Chapter 6 : Encountered

On the day of Song Ruoer’s wedding, many guests gathered in the Marquis’s mansion, but Song Ying was nowhere to be seen.

Some guests were curious.

“I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the former princess, but alas, I was disappointed.”

“Two sisters marrying the same man one after the other, really something… haha.”

“Maybe the Marquis is quite clever. Both are his daughters, and he received two separate betrothal gifts.”

“Haha, if the eldest daughter marries again, that’ll make it three betrothal gifts.”

“Who would want a divorced woman?”

“You don’t get it. Anyone who marries her would be doing it for the family behind her.”

Everyone chatted away, and Yue Shaozhi, standing in the hall, naturally overheard bits of their conversation.

He lowered his cold gaze and walked toward the main gate, holding Song Ruoer’s hand.

Another voice said, “I remember when the former princess married the Prince Regent, it was the Marquis who escorted her to the palace.”

“And now, the Prince Regent has come to the Marquis’s mansion to marry the new princess. Tsk… Seems he truly loves this one.”

“Of course. Miss Ruoer is as beautiful as a fairy. The former princess was lovely too, but she can’t compare.”

“Haha, if it were me, I’d choose the current princess too.”

—

Yue Shaozhi mounted his horse and asked Yu Liang beside him, “Is Song Ying in the mansion?”

Yu Liang replied, “Yes.”

Yue Shaozhi gave a slight nod, turned to look at the bridal sedan behind him, where his beloved sat.

His gaze lingered there briefly, but as he turned back, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in the crowd.

Just one glance, and he immediately recognized it, Song Ying, dressed in men’s clothing.

Song Ying had grown bored staying in the mansion. With everyone off to witness Song Ruoer’s wedding, she tied her hair up and changed into men’s attire. Skillfully slipping out through a side gate, she went to a food shop she had long wanted to try.

But perhaps due to the buzz around the wedding, many people were out and even the restaurant was more crowded than usual. Song Ying and Faer arrived late and had to wait outside for their number to be called.

Suddenly, Song Ying felt a piercing gaze. Turning around, she met Yue Shaozhi’s eyes.

But after just a moment, Yue Shaozhi walked on across the street.

Song Ying rubbed her nose, she knew he had recognized her. But it didn’t matter. They were divorced now.

“Miss, it’s our turn.”

“Coming, coming.”

Eating was still the priority.

After a satisfying meal, they stepped back outside to find the street had quieted. Presumably, everyone had gone to the Regent’s palace to curry favor.

“Miss, where are we going next?”

“Let’s head to East Street.”

“Mhm!”

As they wandered, Song Ying found herself on Flower Street. She wasn’t sure why, she just ended up there.

If her father found out, he’d probably make her kneel in the ancestral hall.

It was Faer’s and her first time here, and they were wide-eyed with curiosity.

“Oh, what a handsome young man.”

A woman reached for her, and Song Ying pushed her hand away with a fan. “Miss, hands off.”

The woman wasn’t fazed at all and even clung to Song Ying’s arm. “Young Master, come inside for a few drinks.”

Faer blushed. “Young Master, shall we go?”

Song Ying thought for a moment and said, “Let’s take a look.”

Faer was stunned, the young miss actually walked into a brothel. How exciting.

Song Ying didn’t have much money, so she just took a seat in the main hall, ordered a little wine, and watched the dancers on stage.

Faer looked around curiously, then lowered her head in a fluster but couldn’t stop peeking again, completely caught up in the moment.

Song Ying found the lively brothel more relaxing than the stuffy celebration at home. On a whim, she even asked for a girl to accompany her.

“What’s your name, sir?”

“Song.”

“Is this Master Song’s first time here?”

“Yes.”

The woman poured Song Ying a glass of wine and asked, “Master, do you find our wine tasty?”

Song Ying just took a sip and said, “It smells nice.”

The woman looked at Faer, who was munching on snacks beside Song Ying while stealing glances at her, and said, “This young one is also very handsome.”

Faer beamed. “Really?.”

Song Ying affectionately patted her head, “Yes.”

“Hehe.”

The woman observed the interactions and expressions between master and servant, and immediately realized, they were both women.

She had seen all kinds of people in this brothel. As long as they paid, nothing was strange.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out upstairs, followed by the sound of things being smashed.

All the brothel attendants rushed upstairs.

Out of curiosity, Song Ying looked up toward the third floor.

A tall man came out, swearing furiously.

“Damn it! You tricked me into coming here to humiliate me? Do you think I’m some pushover?!”

Several more men came out trying to stop him. “Huo Zhen, don’t be so unreasonable—Ah!!”

Huo Zhen threw a punch and sent the men flying like rag dolls.

He grabbed the leader by the collar and growled, “I suggest you use your brain before you speak next time, or you won’t even know how you died.”

The man was terrified by Huo Zhen’s fierce expression and couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

Huo Zhen left them behind and strode downstairs with his hands behind his back. No one who recognized him dared to stop him.

But then, Huo Zhen spotted Song Ying and froze. His face flushed red.

Why was she here? And in men’s clothes? Crap. Did she see everything I just did?

There goes my refined image!

Thousands of regretful thoughts ran through Huo Zhen’s mind, all boiling down to two words: ‘It’s over.’

But to Song Ying, Huo Zhen showing up at a brothel and beating people up was nothing surprising.

She’d thought he was putting on airs the first time they met anyway.

He had a sharp tongue and fists like iron, that was the real him.

“Faer, let’s go.”

As Song Ying turned to leave, Huo Zhen immediately followed.

“Young Master Song!” he called out after leaving the brothel.

“General Huo, is something the matter?”

Huo Zhen didn’t notice that she had addressed him as “General,” focusing instead on explaining himself.

“I wasn’t here for fun. Those people tricked me into coming, so I—”

Song Ying cut him off, “I understand.”

“You do?”

Of course she did. Yue Shaozhi had been to these places many times and even told her openly.

It was only after he got involved with Song Ruoer that he started keeping secrets.

Huo Zhen continued walking alongside Song Ying. “Why did you come here today?”

Song Ying. “I was bored.”

Bored?

Huo Zhen recalled that today was Song Ruoer and Yue Shaozhi’s wedding. She must be feeling upset and needed a distraction.

Looking at Song Ying’s calm side profile, Huo Zhen suddenly grabbed her wrist and said, “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere fun.”

Song Ying: ?

Huo Zhen brought her to a tavern. He dropped all pretense and loudly asked the owner to bring two jars of wine.

Song Ying stared at the wine jars, falling into deep reflection. ‘Why did I follow him here? Why am I drinking to unwind with him?’

She glanced at Faer, who was staring blankly as if wondering when Huo Zhen had become so crude.

Huo Zhen poured her a bowl of wine and offered it to her. “Come, drink to ease your troubles.”

Song Ying didn’t take it. She frowned and asked, “Did General Huo misunderstand something?”

Huo Zhen put the bowl down and said seriously, “I know you’re in a bad mood. It’s okay. I’ll stay with you. If you want to cry, curse, or fight, I’ll be there.”

Faer let out a “Wow,” and said, “Master Huo is so awesome.”

Song Ying rubbed her forehead. She just wanted to go home.

Huo Zhen added, “Ji Yuefang, wait a little longer. Those seeds are hard to find.”

Song Ying replied, “There’s no need.”

Huo Zhen insisted, “No, I broke your flowers. I promised to compensate you, and I will.”

Song Ying stared at the wine bowl in front of her, then pushed it back. “No need to compensate. I don’t drink. Goodbye.”