Chapter 72: Fake Couple

Chapter 72: A Marriage of Convenience

When Zhou Yan arrived, Song Xiuming was about to head to the backyard to pacify his wife.

Hearing it was him, Song Xiuming paused, a flash of puzzlement in his eyes. "Let him in."

"This humble Zhou Yan pays his respects to Lord Song."

"No formalities between us, Zhou xiong. Please rise."

Song Xiuming and Zhou Yan had been Jinshi classmates in the same imperial examination year, with Zhou Yan ranking even higher. Back then, Zhou Yan had remained in the capital and entered the Hanlin Academy, becoming the emperor’s undisputed rising star—something Song Xiuming had envied for a long time.

But fate was unpredictable. Zhou Yan had suddenly offended the Third Prince, was stripped of rank, and exiled from the capital, now reduced to a commoner.

Yet Song Xiuming did not look down on him for it. An official’s career is fickle—who knew when fortunes might reverse? Moreover, Zhou Yan was a man of extraordinary talent and upright character, a kindred spirit worth befriending.

"Zhou xiong, what brings you here?"

Song Xiuming gestured for him to sit, but Zhou Yan, too agitated to sit, worried about A Yuan’s suffering.

"My wife was snatched from the embroidery shop during the day. A servant at home saw the abductor bring her to the government office. I’ve come to ask Lord Song for help in confirming whether my wife is here."

"Your wife?"

Song Xiuming frowned for a moment before suddenly realizing something.

"Today, the government office did detain a few people, though I’m not sure if your wife is among them. Does she have any identifying marks? I’ll have someone check."

Zhou Yan clenched his fists. "She recently gave birth..."

"That’s her! That vile crone actually dared to snatch your wife too!"

Song Xiuming sprang up, his gentle features contorted in rage.

He had wondered what kind of monster of a man would send his wife away so soon after childbirth—turns out she had been kidnapped, nearly getting him scolded by Yun’er in the process.

"Zhou xiong, stay calm. I’ll have someone escort you to Madam Zhou right away."

With that, he called for the steward. "Uncle Liu, quickly, take Zhou xiong to the woodshed!"

A Yuan had been half-frozen from the cold, her body trembling, but thankfully, the prefect’s men had not mistreated her.

Zhou Yan’s heart ached as he threw decorum aside, taking off his outer robe and draping it over her. He took her hand.

"A Yuan, are you hurt anywhere?"

"Yan ge?"

The woodshed door suddenly opened. Seeing Zhou Yan, A Yuan’s eyes reddened, her panic ebbing away.

She shook her head, gently pulling her hand away. "I’m fine. It’s just... Madam Lin caught me."

She didn’t want to be sold again...

"Don’t worry. She’s in custody now and won’t be released without Lord Song’s orders. Let me take you away now."

"Alright."

A Yuan wrapped herself in Zhou Yan’s robe, a woolen hat shielding her face.

Song Xiuming waited for them outside. Although A Yuan wasn’t punished today, she had still been detained for half a day. If she really were a courtesan, it might have been understandable, but she was actually Zhou Yan’s wife.

"Madam Zhou endured hardship today. I had the servants prepare some tonics for you to take home and nourish your health."

"Madam Zhou?"

A Yuan froze, repeating the words.

Zhou Yan, fearing exposure, gently squeezed her wrist and thanked Song Xiuming with a composed expression. "You flatter me, Magistrate Song. My wife’s safety is entirely due to your fair judgment."

"Don’t mention it. It’s freezing out—you two should head home."

Song Xiuming blushed at the praise. He’d spared A Yuan today only because she’d just given birth. Anyone else would have faced consequences without exception.

"Yes, this lowly one takes his leave."

Once outside the magistrate’s office, A Yuan voiced her confusion.

"Brother Yan, why did Magistrate Song call me... Madam Zhou?"

Zhou Yan paused mid-step, guilt flashing in his eyes.

"It was an emergency. I feared Magistrate Song wouldn’t release you, so I told him you were my wife. A Yuan, if this displeases you, I’ll go back and explain to him right away—"

"No need."

Seeing Zhou Yan about to turn back, A Yuan quickly stopped him.

"There’s no need to trouble Magistrate Song over such a small matter."

Zhou Yan had lied to save her, and A Yuan couldn’t fault him for that.

Yet, deep down, it still unsettled her.

Zhou Yan exhaled quietly in relief. He admitted to himself that he had harbored a small selfish hope.

A Yuan had always kept her distance, making winning her heart near impossible.

Now, however, was an opportunity.

As they walked slowly home, looking down the long street at dusk, Zhou Yan suddenly spoke.

"I know you don’t wish to marry, but life is hard enough for women as it is. And with your youth and beauty, it’s only a matter of time before someone sets their sights on you. Today it was Lin Ma; tomorrow, who knows—Madam Cui, Madam Zhao? Though Suzhou isn’t like the capital, there are still plenty of powerful families here. Who’s to say some spoiled rich boy won’t come after you?"

"A Yuan, I’m not asking you to marry me, but we could pretend to be husband and wife. I could properly look after you, and you could be free from those troubles. What do you think?"

"Pretend to be husband and wife? Brother Yan, I can’t..."

A Yuan said no right away. She didn’t love Zhou Yan—how could she bear to hold him back? But then Zhou Yan gave her a reason she couldn’t refuse.

"Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of A Man. If something like today happens again, what will become of her? No matter how well others treat her, it’ll never compare to having her own mother."

A Man...

A pang of pain shot through A Yuan’s heart. Her daughter meant everything to her. She couldn’t stand the thought of A Man enduring the same pain.

"Let me think about it..."

This time, A Yuan didn’t say no outright. Zhou Yan’s expression softened, and he pressed further, reassuring her.

"We'll only pose as a married couple to the public, without registering it with the clan, and it won't affect our future marriages."

"That's good. If Yan-ge meets someone he likes in the future, we'll part ways."

A Yuan was most afraid of being a burden to Zhou Yan. She already owed him too much and couldn’t drag him down further.

Her tone was light, but Zhou Yan felt as if a knife had pierced his heart. Biting back the pain, he replied, "Alright."

The person happiest about Zhou Yan and A Yuan’s marriage of convenience was Hui Gu.

Though it was fake, who's to say it wouldn't turn real?

As long as the two spent time together, feelings would naturally develop.

"Though that brothel madam Lin has been locked up, the Spring Smoke Tower has influential connections. There might be others. I’ll move in with A Yuan, and you shouldn’t go to the embroidery workshop these days."

Hui Gu feared further retaliation and warned A Yuan.

After this ordeal, A Yuan was also rattled. Making money mattered, but A Man meant more to her.

For the next few months, she didn’t leave the house again.

Spring arrived in Suzhou, and the weather gradually warmed. A Man sprouted up like spring bamboo, changing every day.

Her features resembled A Yuan’s closely—she was a little beauty from the start.

But unlike A Yuan’s gentle and quiet nature, the little girl was wild. She insisted on being taken out every day, and once she could walk, she became the neighborhood favorite on Pingyang Street and Osmanthus Alley.

......

At the Marquis of Anning's estate, Chang Yuan was packing for Wei Xun.

"Young Master, the Marquis wrote that he’ll arrive in the capital next month. If you go to Yangzhou now, you'll miss the Marquis' arrival."