Although nothing happened with Xie Ruotong last night, there was nonetheless some physical contact, and they slept in the same bed...
Song Yanqing took a deep breath.
After that, he did not initiate any conversation with Xie Ruotong.
After having breakfast together at the Duke Mansion, Xie Ruotong and Song Yanqing left after lunch.
Both of them maintained silence, just as they had on the way there.
Xie Ruotong could in fact sense the change in Song Yanqing’s emotion toward her.
Having rejected sharing a room last night, Song Yanqing must have seen her in a new light, but such regard did not last long. By morning, he was keeping a distance from her again, clearly not wishing to get too close.
For Song Yanqing, his heart was naturally still set on Xie Ruilin.
Regardless of whether his view of her had changed, he would distance himself from her.
Of course, the current Xie Ruotong harbored no expectations toward Song Yanqing.
All she wished was to live peacefully in the Song Family household, and to give her grandmother peace of mind.
The carriage arrived at the Song Family.
At the gate, Xie Ruilin was already there waiting.
Yesterday, when Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong returned together, she had no right to go back, and was extremely upset about it. She even wondered if they might consummate their marriage after returning, but Song Yanqing had promised her that it wouldn’t happen, still, she couldn’t help but worry.
What if, just what if, the man couldn’t control himself?!
The moment Song Yanqing stepped down from the carriage, Xie Ruilin immediately approached him, "Brother Yanqing."
Song Yanqing’s response to Xie Ruilin was naturally completely different from his treatment of Xie Ruotong.
He immediately took hold of Xie Ruilin’s somewhat cold hands with a tone of rebuke, "It’s so cold, why didn’t you wait for me inside?"
"Lin’er wanted to see Brother Yanqing sooner," Xie Ruilin said shyly.
Song Yanqing was somewhat helpless.
His face also carried a hint of doting.
He warmed Xie Ruilin’s hands by breathing on them.
The behavior was affectionate.
Qiao’er, standing to the side, was clearly displeased.
Just last night, the young master and the eldest miss had consummated their marriage.
Upon returning, his eyes were filled with attentions to the second miss again.
The young master was really too faithless.
Even if his heart still favored the second miss, he should at least give the eldest miss some dignity in public, keeping to propriety. If he wanted to show affection, it should be done in the room!
Qiao’er felt all sorts of injustice.
But at this moment, she saw that the eldest miss did not mind at all and walked past the young master and the second miss to enter the Song Family’s gate.
Qiao’er had no choice but to follow her in.
Song Yanqing, on the other hand, turned to look back after Xie Ruotong left.
Xie Ruilin naturally sensed Song Yanqing’s gaze.
"Brother Yanqing, last night with my sister..." Xie Ruilin began to ask, but then hesitated.
Song Yanqing took back his gaze and said, "The things I promised Lin’er, I will surely fulfill."
"Brother Yanqing." Hearing this, Xie Ruilin naturally beamed with joy.
She threw her delicate body into Song Yanqing’s embrace.
Her heart was filled with joy, but she said, "I have always been worried the grandmother might make things difficult for you, and I didn’t want you to be in an awkward position because of me."
"Lin’er needn’t worry," Song Yanqing hugged Xie Ruilin naturally.
Xie Ruilin’s body had the scent of perfume.
It was a very common fragrance of rouge on a woman.
Yet at this moment, he suddenly thought of Xie Ruotong, recalling how her scent seemed more translucent, devoid of such fragrances, and instead there was a different aroma...
Song Yanqing quickly came back to his senses.
What was he thinking just now?!
Involuntarily, he held Xie Ruilin even tighter for a moment.
Song Yanqing then focused on the imperial examinations.
He could not afford to slack.
Thus, even after marriage, Song Yanqing spent more time overnight in his study reading books, and naturally, if he did return to sleep, it was to Xie Ruilin’s room.
Xie Ruotong had always said nothing.
Indeed, from the time of their return to now, a month later, the number of times Xie Ruotong appeared before Song Yanqing could be counted on one’s fingers.
Xie Ruotong spent more time learning to manage the affairs of the inner room, both big and small, under the guidance of Ming Yufang.
She was not very idle either.
Only Xie Ruilin was left feeling bored.
The greatest part of her day was spent waiting for Song Yanqing to come to her room. If Song Yanqing didn’t come, she would occasionally go out to the streets for a stroll, buying expensive silk for clothes, buying costly rouge, and because Song Yanqing doted on her, she naturally had plenty of spending money.
In the blink of an eye.
The day of the imperial examinations arrived.
Early in the morning.
The entire family was there to see Song Yanqing off.
"Yanqing, don’t panic when taking the exam, just perform as usual," Ming Yufang still couldn’t help but remind him worriedly.