Chapter 231: Chapter 216: You Must Be This Young Lady’s Uncle? (Third Update)
Within less than a quarter of an hour after entering, he had already been insulted twice, and the words were increasingly venomous with each sentence.
Hao Yun was almost seething with internal anger.
However, there was one thing Song Wei said that struck a chord with him.
Every time he got close to Song Wei to try something, all sorts of mishaps would occur, and eventually, he would end up being the unlucky one.
It’s uncanny, truly uncanny!
In such an awkward moment, it’s appropriate to change the subject, "About the Yao Jie affair..."
Song Wei gave him a lukewarm glance, "Brother Hao said he was framed, so naturally there is someone else behind it. It’s best to let Lord Governor continue the investigation until the truth comes to light."
Hao Yun sighed lightly, as if lamenting something for Song Wei, "To gain a foothold in the Capital, you must first learn to get along with people. Brother Song, you offended a big shot right after arriving in the Capital, prompting someone to go so far as to set you up. Actually, you can’t blame it all on others. Brother Song, you might want to reflect on yourself... I’m sorry, I’m straightforward when I talk, but the fact that I’m telling you these heartfelt words means I truly consider you a friend, for your good, not wanting you to repeat past mistakes... Hmm, Brother Song’s personality is sometimes too stubborn; if you want to navigate the officialdom, you must be adaptable and know how to get along.
This issue can’t all be blamed on others, Brother Song. Think it over carefully; continuing the investigation might not be in your best interest."
After hearing this, Song Wei did not react as Hao Yun expected with anger, but instead picked up the teapot for more tea. His expression remained calm and composed, his tone steady and unhurried, "I almost forgot, Brother Hao landed in the third rank, missing the chance to see how the Hanlin Officials usually get along in the Hanlin Academy.
I’m sorry, I speak bluntly, but I truly wish the best for your future, Brother Hao. Even though the Hanlin Academy is a clean and simple government office, and my current position isn’t high, as long as I can accumulate experience, there will be plenty of opportunities to enter the Cabinet in the future.
You’re different, having the same scholar background, it’s hard to establish a foothold in the Capital. Now you’ve become a son-in-law living off the good graces of others.
Those who know say you’ve treated the Su family girl sincerely, marrying in for love. Those who don’t know may think you used some disreputable means.
Actually, thinking about it, it’s no wonder people outside would guess that way. After all, you married in for love, and yet your Prime Minister father-in-law hasn’t given you a decent position.
No matter how clever and adaptable you are, Brother Hao, or how well you can get along with others, it seems you have no place to apply your talents!"
...
Hao Yun didn’t know how he managed to walk out. He only knew that when he stood outside looking up at the Song family plaque with the four big words "Third Place" written on it, he had the urge to set a fire and burn down the whole place.
But in the end, reason prevailed, and he walked back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion with his anger suppressed.
Su Yu, upon seeing him like that, couldn’t help but mock him with cold sarcasm.
Since meeting Song Wei, today was the first time Hao Yun heard him talk so much, every sentence jabbing at his heart.
It was infuriating enough, yet coming home to be insulted by a woman was too much for Hao Yun to bear. Losing his temper, he swung his hand and gave Su Yu a hard slap.
Su Yu was dazed from the slap, stumbling back with only the sound of her hairpin hitting the floor breaking the silence in the room.
At first, she was stunned, but upon regaining her senses, she furiously grabbed a dagger from the fruit tray and rushed at Hao Yun.
If he hadn’t dodged quickly, Hao Yun had no doubt Su Yu would have stabbed him directly with the dagger, killing him.
Once he completely calmed down, Hao Yun was shocked at what he’d done and somewhat regretted how he had treated Su Yu just moments ago.
But what’s done was done, and if he didn’t find a way to stop it, there would be no room for reconciliation. He could only seize the moment to pin Su Yu to the ground, snatching the dagger from her grip, his voice gentle and soft, "I lost control just now. If you feel the need for compensation, my lady, hit me back. We are husband and wife; it’s normal to argue and reconcile. If your mother finds out, how heartbroken would she be?"
Since acknowledging the family bonds, Su Yu’s birth mother, Aunt Qiu, had been completely forgotten by the Prime Minister, becoming ill from depression.
Sometimes she even wondered why her mother came to recognize this kinship in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, given that their life before wasn’t unlivable. Recognizing it meant losing her freedom and becoming the most awkward presence in the household—being the oldest but only recognized as a big sister by the fourth young master, while all the others, whether legitimate or not, disregarded her.
If not for her mother, she would have left this troublesome place long ago!
Retrieving her thoughts, Su Yu glared at Hao Yun with eyes flaming with rage, "Get off me!"
"Then promise me first, not to use the dagger again."
Hao Yun wasn’t afraid of her losing face, but of her being reckless with her life.
Su Yu’s previous actions had made him realize that once her bottom line was crossed, she was capable of risking everything.
This woman, when ruthless, was truly ruthless!
Seeing her gradually calm down, Hao Yun slowly released her. Before he could say anything, Su Yu raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.
Hao Yun, clutching his burning cheek, slowly drew a smile after a brief silence, "Feeling better?"
