Chapter 21

“My monthly salary is usually collected from the Ministry of Revenue by someone sent by my mother. Tomorrow I’ll speak to her, and from this month onward, you can go and collect it yourself. Once you have it, keep it as you wish. As for those five taels of silver, if you want them, just take them and inform Second Aunt,” Wei Qi said.

Song Yan was unsure if he’d always been so easygoing, or if it was only after what had happened between them. In any case, she could hardly believe he had bestowed such a windfall upon her from the heavens.

When Gong Yulan had mentioned his salary, she had never hoped to touch it. Yet, in just a few days, so unexpectedly, he gave it to her without hesitation.

How much would the monthly salary of a Minister of War, who is also a member of the Imperial Cabinet, amount to? Fifty taels? Eighty taels? Perhaps even a hundred?

She was overwhelmed with joy, though she tried hard to restrain herself, replying with dignity, “Thank you, sir.”

“Why not call me husband from now on?” he said suddenly.

In the darkness, she could only make out the outline of his face, not his expression. But his voice was low, tinged with rare tenderness. For the first time, she felt that he was not Wei Qi, not the grave and cautious Cabinet Elder she had always dealt with carefully, but her husband—the one closest to her for life.

Her cheeks burned, and she softly whispered, “Husband…”

Wei Qi seemed to chuckle lightly, then leaned down and gently kissed her lips.

The kiss deepened, and in the end...

For the first time since their marriage, he came to her a second time.

The following morning, Song Yan’s body was still sore, but that hardly mattered. As soon as she opened her eyes, she remembered that she now had money.

Not only would she receive an extra five taels each month, but she would also have the monthly salary of a Minister of the Six Ministries, starting from this month!

She would no longer have to scrimp and save. She wanted to buy a new set of hair ornaments, new clothes; she envied Zhu Manman’s dresses every time she saw them. Then there was the ice cream made from cheese and ice sold by merchants from the Western Regions—so delicious, but too expensive. Now, she could afford it!

With such thoughts, her mood was light throughout the day.

At noon, she heard that her sister-in-law Wei Fu had come again.

Wei Fu’s routine was always the same: first, she paid respects to the Duke, then visited her mother in the Yi’an Courtyard, followed by Second Aunt, then Third Aunt, and finally returned to Yi’an Courtyard without visiting any of her sisters-in-law, including Song Yan, her actual sister-in-law.

So Song Yan didn’t go to see her, pretending not to know.

But in the afternoon, a message came from Yi’an Courtyard, asking her to come over.

When she arrived, she saw Wei Fu laughing and chatting with her mother-in-law. Upon seeing Song Yan, both their expressions turned serious. Song Yan greeted her mother-in-law first, then Wei Fu, who responded indifferently.

Madam Zhang said, “This morning, Granny Huang from Oldest Son’s side came to tell me that from now on, his monthly salary need not be collected by me, but by you. I suppose you brought this up with him?”

Song Yan quickly replied, “I didn’t mention this at all. I was only telling him that expenses have been high lately, and he casually remarked that his salary had always been collected by Mother. He suggested it might be less trouble to let me collect it instead. I said I would follow his wishes.”

Madam Zhang snorted, clearly not believing her. “In my opinion, you’ve just married in. There’s no need for you to manage the household’s expenses. You don’t need so much money. Why are you so eager to take charge of it? Aren’t you afraid of gossip?”

Wei Fu chimed in, “If I may, Sister-in-law suddenly has so much money, but doesn’t know how to use it properly.”

Song Yan knew her mother-in-law was listening to Wei Fu’s instigation and had no intention of giving her Wei Qi’s salary. At times like this, saying more would only be futile, but Wei Fu’s words angered her, as if mocking her for never having seen so much money. She retorted, “Second Sister, you jest. Even if the money is in my hands, I am only keeping it safe, not squandering it. Most of it will be saved for marrying off daughters and sons in the future, won’t it?”

Wei Fu was momentarily speechless, but clearly enraged. At last, she said, “What do you mean by squandering? Are you implying that Mother squanders money?”

Song Yan really didn’t want to argue with her. She turned to Madam Zhang, “Mother knows that’s not what I meant.”

“Hmph, then why the rush to manage the money? I’ve heard someone even used her husband’s money to subsidize her own family!” Wei Fu said.

Song Yan’s expression turned cold. She began, “Second Sister, that remark—”

“Enough, both of you say no more,” Madam Zhang interrupted sternly. “That’s settled. I’ll talk to Oldest Son again. The money will stay with me for now. If you truly need it, after a couple of years, when you have children and greater expenses, and you’re more settled, you can have it then.”

Song Yan forced herself to remain calm. “Yes, I’ll follow Mother’s arrangements.”

Leaving Yi’an Courtyard, she felt so aggrieved she almost burst into tears.

She had never intended to take Wei Qi’s salary, nor had she known it was her mother-in-law who collected it. It was clearly his suggestion; now she had to endure such treatment.

