to her about her mother.

But it was only Song Mingyu who had brought up her late brother.

It had already been three days since Ye Anling’s wedding. Aside from her mentioning her twin brother to Qi Yanzhou once, no one else had brought it up.

Suppressing her confusion, she spoke in a neutral tone. “It’s fate, and it’s destiny.”

Song Mingyu, unaware that Ye Chutang had begun to suspect his intentions, didn’t dare act too obvious. He continued to talk about the good deeds Tang Wanning had done in the past.

Looking at Song Mingyu, who appeared mournful, Ye Chutang tried to offer some comfort.

“Some people are alive but already dead; some are dead, but their souls live on.”

Song Mingyu looked at Ye Chutang in surprise. “I didn’t expect Miss Ye, though young, would have such profound insights.”

After that, he began discussing what had happened on Ye Anling’s wedding day.

“Miss Ye uncovered the truth that had been hidden for over a decade and avenged your mother and brother. If they were watching from the afterlife, they would surely be comforted.”

“That was the least I could do.”

Song Mingyu picked up his teacup and took a sip of lukewarm tea.

“Throughout history, early deaths were often shrouded in mystery…”

Just as he was about to steer the conversation toward Ye Chutang’s deceased brother, Song Jingning entered the main hall, interrupting the conversation.

“Father, I disagree with your proposal. Even if you came in person…”

Song Jingning walked into the main hall, saw Ye Chutang, and immediately stopped speaking.

He awkwardly said, “I didn’t know Miss Ye was here. My apologies for the intrusion.”

Ye Chutang stood up. “It’s fine. You two talk. I’ll go find Director Song.”

With that, she left the main hall.

At that moment, Song Zhiyan happened to arrive.

“Miss Ye, the calligraphy lesson has been arranged. Please follow me.”

“Alright. Thank you, Director Song.”

As Ye Chutang’s footsteps faded, Song Mingyu shot an annoyed glare at Song Jingning.

“You couldn’t have come earlier or later, but you show up at just the right time!”

Song Jingning: “…”

“Father, I didn’t expect you, the old stickler, to actually have a conversation with Miss Ye. What were you two talking about?”

“Can you be a little more serious?”

Song Jingning immediately put on a stern expression. “Is this serious enough?”

Song Mingyu couldn’t help but laugh, his gentle features lighting up with amusement.

“Alright, stop pretending. Don’t forget what you promised. Your mother has already arranged a tea session with Miss Ye, so you’ll have to show up and talk.”

Seeing that he couldn’t avoid it, Song Jingning reluctantly agreed.

“Let’s go, the sooner the better.”

After leaving the academy and boarding the carriage, Song Jingning reminded him, “Father, Miss Ye is about to get married, so don’t say anything inappropriate.”

“You little rascal, what nonsense are you talking about? I was discussing Miss Ye’s late mother and brother.”

Hearing this, Song Jingning inexplicably felt uneasy.

“Do you know Miss Ye’s mother?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t know Tang Wanning? She was someone who could embody all the beautiful words in the world. Unfortunately, she married the wrong person and ruined her life.”

In recent days, there had been much gossip about the Ye family, and Song Jingning certainly knew how pitiful Ye Chutang’s childhood had been. Her mother was harmed, and her brother was killed. If it weren’t for the timely help of Doctor Xue, she would have been miscarried as well.

He couldn’t help but sigh. “Miss Ye and I were born in the same month and year, only twelve days apart, but our lives are so different.”

When Song Mingyu heard “only twelve days apart,” his breath caught.

He asked, “How do you know Miss Ye’s birth date?”

“During the hunting trip on Plum Mountain, Miss Ye learned that we were the same age and asked who was older. She mentioned her birth date then.”

Song Mingyu thought that it was strange for a girl like Ye Chutang to voluntarily tell a man her birth date. She must have had another agenda. Did she already suspect Jingning’s true identity?

It made sense. With such similar features, it would be hard to find someone else in the world who looked like him.

He had never considered the possibility that the baby he found by the river all those years ago could actually be the son of Tang Wanning and Ye Jingchuan!

The third day of the winter month, seventeen years ago.

Song Mingyu was heading to Liangzhou to visit his sick wife’s family when he heard the faint cry of a child.

By the river, he found a wooden basin that had been washed ashore, with a child inside—blue and purple all over, cold and weak, crying faintly, barely breathing.

Since his wife had been ill for so long, Song Mingyu knew a bit about medicine. He did everything he could to save the child and took him to Liangzhou.

The twelve-day journey was fraught with difficulties, but the child survived despite barely holding on to life.

Once they arrived in Liangzhou, he had planned to find a suitable family to adopt the child.

His wife, Cui Xiangyun, saw how pitiful and tenacious the child was and felt a connection, deciding to keep him.

Song Mingyu had no objections as long as she was happy.

However, Cui’s family didn’t agree, thinking the child’s origins were unclear and that it might bring trouble.

But Cui Xiangyun insisted on keeping the child.

Then, something miraculous happened.

Her long-suffering body began to improve as the child recovered.

From that day on, the child became the fifth son of the Song family, with his birth date set as the day he arrived in Liangzhou.

This secret was known only to Song Mingyu and his father-in-law’s family.

He managed to keep it from the Song family because his wife had been staying with her family for over a year, and he visited Liangzhou every three months.

“When Xiangyun’s health was still poor, she was already pregnant with the child for over five months. She couldn’t bear to abort, but also feared she wouldn’t be able to keep the child, so she made me promise not to tell anyone.”

“If the child survived, it would be a surprise to everyone; if not, we would act as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, the child was strong-willed and, despite being premature, survived.”

This was the explanation Song Mingyu gave to the Song family after he brought the child and his wife back to the capital.

He and his wife had no reason to lie, and the Song family had no doubts, accepting the story.

“Father, father, what’s wrong with you?”

Pulling himself out of his memories, Song Mingyu immediately snapped back to reality when he heard Song Jingning’s voice.

“Father, what were you thinking just now? Your eyes went blank.”

Song Mingyu waved away his son’s hand, saying, “I was thinking how difficult it was for you to survive.”

Song Jingning: “…”

Why did it sound like he wasn’t being sincere?

“Father, you’re acting strange today.”

Song Mingyu hadn’t yet decided whether to reveal his true identity to Song Jingning.

He impatiently knocked on his son’s head. “If you don’t get married soon, I’ll go crazy!”

Song Jingning could tell that his father was hiding something, so he tactfully didn’t press further.

“Father, I’m only seventeen. No need to rush me into marriage, right? Look at Prince Chen, he’s twenty-one and just got married.”

“Then why don’t you look at those who had children when they were sixteen?”

Song Jingning: “…”

“I don’t care. You said you’d meet someone in a month. If you don’t find anyone suitable, you and mother can’t force me.”

“Alright, but don’t slack off.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the teahouse.

Song Mingyu took Song Jingning to a private room.

When Madam Song saw her son had arrived, she sighed in relief.

She stood up and said, “Miss Fang, I’ll go see if the manager has any new tea. You two talk.”

Before leaving, she left a maid behind and shot Song Jingning a warning glance.

Song Mingyu grabbed his wife’s wrist as soon as she came out and pulled her into the opposite room.

“Xiangyun, I have something important to discuss with you.”