Song Mo took a deep breath, managing to suppress the rising anger in his heart. He appeared calm as he said to Wei Tingyu, “Get dressed first,” before turning and leaving the inner chamber.
Wei Tingyu’s mind went blank.
In a flurry, he scrambled to find his clothes but tripped over something and tumbled off the bed, landing in a very awkward position.
However, thinking of Song Mo’s cold expression, no one could bring themselves to laugh.
Zhao Zhi Shu, terrified, turned pale and grabbed Wei Tingyu, trembling as she pleaded, “My lord, we… we didn’t do anything…”
If it weren’t for him, how could she have ended up in such a predicament?
Wei Tingyu found the sight of this performer repulsive, making him feel nauseous. He shot Zhao Zhi Shu a fierce glare, pushed her away without a second thought, and numbly put on his clothes before exiting the inner chamber.
Song Mo sat leisurely in the grandmaster’s chair in the main hall, sipping tea.
Gu Yu sat beside him, also holding a cup of tea, but his eyes darted between Song Mo and Wei Tingyu, curiosity etched on his face.
Seeing Wei Tingyu emerge, Song Mo pointed to the grandmaster’s chair opposite Gu Yu and said coolly, “Sit.”
Wei Tingyu dared not look at Song Mo, lowering his head in shame and embarrassment as he sat down.
Someone served him a cup of tea. The tea was a vibrant green, fragrant, and clearly of high quality—Biluochun.
Wei Tingyu couldn’t help but murmur, “Thank you.”
The attendant respectfully replied, “I’m flattered.”
Then Wei Tingyu heard Song Mo call out to the attendant, “Chen He, go fetch the young master’s servant.”
Chen He paused slightly, then responded respectfully and withdrew.
Wei Tingyu was taken aback.
Did this matter need to be made public?
His face flushed with embarrassment, alternating between red and white. He wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words, fearing that he might provoke Song Mo’s anger, leaving him feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles, anxious and uneasy. Soon, Wei Tingyu’s servant was called in.
Song Mo instructed Chen He, “Accompany him to the inner chamber and see if the young master left anything behind.”
He was worried someone might use Wei Tingyu’s personal belongings against him.
This was a way of cleaning up after Wei Tingyu!
Gu Yu raised an eyebrow.
In the past, Tian Ci had been indifferent to everyone, at most helping him and Tian En clean up messes. He had clung to them desperately, nearly losing his life, while Tian En was Tian Ci’s biological brother. What right did Wei have to receive such kindness from Tian Ci?
Gu Yu’s gaze toward Wei Tingyu turned cold, his earlier amusement fading into something more obscure.
Wei Tingyu didn’t notice Gu Yu’s unusual demeanor.
Surprised and delighted, he looked up at Song Mo and called out, “Young Master,” unconsciously placing himself in a subordinate position and using honorifics.
Song Mo nearly crushed his teacup upon hearing this.
Did it need to be this submissive?
So what if he was a performer? Even if they had slept together, what of it?
As long as everything was cleaned up, that should suffice!
Why this excessive fear…
Dou Zhao, Dou Zhao… how did he end up with such a person?
His heart ached.
Chen He and Wei Tingyu’s servant dragged Zhao Zhi Shu out of the inner chamber.
“Young Master,” Chen He reported softly, “There’s nothing left behind.”
The servant, sensing the atmosphere, had guessed a bit of what was happening and looked pale, nodding repeatedly in agreement with Chen He.
Zhao Zhi Shu trembled as she knelt before Song Mo, repeatedly knocking her head on the ground.
She didn’t dare say a word, let alone shift the blame onto Ji Yong.
Remaining silent might allow this matter to be brushed aside as a mere romantic entanglement, preserving her life.
If she implicated Ji Yong, it would turn into a conspiracy and a trap.
Not to mention that this young man, though unfamiliar, exuded an imposing presence, clearly protecting Duke of Jining’s interests, and he wouldn’t let her off easily. Ji Yong wouldn’t spare her either.
For someone like her, sometimes ignorance was bliss!
Yet, Song Mo didn’t even glance at Zhao Zhi Shu, standing up and casually saying to Wei Tingyu, “Let’s go!”
Everyone in the room was taken aback.
Was that it?
No blame?
No questioning?
No thunderous reprimand?
He just walked away?
Wei Tingyu felt a bit lost and confused.
Song Mo had already risen and was heading outside.
Gu Yu followed closely behind, not daring to look away.
Wei Tingyu inexplicably sighed in relief and hurriedly followed out of the hall.
Zhao Zhi Shu collapsed to the ground, her body limp.
She would have preferred the young man to hit her or kick her; at least that would have shown some anger. Now, with him leaving silently, what awaited her?
As this thought crossed her mind, Zhao Zhi Shu felt a flicker of hope.
Wasn’t Duke of Yan’s heir, Wang Qinghuai, staying here yesterday?
Since that young man was brought by Gu Yu, even if Wang Qinghuai didn’t know him, he could still connect through Gu Yu, right?
The only option now was to ask Wang Qinghuai for help.
Once Song Mo and the others left the hall, she hurriedly supported herself on the grandmaster’s chair, stumbling toward the courtyard where Wang Qinghuai was staying.
However, as Song Mo stepped out of the hall, he suddenly paused.
Under the lush and verdant locust tree stood two young men.
One was dressed in luxurious attire, looking dispirited as he rubbed his temples. The other, though disheveled and wearing wrinkled clothes, appeared pale from a hangover but stood tall, his eyes bright and confident, radiating an undeniable presence that commanded attention and respect.
