Chapter 3- Song Jia
Next morning Qiu Chen got up early, but he was in no hurry to go back to the Song Jia. He unhurriedly took a bath, told Xiao Li to bring breakfast and ordered a servant to call for Butler Wang. When Butler Wang arrived at Qiu Chen's courtyard, he was already all dressed up and was just waiting for his breakfast.
"Wangfei" Butler Wang greeted Qiu Chen with his usual posture.
"Butler Wang, Prepare the carriage for Ben Fei* to go to Song Jia. But before that, call all the maids and servants of the mansion. I would like to have a word or two with them." (A/N: This Concubine, Qiu Chen uses this to refer to himself as he is the Wangfei)
"Yes, Wangfei" with that Butler Wang signaled to the little servant by his side.
As Qiu Chen's breakfast arrived in front of him, all the maids and servants also gathered. Qiu Chen started his breakfast as talked.
"Ben Fei doesn't care how you all were hired, whether you were bought or sent by anyone, doesn't matter either. From now on Ben Fei will be in charge of this household. And if any of you are found breaking the house rules, such as betraying Wangye, you will be punished according to the house rules. Understood?"
Qiu Chen's voice was soft, but his words weren't. His calm voice made the present people shudder.
"Understood, Wangfei," they all said in unition.
"Collect their gifts from me this afternoon and distribute among them" this sentence was directed to Butler Wang.
"Yes, Wangfei. Does Wangfei want to start for the natal home after breakfast?" Butler Wang asked respectfully.
"En. Go and wait for me outside." With that Qiu Chen dismissed everyone present except Xiao Li.
The sun was already almost midway when Qiu Chen's carriage stopped before the main door of the Duke's mansion. The butler was waiting in front of the gate. When Qiu Chen came down from the carriage he was not even greeted by the butler who craned his neck to look inside the carriage.
"There is no one inside" Qiu Chen said this and walked inside with Butler Wang. As soon as he entered the door he heard a sneering female voice.
"The prince is even reluctant to accompany second brother home?" It was Song Chaoxing's main wife's daughter, Fourth Lady Song, Song Yutong. She was one of the main people to bully the original owner. She was also one of the one who original owner tormented. But it came back to him at last.
Qiu Chen didn't bother reply to her but asked Song family's butler where can he meet his father. After all that is the man he had to talk to. Before long Qiu Chen and Butler Wang were taken to the main hall of the Duke's Mansion. Song Chaoxiang was sitting in the main seat with his wife on his right side and his concubines on the left. After Madame Song, was sitting Song Yuxuan, second son of Madame Song and third son of Duke Song. Song Yuxuan was also a ger, to be precise, he is the chip of Song Chaoxiang to board the second prince's boat. Qiu Chen looked around, but his precious elder brother, the heir of Duke Song, Song Yuhang was missing. If he wasn't wrong, Song Yuhang should be with the second prince trying to be on his good books.
"Presumptuous! One day away from home, have you forgotten how to salute your elders!" Madame Song shouted suddenly.
"This son has seen Father." Qiu Chen didn't bother Madame Song.
"Shouldn't you salute your mother?" Song Chaoxiang was utterly dissatisfied with Qiu Chen's attitude.
"Madame" Qiu Chen did nothing but cupping his hands towards Madame Song.
"Marrying the prince do you think you can be disrespectful to your elders like this? And where is the prince? Why isn't he with you?" Song Chaoxiang scolded Qiu Chen with a heavy face.
"Dare ask father, if Wangye came, would you have scolded him too? Why should he come here to listen to you scolding him?" Qiu Chen asked with a calm voice.
"Good! Very good! Now you have learnt how to scold your father!"
"Son dares not. But son has something to ask from father." Qiu Chen was still calm under Song Chaoxiang's flaring rage.
"Speak." Duke Song said suppressing his anger.
"I want my mother's dowry back. It doesn't matter if you don't give me some dowry, but my mother's dowry should be mine."
"Presumptuous! Are you trying to say the duke's Mansion is trying to cheat you of your dowry?" Song Chaoxiang could hardly control his anger.
