Glory

Instead, the old woman behind her spoke up: "Miss, it's unsafe for two weak women like us to be alone in Lin'an. Just the other day, there were loafers peeking around our gate. If it were just Young Master Song alone, I wouldn't suggest this, but since he's with his mother, it shouldn't be a problem. Why don't we let them stay here with us? With Young Master Song around, those loafers probably wouldn't dare bother you anymore."

She then turned to Song Yifeng with a smile: "Young Master Song, please don't mind this old woman's presumptuous suggestion. If it's inconvenient for you, just pretend I never said anything. But if you have nowhere to stay for now, you could remain here for a few days until you find suitable accommodation."

Song Yifeng glanced at Cui Zijin and noticed her hanging her head in silence, understanding that she was willing but too reserved to voice her agreement.

He felt deeply moved.

Influenced by societal norms, he had always looked down on merchant families deep down. Having to accept Ye Jia's support felt like a humiliation to him. Moreover, since the original host wasn't his type, he had been resistant and found her presence irritating. The fact that she kept visiting his home and clinging to him only increased his aversion.

Cui Zijin's delicate beauty perfectly matched his aesthetic preferences. Combined with her scholarly background, talent, and charming demeanor, the young and impressionable Song Yifeng quickly fell head over heels in love, unable to extricate himself. Now, Cui Zijin's implicit invitation to stay filled his heart with sweetness.

He asked: "Won't this cause trouble for you? If the neighbors find out a man is staying in your home, they're bound to gossip."

Cui Zijin lowered her head, twisting her skirt slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as if hesitating.

"Miss, we're only renting this house anyway. Why don't we terminate the lease and rent a larger place? This location is too close to Young Master Song's former residence - it's not good for your reputation, and Young Master Song wouldn't feel comfortable staying here either," the old woman spoke up again.

Cui Zijin lifted her head to glance at Song Yifeng before lowering it again, giving a slight nod.

Her red lips parted, her voice soft and melodious: "When the time comes, you can tell people I'm your sister."

Song Yifeng felt relieved, the furrowed brow he had maintained for days finally smoothing out as a happy smile appeared on his face: "Alright, thank you, Miss Zijin."

In his heart, he understood clearly that no matter how much he liked Cui Zijin, he could never marry her as his wife. After all, she was the daughter of a disgraced official, which would harm his official career. He ought to marry the daughter of an official.

He had been clear about this before. After what happened with Ye Jia and Wang Wenzhi forcing him to sell his land cheaply before discarding him like garbage, he became even more certain of this.

Though he wouldn't marry her, he continued his relationship with Cui Zijin partly because he couldn't help himself, deeply attracted to her, and partly because Cui Zijin had no one to rely on, making her someone he could afford to be involved with.

After he passed the imperial examination and married, if circumstances permitted, he would take Cui Zijin as his concubine. If his wife's family was too powerful to cross, or if his wife objected, or if Cui Zijin herself refused to become his concubine in the Song household, then he would keep her outside as a mistress.

The worst outcome would be for them to each marry someone else.

If even the wealthy and somewhat powerful Ye Jia couldn't do anything to him, what could a lone woman possibly do?

And now that Cui Zijin was willing to live under the same roof with him as siblings, it was perfect for him. He could enjoy the company of a beauty without bearing any responsibility - the best of both worlds.

"Then I'll go look for a house right now," he said happily, standing up.The old woman smiled and said, "Young master, you attend school during the day and aren’t familiar with practical matters. Why not tell me which area you’d like to rent a house in? I’ll go there tomorrow to inquire and look around—I’m sure I can find a place that will satisfy both you and the young lady."

Cui Zijin lifted her head and smiled sweetly, like a child, with a hint of pride on her face. "Cui Mama is very capable." Song Yifeng grew even more pleased.

To change his circumstances, even though he was clever, he studied with extreme diligence. Aside from eating, sleeping, and necessary interactions with the prefectural school teacher and his classmates, he devoted almost all his time to studying. Practical matters were truly unfamiliar to him.

"Originally, I shouldn’t trouble Cui Mama, but my mother has caught a chill these past couple of days and really can’t manage the effort. I’ll have to trouble you with this matter, Mama."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all," Cui Mama replied.

Song Yifeng hesitated again. "As for the cost of renting the house..."

He had nearly exhausted all his family’s resources compensating Ye Jia, but Yu Shi had set aside one hundred taels of silver for household expenses beforehand.

Renting a house was still affordable. However, their funds were limited, and every coin spent meant one less. As soon as he brought this up, Cui Mama quickly waved her hand. "Young master, please don’t stand on ceremony with us. The young lady and I only asked to live with you and your mother because we’re alone here and unsafe. Let us cover the rent. To be frank, although my young lady has lost her family—"

"Mama!" Cui Zijin tugged at her sleeve, cutting her off.

Cui Mama seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn and quickly gave Cui Zijin an apologetic smile, falling silent awkwardly.

"It’s getting dark. Your mother must be waiting anxiously at home—you should head back now. If you’re busy tomorrow, send Guizi over. Once there’s news about the house, I’ll have Guizi bring you a message," Cui Zijin said to Song Yifeng.

Though reluctant to leave, Song Yifeng knew his mother was ill at home and surely worried about the matter. Returning early with the news would set her mind at ease.

Besides, he still needed to explain his relationship with Cui Zijin to his mother.

So he agreed, casting one last longing glance at Cui Zijin before leaving with Guizi.

After seeing the master and servant off and watching them disappear into the distance, Cui Mama turned back, closed the courtyard gate, and went inside.

Entering the room, she said to Cui Zijin, "Rong’er, it seems to me that this Young Master Song has genuine feelings for you, and he isn’t married yet. What do you think? If you could marry him, it might actually be quite good."

Cui Zijin smiled bitterly. "Aunt, what are you thinking? How can my identity remain hidden? He’s going to take the imperial exams and become a high official. For someone like me, forget being a wife—even as a concubine, people would look down on me, afraid I’d tarnish their reputation."

She recalled how, when she had married Li Juren as a concubine, she had initially hoped for a stable life without further upheaval. After all, her background as a woman from a brothel was an indelible mark on her records. And at the time, Li Juren had genuinely cared for her.

But once you’ve fallen into a cesspit, even if you struggle out and scrub yourself clean, the stench lingers.

Although Li Juren had no elders pressuring him and allowed her to enter his household as a concubine without issue, his legal wife was anything but accommodating. She incited the entire household to humiliate Cui Zijin over her brothel origins, even having male servants falsely accuse her of seducing them, which led to Li Juren’s suspicion and coldness.