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The group chatted and laughed as they walked inside.
Lu Yuming and Song Jingyun remained in place, unmoving.
“Aren’t you coming in?” Wei Liangji raised an eyebrow. “This is a rare opportunity.”
“I suddenly remembered I have other matters to attend to today, so I can’t join this poetry gathering. I apologize for that,” Song Jingyun politely declined.
No matter how refined and elegant one may appear, the Wan Chun Tower remained a brothel.
It was not a place he should be.
The notion of being a romantic and talented scholar, an age-old tale, placed emphasis on the scholar aspect.
Besides, no matter how lovely those supposed sisters might be, could they compare to his own wife in beauty?
No matter their talents, could they match his wife’s wit and abilities?
His wife not only excelled in poetry but also in business, harboring ideas and innovations beyond anyone’s imagination. She was incomparable!
Song Jingyun truly believed that there was no woman in this world who could surpass his own wife in worth or beauty.
Upon hearing Song Jingyun’s words, Wei Liangji was initially surprised but then patted his shoulder reassuringly, saying, “Don’t worry, your wife won’t know about this. Besides, we’re just here for a poetry gathering, not to engage in any vulgar activities.”
“Yes, Song Jingyun, there’s no need to be so cautious.”
“This is a rare opportunity, and as a man of charm, you were invited here by us. Your wife will surely understand, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“If all else fails, I’ll personally go to your home as a mediator…”
“I truly have personal matters to tend to, unrelated to my wife,” Song Jingyun’s expression turned serious.
Song Jingyun was typically gentle in nature, even during intellectual debates where differing viewpoints were discussed. His manner was always calm and composed. It could be said that the seriousness reflected in his expression was a sight unfamiliar to those present for the first time.
The group exchanged glances, each lost in thought.
For most ordinary men who feared their wives, they might show a brave face but harbor hidden fears, often feeling resentful due to being suppressed by their wives. Some would eagerly seek opportunities to assert their family status or engage in secretive actions to prove their worth.
However, Song Jingyun’s gaze was open and free from both fear and hidden agendas. It seemed he was not the type to have hidden desires without the courage to act on them. Rather, he appeared to be someone who cherished his wife and therefore refrained from indulging in extramarital affairs, a different kind of fear of losing what he valued.
Wei Liangji understood this and nodded, “Since Song Jingyun has other matters to attend to, we won’t detain him further.”
“By the way, let’s give this to Song Jingyun.”
With that, Wei Liangji handed a small booklet from his pocket to Song Jingyun.
“What is this?”
As Song Jingyun reached out to inspect it, Wei Liangji held his hand back, “This is a valuable item I carefully obtained. It’s best not to reveal it in public. Take your time to appreciate it in the privacy of your home.”
“Very well,” Song Jingyun nodded.
Although the place was well-lit with lanterns and candles, it was too noisy for reading.
After keeping the booklet, Song Jingyun bid farewell and departed.
Lu Yuming also excused himself, citing feeling unwell as a pretext to return home.
He had married slightly earlier than Song Jingyun, choosing his childhood sweetheart, a cousin from a respectable family.
Despite his cousin’s lack of education and literacy, she was gentle and obedient, catering to his needs. She would sit by him while he studied, her eyes filled with admiration whenever she watched him read.
Lu Yuming’s diligent studying was greatly influenced by his cousin.
Therefore, in such situations, he preferred not to participate.
Seeing Lu Yuming’s decision, the others did not insist and proceeded to enter the Wan Chun Tower.
Song Jingyun and Lu Yuming walked back together, parting ways at a street corner before heading home separately.
Upon reaching home, Jiang Mixia was cozied up on a soft cushion, reading a book by a small warming stove. Upon noticing Song Jingyun returning chilled, she called for Zhucui to prepare hot tea and stoked the charcoal fire a bit more.
“Weren’t you supposed to attend the poetry gathering? Why are you back so soon?” Jiang Mixia inquired, slightly puzzled.
“It wasn’t very engaging, so I returned early,” Song Jingyun replied with a smile.
“At this hour, you must be hungry,” Jiang Mixia remarked after seeing Song Jingyun nod. She then instructed Zhucui and Chengmao to prepare a bowl of egg noodles.
The dish was a clear soup with a poached egg, with tender cabbage leaves added for flavor. To enhance the meal, Zhucui also prepared a plate of braised pork knuckles and a side dish of cold tofu skin with celery.
At that moment, Song Jingyun was indeed quite hungry, eagerly eating with his chopsticks.
Seeing Song Jingyun enjoying his meal, Jiang Mixia, who had just come across a crucial plot point in her book, continued reading while nestled on the soft cushion.
Observing Jiang Mixia engrossed in her book, Song Jingyun recalled the small booklet Wei Liangji had given him. Taking advantage of the mealtime, he decided to take a look at it.
The booklet was petite, resembling a bound book, but half the size of a regular book, with no inscription on the cover.
Song Jingyun turned to the first page.
Hm…
Still no text, but there were illustrations.
A man and a woman, partially clothed, engaging in suggestive poses that would certainly not pass censorship.
Song Jingyun’s expression froze.
With a sudden “whoosh,” Song Jingyun instinctively closed the booklet.
However…
This thing was so peculiar, should he give it another look?
Song Jingyun tentatively opened a page again, then swiftly closed it once more.
After repeating this several times, Jiang Mixia, noticing Song Jingyun’s strange behavior, peeked out from behind her book. “What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing…” Song Jingyun hastily stashed the booklet in his sleeve with lightning speed, head bowed low, and continued eating his noodles with chopsticks.
Jiang Mixia blinked, observing Song Jingyun’s slightly flushed face.
Her husband seemed a bit off today.
As bedtime approached, Jiang Mixia became increasingly convinced that something was amiss with Song Jingyun.
Normally, they slept embracing each other, but tonight, Song Jingyun turned over early, leaving Jiang Mixia facing his back.
Perplexed, Jiang Mixia attributed Song Jingyun’s behavior to potential fatigue from studying and her own weariness after a lengthy conversation with Zheng Yuanhe. She decided to turn over and get some rest herself.
As Jiang Mixia’s breathing settled into a deep slumber, indicating she was fully asleep, Song Jingyun gingerly rose from the bed. By the candlelight at the bedside, he retrieved the small booklet once more.
He scrutinized it carefully.
As he delved into the contents, the night grew deeper.
Upon finally putting away the booklet, Song Jingyun felt a sense of turmoil and discomfort, his face flushed with unease.
Especially when he glanced at his wife beside him, his inner turmoil intensified like a scratching cat’s paw.
Itchy.
After much internal struggle, Song Jingyun eventually succumbed to temptation…
Jiang Mixia was awakened by the commotion.
She was struggling to catch her breath.
When she opened her eyes, she was met with Song Jingyun’s fervent kisses and hands that were less than obedient.
Jiang Mixia, “…”
What is this husband of mine up to…