"Son dares not. But those dowry came to Song family from my maternal grandfather. Those, according to custom, should be mine. If I remember correctly, the golden hairpin worn by Madame, the jade bracelet on fourth sister's hand, golden waist band worn by third brother, and the green jade ornament that always hangs from eldest brother's waist, all of these are from my mother's dowry. There are several shops in the market which the Song Jia operates. Those are also my mother's dowry from my grandfather. I want everything on this list back," Qiu Chen spoke as he pulled out a list of Song RuZhen's mother's dowry which was on the original's body when Qiu Chen took over.
"You have stretched your hand too long, Song Ruzhen. You have learnt to covet material things. I pity the fourth prince for being the husband of an ungrateful thing like you," Song Chaoxiang's eyes turned red from anger.
"I don't know if the prince is lucky or unlucky for marrying me. I don't care about that. The things that belong to me should be returned to me no matter what." Qiu Chen said in an unhurried tone.
"Kneel for me!" Duke Song shouted as he got up from his seat.
Qiu Chen knelt down.
"Wangfei!" Butler Wang's concerned voice sounded. In response Qiu Chen just waved his hand to tell Butler Wang to stop.
"I knelt down according to the duke's order. Do I get my things back now?" Qiu Chen spoke in a low voice as he scanned the faces around him. All those who bullied the original owner were gloating to see him like this. The original didn't want to punish them, anymore. But Qiu Chen wasn't that big hearted. He kept record of all the sneering and gloating faces, especially that of Song Yuxuan's. This seemingly soft ger had a very critical mind. He was the one who messed with the fourth prince and used the original owner's revengeful mind as his pawn.
"You are still drooling over those things, you bastard!" Song Chaoxiang lost his control over his anger at last.
"Asking for my own things is drooling over? Then dare I ask Duke Song what Song Jia is doing with my property?" There was a trace of arrogance in Qiu Chen's voice.
"Good good! What a good son your mother gave birth to! Your property is more important than your family! Very good!" at this point Duke Song was particularly angry.
"Family? Has a single member of this Song Family ever considered me as a family member?" Qiu Chen said in a mocking voice.
This sentence made Duke and Madame Song's face look extremely ugly. "Do you not want to be a member of Song Jia anymore?" Duke Song shouted.
"I never was one" Qiu Chen said , his eyes turning red.
"Well, very well! You will get your mother's dowry back but you have to leave Song Jia's registration book."
"HUSBAND!" Madame Song suddenly panicked. She didn't want to let go of all those jewelry she got from Concubine's Fang's dowry. Song Chaoxiang looked at her to give her a warning. Madame Song shut up at that.
"Okay, but you have to declare that it was you who cut off the relationship with me, not me. You also had to make it clear why." Qiu Chen gave his condition.
"Wangfei!" Butler Wang broke out in cold sweat.
"Bring the pouch from the gifts" Qiu Chen ordered Butler Wang. Butler Wang had nothing to do but obey his order. Qiu Chen took the pouch and put in front of him on the ground.
"This is the dowry Duke gave me. I am returning this. The gifts will be handed over to the butler. I hope Duke Song will not disrespect Wangye's good will." Qiu Chen spoke as he cupped his hands towards his dear father. Then he got up without waiting for any permission, "I hope all the dowry that belonged to my mother will arrive The Prince's Mansion in two days."
Qiu Chen cupped his hands towards ancestral tomb. I will take you away in future in the place of your son, he told to Concubine Fang in his heart. Then he turned around and left with Butler Wang on his heel.
As he exited the Duke's Mansion, Qiu Chen got up into the carriage motioning Butler Wang to follow him.
"Ben Fei made Butler Wang stand for a long time today. Have some rest inside." Qiu Chen said with a smile.
"This little one thanks Wangfei. But...." Butler Wang didn't know how to continue.