Wei Fu was truly overbearing, but protected by her mother-in-law, Song Yan had no choice but to swallow her anger.

When she returned to her own courtyard, her eyes were already rimmed red. She remembered that Wei Xi was still studying in the room, and, not wanting him to see her, stood outside for a while to compose herself before entering.

She thought to herself that perhaps she should speak to Wei Qi about this—not just about the money, but also about Wei Fu’s hostility.

Wei Qi, however, did not come that night.

She knew he’d returned that afternoon and was surely busy again in Jinghe Hall. She wondered whether he’d eaten, and went over to check if he was free.

The evening was still somewhat bright, so she didn’t need a lantern. At Jinghe Hall, she saw a maid carrying a lacquered tray out of Wei Qi’s room. The maid smiled and greeted her, “Madam.”

Song Yan recognized her as Caiyu, one of her mother-in-law’s principal maids, and replied warmly, “Miss Caiyu, what brings you here?”

Caiyu answered, “Miss brought some pastries. Madam asked me to bring some to Young Master.”

“Thank you,” Song Yan said.

After exchanging greetings, Caiyu departed, and Song Yan went straight to Wei Qi’s room. Lamps were lit, and he was writing at his desk.

He was taller than the other young men in the Duke’s residence, and it was said he had once personally led troops against bandits, carrying an air of martial strength. Yet, in the candlelight, bent over his writing, he seemed gentle and calm. From her angle, his profile truly matched the descriptions—sword-like brows, starry eyes, a nose like a hanging gallbladder. Yulan was right; he was indeed handsome.

Unconsciously, she recalled his tenderness last night, whispering for her to call him husband. In that moment, he seemed almost like another person.

Her cheeks warmed. She hesitated, embarrassed to call him husband in the light, so she walked in quietly. Wei Qi heard her and looked up. She asked with concern, “Why are you still working so late? Have you eaten?”

Wei Qi replied, “I have. You should go to bed first tonight. I may be up very late, and if it’s too late, I won’t come over.”

“There’s never an end to work, is there?” Song Yan said, noticing a plate of red bean honey cakes and a bowl of white fungus soup on the corner of his desk.

Clearly, this was what Caiyu had brought, yet he hadn’t touched them. Song Yan found it odd, knowing Wei Qi disliked sweets. On the day she returned home, her mother had sent famous Yangzhou pastries, but Wei Qi hadn’t eaten a single bite. She knew then that he didn’t care for sweets. Yet her mother-in-law had sent him sweet pastries; perhaps she’d forgotten.

Wei Qi spoke, “The elders in the Cabinet are all over sixty; their energy is lacking. I’m younger, so naturally, I take on more.”

It was true. Song Yan herself had taken the most taxing accounts to prepare for becoming the house’s mistress.

She said, “This afternoon, Mother called me over, told me to wait two years before discussing the salary. Second Sister, whether intentionally or not, remarked that some people secretly subsidize their own families. I agreed, said I would follow Mother’s wishes, and left.”

“Caiyu mentioned this to me just now,” Wei Qi said, setting down his pen and looking at her. “If Mother says so, let it be. She said to wait until you have children; that’s probably within two years.”

He continued, “Don’t let Second Sister bother you. She’s indeed a bit blunt, speaks without restraint. Don’t take it to heart.”

Song Yan felt aggrieved, disappointed, and despairing once more.

With a simple “let it be,” and “don’t take it to heart,” it was as if the matter had never happened.

After a moment’s silence, she whispered, “But her words are too hurtful. I can’t help but take them to heart.”

Wei Qi replied, “She hardly comes here. You’re her sister-in-law, after all.”

Song Yan had nothing more to say.

She wanted to argue further, but he had already lowered his head and resumed his work.

Only then did she realize that a man’s words in bed could not be trusted. That fleeting tenderness was nothing more than a moment’s desire, and she had taken it seriously.

Thinking of Aunt Jiang, who had also been his woman—sharing intimacy, whispers, perhaps promises, perhaps he had asked her to call him husband as well—what about now? He never even looked at her, and spoke of her with disdain.

Song Yan suddenly felt that, aside from her better family background, which had earned her the position of main wife, she was no more valued in his heart than Aunt Jiang.

She took a deep breath and finally said, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave you to your work. Please take care and rest early.”

Wei Qi murmured assent.

She turned and left.

After she had gone, Wei Qi paused, turned to look toward the door. He could see she was displeased, probably hoping he would stand up for her and rebuke his sister a bit.

But his sister was his mother’s treasure. He was always busy, and his younger brother seldom stayed home. It was thanks to his sister that their mother had company. Now that she was married, as her elder brother, he could not oppose his mother or scold his sister over a few words for his wife’s sake; it would be improper.

He thought, when he had time, he would bring out a few land deeds and silver notes to give his wife, and when the summer funds for ice and fine gauze were issued, he would hand them to her directly. That would probably appease her.

With official duties piled high and the affairs of the inner courtyard too complex and draining, he sighed softly and decided not to dwell on it further.