Chapter 280 — Self-Examination
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Song Yan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Wait for me in the study."
Yan Che gave a soft laugh and watched Song Yan push aside the curtain and enter the hall, then turned and made his way to the study.
The night had been a long commotion, and they had only settled down near dawn. Everyone was exhausted, yet because guards stood watch outside, they slept more soundly than usual—so soundly that Suxin did not start awake until Song Yan stepped into the resting chamber.
"Who's there?" she demanded in a low, wary voice. Sulan was startled awake as well.
When she saw it was Song Yan, Suxin let out a long breath, her whole body going slack. "So it's the Heir Apparent!"
Thank goodness she and her sister had slept in their clothes, fearing someone might come in.
Suxin counted her blessings silently and rose with Sulan to salute Song Yan.
Song Yan kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, gave a slight nod, and went directly into the inner room.
Sulan's mouth fell open. "Sister," she whispered, "after the young lady marries him, why does he act like that? He won't be cold and distant with her too, will he?"
"Shut up." Suxin truly did not know how to discipline this sister of hers. "Him, him, him—is that any way to speak of him? How many times have I told you to call him 'the Madam's husband,' and you never take it to heart! You're eighteen this year—do you still think you're a child? If you keep disobeying, I'll have the Madam send you back to Zhending, so you stop running wild and making trouble for her!"
Sulan pouted.
Suxin could not help but sigh.
In the blink of an eye her sister was already eighteen, and still no match had been settled for her... It was time to start discussing a betrothal... Once the Madam was less busy in a few days, she would bring the matter up with her...
She instructed Sulan, "Since the Heir Apparent has returned, the Madam will be up and washing soon. Have someone prepare hot water." Then she rolled up the bedding and carried it back to their room.
Dou Yan did not have Suxin's alertness; she was sleeping deeply.
Song Yan stood by the bed, studying Dou Yan closely.
She lay on her side, her fine skin like the first snows of winter, her flushed face like the plum blossoms of early spring—even the air around her seemed to drift with a chill that nonetheless left one feeling serene.
Song Yan crouched down gently.
Dou Zhiwei's brows were thick and dark, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, lending her a look of pride that was nonetheless exceedingly beautiful.
He had never known her eyes were so lovely.
It made him think of their times of intimacy, when she looked at him with rippling light, like the shimmering spring radiance of the third month...
Song Yan felt his body stir with excitement again.
At a time like this, he was not thinking of how to comfort Dou Yan. His mind was filled instead with fancies of being with her.
Song Yan cursed himself inwardly and suppressed those thoughts that should not have arisen, yet could not help gently touching her brow.
Dou Yan was startled awake all at once.
She blinked, a drowsy bewilderment in her eyes like that of a child caught off guard.
Something in Song Yan's heart gave a sharp pang.
Who is born ruthless and decisive?
It is only circumstance that forces it upon a person.
Dou Yan's life in her own family had already been hard enough; marrying him had brought her no happiness or peace—instead she had to live in fear and worry alongside him, worse off than she had been at home!
If Dou Yan had hesitated even a little then. If Yan Che and the others had arrived a moment later, and Dou Yan had fallen prey to those thieves—what would have become of things then?
The mere thought of it made his fingertips go cold.
"You're awake!" Song Yan said, his voice a little hoarse, and reached a hand under the quilt to take Dou Zhiwei's hand.