"Why did I do this? If I didn't, they would have never returned those things to me." Qiu Chen looked at Butler Wang with sharp eyes. When he saw his desired expression on the butler's face, he continued, "Moreover, they have already made their choice. I only made it easier for them. Not to say, if I delayed, it could have been worse. Tell the coachman to stop in front of Qing Yuan Restaurant."
This restaurant was named after Song Ruzhen's mother, Fang QingYuan, and was one of the shops that was not included in her dowry. In public's eye, after Old Minister Fang died this restaurant came in his subordinate Qing Yuan's hand. In present days the name "Qing Yuan" referred to the present owner's name. No one remembered the once gentle and beautiful lady Fang QingYuan.
Fourth prince's mansion's carriage didn't cause any uproar in the street as most people didn't know it. The people only saw a beautiful elegant man in sky blue, presumably a ger, descending from the carriage and entering the restaurant, an elderly eunuch following him. This caused a heated discussion among them as for who the man might be.
Qiu Chen entered the restaurant and walked up to the manager and spat out three words in a whispered voice, one at a time, "Fang. Qing. Yuan."
The manager's eyes were shocked but he calmed down quickly, "This customer, please follow me to the private room at the top floor." Nothing he said was out of the usual, but only he himself knew that his palms were all sweaty.
The manager took Qiu Chen all the way to the third floor and respectfully motioned him to enter the private room. After Qiu Chen sat down, the manager locked the door from inside and bowed more respectfully, "What may I help this customer with"
"May I see your menu?" Qiu Chen asked softly.
The manager took out an especially made menu from his sleeve, "This is our special menu. But the customer needs to point out the food he likes to order on the menu. The ink and pen is on the right."
Qiu Chen took the pen, Butler Wang grinded the ink for him. Qiu Chen carefully selected some dishes on the menu and handed it over to the manager.
The manager took the menu back and turned back to leave. But Qiu Chen called him back.
"Hold on." He then turned his head to Butler Wang, "Does Butler Wang intend to accompany Ben Fei to lunch?" The meaning of the question was clear.
"Little one does not dare. Little one does not dare" Butler Wang hurriedly explained.
"Manager, take our family's Butler with you, assign him another private room. Butler Wang, tell other people who came to have their lunch here too."
Butler Wang left with the manager. He was taken to a private room on the second floor.
After the manager left he sent a little waiter with some tea for Qiu Chen. Qiu Chen didn't like tea very much but this one tea he got fond of.
"Prepare some of this tea for me to take home," Qiu Chen told the waiter.
"But, respected customer, this tea is our speciality. It cannot be sold like that." The waiter explained respectfully.
Qiu Chen suddenly chuckled but did not ask for anymore. At this time a knock came from the door. The waiter hurriedly opened the door. A series of waiters came in with the dishes Qiu Chen ordered. Following them a man in white beard also entered the room. He spoke after entering them,
"All of you, withdraw. I will personally entertain this guest."
After all the waiters went away Qiu Chen hurriedly stood up and saluted the old man, "Xiao Zhen greets Grandpa Qing."
Qing Yuan hurriedly helped Qiu Chen up, "What are you doing? You are the Wangfei now! How can you salute me!"
"Becoming the princess wife means I am not your Xiao Zhen anymore?" Qiu Chen pouted. This man, Qing Yuan was the one who secretly kept in touch with the original owner. He really treated the original owner as his grandson. He was also the only person original owner could act spoiled too.
"You brat! You are not a little child anymore. Pay attention to your behavior." Qing Yuan scolded with a smiling face.
"I am a very dignified Wangfei in front of others. You will see how others treat me, hmm!" Qiu Chen sulked playfully. "By the way, Grandpa Qing, can I take some of this tea home? Your waiter said that it is not allowed. Can you allow me please? Qiu Chen acted coquettish.
"And who is the real owner of this restaurant? Have you forgotten?"
"But they don't know me. Anyway grandpa, let's talk while eating. Today I have come to talk some business with you." Qiu Chen suddenly became serious. They ate and talked for almost one hour. When he left, Qing Yuan kept looking at the path he left behind for a long time; the child has indeed grown up. He wanted to shed some old tears, but at the same time he felt sweetly proud. This was the kid he was entrusted to by his master.
