The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 336: Just a Concubine (1)_1

Chapter 336: Chapter 336: Just a Concubine (1)_1

Xiujin Sun simply couldn’t bear it. She scrutinized the family her matchmakers introduced, but found them utterly unsatisfactory regardless of how she looked! With Young Master Shen as the paragon, how could she ever fancy that smug man! For her own future, she must take a gamble!

Yet, expressing her feelings left her quite insecure, especially when Shen Songming was particularly fond of Pei Qin.

Xiujin sought an opportunity when Pei Qin was not around to declare her resolve to Shen Songming, to follow him, even if it meant being a concubine. If she could bear a son first, her status would be secure! As long as she could please her mother-in-law, she would lead a comfortable life! Even the principal wife wouldn’t dare to mistreat her!

Even though Shen Songming spent his days at Pei Qin’s home, he would always return to the inn to stay overnight after dinner.

Xiujin decided to waylay him on his way back to the inn.

After a satisfying meal, Songming left Liu’er Alley with Shuang Xi just as dusk began to fall, making their way towards the inn.

Xiujin had timed it perfectly, waiting for him to approach so she could twist her ankle and fall towards him.

However, what she didn’t know was that in the evenings, Shuang Xi would carry a lantern and walk ahead to light the path. Whether or not the light was necessary, he was accustomed to walking ahead. After checking the path was smooth, he would then let Song Ming follow, ensuring that his master wouldn’t trip or step into a hole by mistake.

Just as the person in front was approaching, Xiujin ran forward a few steps and collided with him, twisting her ankle severely and crying out in pain immediately.

The person she had bumped into instinctively caught her.

Clinging to his clothes, Xiujin wept softly, "My foot..." She leaned unstably into Shuang Xi’s embrace.

Shuang Xi stiffened, "Miss... I already have someone I like, what’s the meaning of you crashing into my arms like this!?"

He didn’t intend to make a scene, so he asked in a rather low voice.

Xiujin’s heart was pounding, this was her first time attempting such a thing; she was both nervous and excited. On hearing him mention someone he liked, and thinking of Pei Qin, Xiujin endured her shame, abandoned her reserve, reached for his waist, and clung tightly, pretending to be unable to stand due to her twisted ankle.

In the year and a bit since Song Ming arrived, he had maids who cleaned themselves and climbed onto his bed, his mother had even started sending them to him. There were those who embroidered lotus patterns on their purses and undergarments to symbolize their names for him. He was confident in saying that Pei Qin knew far less of these ploys than he did. Recognizing Xiujin, and seeing her clinging tightly to Shuang Xi, her woeful sobs as she complained of a painful ankle twist, his heart channeled Pei Qin and he cursed inwardly, "Ms. Sun! You were meant to fall for me, but you’ve ended up in my servant’s arms instead, what am I to make of this..."

Xijun was taken aback, the fabric under her hands was slippery silk! She looked up, realized it wasn’t Song Ming, and her face went deathly pale as she abruptly pushed Shuang Xi away and scurried aside, looking at Song Ming in utter panic.

Stumbled by her push, Shuang Xi nearly fell. Observing her terrified expression, he curled his lip in disdain. Thinking herself clever, yet daring to play such schemes against their master!

"No... it’s not like that! I was walking too fast and twisted my ankle!" Xiujin panicked with red-rimmed eyes, real tears now welling up and gone was the pretense of a weeping beauty.

Song Ming, rather impatient, knew full well that Xiujin wasn’t close to Pei Qin, yet she frequented their home. He gave her a chilling look and said to frighten her, "Ms. Sun, are you saying this wasn’t intentional? But what’s done is done. It’s not dark yet, and you’ve been holding my servant in the street... That’s akin to an intimate encounter. Since neither of you is betrothed, why not just..."

"No! I refuse!" Xiujin’s voice was shrill as she cried out.