Chapter 108 Springtime Confusion (Sixteen) Fingertips sink into a mound of plumpness…

"Miss Wan..."

These three words seemed to burn her tongue as she spun them around in her mouth. Song Qiling suddenly recalled how tenderly the girl had treated her since their last parting, and silently felt a pang of apprehension for herself.

It was all because the carriage was too bumpy that day; by some twist of fate, a touch had stolen the girl's soul.

If this absurd misunderstanding is not clarified as soon as possible, it may really ruin the girl's good marriage.

After a fierce internal struggle, feeling as if her internal organs were being fried in oil, Song Qiling unconsciously bit her lower lip, her gaze drifting towards the courtyard gate. "I'll go take a look."

Before she could finish speaking, she felt a gaze, as if it were a physical object, clinging to her cheek. Her junior brother's gaze was cold and viscous, following her every move as she stood up.

Song Qiling could only pretend to be calm and ignore it, but she couldn't help but mutter to herself: Junior Brother's hostility towards Miss Wan seems too intense.

The evening breeze in late spring is a bit hot and dry, and when it brushes against your cheek, it makes you feel a little irritable.

Song Qiling quickly stepped over the threshold and peeked out. She saw a girl in a pink shirt standing by the door, looking at her with a pair of watery eyes.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Wan Hongling smiled slightly, saying, "Young Master Song."

She was not accompanied by any servants.

A woman of such youthful age, disregarding societal norms, traveled alone to this place, all for the sake of seeing her.

Song Qiling was extremely ashamed. She lowered her eyes and dared not look at her. Her gaze swept over the vermilion lacquer box in her hand, and she paused.

She asked in surprise, "Miss Wan, what do you mean by this?"

"My lord, you have no conscience." Wan Hongling frowned slightly, putting on a pitiful and dejected look. "You just want to leave me standing here in the wind waiting for so long... and you just stand there and leave me out here? Aren't you going to invite me in to sit down?"

Song Qiling's lips moved slightly, and the phrase "illogical" lingered on her tongue for a few moments before she finally swallowed it back.

This ill-fated relationship started because of her, and she should have explained it clearly long ago. At that time, whether Miss Wan was ashamed or angry, whether she scolded or hit her, it was all her due.

Procrastination is by no means the proper attitude a man should have towards a woman.

You can hide it for a day, but how can you hide it for a lifetime? Even if you get rid of them today, what about tomorrow and the day after?

She could simply leave, but leaving behind a woman who was devoted to her and cared for her, what difference was there between her and those playboys who toyed with emotions?

After struggling for a while, she finally took a deep breath, stepped aside, and said, "Please, Miss Wan."

Wan Hongling hadn't expected to have the opportunity to enter today. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she stepped over the threshold and went inside.

As soon as she entered, she looked around curiously. Seeing that the courtyard was simply furnished, with only a few clumps of wild grass growing forlornly in the twilight, she couldn't help but say, "It must be too hard for you to cultivate here, my lord. I happen to have a few osmanthus trees of excellent quality lying idle at home. If you don't mind, I'll send someone to deliver them to you tomorrow."

Song Qiling closed the courtyard gate, turned around and said helplessly, "It's just a temporary place to stay. I might leave this place one day. Thank you for your kindness, Miss Wan. I appreciate it."

As they were talking, the dormitory door opened slightly, and the tall figure of the junior brother appeared before them.

He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, his gaze towards Wan Hongling as cold as a knife, practically screaming "unwelcome" on his face.

Wan Hongling didn't take it seriously, treating him as if he were invisible, and still smiled brightly: "It is said that the osmanthus is fragrant. Osmanthus flowers are not only beautiful but also smell good. These flowers can also be picked to make honey and wine. Today, by chance, I brought a few jugs of my own brewed osmanthus wine. My lord must try it."

Because of the "door god" blocking her way, Wan Hongling did not go into the house. Instead, she turned around and placed a lacquer box on the stone table in the center of the courtyard. She then opened the lid and took out a wine pot and a few small dishes inside.

“After our last parting, my lord disappeared without a trace, and I was very worried. Fortunately, Wang Hu saw my lord on the street today. I received the news and brought some fine wine and food to bother you.”

