Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Song Yun stayed with Wei Yuerong for several days, and nothing significant happened. Occasionally, his mind would wander, but mostly, he thought of nothing at all. By day, he attended Nanny Jiang’s lessons; by night, he slept, sometimes visiting Wei Yuerong’s room for snacks.

A few days passed, and then, one morning, Nanny Wu arrived unexpectedly.

Wei Yuerong gathered them all in the main hall of the Moon-Containing Pavilion. Nanny Wu calmly called out the names of the other three, pointedly omitting Song Yun. Then she instructed Wei Yuerong to take the three girls and follow her. Song Yun was surprised—surprised that he had been spared so easily. He saw Wei Yuerong wink at him and offer a slight smile.

It seemed Madame had truly let him off the hook! Song Yun’s spirits instantly lifted. He waited until Nanny Wu and her party had departed before allowing himself to fully rejoice, even bouncing around a bit in Wei Yuerong’s sitting room.

However, no one came to tell him he could go home.

It wasn’t until evening that Wei Yuerong returned, accompanied only by the maid from the provisioner’s wife’s family. It seemed Xue Ying and the maid from the woodshed were indeed the final choices to be taken away by the Eldest Young Master.

Wei Yuerong sent for Sister-in-law Chen and gave her an additional string of cash, along with Madame’s rewards, instructing her to take her younger sister home. Though Sister-in-law Chen was somewhat disappointed, she had received considerable gifts and was already quite honored, so she departed with endless thanks.

“When will my mother come to take me home?” Song Yun asked Wei Yuerong after Sister-in-law Chen had left.

Instead of answering directly, Wei Yuerong led him into the bedroom, where dinner was already laid out on the table with two sets of bowls and chopsticks.

“Eat first, and I’ll tell you slowly.”

Wei Yuerong calmly explained the masters’ decision regarding his future, including everything the Eldest Young Master had told him.

At first, Song Yun was surprised, but gradually, he fully understood. He asked, “Did my mother really ask the Eldest Young Master to say that?”

Wei Yuerong nodded. “The Eldest Young Master said he couldn’t persuade Madame at the time, so he had no choice but to say it. It was also your mother’s wish. She thought that if Madame absolutely refused to let you go, you could stay with the Second Young Master and remain in the household for life. That way, your parents could still look after you, unlike if you followed the Eldest Young Master to his new home, leaving you with no support.”

“Then I…” Song Yun thought of the Second Young Master and belatedly blushed. “Does the Second Young Master know yet?”

Wei Yuerong nodded again and smiled. “Madame has already told him. Madame said she’s giving the Second Young Master the Clear Snow Studio on the east side of the garden and has already sent people to clean the rooms. Once he moves in, you’ll go there.”

Song Yun still felt somewhat dazed.

Just half a month ago, he had been nothing more than a carefree study attendant. In just a few days, he had presented his secondary gender and faced so many turns of fate, only to ultimately end up by the Second Young Master’s side.

Song Yun couldn’t say whether he was happy or not, but his heart felt at peace. He knew this was finally a fixed path, and many possibilities had already been ruled out by fate. Thinking of the Second Young Master, he felt reassured, but thinking of himself, he couldn’t help sighing softly.

His sigh amused Wei Yuerong. “What’s wrong? Not satisfied with the Second Young Master? Want to marry the Emperor of Heaven instead?”

Song Yun decided Wei Yuerong was quite the troublemaker and resolved to tease back. “Exactly! The Second Young Master is ugly, has a terrible temper, and is even dumber than me. I don’t know how he was born.”

Wei Yuerong hadn’t expected to be countered like this and laughed, pinching Song Yun’s cheek. “You audacious little brat! How dare you say such things?”

“I won’t anymore!” Song Yun quickly said, laughing heartily.

After laughing, Song Yun truly began to feel happy. Rather than dwelling on worrisome matters, it was better to think of things to look forward to—happy things.

Like the fact that he could really stay with the Second Young Master for life, and also…

“Can I come play with you every day from now on?” Song Yun asked Wei Yuerong.

“As long as you don’t get tired of it,” Wei Yuerong replied with a smile.

*

Starting the next day, Song Yun resumed his lessons, still taught by Nanny Jiang.

When he learned of this, Song Yun was puzzled. “I already know all the rules of the women's quarters,” he said.

Madame Wei, however, seemed to find this amusing. “There’s still plenty you don’t know,” she told him.

Only half comprehending, Song Yun followed Nanny Jiang into a separate room. Over the next ten or so days, he indeed learned many things he had never known before—many of which made him blush.

Time passed quickly, and Ruan Hang’s courtyard was soon freshly painted. Song Yun sneaked over to take a look when he had free time.

Clear Snow Studio was much more spacious than Moon-Containing Pavilion, though the number of rooms was similar. The main building had three rooms, with three wing rooms on each side. Unlike the secluded Moon-Containing Pavilion, Clear Snow Studio’s courtyard was bright and open, with many pear trees planted in front and a tall magnolia in full bloom behind the house, its snow-white blossoms drifting down.

Song Yun liked it very much. He even peeked into the side rooms, quietly considering which one he’d like to live in and imagining himself there.

During this time, Wei Yuerong had a tailor make him several new sets of clothes, all beautiful and made of fabrics and patterns Song Yun had never worn before. Wei Yuerong also gave him plenty of jewelry. There weren’t many accessories boys could wear, but bracelets, bangles, necklaces, and earrings were acceptable.

Song Yun was afraid of having his ears pierced, but Wei Yuerong gave him many pairs of earrings—jade, gold, pearl, and gemstone ones. After only a slight hesitation, Song Yun agreed and let the Nanny pierce his ears with a flame-sterilized silver needle.

It wasn’t as painful as he’d imagined, and from then on, he had many beautiful earrings to wear.

Clear Snow Studio was furnished with many items, and even the side rooms were fully arranged. All that was missing were Ruan Hang’s personal belongings.

At last, Song Yun was allowed to go home.

Though it was only a symbolic gesture, it was still better to do things properly. Song Yun was permitted to stay at home for a while before choosing an auspicious day to formally enter the household.

Though there were no formal betrothal documents or wedding ceremonies, the Bai family received many rewards—silks, gold, silver, medicinal ingredients, and more, all in abundance. Some were arranged by Madame as customary, while others were added by Ruan Hang and Wei Yuerong, piling high the Bai family’s main hall.

Neighbors came to congratulate them, and the Bai couple hosted a small banquet. These were all people who had watched Song Yun grow up, fellow servants of the Ruan household, and they all remarked on how fortunate Song Yun was.

The night before his formal entry into the household happened to be Song Yun’s birthday. Nanny Bai made him long-life noodles and spent a long time giving him advice. Mother and son both cried, talked late into the night, and only rested when Song Yun was fighting to keep his eyes open.

The next evening, it was time for Song Yun to officially enter the household.

He couldn’t dress in flamboyant reds or greens—custom dictated he wear something with a bit of color, at most a red inner garment.

So Song Yun chose a light yellow outer garment from the fine clothes Wei Yuerong had made for him, paired with a pine-green lower garment, with the red inner collar visible at the neckline.

Wearing gold bracelets and earrings, Song Yun carried the brocade box containing the little jade rabbit Ruan Hang had given him. Several Nannies helped carry his luggage as he quietly entered the Ruan household’s secondary gate under the cover of night, making his way straight to Clear Snow Studio in silence.