Chapter 36

Chapter 36

This whole affair, it must be said, was thanks to Wei Yuerong.

Ever since the sachet incident, Wei Yuerong had resolved that Lan Yi’s situation needed a proper resolution.

He had pondered many solutions, only to discard them all.

In truth, while Lan Yi might not possess the exact appearance or temperament the master preferred, he was undeniably youthful and beautiful. The master’s strong aversion wasn't due to Lan Yi himself, but rather a deep-seated knot in the master’s heart.

The official who had gifted Lan Yi to Ruan Zhengye was, in fact, a glib and manipulative character—all flattery and charm on the surface, but secretly undermining others.

Wei Yuerong wasn’t privy to the specifics, but he knew that when officials typically returned home to observe filial mourning, the Emperor usually issued a decree of "loyalty in place of filial piety," meaning most only had to stay for a year. It was rare for anyone to truly be required to observe the full three years of mourning.

The Emperor’s decision had been subtly influenced by that very official who had given Lan Yi.

Consequently, every time Ruan Zhengye saw Lan Yi, a wave of displeasure washed over him.

Though Lan Yi was innocent, there was no logic to such matters, and he had no means of defending himself, forced to silently endure the injustice.

Wei Yuerong racked his brain, unable to conceive of a way to ease the master’s resentment. In the end, he resorted to the simplest method.

That was to forcefully present Lan Yi to Ruan Zhengye during his rut.

Ruan Zhengye typically summoned Wei Yuerong during his ruts, but as fate would have it, Wei Yuerong was with Lan Yi at that precise moment.

Lan Yi, indeed, possessed a bold spirit. So, Wei Yuerong instructed Lan Yi to go directly, claiming he was ill and unable to serve, thus sending Lan Yi in his stead.

In his heightened state, Ruan Zhengye naturally had no choice but to haphazardly accept Lan Yi. Yet, he knew Wei Yuerong was playing a trick on him, and a surge of suppressed anger festered within him. Of course, that is another story entirely.

In any case, though the experience was perilous for Lan Yi, the outcome was immensely rewarding. The day he learned he had successfully conceived, he even wept with Wei Yuerong.

After all, Lan Yi knew that given his circumstances, he could never truly win favor. And with the master growing older, if not for Wei Yuerong’s daring assistance, he might never have had a child—and thus, no lifelong security.

For the sake of this child, Lan Yi was indeed meticulously careful, attending to his diet and daily routines with utmost vigilance. Naturally, he wouldn't risk leaving the estate for a place like Yuquan Temple.

Though Song Yun didn’t know the full story, he was genuinely happy for Lan Yi, bubbling with excitement and curiosity, peppering him with questions.

While Lan Yi, adhering to his cautious nature, wouldn't openly broadcast his pregnancy, he was delighted to share his joy with one more person. So, he didn’t mind Song Yun’s incessant chatter, and the two engaged in a lively back-and-forth.

Song Yun couldn’t resist asking, “Can I touch it?”

Lan Yi laughed. “It’s only been less than a month—what exactly are you planning to touch?”

“Hmm… just to soak up some of your good fortune. I’m so envious,” Song Yun admitted, blushing at his own silliness.

“Then go ahead and touch,” Lan Yi said, clearly pleased, generously allowing it.

Song Yun barely exerted any pressure, just lightly brushing his fingers over Lan Yi’s clothes. But it was as if he had truly absorbed some of that good fortune, his face brightening with happiness.

Everyone laughed.

Truthfully, Song Yun didn't fully grasp the implications of childbirth. However, he imagined that if he were to become pregnant, Ruan Hang, his parents, and many others would be overjoyed. Just picturing such a scene filled him with immense happiness and longing.

“Why haven’t I gotten pregnant yet?” he murmured wistfully, a touch of sadness creeping in.

Last time, at Song Yun’s insistence, he and Ruan Hang had made full use of his heat, just in case. But aside from both of them enjoying it thoroughly, nothing else seemed to have come of it…

Indeed, over a month had passed, and there was still no sign.

Song Yun had heard that a Kun Ze’s pheromones would change after pregnancy. Worried he might not notice, he had Ruan Hang check his scent every night, but Ruan Hang always said there was no difference.

Song Yun couldn’t help feeling disappointed, though Ruan Hang seemed entirely unconcerned, reassuring him that there was no need to worry about it so soon.

Fortunately, Song Yun wasn’t one to dwell on things. Once comforted, he quickly let it go—only now, seeing Lan Yi’s situation, did he think of himself again, filled with envy.

“What’s the rush?” Lan Yi said. “You might even get sick of it later. Unlike me—this will probably be my only one.”

Song Yun found his words somewhat sorrowful, but he was not eloquent enough to offer any real comfort. After all, Lan Yi wasn’t wrong.

A dawning understanding settled in Song Yun’s heart. Though he was slow and couldn’t articulate it, he knew deep down that perhaps everyone had their own shortcomings, and couldn’t help but envy others in some way.

*

The twenty-ninth of May marked the eldest young master’s nineteenth birthday.

