Chapter 400 — Resistance

When she stood before Dou Ming, had she not felt this same helplessness?

Dou Yan could turn her back on Dou Ming — but how could he turn his back on Song Han?

In the Yingzhen Hall, Dou Yan caught Ruozhu's whisper and could not hide her astonishment.

So Madam Jiang had once meant to betroth Jiang Xiexiu to Song Yan. That would explain the tangled look on Jiang Xiexiu's face when she saw him.

But she did not let her thoughts run away with her.

She trusted Song Yan — and she trusted the Jiang family's upbringing as well.

In her last life, gentle Jiang Ling, proud Jiang Xiexiu, considerate Jiang Xieying — all three had hanged themselves.

How it must have torn Song Yan's heart!

Dou Yan thought for a moment, then went to the upper courtyard.

If Ruozhu could hear what Song Han said, then others could hear it too.

Yet heard or unheard, when she stepped in, the maids, serving women and footboys of the upper courtyard were standing in the middle of the yard, hands at their sides in respectful silence. It was so still that Song Han's sobbing could faintly be made out.

Qixia held the curtain for Dou Yan, then quickly slipped back into the crowd.

At the sight of Dou Yan, Song Yan visibly let out his breath.

Perhaps because of the memories of her last life, Dou Yan had never been able to like Song Han.

She looked at him, his eyes swollen red with weeping, and said softly, "It is not that your brother and I will not plead your cause. It is because that sandalwood came from Fourth Aunt's own hand. In all things, both sides must be willing. You cannot, merely because your own heart is set on it, force Fourth Aunt to grant your wish. Would you not say that is the way of it?"

Song Han would not be convinced. "If Fourth Aunt knew I wanted to take Cousin Xiexiu as my wife, why would she refuse? When Mother was alive, Fourth Aunt liked me best of all..."

Dou Yan remembered what Fourth Madam Jiang had said, and chose to let him misunderstand her. "So, then — Fourth Aunt believed you meant to take Cousin Xiexiu as a concubine? The Jiang family may have fallen into decline, but its honor remains. What exactly did you do, to give Fourth Aunt such a notion?"

Song Yan's gaze upon Song Han turned cold as ice.

Song Han could not help but shiver, and cried out, "I did nothing! I only asked Cousin Xiexiu whether she liked staying in the capital. Cousin Xiexiu said that though the capital was fine, it was no longer her home. Only then did I understand my own heart. Sister-in-law," he looked at Dou Yan in all sincerity, "I truly mean to marry Cousin Xiexiu. I beg you, speak to Fourth Aunt for me!"

"I will not open my mouth to Fourth Aunt on this matter," Dou Yan refused him flatly. "Your marriage is for the Duke of Dingguo to decide. Do not let your fancies run wild."

At those words, Song Han leapt to his feet.

He turned on Song Yan. "Does my brother think as my sister-in-law does?"

Song Yan hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Without Father's consent, Xiexiu would have no easy days here even if she married in. You had best put this hope to death."

Song Han's eyes went red, and dragging one leg, he limped toward the door. "You will not mind me — then I shall go and tell Father myself. Let him beat me to death if he likes; I do not care to live anyway. One of you will not mind me, the other minds everything I do. I am the board clamped between you, taking the blows from both sides. I am going to Mother. Only Mother ever loved me. If Mother were still alive, would she have stood in my way?"

Dou Yan called out loudly for Ruozhu. "Will none of you stop the Second Master? He is feverish, and the heat has gone to his head. Go at once and fetch a doctor for him!"

Without a word, Ruozhu set Jingui and Yingui to pin Song Han to the ground, while she herself took a handkerchief and stuffed it into his mouth.

Jingui and Yingui went white with fright and could not help stealing glances at Song Yan; seeing his face dark and his lips sealed, the two sisters steadied themselves a little, and carried Song Han over to the bed.

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To all the brothers and sisters who read this book, here is today's second update.

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