CHAPTER 445: CHAPTER 154: RETURN TO THE MAIDEN HOME_4

This was probably the first time the two of them were alone together like this.

As if they were strangers to each other.

Unacquainted.

The carriage finally arrived at the Duke Mansion.

There were already people waiting at the entrance.

Seeing their return, they swiftly went to report to the elderly lady, the master, and the mistress.

According to the customs.

On the first day of returning home, it is customary to kowtow and offer tea to the elders.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong also did so, following the procedures meticulously.

After the midday meal.

The two retreated to the same room to rest.

Having left early that day and experienced a bumpy journey, they were naturally tired.

And on the first day of homecoming after the marriage, it was customary to sleep in the same room.

This would differ in later visits to her parental home.

Later, when visiting her parental home, they must sleep separately, but for the first homecoming, customarily, they must sleep together.

Song Yanqing and Xie Ruotong were in the same room, with Song Yanqing extremely reluctant.

He bluntly stated, "I will not consummate the marriage with you."

This was the first sentence the two had exchanged that day.

Xie Ruotong had never thought that she would consummate the marriage with Song Yanqing.

She responded with a sound, "Hmm."

Without much emotion.

Song Yanqing looked up at Xie Ruotong.

He didn’t expect that she would agree so easily.

He thought that when back at the Duke Mansion, Xie Ruotong would utilize her status as the lady of the mansion to coerce him.

And if Xie Ruotong really did so, both on an emotional and rational basis, he couldn’t refuse.

Little did he know.

Xie Ruotong was being unexpectedly agreeable!

He had even prepared many hurtful words, to make her understand that consummating their marriage would be self-degrading for her.

Song Yanqing pressed his lips together.

Those harsh thoughts, he naturally swallowed down.

"Qiao’er," Xie Ruotong instructed, "Prepare a few cotton quilts for the young master to use tonight."

"Yes," Qiao’er replied respectfully.

Though internally extremely reluctant.

Finally staying in a room together, how could they not consummate the marriage?!

"Don’t let others know about this," Xie Ruotong cautioned.

"Yes," Qiao’er nodded reluctantly and left.

After giving her instructions, Xie Ruotong told Song Yanqing, "I’m going to see my grandmother now. If you’re tired, just go to bed and rest. I won’t be back before dinner. At dinner, I’ll have Qiao’er call you."

The implication was.

She won’t disturb him while he rests in the room during this time.

Song Yanqing said nothing.

Xie Ruotong didn’t expect a response from him and left directly.

She walked towards her grandmother’s room.

Naturally, her grandmother was waiting for her.

Seeing her coming, she eagerly said, "Tong’er, come here and let granny take a good look at you."

"Hmm," Xie Ruotong nodded.

"Did you get used to being at the Song Family?" Xiao Qinghui hurriedly asked.

"It’s quite good. The parents of the Song Family are sensible and treated me well."

"What about Song Yanqing?" Xiao Qinghui naturally knew that Scholar Song and his wife were learned and sensible, ensuring that her granddaughter wouldn’t be wronged by marrying into the Song Family.

She was only worried about Tong’er’s relationship with Song Yanqing.

"Affection needs time to cultivate," Xie Ruotong replied with a slight smile.

Also knowing that many things indeed cannot be hidden for long.

"Right, affection can indeed be nurtured. Remember how your grandfather and I, your father and your mother, also cultivated their affections after marriage?" Xiao Qinghui quickly added.

"Yes," Xie Ruotong agreed.

"Is your sister behaving herself there?" Xiao Qinghui inquired further.

"It’s alright," Xie Ruotong replied.

"On your wedding night, did Song Yanqing stay in your room, or did he stay in Xie Ruilin’s room?"

Xie Ruotong pursed her lips and did not speak.

Xiao Qinghui naturally understood at a glance.

She had anticipated this, but wanted to hear it from her granddaughter.

Also fearing that her granddaughter might deceive her to keep her at peace.

Seeing her granddaughter so honest, her heart eased a bit, and she also believed that her granddaughter’s life in the Song Family was not bad, just that affection with Song Yanqing had not yet developed.

She said, "There’s no rush. Yanqing feels indebted to Lin’er, so he treats her well. Over time, once you two develop affection, consummating the marriage will naturally follow."

"Hmm. Tong’er is in no hurry," Xie Ruotong beamed radiantly.

Not showing any signs of unhappiness.

Xiao Qinghui, seeing her granddaughter bright and cheerful, felt increasingly reassured about this marriage.

Before the evening banquet.

Xie Ruotong excused herself first.

After leaving.

Xiao Qinghui’s expression changed, and she said to the old mama who had served her for many years, "What do you think, should this palace give a push?"

"The young miss is gentle, kind, and magnanimous. In these circumstances, it may be difficult for her to gain the young master’s affection. If the elder princess can lend a hand to help the young miss, it would naturally be better," the old mama quickly agreed, also aware of what the elder princess intended to do.

Xiao Qinghui smiled meaningfully, "Then let’s do that!"

During the banquet.

Song Yanqing still adhered to the customs and respectfully offered wine to the elders.

Throughout the meal.

He also drank quite a bit.

Eventually somewhat tipsy, he was helped back to Xie Ruotong’s room.

Xie Ruotong had already had Qiao’er prepare a bed on the floor for Song Yanqing, and she helped him lie down on it.

Song Yanqing’s face was flushed red.

He was likely truly drunk.

At that moment, lying on the ground, he was motionless and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Qiao’er, seeing the demeanor of the young mistress and the young master, really felt frustrated and couldn’t help but say, "Miss, the young master is so drunk, why can’t you let him sleep on the bed?! Since he’s drunk, if rice gets cooked into a meal, it wouldn’t be the young master’s fault!"

"Enough," Xie Ruotong clearly unwilling to discuss further, said, "It’s late, you should go to sleep."

Qiao’er left in anger.

Xie Ruotong glanced at Song Yanqing on the floor, climbed into bed herself, and then drew the curtains, separating the two.

Since she had promised Song Yanqing.

She would not go back on her word.

She didn’t want Song Yanqing to resent her the next day.

To coexist peacefully was naturally preferable to stirring up troubles.

Unless...

Song Yanqing suddenly climbed into her bed in the middle of the night...