After lunch Qiu Chen returned to the mansion but he took a roundabout way to see the streets and bustling crowds of the old times. So when they came back the sun was almost setting. Qiu Chen went back to his own courtyard to have a bath and take rest. After he finished his bath, he called Xiao Li to prepare the tea he brought back and to call Butler Wang before that.
"Take this money and give the servants of the mansion a bonus. This is a gift to them from Ben Fei" Qiu Chen told as put a heavy pouch on the table.
"But Wangfei.." Butler Wang was hesitant as he knew that Qiu Chen could not have this much money.
"Take it. This is no shady money" Qiu Chen spoke in a cold voice.
"I don't dare question Wangfei. I will go to the servants right now" Butler was surprised, he was not this easily intimidated. But Wangfei could intimidate him.
"Greetings to the Wangfei" a servant came and greeted Qiu Chen. Qiu Chen nodded his head.
"Wangfei, Wangye has sent people to notify Wangfei that he will have dinner in the barrack. Wangfei does not need to wait on him" the servant said bowing his head.
"Ben Fei knows" Qiu Chen waved his hand to dismiss the servant. For some strange reason he was in a low mood. When the dinner was served he just ate a couple of mouthfuls. Xiao Li came to ask if she should ask the kitchen to prepare something else.
"No need. You guys go and eat too. Don't come to disturb me anymore tonight." Qiu Chen said and entered the inner chamber. He needed some time alone to plan his next moves, and also to sort out his unreasonable emotions.
Qiu Chen didn't know how long had past. He almost fell asleep when he suddenly heard a banging on the door of his room. Thinking that there must be some emergency he hurriedly wore an outer robe over his inner suit and went to the outer chamber to open the door. As he opened the door the first thing he noticed was the heavy smell of alcohol, and the second thing he noticed was that he was enveloped in a bear hug. His first intuition should be resisting but somehow he couldn't. Then he heard a muffled voice.
"Wangfei....." Zhao Yichen said in a drunk but emotional voice, and then buried his head in the crook of Qiu Chen's neck. Then he talked again.
"You are clearly MY wangfei. Why are you thinking of others all the time? When I slept beside you, you thought about him. When I held your hand, you thought about him. When I served you food, you thought about him. You only called me when you need me. I don't have any problem with that. Just don't think about him anymore, okay?" Zhao Yichen's voice sounded like he was about to cry.
Qiu Chen didn't know what he should do. He tried to put his hand on Zhao Yichen's head. But as soon as the man sensed his movement he tightened his grip on Qiu Chen's waist and lifted his head.
"You are not allowed to think about him anymore!" with that he bowed his head and caught Qiu Chen's lips.
Qiu Chen was startled, but then he suddenly felt too comfortable. The same comfort he felt when Qu Yi first kissed him. Thinking of this he wanted to withdraw and look at the man's face. He had a bold guess in his mind, too bold to even think about it.
Zhao Yichen felt that his wife might want to withdraw from the kiss. If it were the sober fourth prince, he would have respected his wife's wish very much. But unfortunately he was drunk now. So he bit down Qiu Chen's lips and said in between, "You are still thinking of him?" He sounded like he was sulking.
Qiu Chen didn't think anymore. He drowned himself in the kiss. This man must have followed him here, like Qu Yu once decided to follow Qin Shui. He missed this man, and this man was in front of him all the time. He thought he would never see him again. But he saw him, he was in front of him; he was hugging him; he was kissing him; it felt like they were never parted. But they parted. This man spent twenty four years in this life without him, and when they met he just ignored him. Qiu Chen felt hurt for his husband. He forcefully pulled out his hands from the man's arms and before the man could say anything he wrapped them around his neck. He wanted to sink in the man body, he wanted inhale his scent, his man's scent.
Qiu Chen didn't know when he started crying. He cried like he had an ocean of tears inside his eyes. His tears woke the man up. Zhao Yichen became sober all of a sudden. He withdrew in an instant. He also separated himself from Qiu Chen's body.
