Wasn’t this late-night invitation exactly for this intention?
Xin He didn’t seem taken aback. She had clearly anticipated this, but she shook her head: "The forced marriage strategy of cooking the rice in a pot only works on women, it doesn’t necessarily work on men."
In this era, if a woman loses her chastity, her options for the rest of her life are either to marry the man or not marry at all, even leading some headstrong women to take their own lives.
But it’s different for men. Regardless of how many women they seduce, they can always manage to Retreat Intact. In this case of identity disparity, even if someone as brainless as Song Ya Lan could not figure it out, Yi Ling most definitely could.
Shulan was dumbstruck and said, "What else could be their intention?"
Xin He’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly laughed: "If they added a bit of spicy gossip, this forced marriage strategy could work quite effectively on men too."
Shulan was a bit confused, but decided not to dwell on it, though she still felt uneasy.
"Madam, given the circumstances, is it appropriate for you to attend?" Shulan couldn’t resist asking.
Xin He responded calmly: "Even if I didn’t want to go, some people would definitely make sure I do. After all, to some people, I am the last person they would want to miss out on this whole drama."
"Madam, you mean..."
Xiaoyu said solemnly: "Master Mu rendezvousing with Song Ya Lan in the temple in the middle of the night, and Madam witnessing everything. A pregnant woman being stimulated like that; can you imagine the tragic outcome?"
Shulan widened her eyes: "This seems too ruthless!"
"Indeed it’s ruthless, but it’s also something that Yi Ling could do." Xin He scoffed: "What else did you think she was plotting for so long? How could she possibly overlook me? She’d love nothing more than to skin me alive at this point."
Just as they were speaking, a little maid entered to announce: "Madam, a Mrs. Yun from the Sun Family is here to visit."
Xin He curled her lips in a smile: "See, what’s meant to come can’t be stopped."
Shulan and Xiaoyu exchanged glances, now having a clearer understanding.
"Let her in," Xin He said casually.
"Yes."
In a short while, Yi Ling was invited in.
At this point, Xin He was heavily pregnant, her back would ache after sitting for a long time, so she usually lounged on a soft couch at home. Now she saw Yi Ling, she didn’t care for formalities, she just had Xiaoyu put a couple of extra cushions behind her.
Yi Ling entered with her eyebrows lowered in deference, and greeted with respect: "I am here to pay my respects to the lady of the house."
Xin He laughed: "Aunt Yun, I can’t be the lady of the house, just call me Lady Mu."
Yi Ling hastily said: "Although I have already left ’House of Flowers’, I will always remember your kindness, I dare not forget it. To me, Yi Ling, you will always be the lady of the house, I dare not forget my place."
"Then, suit yourself." Xin He couldn’t bother to argue with her about it.
She waved her hand and instructed Xiaoyu to bring a stool for Yi Ling.
Once Yi Ling sat down, she asked: "Lady of the house, you’re carrying a child, are you sure you can handle it?"
"Hmm, everything’s fine. How comes you had the time to visit?" Xin He cut straight to the chase.
Yi Ling’s eyes dimmed a bit: "To tell you the truth, I’ve been in regret ever since our last meeting at the Sun Family."
"Oh?"
"All in all, it was me who betrayed the ’House of Flowers’ first. You gave me so many opportunities, but I didn’t know how to appreciate them. In the end, I ended myself up in such a situation. After I thought about it for a few days, I genuinely feel that everything that happened, was brought upon myself." Yi Ling spoke in a low, mournful tone, with her head down.
"So, you’re here today to confess your remorse?"
Yi Ling looked up, her eyes brimming with tears: "I know that my remorse won’t change anything. I’ve committed too many wrongs, and you not forgiving me would be justified. I dare not ask for anything."
If it were someone softer, or someone oblivious to the facts, they would’ve been deceived by Yi Ling’s act by now.
Xin He scoffed inside but maintained her casual smile on the outside: "If you admit your mistake, it means you’re not beyond saving, how could I not forgive you? I’ve already punished you for the mistakes you made, naturally, I won’t keep hounding you for them."
Yi Ling sobbed and responded: "I’m glad... to hear that..."
Xin He gazed steadily at her: "If you truly repent, then I can let the past be the past."
Xin He looked right into her eyes as she spoke. This was the only sincere thing Xin He had said so far and it was also the last chance she had given Yi Ling.
Yi Ling knelt on the ground, full of gratitude: "Thank you, madam!"
"Get up, don’t kneel on the ground whenever something happens."
Yi Ling spent some time chatting about daily routines with Xin He before finally getting to the point: "Lady of the house, I heard a while ago that the Buddha at Qing Shui Temple is very effective. Since you’ve been pregnant, have you visited the temple?"
Xin He subtly raised her eyebrows as she laughed: "I haven’t."
"How about I accompany you to go together tomorrow? Once we are there, we can make offerings to Buddha. Perhaps they can bless your child to be safe and healthy, considering how childbirth is like going to the Ghost Gate Pass, it’s really a tough ordeal. Seeking blessings from Buddha might work!" Yi Ling proposed enthusiastically.
Xin He’s gaze dropped slightly, making it hard for anyone to glean the emotions in her eyes. Her face also revealed no change in emotion, but her voice remained as calm as ever: "Alright."
Yi Ling had been on tenterhooks, awaiting Xin He’s decision. She feared Xin He would refuse. Hearing Xin He suddenly agree was like a weight off her shoulders; she relaxed slightly, her smile becoming involuntarily more radiant: "In that case, I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow."
"Mm." Xin He agreed with a smile, then noticed the bandage on Yi Ling’s wrist and wondered aloud: "What happened to your wrist?"
Yi Ling touched her bandaged wrist and laughed: "It’s nothing. I was just clumsy and cut myself on something sharp yesterday. I’ve had it bandaged, it should heal in a few days. Thank you for your concern."
Xin He nodded: "That’s good."
Then, Yi Ling rose to leave: "Then I’ll be taking my leave now, so as not to disturb your rest."
"Go ahead, Xiaoyu, show the guest out."
The cunning Yi Ling was not someone volatile Shulan could deal with, so it was safer to send Xiaoyu along.
"Yes." Xiaoyu replied, her eyes slightly downcast as she respectfully complied, then she proceeded to lead Yi Ling out.
While following Xiaoyu out, Yi Ling laughed and tried to bond: "You’ve really worked hard, Miss Xiaoyu."
"It’s my duty," Xiaoyu said.
Yi Ling laughed and casually asked, "Is your Master in the residence now?"
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