Yao Yun'er’s face turned deathly pale. She clutched her collar shut, feeling deeply ashamed and indignant that her own son would ask her such a question. To make matters worse, she felt as if a heavy boulder were pressing against her chest, all to ensure Yun Feiwan wouldn’t be hurt.
Song Mingjian looked over as well, giving a few coughs as if to cover his discomfort. "Go and fix your clothes."
Suppressing her emotions, Yao Yun'er reminded Song Mingjian, "Chenger is the sister-in-law's only child. She would certainly not make baseless accusations regarding her own flesh and blood. You two should have a proper talk later."
Song Mingjian immediately grasped her meaning, his brow furrowing deeply. "Understood."
Song Mingjian took Song Jingcheng and left. Yao Yun'er returned to her room, urging her maids to hurry. She was determined to see the truth of this matter for herself.
At Liuyun Pavilion, Yun Feiwan sat at her desk, going over the account books. Her two head maids, Xiaying and Qiutong, were busy organizing papers nearby.
Qiutong handed the calculated figures to Yun Feiwan. "My Lady, a rough estimate shows that over the years, approximately 200,000 taels have been taken from your dowry."
Xiaying, standing to the side, gasped in shock, "That much?"
Qiutong nodded. They all knew Yun Feiwan had been subsidizing the estate, but they hadn't realized the amount was so staggering. When she first married, her liquid assets had only totaled about 100,000 taels. She had poured in not only her own money but also the accumulated profits from her dowry shops over the years.
Nanny Qu, who was attending to her, stomped her feet upon hearing the number. A normal household could live comfortably for a lifetime on 200,000 taels if managed properly. Yet, these wolves and tigers had spent her lady's money and still treated her this way—it was truly heartless and ungrateful.
She looked at Yun Feiwan with a pained expression, only to see her mistress remaining calm. Once finished with the ledger, Yun Feiwan set it aside and asked Xiaying, "How much silver is in the public treasury?"
"About 100,000 taels. Over the years, you have purchased quite a bit of land, which drained a significant amount of funds."
Yun Feiwan replied, "Get it all back. The lands we purchased are quite good; sell them all, and then have someone reliable buy them back so they remain our own. Make sure the accounts are perfect—leave no room for anyone to find fault."
"Yes, My Lady," Xiaying replied.
Nanny Qu brought over some tea. "It should have been done long ago. How can this massive Song Estate rely entirely on you? It would be one thing to help out during an emergency, but there is no reason on earth for your dowry to sustain this entire family."
Just then, a maid reported from outside, "The Master and the Young Master are here."
Yun Feiwan glanced toward the door and signaled the others. Everyone moved with swift efficiency to clear the account books from the table. After whispering a few brief instructions, Yun Feiwan walked out to meet them.
As soon as she stepped into the outer room, Song Mingjian and Song Jingcheng entered.
The moment he arrived, Song Mingjian carefully scrutinized Yun Feiwan. She looked exactly as she had before; nothing had changed. Yun Feiwan was a beautiful woman—when she first married, she had been delicate and charming. But later, she had constantly opposed him, refusing to let him spend money recklessly and pestering him to socialize with colleagues, which he found highly unappealing. He truly had no affection for her, and if not for the fact that the Yun family was still useful, he would have preferred not to show her any kindness at all.
"Wan'er, have you agreed to Jingcheng's marriage?" Song Mingjian asked.
He kept his gaze fixed on her, his mind lingering on Yao Yun'er’s warning. He felt a flicker of anxiety: could Yun Feiwan actually know something?
Yun Feiwan saw through their intentions the moment she looked at them. Ignoring Song Mingjian, she turned to Song Jingcheng with a gentle smile and beckoned to him. "So you went to find your father."
Song Jingcheng immediately stepped to Yun Feiwan’s side. "Yes, Mother. Father didn't believe that you had already agreed to my marriage."
Suppressing her nausea, Yun Feiwan kept a smile on her face and patted Song Jingcheng’s arm. Then, she looked at Song Mingjian and chuckled. "What is this? You look as though you’ve come to cross-examine me. Don't frighten the child."
"You usually speak so kindly. With this current attitude of yours, one might think your usual kindness toward me was all an act."
Yun Feiwan cast him a playful, reproving look, then turned back to Song Jingcheng, the concern and affection in her eyes appearing entirely genuine.
Seeing this, Song Mingjian’s expression softened, and he walked over to sit beside her. "It’s just that this concerns Jingcheng’s future. I was a bit anxious, that’s all. Don't overthink it."
"He is my child. How could I not be concerned?"
Yun Feiwan smiled at him, pulled Song Jingcheng aside to sit down, and instructed the maids to bring tea and snacks—all of which were things Song Jingcheng loved.
Song Mingjian looked away, his previous doubts dissipating. It seemed Yun Feiwan hadn't discovered anything. If she had, given her temperament, she would have certainly caused a scene; she would never be acting like this.
"Chenger, go outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with your mother."
Song Jingcheng looked at Yun Feiwan, who nodded reassuringly. Out of Song Mingjian's line of sight, she gave Song Jingcheng a subtle signal before having Qiutong lead him away.
Once he was gone, Song Mingjian asked, "What is actually going on? Chenger keeps insisting that you agreed to this marriage."
"That is correct," Yun Feiwan replied.
"Was it just a stalling tactic?"
"No."
Song Mingjian frowned, confused. "You truly agree to this marriage?"
"I do."
In the side room, Song Jingcheng stood cautiously behind the screen. Hearing Yun Feiwan’s words, he wore a look of triumph. His father had always respected his mother; since she had agreed, his father would certainly have nothing more to say. He would soon be able to bring her into the estate.
He was just wondering which courtyard to arrange for her when he heard a roar from Song Mingjian: "Preposterous! What is Chenger’s status? How could you allow a courtesan to enter this house as his legal wife? You are ruining Chenger, and you are ruining the Song Family!"
Yun Feiwan spoke in a weak, soft voice: "This matter is indeed... inappropriate. I was against it at first, but Chenger has set his heart on it. It is rare for him to care for someone so deeply; what else could I do but fulfill his wish? Besides, this was your intention, and I naturally had to listen to you."
"What? How did this become my intention?"
Yun Feiwan explained with great patience: "Chenger has had this in mind for a long time, and he hasn't just mentioned it to me once or twice. How could I decide such a thing on my own? I naturally had to consult with you, but you were always so busy. When I sent someone to ask you previously, you said everything was up to me."
"I assumed that meant you agreed. If you had opposed it, you would have surely said so explicitly. You are certainly not the type of person to harbor secret objections while forcing me to play the villain. So, even though I personally disagreed, since you had given your consent and Chenger loves her so much, I couldn't possibly stand in the way any longer."