CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 350: SU YAOQI SHAVING HIS HEAD AND BECOMING A MONK? (2ND UPDATE)

Song Wei noticed it, shifted his gaze from the book, and seeing her change of expression, asked softly, "What’s wrong?"

Wen Wan patted her chest in fear, murmuring, "It’s Su Yaoqi."

Song Wei, seeing her reaction, guessed she had a premonition and told her not to worry, to speak slowly.

Wen Wan sat up straight, placed a soft pillow on her lap, and gently moved her son over to lean on and sleep, then lowered her voice to recount what she had seen—

Su Yaoqi went out with them to have fun today, and shortly after returning, the Duchess began arranging a marriage for him.

To climb the Su Family’s social ladder, many families were still willing to marry off their beautiful daughters to him.

However, regardless of how good the girl was, Su Yaoqi rejected them all.

Hearing this, Song Wei asked, "Could it be that he still harbors fantasies about you?"

Wen Wan shook her head, saying it wasn’t so.

Song Wei did not interject again and listened quietly to her.

Wen Wan reorganized her words and continued, "It seems like due to today’s outing, his mindset and views have changed, becoming detached. While his mother was frantically busy with his marriage affairs, he proactively suggested that he wanted to become a monk."

"Become a monk?" Song Wei’s eyes showed clear surprise.

"I didn’t expect that either," Wen Wan said. "I initially thought he was different, not just from the Su Family, but also from us. I assumed he was too well protected, but who would have thought he truly reached a transcendent state."

Song Wei asked again, "So, in the end, did he really become a monk?"

"This is the main point I am about to discuss," Wen Wan cleared her throat and continued, "I saw him go to Fahua Temple and become a monk. Even Duke Su couldn’t persuade him to return to secular life. His specially nurtured son ultimately chose to stay with the ancient Buddhist lanterns. Duke Su’s fury couldn’t be quenched, and he directed his anger towards you, believing his son’s decision was entirely due to our day out, saying things that should not have been said."

The subsequent events were self-evident. Duke Su’s "grief of losing a son" meant he wouldn’t let Song Wei off easily, using all kinds of methods presumably until he ruined Song Wei.

Song Wei listened, his expression calm.

The carriage interior was silent for a while before he spoke, "Wanwan, do you think we are wrongfully blamed this time?"

Wen Wan nodded repeatedly, "Isn’t it so? We’ve become the scapegoats."

Earlier at the manor, Su Yaoqi was always with her, and Song Wei never got the chance to say anything to him. As for herself, it was even less likely for her to incite someone to become a monk.

Moreover, even if she had incited him, Su Yaoqi is not a three-year-old child. Would he not have some judgment? Does he just listen to whatever others say?

Collecting her thoughts, Wen Wan said, "What we need most right now is to come up with a plan. Otherwise, if Su Yaoqi feels desperate and really goes to the monastery, we both will end up being scapegoated again."

Song Wei smiled lightly, "If he is really feeling desperate to become a monk, it wouldn’t be difficult to persuade him. I’m only worried that he has seen through everything."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Wen Wan grew anxious, thinking she shouldn’t have agreed to let Su Yaoqi come along to play if she had known it would blow up into such a big issue.

This child is really...

Two carriages arrived one after the other at the Song Mansion entrance.

The little one who had been sleeping soundly woke up just then. He rubbed his eyes and let his mother carry him down.

Song Wei stopped Su Yaoqi, who was planning to head home.

Su Yaoqi looked at him with confusion, "Does Mr. Song have something to discuss?"

Unclear about his position relative to Song Wei, Su Yaoqi always addressed him this way.

Song Wei nodded slightly, "There are a few words I wish to share with you privately."

Su Yaoqi, not sensing any hostility in Song Wei’s gaze, relaxed, thinking it wouldn’t be a warning related to Wen Wan, "Yes, please go ahead. I’m listening."

Before Song Wei could speak, a woman’s soft laughter rang out from inside the door.

"Third Uncle, Third Aunt, you’re back?"

Without turning around, Song Wei recognized the voices of Song Jiao’s two sisters.

Su Yaoqi obviously heard as well and naturally looked towards the source of the sound.

There, Er Ya was peering over and happened to lock eyes with Su Yaoqi. Her expression changed, and she stepped back half a step, exclaiming softly, "His face..."

Upon hearing this, Su Yaoqi pursed his lips and quickly lowered his head.

Song Wei’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Jinbao stood beside his mother, glaring angrily at the second sister he didn’t particularly like, "Big brother is a very nice person."

Song Jiao gave Er Ya a discreet nudge, hinting her not to talk nonsense.

Er Ya quickly covered her mouth, afraid that she might blurt out something inappropriate.