"Bastard!"
Su Yu bent down to pick up the hairpin that had earlier dropped on the ground, threw down the words, and walked out, slamming the door behind her.
Hao Yun had the servants bring water; in the copper basin, his swollen cheek reflected back at him along with eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
——
In the Capital’s season of spring rain, the cold wind cut to the bone.
The carriage broke down halfway, and Uncle Lin couldn’t reach Hongwen Academy before the lady finished her studies.
When Wen Wan walked out of the gate and didn’t see Uncle Lin, she figured he had been delayed by the rain. She hadn’t brought an umbrella, so she didn’t hurry to leave, standing at the gate to shelter from the rain. Feeling cold, she couldn’t help but hug herself with both arms.
Outside, the rain and mist were continuous, making it difficult to see the surroundings clearly beyond three feet.
Wen Wan only vaguely saw a figure holding an oiled paper umbrella walking towards her step by step.
From a distance, it appeared hazy, like an ink wash painting.
As the figure drew closer, Wen Wan realized the person was a young man, with fair skin, smooth contours, and picturesque eyebrows.
Every movement exuded the elegance and nobility of a high-born family.
The young man appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen, with beautiful eyes, slightly upturned at the corners, which seemed to carry a hint of a smile even when he was silent.
However, Wen Wan felt that he seemed somewhat nervous when he saw her.
"Why is a young lady alone here so late?"
The young man spoke with an excellent voice, clear and pure to the ear.
Sensing no malice from him, Wen Wan politely smiled at him, "I’m waiting for someone."
When she smiled, the young man’s gaze seemed a bit dazed, and if one looked closely, there was a touch of infatuation.
However, facing a stranger, Wen Wan was not in the habit of staring into people’s eyes.
The young man took two steps forward, and his tone was more cautious than before, "I see you didn’t bring an umbrella. If you don’t mind, you can borrow mine."
"No need, I’ll be leaving soon." Wen Wan directly declined.
"Are you afraid of tarnishing your reputation?" the young man suddenly laughed, "This umbrella has no markings. You can take it, and if you don’t need it later, just discard it without worrying about who gave it to you."
Wen Wan was pondering how to respond to him when she heard the sound of wheels rolling over cobblestones not far away.
It must be Uncle Lin who had arrived.
Wen Wan felt a surge of joy.
The carriage stopped outside the Hongwen Academy’s gate. Someone lifted the curtain and stepped out with a long, slender hand and tall stature, opening an umbrella and standing there. Even through the rain and mist, Wen Wan could guess who it was.
She didn’t expect her husband to come in the rain, and amidst the sweetness in her heart, she also felt a bit anxious about being discovered.
Song Wei took a few steps forward and noticed a strange young man standing beside Wen Wan, his umbrella almost covering Wen Wan’s head.
He paused and didn’t proceed further, focusing his gaze on Wen Wan, speaking calmly, "There was a problem with the carriage along the way. Have you been waiting long?"
Wen Wan shook her head with a smile, "Not really."
The young man glanced at Song Wei in confusion, then looked back at Wen Wan, unable to resist asking, "Who’s this?"
Wen Wan replied guiltily, "My family."
The young man thought that the girl he adored was not married yet, so the "family" could only be a brother or an elder.
Judging by the man’s appearance, he should be much older than the young lady.
He stepped forward, politely greeting, "Are you the uncle of this young lady?"
Song Wei neither confirmed nor denied it, just smiled at him.
The gaze of an adult has a steady transparency that sees through to one’s heart, as if any lie would be hard to conceal before him.
The young man suddenly felt a bit nervous, his fingers curling around the umbrella handle.
He lowered his head and explained, "I just saw this young lady standing alone outside the Hongwen Academy’s gate without an umbrella, so I wanted to lend her one. But now that you’ve come to pick her up, she can return safely."
As he spoke, his voice turned joyful.
It seemed that Wen Wan’s safe return home was something quite delightful for him.
Song Wei’s lips curved slightly, "I thank you on behalf of this girl for your kind offer."
The young man seemed even happier, quickly responding with a smile, "No thanks needed. I believe anyone would have done the same."
As he spoke, a thought crossed his mind, and he introduced himself, "My name is Su Yaoqi. I rank fourth in my family. You can call me Yaoqi or Little Four, Uncle."
Song Wei nodded, "It’s getting late. We should be on our way. You should head home early too!"
Su Yaoqi’s handsome face reddened slightly. Looking at Wen Wan, he found that the young lady appeared shy as well, with a suspicious blush on her cheeks.
The young man, feeling a surge of emotions, softly said to her, "Then I’ll be going."
Watching Su Yaoqi walk away, Wen Wan regained her senses as a warm, large hand gently grasped her wrist, bringing her under the umbrella.
Once inside the carriage, Wen Wan leaned directly on the man’s shoulder, smiling as she asked him, "A rival in love appeared, and you’re not jealous?"
Song Wei took the cloak he had prepared in advance, draped it over her, and reached out to brush her hair that got damp from the drizzle, then pulled her back into his embrace, softly saying, "Someone adoring you only confirms my good taste. What’s there to be jealous of?"