She put down the celadon wine pot, looked up at Song Qiling, her eyes swirling with emotion, "Today I finally get to see my husband, and Hongling is filled with mixed feelings. Let's take this opportunity of a simple drink to finish what we didn't say last time."

Seeing that things had come to this point and there was no way out, Song Qiling made up her mind and sat down opposite Wan Hongling with a solemn expression. She raised her hand to Gu Lianzhou and said, "Junior brother, you sit down too."

The dishes brought by Wan Hongling were quite exquisite: a plate of goose breast sliced ​​as thin as cicada wings, a bowl of refreshing lotus leaf and lotus seed soup, a plate of bright green cold dishes, and several delicate lotus flower pastries, all arranged in a pleasing manner on the stone table. Although not luxurious, they exuded elegance in every way.

"This is just a simple dish, I hope you won't find it offensive, Young Master Song." With that, Wan Hongling reached for the celadon wine pot, intending to pour wine for Song Qiling.

"I dare not trouble Miss Wan," Song Qiling hurriedly raised her hand to stop her, her fingertips almost touching the back of the other's hand, then quickly withdrew, saying in a flustered manner, "I can do it myself."

Amid the shoving, Gu Lianzhou, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up, his voice somewhat deep: "It's getting dark, I'll go light a lamp."

As dusk deepened, the light in the courtyard became dim.

He walked to the eaves, impatiently took down a lantern, lit it with a tinderbox, and the dim yellow light instantly spread out, illuminating the courtyard.

Gu Lianzhou glanced sideways at the stone table.

In the flickering candlelight, one could see that Senior Brother Song Qiling had handsome features and a gentle profile, while opposite him, Wan Hongling, dressed in pink, was charming and smiling. The two sat facing each other, drinking and whispering. The scene depicted by the light and shadow exuded an indescribable harmony and perfect match.

The thought pricked Gu Lianzhou like a needle, causing his heart to skip a beat. His fingers, which were lighting the lamp, unconsciously curled up, and his knuckles turned slightly white.

With a soft "snap," Gu Lianzhou came to his senses and realized that the tinderbox in his hand had broken in two.

Looking at the two figures under the lamp, he felt frustrated and had nowhere to vent his anger. In a fit of pique, he suddenly flicked the lampshade with his hand, and the lantern began to spin rapidly, casting erratic shadows that flickered on Song Qiling and Wan Hongling's faces.

"Junior brother?" Song Qiling looked up in surprise and saw his junior brother's tense profile and tightly pursed lips. The displeasure emanating from his entire body was almost tangible.

She sighed inwardly, looked at him silently for a moment, and ultimately said nothing.

Gu Lianzhou grew increasingly depressed. He reached out to steady the poor lantern, then strode back to the stone table. Without a word, he pulled open the stone bench between Song Qiling and Wan Hongling and squeezed in.

Wan Hongling: "..."

Before she could say anything, the man picked up the wine glass in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Wan Hongling couldn't help but let out a soft "whoosh".

If she remembered correctly, she was the one who brought this wine, so why did she leave it without saying a word...?

The liquor was spicy, but it couldn't quell the nameless fire burning in Gu Lianzhou's heart.

His gaze was fixed on the wine pot on the table. Beside him, Wan Hongling was talking about the interesting things that had happened in the city recently. No one knew which sentence amused her senior brother, but he burst out laughing. The laughter was clear and melodious, and it sounded particularly clear in the twilight.

Caught between the two, Gu Lianzhou felt it was hard to breathe. He pursed his lips, lowered his eyelashes, and drank one cup after another in silence, as if he wanted to swallow all his chaotic thoughts along with the osmanthus wine.

The wine jug on the table was soon half empty.

After several rounds of drinks, the stone table was a mess of cups and plates.

Only a few pieces of goose breast remained, crumbs of lotus-shaped pastry were scattered around the celadon plate, and several jugs of osmanthus wine had long since run out.

Song Qiling put down her wine glass and looked at Wan Hongling.

In the candlelight, the young lady of the Wan family had a rosy complexion and her eyes, which were slightly drunk, were resting her chin on her hand and smiling innocently at her with a hazy look in her eyes.

Song Qiling made up her mind, knowing she couldn't delay any longer.

She took a deep breath, her tone more solemn than ever before: "Miss Wan, please come inside with me. I have something extremely important to tell you right now."

