Chapter 53 “Guilty Woman Song Yinrou, Reporting an Injustice…”

Chapter 53 "Your humble servant, Song Yinrou, has a grievance to report..."

Chen Yanqing leaned back languidly against the bedpost, his gaze deepening as Yinrou lifted her skirt.

Her trembling, snow-white legs parted, kneeling on either side of him, her knees brushing against the embroidered quilt as she inched closer.

Her entire body flushed crimson with shame and heat, Yinrou glowed beneath the gauzy nightrobe, its hazy translucence only making her more alluring.

Each time her knees shifted against the bed, her bones turned to liquid, threatening to give way. Her heart hammered violently against her ribs, her lips nearly bitten through, all while Chen Yanqing’s scorching gaze seared into her.

His dark eyes brimmed with primal hunger, a devouring madness that clashed starkly with his usually refined and gentle demeanor, leaving Yinrou dizzy.

She thought she held the reins, yet it felt more like she was a sacrificial offering.

Her breath caught tremulously in her throat, choked by overwhelming humiliation, trembling uncontrollably as stifled whimpers escaped her in tremulous waves.

Her fluttering lashes squeezed shut, she shook her head in bashful refusal. "I... I can’t."

At this point, Chen Yanqing would not allow retreat. His hand anchored firmly at her waist, his voice hoarse with command. "Keep going."

"Come here."

Propelled by his unyielding grip, Yinrou lurched forward. His heated breath gusted against her thighs, the searing heat sending shivers through her. Without his support, she would have collapsed long ago.

The closer she got, the more fragmented her breathing became. The tears pooling in her eyes finally spilled as their bodies met.

...

The night deepened, the world outside now silent.

Inside the room, the lingering scent of intimacy and their discordant panting bore witness to what had transpired.

Exhausted, Yinrou lay limp against Chen Yanqing, her damp eyes glistening, the delicate blush at the corners of her eyes betraying sated languor.

Her swollen lips parted slightly as she panted, her cheek unconsciously nuzzling against his chest.

*Thwack.* A crisp slap landed on her backside.

Yinrou’s half-lidded eyes flew open, shimmering with accusation.

"Had your fill? Move aside." The voice above her was rough and thick, laced with unnatural restraint.

Belatedly, she lifted her gaze, tracing the sharp line of his jaw upward until she spotted a telltale wetness at the corner of his mouth. Her face burned, and she quickly averted her eyes.

Chen Yanqing’s eyes remained closed, his expression unreadable, but the vein throbbing at his temple betrayed the extent of his control.

Her heart constricted. Not daring to hesitate, she scrambled off him and obediently curled up beside him.

Chen Yanqing exhaled roughly and rose, striding behind the jade partition.

Assuming he was cleaning up, Yinrou waited—but he didn’t return. Instead, the sound of increasingly labored breaths reached her ears.

Curious, she pushed up on the bed’s edge and peeked toward the partition. Chen Yanqing’s tall frame was silhouetted against it, his shoulders slightly hunched, head bowed.

Puzzled, her dazed eyes suddenly froze.

Staring at the shadowed reflection, her face burned hotter with each passing second as the ragged panting grew louder in her ears.

Realization struck. Yinrou snatched the covers and scrambled back into bed like a fleeing rabbit, burying her head as the guttural sounds of his struggle continued to torment her.

She frantically yanked the quilt over her ears, heart racing as she gasped into the fabric.

Eventually, the noises ceased, replaced by the sound of water splashing—Chen Yanqing washing his hands. Her mind involuntarily conjured the image: his long fingers working vigorously in the water, water rippling as he scrubbed, the waves lapping at her thoughts.

Her cheeks flared anew. Yinrou pressed her palms to her face, trying to cool herself as the sounds behind the partition quieted. She took slow, steadying breaths, willing herself to appear unaffected.

When Chen Yanqing returned to bed and pulled her into his arms, Yinrou bit her lip and stole a glance at him. His handsome features had softened slightly, though his brow remained knotted with tension.

*He must have suffered greatly—to resort to relieving himself...*

The image of what he’d done sent her mind spiraling again, her lashes fluttered like rippling water as guilt pricked at her. Hesitantly, she whispered, "You—"

Before she could finish, Chen Yanqing silenced her with a searing kiss.