Song Yuanbao glanced at her and said quietly, "The face of the Duke Mansion’s young master is not something common folks like us can discuss casually."

Er Ya’s expression changed again, she let go of her hand and widened her eyes, "What? He, he is actually the young master of the Duke Mansion?"

Song Yuanbao said nothing more, but his expression grew increasingly playful.

Wen Wan noticed the small commotion and turned her head to ask Song Yuanbao, "What are you up to?"

Song Yuanbao smiled; he wasn’t up to anything. He had discovered that Er Ya was a girl who loved to climb social ladders back when he was at home. It was a rare chance today to test her out.

It seemed that the result didn’t differ much from what he had anticipated.

Wen Wan’s gaze turned towards Er Ya.

Er Ya looked at the richly dressed youth not far away, thinking of what her cousin said about his identity, and felt a peculiar emotion. She stepped forward a few steps and asked Wen Wan for permission, "Auntie, I lost my composure earlier. Should I go over and apologize?"

If she had not known about Er Ya’s character beforehand, Wen Wan might have been deceived by her sincere expression at this moment.

Looking at her niece, Wen Wan instead asked, "What brings you two here?"

Before Er Ya could answer, Song Jiao spoke first, "Isn’t today Jinbao’s birthday? We sisters planned to come over to celebrate. Who knew, once we arrived, Grandma told us you were out at the manor, so we’ve been waiting all along."

Er Ya quickly echoed, "Yes, yes, we came to celebrate Jinbao’s birthday."

Wen Wan withdrew her gaze indifferently, "Since you’re here for the celebration, come in and sit down first!"

Fearing that Er Ya might cling to the chance of reaching for wealth and glory, Wen Wan added, "It’s not appropriate for unmarried girls to brazenly greet an outside man. You two go inside first."

Er Ya was blocked speechless, looking unwillingly towards Su Yaoqi’s direction again.

Su Yaoqi felt uncomfortable under her stare. He didn’t know that Er Ya’s state of mind had completely changed at this moment; he just thought his scarred half-face had scared the little girl. His feelings were very complicated, and he didn’t even manage to ask Song Wei what he wanted to say, hurriedly said goodbye, and turned to leave.

The unexpected incident disrupted the private conversation, so Song Wei didn’t insist and let Uncle Lin escort him.

Faced with Su Yaoqi’s grateful glance, Song Wei simply instructed, "Take it slow on the road."

Watching the carriage go far, he turned around.

Song Jiao and her sister had already gone inside, leaving only Wen Wan, Song Yuanbao, and Jinbao in front of the door.

With Song Yuanbao around, Wen Wan refrained from asking more, urging everyone inside.

Once Yuanbao led Jinbao forward, Wen Wan deliberately slowed her pace and asked Song Wei, "What did you discuss with Su Yaoqi just now?"

"Didn’t have the chance," Song Wei replied.

Wen Wan immediately thought of Er Ya’s earlier behavior and frowned slightly, "What do we do then, will he really go and become a monk?"

"Given the current situation, we can only take one step at a time," Song Wei said: "If he truly decides to become a monk, perhaps it’s fate."

The group went to Rong’an Hall, where Old Song and Granny Song were present.

When Old Song saw Jinbao, his eyes lit up.

A family named Ning lived next door; they were from Song Wei’s previous cohort who passed the advanced scholar exam. Their old master and Old Song were quite "compatible." They would occasionally go out for walks, fishing, or chat about the latest flowers at this year’s market, sometimes even competing for a flower.

In Wen Wan’s view, her usually mild-tempered father-in-law could snap out of character in the blink of an eye when he’s around Old Master Ning.

Anyway, every time, those two would either compete with flowers or grandsons, and because of this, Jinbao was often taken out by his grandfather.

The little fellow was very cunning. Knowing that Grandpa wanted to show off his grandson, he seized the opportunity to bargain for many treats before he agreed to go. Otherwise, he’d act lazy and deliberately lose, making Grandpa so angry he blew his beard and glared.

At the moment, the little boy had just settled in, and Old Song was already coaxing him, saying he was the little birthday star and could eat whatever he wanted later, as long as he agreed to go out for a walk.

Jinbao had eaten too much fish at lunch, so he lazily leaned on Wen Wan, looked at Grandpa, and then touched his round belly, "Jinbao isn’t hungry."

"If you’re not hungry, I’ll buy you something fun," Old Song continued to tempt.

"Jinbao already has," the little boy said again.

"I bought something new today. You definitely don’t have that," Old Song pretended with mystery.

The little fellow still wanted to be reserved, but upon hearing there was something fun, he couldn’t control himself, jumped up swiftly, and pulled out a smiling face inching towards Grandpa.