Wan Hongling's smile gradually faded.

She had never seen Song Qiling with such a solemn expression before, and her heart tightened for no reason. She subconsciously licked her slightly dry lips.

A sense of unease crept over her. Hesitantly, she put down her wine glass, braced herself against the edge of the stone table, and stood up unsteadily.

"Clang—"

The wine pot slammed heavily on the stone table, and Gu Lianzhou suddenly looked up at his senior brother.

But Song Qiling had already turned around and led Miss Wan toward the only bedroom. The latter followed hesitantly, her skirt brushing against the bluestone slabs, making a soft rustling sound.

Gu Lianzhou stood frozen in place like a stone statue whose soul had been instantly ripped out, watching helplessly as the woman in the pink dress disappeared through the door.

He suddenly stood up, only to see the bedroom door close from the inside, followed by the clear sound of a lock being locked.

"..."

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Gu Lianzhou stood frozen in place, staring incredulously at the tightly closed door.

Senior brother... did you lock him out?

To completely isolate him from a stranger in front of him?

A tremendous sense of shock, the sting of abandonment, and a frenzied surge of jealousy engulfed him instantly like a raging tide.

-

The bolt clicked down, making a soft sound that was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Wan Hongling nervously clutched the corner of her sleeve, her heart trembling slightly at the sound.

She hadn't drunk much tonight, and her mind was clear. She was here for this meeting, and also to give an answer to the enchanting yet unresolved entanglement she had experienced in the carriage last time.

Is the sound of the lock closing its door her response from Song Langjun?

A secret mix of anticipation and unease crept into her heart.

The room was dark, with only the dim moonlight filtering through the window paper, barely outlining the furniture and people.

With her vision obstructed, her other senses became exceptionally sharp. She heard Song Qiling's approaching footsteps and the soft rustling of clothes.

The clothes fell off with a sudden sound.

A cool, unique scent, seemingly emanating from Song Qiling, seemed to permeate the air, enveloping her more directly than usual.

"Young Master Song?" Wan Hongling called out hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly without her even realizing it.

The next moment, Song Qiling was already close enough to feel each other's breath.

“Miss Wan.” A gentle voice rang in her ear, clearer than usual, yet with a resolute tone. “I told you last time that I don’t like women. It’s not that I was lying, but my identity… might be different from what you think.”

Before she could finish speaking, a hand, with an undeniable force, grasped Wan Hongling's slightly cool fingers.

She instinctively tried to pull back, but her fingertips, under that firm pull, uncontrollably reached forward.

It was pitch black before my eyes. After a moment, I could barely make out the scene right in front of me by the faint light seeping in from outside the window.

Song Qiling's face was somewhat blurred in the dim light, but her eyes were exceptionally bright, churning with complex emotions that Wan Hongling could not decipher.

Guided by that warm hand, her fingers unexpectedly touched an incredibly soft and warm surface.

Wan Hongling froze instantly, her mind a jumbled mess, completely unable to comprehend what was happening.

Song Qiling's words echoed in her ears.

"Feel sorry."

I am not what you imagine.

These fragmented words intertwined with the eerie sensations emanating from her fingertips, leaving her bewildered and at a loss.

Only my heart was pounding uncontrollably, causing a sharp pain in my chest.

The touch under my fingertips was incredibly delicate, like the finest mutton fat jade, carrying a warm, vibrant life force.

The sensation was too real, too... subversive.

Her fingers moved passively, and wherever her fingertips touched, she could feel the supple and full curves beneath the thin fabric, which was completely different from the flat and hard men she knew.

Finally, her fingertips sank into a plump, soft mound, and she dared not move again.

The outline was clearly...

With a sudden bang, it was as if something exploded in Wan Hongling's mind.

All the previous doubts, the subtle incongruities about Song the sorcerer, his more refined features than an ordinary man, his slightly thin but not weak shoulders and back, and the occasional hint of gentleness that he revealed, were all answered at this moment.

That wasn't the slenderness of a young boy, but rather the upright posture a woman deliberately maintained through self-restraint.

The plumpness beneath his fingers, the unmistakable physical characteristic of a woman, cleaved through the fog like a bolt of lightning.

He... was actually a woman?!