After a deep, claiming press of his lips, he ground out, "Sleep."

When she looked again, his eyes were closed. She studied him for a long moment before finally shutting her own, a delicate sweetness blossomed in her chest.

...

The carriage arrived at the Chen residence the next day. The steward hurried down the steps to receive them, informing Chen Yanqing that Second Master Chen was still at the Hanlin Academy (Imperial Academy).

"I’ll send word to the master at once," the steward offered.

Chen Yanqing waved a dismissive hand. "No need. I’ll visit him after he returns."

"Let’s go see Brother first," Yinrou urged, eager to meet Song Zean.

Over a month had passed since their departure—she worried for him.

Chen Yanqing nodded, accompanying her to the inner quarters.

When they reached Song Zean’s quarters, however, the doors and windows were shuttered. Was he asleep inside?

Yinrou stepped closer, calling out, "Brother, are you there?"

With a resounding crash, a loud thud echoed from within, as if something heavy had fallen. Startled, Yinrou flinched violently just as Chen Yanqing’s expression darkened. He strode past her, reaching for the door.

Song Zean’s voice came from inside, slightly unsteady. "I’ll be right out."

The odd tone put them both on edge. Moments later, Song Zean pulled the door open, greeting them with a smile. "Elder Brother, Xiao Rou."

"Brother!" Yinrou rushed forward, immediately noting his complexion looked unusually pale. Concern spiked. "I heard a loud noise—what happened?"

She tried to peer past him, but Song Zean’s tall frame blocked her view. He dismissed casually, "Just knocked over a chair by accident."

Already, color had returned to his face, his voice light with amusement.

Reassured by his demeanor, Yinrou relaxed, though her delicate brows knitted as she fretted gently. "Brother, you should be more careful."

Song Ze'an responded amiably, "I'll remember next time."

Chen Yanqing said nothing. Unlike Yinrou, who was too short to see over, he noticed not only the overturned chair but also the shattered porcelain scattered across the floor.

His pensive look shifted to Song Ze'an's face, and Song Ze'an met his eyes in return. "By the way, how was your trip to Jiangnan?"

Yinrou immediately grabbed Song Ze'an's arm, excited to tell him about their journey.

Chen Yanqing's eyes flickered to the slender fingers tightly gripping Song Ze'an's arm, his brow twitching slightly. "We'll talk in the front hall."

Yinrou and Song Ze'an both nodded.

After a brief pause, Chen Yanqing added, "I understand how close you siblings are, but times have changed. Xiao Rou's grown up now."

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on their hands and arms.

Song Ze'an was the first to catch his meaning. Before their father's downfall, Xiao Rou wasn't yet fifteen and had been still so childish, so there had been fewer restrictions. But Chen Yanqing was right—even as blood siblings, Xiao Rou should no longer be as physically close to him as she had been in childhood.

"Stand up straight," he said softly to Yinrou.

Yinrou obediently let go of his arm, though her eyes kept glancing at Chen Yanqing several times, sensing something hidden beneath his proper speech.

Chen Yanqing, unperturbed, walked out first.

They waited at Second Master Chen's residence for word about Lord Xie's return to the capital, but the news that arrived left everyone stunned.

*

As soon as Lord Xie's ship reached the capital, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Emperor's prison.

Second Master Chen's face was grim as he spoke. "There are letters exchanged between Lord Xie and the canal transport officials, bearing his personal seal. Many ministers have filed accusations of his involvement."

Yinrou was shocked. Had Lord Xie been deceiving them from the start?

The thought of his sharp, hawk-like eyes made her blood run cold.

Chen Yanqing turned to Second Master Chen. "Uncle, what are the chances that Xie Ce is guilty?"

Second Master Chen shook his head. "I don't believe Xie Ce would do such a thing. But with the evidence laid out and the magistrate of Xiangmu County hanged himself at home—along with a death note confessing—others will assume it's a silencing of witnesses. If Xie Ce can't prove his innocence..."

Song Ze'an quickly grasped the key point. "Regardless of Xie Ce's involvement, the collusion between the Jiangnan canal officials and foreign merchants is indisputable."

