“Young Master Song, what a remarkable coincidence.”

Duchess Yingguo’s face was ashen. Upon seeing Song Fu, she let out a cold snort and pushed the door open.

She had taken Ming Jiu and Ming Shiyi back to her maiden home to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday. After staying for several days, they had just returned to the capital when she spotted Song Fu emerging from a jewelry shop. Several servants followed behind him, their cart laden with bolts of fabric—the patterns and styles clearly meant for young women.

People of their station had embroidery rooms in their own estates. Why would they bother with goods from such ready-made clothing shops? Who knew what kind of lowly woman Song Fu was trying to please with these things?

Upon seeing this, Duchess Yingguo quickly ordered her carriage driver to follow. She never expected to track him to a residence in the capital’s outskirts.

The two families had just finalized the marriage arrangement, yet he was already keeping a mistress. This was utterly intolerable.

“Why don’t Young Master Song explain what you’re doing in this area in broad daylight?”

Ming Xiang stood behind Duchess Yingguo, continuously tugging at her aunt’s sleeve. With her gentle temperament, she truly feared creating animosity with others, especially this kind of face-to-face confrontation that made her feel deeply humiliated.

Ming Xiang felt that even if Song Fu truly kept a mistress, they shouldn’t have come barging in like this. They could simply cancel the engagement later—after all, it wouldn’t be Duke Yingguo’s household at fault.

She and Ming Shiyi stood behind Duchess Yingguo, neither wearing veiled hats. The two young ladies didn’t know how to respond when facing an outside man, especially given Song Fu’s rather awkward status.

Ming Xiang grew so anxious that her round eyes misted over with faint moisture. Her tongue wasn’t nimble, so she didn’t know what to say. She could only silently signal for Duchess Yingguo to leave quickly.

Song Fu’s gaze swept over the three of them, pausing slightly when he saw the obviously anxious and embarrassed Ming Xiang.

As he withdrew his gaze, Duchess Yingguo was about to barge into the house.

“Duchess Yingguo and Miss Ming Jiu have arrived?”

Song Wan emerged from inside the house, smiling as she greeted them. “Wan’er has been waiting for quite some time. Please, come inside, everyone.”

Seeing Song Wan emerge, Duchess Yingguo’s expression froze momentarily. She quickly realized she had misunderstood. Her expression softened slightly as she spoke stiffly, “We arrived somewhat early.”

Song Fu yielded his position and said to Song Wan, “Since you have guests, elder brother won’t intrude.”

“Elder brother needn’t rush off. We’re all family—there’s no need to avoid each other. Moreover, Duchess Yingguo is here as well.”

“Since we’ve met by chance, why not stay for a meal together? What do you say, Duchess?”

Understanding that Song Wan intended to ease the earlier awkwardness, Duchess Yingguo looked at Song Fu, then at Ming Xiang, whose round face had flushed completely red. Finally, she nodded.

Ming Xiang was different from ordinary people. It would be good to let the two meet earlier. After all, they had already exchanged betrothal cards—it was proper and appropriate.

“Then we shall impose upon your hospitality.”

Song Wan’s residence was small, with only one large table in the main hall. After Song Fu and Ming Xiang sat down, Duchess Yingguo excused herself, claiming she had matters to discuss with Song Wan, and went to the rear residence. Ming Shiyi, very perceptively, went to the courtyard with Jinshu to admire the flowers.

Song Fu sat quietly to one side. Ming Xiang’s small hands clutched at the clothing on her lap, so nervous she seemed on the verge of fainting.

She rarely saw people to begin with, let alone outside men. Furthermore, this man was her future husband. Just thinking about this made Ming Xiang feel her cheeks burning and her whole body uncomfortable.

“Wan’er has severed all ties with Marquis Chengyang. I’ve now purchased a residence for her and settled her here.”

Ming Xiang’s eyes widened at these words.

