Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 114 Lusting After Her Body (3)

Of the three green hats (being cheated on), Song Yan helped Song Hongtao remove two of them, but then officially recognized the last one.

Wang Qingshan was considered his informant, but one Wang Qingshan was not enough. For example, when Song An returned, Wang Qingshan's side was unable to find out anything.

However, pillow talk can be quite useful sometimes.

Therefore, Song Yan planned to train Lin Xiangwan as his second informant, and this secret was enough to control Lin Xiangwan until Song Hongtao died.

The reason Song Yan chose Lin Xiangwan instead of Zhang and Zhao was twofold. Firstly, Lin Xiangwan was intelligent; intelligent people know which choices are more advantageous to them and don't rashly try things they think are right. Secondly, although it was just a brief encounter, it was enough for Song Yan to judge that Zhang and Zhao didn't have much cunning, and who knows what kind of trouble they might cause if they thought they were in control again.

On the other hand, Lin Xiangwan was more favored and knew better how to please Song Hongtao.

The atmosphere in the study had already become incredibly oppressive.

Apart from the instinctive heartbeat, even the sound of breathing disappeared completely. The remaining five concubines were all silent, worried that they might end up like Concubine Zhao and Concubine Zhang, even though they hadn't done anything wrong.

Lin Xiangwan felt a chill run down her spine.

Even Song Hongtao subconsciously gripped the handrail tightly.

If Lin Xiangwan's child isn't his either, he might go crazy.

However, with Song Yan's words, the tension instantly melted away like snow meeting a raging fire, and one could hear a series of long sighs.

A blush rose on the faces of the five women.

Song Hongtao's body trembled slightly, and a smile finally appeared on his face. Fortunately, at least he still had one child of his own. His originally fierce and repressed eyes softened.

As for Lin Xiangwan, she managed a forced smile, a stiff one at that. Heaven knows what she felt during those few short moments; she felt as if she had fallen from a mountaintop, as if she could be torn to pieces at any moment.

She never wanted to experience that kind of fear again in her life.

After moving her body slightly, Lin Xiangwan realized that she was soaked in cold sweat all over, and her clothes were sticking to her body, making her very uncomfortable.

However, as I felt relieved, a question also arose in my mind.

Although she wasn't as outrageous as Aunt Zhao, she wasn't much better than Aunt Zhang. Since Song Yan could see through Aunt Zhang, he could certainly see through her too.

Then why didn't you expose yourself?
What was the meaning behind that smile you gave me earlier?
Could it be that the Ninth Prince wants to get something from me?
Lin Xiangwan was quick-witted. She knew that Song Yan had caught her red-handed and that she would be under his control from now on. However, she was not without a chance to break free. Song Yan would definitely ask her to make a deal. If she could know Song Yan's purpose in advance, she would not be too passive in the deal.

Lin Xiangwan simply couldn't think of any leverage she had for making a deal.

She was just an ordinary woman from a merchant family.

I need money, but not much.

Their influence goes without saying.

What use would it be to Song Yan to deliberately hold a handle on him and control him?
The only thing of value might be... Could it be that Song Yan is lusting after her body?
I've heard that some people have rather unusual tastes, and are extremely interested in pregnant women. Could Song Yan be such a pervert?
Moreover, Song Yan is a son-in-law living with his wife, and his wife suffers from tuberculosis, so they cannot consummate their marriage at least for now, nor can they go to brothels or similar places. Is that why he has his eye on me? Although I think this conjecture is a bit far-fetched, it seems to be the most likely scenario at present.

Lin Xiangwan frowned. She was Song Hongtao's concubine. If she were to serve him again, wouldn't that be a violation of ethics and morality?

However, if Song Yan were to blackmail her, she would probably have no choice but to agree, even if she didn't want to. Just as Lin Xiangwan was lost in thought, Song Yan's voice rang out again: "Father summoned me here tonight, could it be so that I could examine your concubines?"

"If that's the case, I'll come here often from now on."

Please don't... If two people die once, and it happens twice more, wouldn't that mean I'd owe you a life?