A sharp glint flashed in Song Mo’s eyes.
The tall young man must be Ji Jianming!
Only he could possess such poise and charisma.
Ji Yong scoffed inwardly.
Song Mo, the heir of Duke of Ying.
A ruthless nobleman!
So what if that was the case?
If he dared to interfere with his affairs, he would make him pay dearly!
He locked eyes with Song Mo.
Song Mo stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
One stood under the tree, the other on the steps, both motionless.
The sky had turned a light purple.
The locust tree was alive with the cheerful chirping of birds.
Dewdrops clung to the grass beside the steps.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, making this midsummer morning feel particularly refreshing and tranquil.
Wei Tingyu, following Gu Yu, didn’t expect Gu Yu to suddenly stop, nearly colliding with him.
“What’s going on?” he asked, confused, looking up to see Ji Yong and He Yu, who had his mouth agape, breaking the courtyard’s tranquility.
Ji Yong chuckled, “The Duke of Ying’s heir came to drag Duke of Jining out of Zhao Zhi Shu’s bed before dawn… Could it be that he’s here to catch someone in the act?”
His eyes, however, held no mirth.
Song Mo felt a chill run through his fingertips.
It was indeed Ji Jianming who was plotting against Wei Tingyu!
He stared at Ji Yong, a cold smile creeping onto his lips. “I heard that the flower scholar and Duke of Jining are related by marriage. I didn’t expect Duke of Jining to be involved in the flower market as well. The flower scholar certainly has a keen interest!”
Was Song Mo mocking him for lacking a brotherly figure?
Ji Yong’s lips curled slightly, revealing a hint of amusement as he turned to pluck a few tender leaves, sniffing them at his nose.
Internally, he scoffed: Heaven has a path you refuse to take, while hell has no door you dare to enter. Initially, he only intended for Zhao Zhi Shu to give Wei Tingyu a name for their affair. Since he had recklessly inserted himself, he shouldn’t blame me for dragging him into this, letting them have their ‘thousand Buddhas meeting performers, competing for affection over Jining’!
He then said, “How can it compare to Duke of Ying’s heartfelt concern for Duke of Jining? I just wonder how Zhao Zhi Shu is doing now. I hope Duke of Jining doesn’t regret it for the rest of his life!”
“Is that so?” Song Mo smiled, gazing at He Yu in the distance, and asked gently, “Young Master He, what did you see?”
He Yu’s expression suddenly turned grim.
Regardless of closeness or distance, he should have unhesitatingly stood by Ji Yong’s side.
But what Ji Yong had done… not only was it a frame-up, but it also dragged Song Mo into it.
Who was Song Mo?
When angered, he could kill his guards, and after doing so, he would neatly arrange the bodies in the courtyard, leaving even his father helpless. If the emperor inquired, he would have to cover it up… Was it worth it to drag someone like Song Mo down just to vent his anger? Moreover, he vaguely felt that Ji Yong’s actions were excessive as if there was more to it than just seeking revenge.
He Yu hesitated for a moment.
Gu Yu, however, wore a faintly mocking smile and said loudly, “I heard that Lord Ji introduced a courtesan from Nanfeng Pavilion to his brother-in-law. I wonder how those old Confucians in the Hanlin Academy, who only know about poetry and gambling, would react if they found out?”
Ji Yong looked at Gu Yu with disdain. “That depends on who is saying it.”
He was mocking Gu Yu’s lack of standing.
Gu Yu’s forehead throbbed with anger, but he knew that violence wouldn’t solve anything in this situation.
His fists clenched and relaxed repeatedly until he felt somewhat calmer, smiling as he said, “Lord Ji makes a valid point. It indeed depends on who is saying it. If it were someone else, those lords wouldn’t believe it. But if it were me…” He grinned, “My aunt told me a few days ago to avoid mingling with those debauched young masters. Speaking of which, I’ve shared drinks with Lord Ji at Zui Xian Lou and listened to music with him in Qianfo Temple Alley… we can be considered acquaintances, right?”
Ji Yong looked up at the sky, filled with disdain.
But from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Song Mo, who was smiling.
A chill ran through him.
How could he forget about the main character and engage in verbal spar with Gu Yu?
Gu Yu was merely a clown beside Song Mo; it was beneath him to stoop to his level.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
The sound of hurried footsteps approached.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the sound.
Wang Qinghuai hurried over with two servants.
“Your Highness,” he first bowed to Song Mo, then saluted Ji Yong, saying, “Lord Ji, it’s all a misunderstanding. Zhao Zhi Shu only helped Duke of Jining because she was worried he would catch a cold after getting drunk. She didn’t mean what everyone thinks… it’s a misunderstanding!”
Ji Yong sneered.
Song Mo smiled and returned the greeting to Wang Qinghuai, saying, “Since it’s a misunderstanding, we’ll take our leave— I invited Duke of Jining to ride by the moat outside Xuanwu Gate, but he missed the appointment… that’s why I came looking for him.”
Wang Qinghuai pretended to check the sky, smiling, “The sun hasn’t risen yet; Your Highness still has time to reach Xuanwu Gate.”
“Thank you for your kind words.” Song Mo exchanged pleasantries with Wang Qinghuai, then left with Gu Yu and Wei Tingyu.
Afterward, Wang Qinghuai’s attendant asked him, “Aren’t you afraid of offending Lord Ji?”
Wang Qinghuai smiled wryly, “If I offend Lord Ji, I’ll just have to smile more. But if I make Song Mo resentful, who knows how he’ll deal with Duke of Yan’s household?!”