Chapter 318 — The Meeting
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 1 of 4
Thinking of all this, .
Before long, Song Yan sensed her mood.
He wanted Dou Yan to always be happy when she was by his side.
"Hey!" Song Yan took a handkerchief and gently wiped away Dou Yan's tears, teasing her with a smile. "You're this rich and still crying? How are the rest of us—who think we're millionaires just because we own a few shops—supposed to live? Stop being sad, I'll count the money with you. All you have to do is think about how much profit you make every day, picture yourself lying on a bed of silver notes, and your mood will lift in no time."
Dou Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing. She snatched the handkerchief, wiped her face haphazardly, and said with a grin, "You're the one who lies on a bed of silver notes!" Yet in her heart she knew: if not for the warmth of Song Yan's embrace, she wouldn't have shed tears over such a small thing.
"I'd like to!" Seeing her laugh, Song Yan grew even more playful and pretended to sigh. "But I don't have that good fortune! I've still got a family to feed, money to save up so my son can take a wife and my daughter can be married off. I'm not like some people, who eat and drink their fill, don't spend a penny of their own money, and still manage to squirrel away a private stash."
Dou Yan couldn't stop laughing. Leaning on his shoulder, she said, "How about I give you half?"
"No, no." Song Yan shook his head solemnly. "I've finally gotten my father-in-law to look favorably on me. If half your fortune landed in my hands, wouldn't he turn on me at once? I'm still hoping to pry a few heirlooms out of him—and this way it'd all be down the drain! Besides, your money already belongs to my son and daughter anyway. If I lost my father-in-law's treasures for the sake of silver that's already within reach, would that be a fair trade?"
Dou Yan laughed till she could barely breathe.
Song Yan smiled faintly and drew Dou Yan into his arms once more.
"Let's not think about the past anymore." He kissed her forehead. "Let's look ahead—save up properly for our son and daughter, and let them live better than we do."
"All right!" Dou Zhiwei's eyes brimmed with tears again.
"Silly girl!" Song Yan patted her head. "Seeing as you've brought quite a dowry, I'll lend you Zhong Bingxiang for the time being. But it's agreed—half a year at most, and then he goes back to Guangdong. Have that Zhao Liangbi follow Shopkeeper Zhong and learn a few of his secret tricks properly."
"I know!" Dou Yan smiled brightly.
A person who truly has faith in herself will never deny her own worth just because someone is richer than she is, or higher in rank, or more renowned.
She had known that Song Yan would accept the size of her dowry as a matter of course.
Dou Yan gazed at the red lanterns outside the window. Her heart was as vibrant as their color—exceptionally good.
※※※※※
In the outer courtyard of the Duke of Ying's residence, Steward Chang, who was leading a group of guards on patrol, noticed that the western side court of Yizhi Hall—empty for the past few days—had suddenly lit up. Listening closely, he could even make out a hint of commotion.
He could not help asking the guard beside him, "Who's moved into the western side court of Yizhi Hall?"
Ever since Song Yan had killed all the guards who had once intruded into Yizhi Hall, he had lived in constant dread, fearing that Song Yan would one day remember and find some excuse to settle scores with him. He had thought of simply leaving, but then reflected that the world, vast as it was, offered no safe haven: if Song Yan truly meant to do away with him, apart from the Duke of Ying himself, no one could guarantee his safety.
So he had steeled himself and stayed.
Yet in his heart he remained forever in fear of Song Yan, avoiding him whenever possible, as if by doing so Song Yan might forget he existed.
Of course, he knew such hopes were far too lucky a gamble—but other than that, he had no other way.