Song Hongtao twitched the corners of his mouth, as if he wanted to chuckle, but thinking of the two green hats on his head, he ultimately couldn't laugh: "Of course, there are other things."

"Master, it's getting late, so my sisters and I will head back to rest," Lin Xiangwan said softly with a smile. She was indeed very sensible; no wonder Song Hongtao liked her. After the concubines left, the study felt somewhat empty.

Song Hongtao seemed to hesitate for a moment, but after a brief pause, he finally sighed, turned around and started rummaging through the bookshelf. After a long time, he finally pulled out a dusty, thread-bound book.

The pages are yellowed, and it looks like it's been around for quite some time.

Song Hongtao sighed, his eyes showing some complexity.

He did not immediately hand the thread-bound book to Song Yan. After a few moments, he slowly spoke: "Yan'er should know that the Duke's Mansion used to be very... very powerful."

Song Yan nodded.

Simply put, their ancestors were once wealthy.

The vast empire of the Duke's mansion was actually built by Old Master Song himself. Old Master Song was a ruthless figure who fought alongside Emperor Ningguo in conquering the land. He even single-handedly charged into the enemy's encirclement when the Emperor's family was captured, carrying the Emperor's young son to his chest, and fought his way in and out of the enemy ranks seven times. Seeing Old Master Song covered in blood, his back riddled with arrows, yet his young son unharmed, Emperor Ningguo wept bitterly, throwing the child to the ground and exclaiming: "For this child, I almost lost one of my beloved generals!"
When Song Yan first learned about this history, he was a little confused and almost thought that Old Master Song was the reincarnation of Zhao Zilong.

After the establishment of the Ningguo Kingdom, Old Master Song became a powerful figure in the court. At that time, the Song family could no longer be described as illustrious. It is said that Old Master Song was even specially permitted to wear armor and carry a sword when attending court.

However, in old age, people always hope to return to their roots. Although Emperor Taizu was reluctant to part with his old brother who fought alongside him to conquer the world, he could not bear to refuse his brother's last request. He granted permission to exchange the fiefdom of Old Master Song to Ningping and bestowed upon him countless gold and silver treasures, showing him the utmost favor.

By the time Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, the old man had already passed away. However, out of gratitude for the old man's life-saving grace, he took good care of the Song clan members as well. Most of the talented members of the Song clan held important positions in the court, and even the mediocre ones were given a leisurely position to ensure a lifetime of wealth and honor.

However, by now, six or seven emperors have passed, and while the achievements remain, the feelings have faded.

The descendants of the Duke's mansion were getting worse with each generation, and their decline was inevitable.

Actually, this is quite normal. The Duke's mansion is not like those aristocratic families and doesn't have such a deep foundation. Occasionally, a few spendthrift sons appear, and it becomes difficult to support them.

The Duke's Mansion was a military noble family. If things had continued to develop in this way, in a few decades, it would probably have been nothing more than an empty title of Duke. It was only in Song Hongtao's generation that a younger brother, Song Jincheng, abandoned his military career for a civil one and rose rapidly through the ranks. Now he serves as a minister and can be considered to have a high position and great power.

With the addition of Song Zhe, a prodigy, and the third son Song Jing's achievements in the army, Song Hongtao finally saw some hope for the family's revitalization.

Who would have thought that the younger brother of a high-ranking official would pin seven hats on Song Hongtao's head?

Song Zhe, the son of a prince, and Song Jing, the third son, are not his biological sons.

Even if the Song family were to be revived, what would that have to do with me?
The truly capable Song Yan, although most likely the biological son, was married off and became a live-in son-in-law. Furthermore, due to Song An's instigation, he avoided seeing Song Yan for a long time, which likely created a rift between them.

Lin Xiangwan is right; this relationship needs to be mended.

As for how to make amends, that's what he has in his hands.

Song Yan's gaze also fell on the book, where several large, bold characters were prominently displayed:
Vajra Arhat Kung Fu!
(End of this chapter)