Since the madam and the eldest young master were going out to offer incense, the entire inner household eagerly anticipated this chance to leave the estate—whether they had a legitimate reason or not.

The day before the birthday, Song Yun couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, knowing there was no way he’d be included in the outing.

The madam’s trip was merely to pray for blessings for the younger generation, not a grand affair, so she couldn’t take too many people.

The eldest young master alone had several attendants, and the young misses also wanted to come along for fun. Though the madam agreed to each request, she was likely getting annoyed.

Song Yun, being unrelated to the eldest young master, could only longingly envy those who got to go.

“I wonder if the lotuses in Yuquan Temple’s back lake have bloomed yet,” he mused that evening when Ruan Hang returned, unable to resist bringing up the temple again.

Ruan Hang hadn’t studied today either. Though he had retreated to his study upon returning home, he was actually painting.

“You’ve learned to appreciate lotuses now? Not just the food? My, you’ve grown up,” Ruan Hang remarked cheerfully as he painted.

“I’ve never been just about food,” Song Yun protested, though his thoughts inevitably circled back to it. “But I still remember the lotus roots the old monk gave us last year when we went with Mei Xue and the others. They were so sweet—nothing like the ones anywhere else.”

“Yuquan Temple’s water is excellent, which is why its lotus roots thrive,” Ruan Hang explained.

Song Yun propped his chin on his hand, tilting his head as he watched Ruan Hang paint. “Mm, I wonder when I’ll get to taste them again. Their vegetarian cakes are also unmatched.”

Just some pastries made with vegetable oil—how good could they really be? Ruan Hang couldn’t help but smile at how much Song Yun treasured even these.

“Yuquan Temple’s snacks have you salivating like this? If I took you to Dengke Lane or Caiming Street, you’d probably cry from longing.”

Song Yun’s face fell into genuine distress. “Exactly! I don’t even dare think about it. I miss fried lotus root cakes and yuanbao potstickers so much—I used to eat them almost every day. It’s been ages…”

Both were fried street foods, best enjoyed fresh from the stall. Confined to home, all he could do was yearn.

Life inside the inner household wasn’t drastically different from the outside world, but these small things, piled up one by one, made Song Yun realize just how much his life had changed without him noticing.

As he spoke, he actually began to drool.

Ruan Hang teased, “Hearing you describe them so vividly, I might just have to go try them tomorrow.”

Knowing full well that Ruan Hang had little interest in snacks, Song Yun recognized this as deliberate provocation. He glared, his expression full of grievance.

“What’s wrong?” Ruan Hang feigned ignorance, reaching out to pinch his cheek.

Song Yun was genuinely upset now, his cheeks puffed up.

To some, these snacks might be trivial, but to Song Yun, they were like dear friends. He had lost the chance to enjoy so many delicacies, and Ruan Hang showed not an ounce of sympathy.

Ruan Hang only laughed, gently lifting him and setting him atop the desk.

Perhaps because he ate too many snacks as a child, Song Yun was a full head shorter than Ruan Hang, looking pint-sized. At this moment, sitting on the table, he could finally look Ruan Hang in the eye.

Seeing Song Yun still sulking, refusing to meet his gaze yet not daring to scold him, Ruan Hang found it amusing. Still, he couldn’t bear to let Song Yun stay upset for long.

"If you keep holding onto this grudge, you won’t have any appetite for the yuanbao potstickers tomorrow," Ruan Hang coaxed.

"What?" Song Yun’s eyes widened as he stared at Ruan Hang.

"Young Master, you wouldn’t—you wouldn’t actually take me out, would you?" he asked in disbelief.

"If it weren’t for you, why would I bother with yuanbao potstickers?" Ruan Hang replied.

Song Yun let out an excited gasp. "Young Master, are you really taking me with you tomorrow to accompany the Eldest Young Master and the others for the temple visit?"

Ruan Hang nodded.

For Song Yun and the others to go out, they first had to persuade their respective masters. Even among the young ladies planning to go, few likely had genuine interest—most were probably urged by their maids.

But Song Yun knew Ruan Hang had his studies, so he had sensibly kept his wanderlust to himself, never hinting at it or trying to persuade him. All this time, he had quietly suppressed his longing.

Yet who could his little thoughts fool? Ruan Hang had long noticed Song Yun’s eager longing, and how he stifled it without saying a word—it tugged at Ruan Hang's heartstrings.

So, Ruan Hang had gone to ask the Madam for permission and was granted leave to take Song Yun along for a day trip to Yuquan Temple.

A grin instantly lit up Song Yun’s face. Since he was already on the table, he easily launched himself into Ruan Hang’s arms, clinging to him like a kitten clambering up.

Ruan Hang hurriedly steadied the squirming Song Yun, who, bursting with happiness, kept wriggling excitedly in his embrace and even planted several kisses on Ruan Hang’s face.

Just a smack of his lips was enough to warm Ruan Hang’s heart.

"Young Master, you’re the best! I'm crazy about you!" he exclaimed, brimming with gratitude and excitement.