"Ben Wang has acted bold. Hope Wangfei would excuse Ben Wang." Zhao Yichen felt ashamed of himself. He was never the person who would force himself upon a weak ger. But he did just that. He also made his wife cry. He planned to let the person fall in love with himself first. Whomever his wife was thinking of, he would make him forget that man. But he messed it all up. Zhao Yichen blamed himself.
"IDIOT!" Qiu Chen shouted between his tears, "Ben Wang my foot! You are just an idiot!" He didn't pay attention to his propriety. The person standing in front him was no prince to him, neither was he any mighty general. He was his lover, whom he had loved for a lifetime. Qiu Chen cried even harder. This startled the man.
"Don't cry. Baby, don't cry. You want to punch me? You can punch me if you want to. It was all my fault. But don't cry, please?" Zhao Yichen didn't understand what he should do, so he just hugged the person in front of him. But the coaxing words came out of his mouth like he was used to say these words whenever this person cried. He also had an intuition that he should arrange something sweet to improve his wife's mood. He shouted for the servant outside and told him to bring some candy. He didn't care from where the candies would be arranged, but the candies must be arranged.
Qiu Chen wasn't in the mood for all these words. He grabbed man's head and kissed him again. After the initial shock Zhao Yichen became proactive. He sucked on the red lips from his wife. But tasted blood on his lips. He was stressed again. It was self-evident who wounded his wife. This time Qiu Chen bit Zhao Yichen's lip as a punishment for lack of concentration. They kissed for a long time until the servant outside declared the candies have been prepared. Zhao Yichen told him wait, hugged his wife in a princess carry and took him to the couch and sat him down there. Then he went outside and took the plate. It was sugar candy. He took the plate inside, sat beside his wife and hugged him in his arms.
Qiu Chen melted in his hubby's arm. "I missed you. I haven't seen you in a long long time. How could you make me wait?" Qiu Chen said in a spoiled complaining tone.
Zhao Yichen thought he was talking about today. He hadn't met his wife for the whole day and his wife was angry with him. He brought the candy to Qiu Chen's lips. Qiu Chen bit it down.
"It was my fault. I made baby sad today. I misunderstood baby. It won't happen again, okay?" Zhao Yichen patiently coaxed his wife. But his wife's complaints didn't stop, "Do you know that Duke Song made me kneel today. He didn't even let me eat anything. He scolded me so hard."
Zhao Yichen was distressed for his wife. Song Chaoxiang's behavior angered him. He hugged Qiu Chen even tighter.
"I will teach him a lesson for you. Don't be sad anymore."
"No need." His wife's words distressed Zhao Yichen even more, his wife wasn't that close to him. Then he heard his next words, "I broke away from my relationship with them. Zhao Yichen, I don't have a family anymore." Qiu Chen sounded even sadder.
"You have me, I will be your family from now on." Zhao Yichen felt even if he could treasure this person, body and soul, like the most precious jewel in the world, it still wouldn't be enough.
"Yes, you are my family, my husband." Qiu Chen buried his face in the man's chest.
Zhao Yichen's breathing suddenly hitched. "Baby? What did you call me? Can you call me again?"
"You reek of alcohol. You stink. Go take a bath. I want to sleep" Qiu Chen ordered Zhao Yichen like an overlord, got down from his lap and went to the bed.
Zhao Yichen felt helpless. But he still took a bath, wore the clothes delivered from his courtyard, and came to bed. He lied down and hugged his wife in his arms.
"Come to live in the main courtyard from tomorrow on, okay?" Zhao Yichen coaxed Qiu Chen.
"Okay" Qiu Chen said, his head buried in the man's chest. After a while he said in an almost inaudible voice, "husband".
Zhao Yichen hugged him even tighter and whispered back, "Sleep, you're tired today." Qiu Chen really fell asleep within a few moments. Zhao Yichen also slept after a while, in his whole life he never had such a peaceful sleep. It felt like a void in his heart was filled with sweetness, and this person in his arms was the source of that sweetness.