His gaze turned steely. "Proving this will clear Father's name."

Second Master Chen nodded. Their priority was submitting the appeal. Xie Ce's case was not their problem anymore.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yanqing asked, "Who is in charge of investigating Xie Ce?"

"Strangely enough, it's Xie Ce's eldest son."

Chen Yanqing didn't seem surprised. "Then we'll wait a little longer."

"Why wait?" Song Ze'an's voice burned with anger. He wanted nothing more than to see them all dead who had harmed the Song family.

"I trust Lord Xie," Chen Yanqing said calmly. "Besides, he helped us. We'd be turning our backs on him now."

Song Ze'an knew exactly what submitting the appeal now would mean, but he was desperate to clear his father's name. His grip tightened on the edge of the table. "How long must we wait?"

Chen Yanqing replied, "I doubt he'll allow himself to remain imprisoned for long."

Song Ze'an opened his mouth to protest when Yinrou spoke softly beside him. "I believe him."

"Xiao Rou," Song Ze'an said lowly.

"Brother, I trust what he says. Let's wait a little longer."

Yinrou's voice was firm. She had doubted Chen Yanqing before, but this time, she wanted to back him up.

"And if Lord Xie is really innocent, wouldn't we be harming him?" Her gaze locked onto Song Ze'an's. "Brother, I know you wouldn't want to hurt an innocent person—especially someone who helped us—just to save Father."

Having endured the destruction of their family and narrowly escaped death, Song Ze'an had little patience for the lives of strangers. But Yinrou's unwavering kindness soothed his rage. At least there was still someone he cared about. "Fine."

The days of waiting were agonizing. From Second Master Chen, Yinrou occasionally heard updates about Lord Xie—how he was tortured brutally in prison but refused to confess.

The thought of her father suffering the same fate filled her with white-hot anger. She wished all the wicked would drop dead.

After half a month, news finally arrived that Lord Xie had been released. Yinrou shot up from her chair in excitement. "This is wonderful!"

*

Chen Yanqing, speaking with Second Master Chen, glanced at her and warned, "Be careful."

Overjoyed, Yinrou rushed to Chen Yanqing and grabbed his sleeve. "You were right! Lord Xie is safe!"

She had been ready to give up hope over the past two weeks. "How did you know?"

Chen Yanqing patted her clenched fingers. "If he hadn't gotten out, certain things would have been beyond protection."

Yinrou didn't understand his vague answer, and Chen Yanqing didn't elaborate. If it had been him, he too would have moved heaven and earth to escape.

Song Ze'an watched Yinrou's overexcitement and reminded her, "Xiao Rou, mind your manners."

Yinrou blinked, then followed his gaze to where she was still holding Chen Yanqing's sleeve. She quickly let go, hiding her flushed hands behind her back.

Had her brother noticed anything? She glanced uncertainly at Song Ze'an before hastily adding, "My apologies, Third Young Master."

Chen Yanqing's fingers still tingled from her touch. He gave a dismissive 'hmph'.

Song Ze'an didn't press further. Stepping forward, he asked, "Can we submit Father's appeal now?"

Chen Yanqing nodded. "Both of you write your petitions. I'll take them to the capital magistrate."

On the day they went to the magistrate's office, the sky was unusually clear. Yinrou pushed open the carriage window, gazing at the pristine expanse above.

When the carriage stopped outside the magistrate's office, Chen Yanqing said, "Go and plead your case for your father. Clear his name."

Yinrou looked at him with tear-filled eyes, too grateful for words.

Chen Yanqing tilted his chin slightly. "Go on."

*

Standing side by side on the stone steps of the magistrate's office, Yinrou and Song Ze'an exchanged a glance. Yinrou stepped forward, took the drumstick, and beat the grievance drum with all her might.

The deep, resonant sound echoed through the halls. Soon, a group of armed officers rushed out. "Who dares strike the drum?"

The two knelt and kowtowed in unison.

"Your humble servant, Song Yinrou, seeks justice for a wrongful accusation! I beg Your Honor to hear my plea!"

"Your humble servant, Song Ze'an, seeks justice for a wrongful accusation! I beg Your Honor to hear my plea!"