The young lady’s eyes were round, her nose tip delicate and exquisite—utterly adorable. When she looked at people with wide eyes, they were watery and pure, without a trace of impurity. One could tell at a glance she was an innocent and kind-hearted little girl.

Upon hearing that Song Wan had severed ties with Marquis Chengyang, she showed no contempt, only pure surprise that such a thing as husband and wife severing ties could exist in this world.

Seeing this, Song Fu pressed his lips together slightly. “Have you heard about Marquis Chengyang’s household favoring concubines over the wife?”

Ming Xiang nodded blankly.

Seeing this, Song Fu said nothing more. The two fell into silence for a moment.

With her speech impediment, she especially feared when companions fell silent without speaking. Yet Ming Xiang didn’t dare speak up in Song Fu’s presence. She could only blink her eyes, hoping Song Fu would say something more.

Song Fu lowered his gaze, then said, “I will support Wan’er for the rest of her life. Do you understand?”

Ming Xiang looked at Song Fu, her cheeks suddenly flushing crimson.

Was he asking for her opinion?

Song Fu feared she wouldn’t be able to tolerate Song Wan in the future, so he asked her first. If she disagreed, he would likely refuse this marriage arrangement.

Ming Xiang, suppressing her shyness, nodded earnestly.

She naturally had no objections. As an elder brother, this was his duty. If she became Song Wan’s sister-in-law in the future, she would care for her as well.

Thinking of this, Ming Xiang pressed her lips together and smiled secretly.

Though she was young, as a sister-in-law, it was proper to protect her younger sister.

The hands clutching her skirt gradually loosened. Ming Xiang’s face reddened as her round eyes looked at Song Fu with shy pleasure.

He knew to ask for her opinion first, which suggested he had no dissatisfaction with her.

Song Fu watched the little girl before him smile one moment and feel shy the next. He himself felt somewhat embarrassed being watched by her. After thinking, Song Fu took out an embroidered silk pouch he kept close to his body and placed it before Ming Xiang.

“I should have brought something for you during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but I was delayed by some matters. This… you should keep it for now.”

The lake-blue pouch bulged. Ming Xiang extended her small hand, took it, and carefully held it.

Song Fu’s expression was serious. “You may open it and look.”

Blushing, Ming Xiang opened it. Inside was a massive Eastern pearl. The pearl was smooth, lustrous, and perfectly shaped. Under the sunlight, it seemed to shimmer with a moist radiance.

Ming Xiang looked up, somewhat startled and at a loss.

“This is from my mother for you. Just keep it safe.”

Ming Xiang clutched the Eastern pearl, her heart pounding fiercely.

This pearl was too precious—she shouldn’t accept it. But…

Thinking that Song Fu carried this item on his person daily, waiting to give it to her when they met, Ming Xiang felt her heart soaked in honey, her entire being filled with joy.

“I… I… will… accept it.”

Song Fu nodded, his expression grave. “Your speech impediment is all the more reason you shouldn’t be ashamed to speak. If you cannot speak well, how will speaking less help?”

“If you speak more and speak longer, perhaps you’ll gradually speak more smoothly.”

Ming Xiang looked at Song Fu in disbelief, tears seeming to well in her eyes.

“Afraid… afraid others… will be… be annoyed.”

Song Fu’s expression was solemn. “You may speak slowly and speak to me.”

She was his wife. Regardless of her background, he should bear the responsibility of being a husband. If he exploited his wife’s family connections while simultaneously despising his legitimate wife, such conduct—what difference would there be from a beast like Jiang Xingjian?

“Yes, speak… speak to… you.”

Ming Xiang’s voice choked with emotion, yet her eyes sparkled brightly.

From the central hall, Song Wan watched, saying gently to Duchess Yingguo beside her, “Duchess needn’t worry about Miss Jiu. My elder brother will take very good care of her.”

Duchess Yingguo said with a stern face, “He’d better.”

However, though her expression remained severe, Duchess Yingguo still accepted the tea snacks from Song Wan’s hand and began examining the small porcelain plate holding the treats with considerable ease.