How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Standing on the second-floor veranda, watching Master Song walk away, Yan Ru finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, seeing the little one run off into the distance as well, she truly relaxed.

Yan Ru wasn't stupid. She could tell what was going on in Master Song's eyes. Coupled with Granny Dun's inspection that evening, which didn't seem like a proper bathhouse visit, she couldn't help but have some guesses.

However, being on someone else's turf, Yan Ru didn't dare to speak up. If she refused inappropriately and angered them, who else in her family could plead for her help?

This is also due to his family's circumstances. The main branch of the Lü family is not in Sifang City, and they have no relatives or old friends in the city. Master Song is already considered to be the closest relative to them.

Back home, only a few dozen acres of fertile land remained for rent; the rest had long since fallen into ruin, and there was no one left to rely on. Therefore, they dared not offend Master Song. If even he abandoned them, then their family... would truly be without any help.

Yan Ru's face flushed red one moment and turned pale the next; her mind was in turmoil, but she had no idea what to do and no one to discuss it with.

After returning to the room and closing the doors and windows, just as I was about to change my clothes and lie down, a dark figure darted in.

"Ugh..." Yan Ru was about to shout when her mouth was covered.

"do not move."

Yan Ru wouldn't listen. If someone sneaks into someone's boudoir in the middle of the night, they're either a thief or a scoundrel who's going to steal your love. You absolutely mustn't give in.

He pulled hard on the thief's hand, kicking his legs wildly, determined to make a noise and attract attention.

Although the young woman was not very strong, she couldn't hold back any longer after using all her strength. The thief had no choice but to reveal his identity, "It's me, Song Yuanliang, your classmate."

Yan Ru didn't hear clearly, and the voice wasn't very familiar, so she gradually lost her strength.

A wave of despair gradually washed over him. He thought to himself that he was unlucky and was probably going to fall victim to thieves. He was heartbroken and relaxed for a moment, but at the same time he fought back with all his might.

Seeing this, the thief had no choice but to release him and turn on the table lamp in the room. With the light shining brightly, Yanru was able to see who it was.

Dressed in a black Zhongshan suit, he stood tall and straight, handsome and refined, yet exuding a noble elegance.

He was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with a student-like appearance and a pair of almond-shaped eyes that shone brightly even in dim lighting.

Yan Ru squinted at him, feeling a sense of familiarity. Forgetting her surroundings for a moment, she asked, "You are...?"

The man laughed heartily, sat down casually on the ground, and looked Yanru straight in the eye. "What do you think, Lü Yanru? We've been classmates for half a year, you haven't heard of me, have you?"

Yan Ru suddenly remembered that her family was low-key at school, but this person in front of her was the complete opposite, extremely high-profile. Whether it was a poetry gathering, a dance party, or any other party, he always managed to steal the spotlight.

Yan Ru has always been known as the "school beauty". Although he has never met her, they have heard of each other and can be considered to have a spiritual connection.

"Song Yuanliang?"

Yanru exclaimed, though it was a question, it was quite certain.

“Hmm,” Song Yuanliang nodded in agreement, looking at her with a playful expression.

Noticing his gaze, Yan Ru belatedly realized that her clothes were disheveled and had already revealed a little bit of her body.

She quickly pulled her clothes tighter and questioned, "Even if you're a classmate, you shouldn't barge into someone else's room, you lecherous scoundrel! Get out of here right now, or I'll call someone."

Song Yuanliang threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Look, is anyone coming?"

Yan Ru was extremely embarrassed and angry, and pushed him away, saying, "Get out."

"Ahem, don't look at what you shouldn't see, don't look at what you shouldn't see."

Looking down, she saw that the clothes were completely covered, and she knew that this person was playing a trick on her again. Yanru couldn't help but reach out and hit him.

In Song Yuanliang's eyes, this little bit of strength was no more than a tickle. Seeing her blushing face, he found her really cute and couldn't help but grab her hand and pull her into his arms.

"I have long admired you for a long time."

Yan Ru was taken aback and pushed him hard, "This is not an excuse for you to act like a hooligan, let go of me."

Song Yuanliang didn't really intend to be rude to the beauty. He released her, but then sat down on her bed, propping himself up on the couch and staring intently at her.

Yan Ru felt extremely uncomfortable with this gaze, and since she couldn't get rid of the man, she could only move away from him and wait for another opportunity to escape.

I also regretted closing the doors and windows too tightly, trapping myself inside.

Making conversation, he asked, "What...what are you doing at the Song residence?"

As soon as he said it, he wanted to bite his tongue. Song Yuanliang's surname is Song, and Master Song's surname is also Song, so he must be a nephew or niece of this family.

As expected, Song Yuanliang replied, "This is my home, and Song Wenqu is my father."

Only then did Yanru learn Master Song's name. "How can the water be so clear?" No wonder Master Song smiled meaningfully when she mentioned her sister's maiden name earlier.

Feeling a little uneasy, I said, "Oh."

There was nothing more to say.

Song Yuanliang, however, was somewhat puzzled, "Why are you in my house, and...and staying in the boudoir?"

I haven't heard anything lately about Master Song taking a new concubine. If Master Song were to marry Yanru, he would definitely be the first to disagree.

"I…"

Yan Ru was unsure whether she should tell Song Yuanliang about this, since he was also a member of the Song family. However, it wasn't a good thing either, especially since Master Song was hiding the person that Commander Guo was looking for. It wouldn't be good if word got out.

But Song Yuanliang wasn't confined at home. Once he went to school, he would eventually hear some news.

"I have some family matters to attend to, so I'd like to stay at your place for a while." After thinking for a moment, he gave an ambiguous answer.

Song Yuanliang breathed a sigh of relief, as long as it wasn't his father's concubine.

Once she relaxed, her tone became even lighter, "So how long are you staying? Will you still go to school?"

"I'm not going," Yan Ru quickly waved her hand. "I don't know how long I'll stay. I'll wait until my family matters are settled."

Song Yuanliang had long admired Yan Ru, but Yan Ru was aloof and rarely joked around with boys except when she was with her female classmates. Although she occasionally attended parties, she was always picked up by her family as soon as they ended, and he never had a chance to get close to her.

Even when he was in the limelight at events big and small, she rarely gave him a second glance.

Fortunately, by frequently showing his face, he managed to make her remember him.

Yan Ru was facing Song Yuanliang, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet.

It's not a good idea for a man and a woman to be alone in a room late at night. Although Song Yuanliang no longer acted frivolously, Yan Ruxing still felt awkward.

Song Yuanliang could also see that she had finally struck up a conversation with him, and he was quite happy. He also had the idea of ​​taking his leave.

“I’ve wanted to get to know you for a long time, but you’ve always been aloof and ignored me, so I never had the chance. This afternoon, I saw someone across the street who looked like you in my study, so I just turned around and looked over.” Song Yuanliang opened the window and pointed to the house over the osmanthus tree.

"I'm sorry, I scared you. I apologize. You can stay at my house without worry. If you suffer any grievances, come to me and I will protect you."

Yan Ru was at a loss for words, but she blushed and her heart raced. She turned her face away and said, "I heard you apologize. Don't do it again next time."

"Yes," Song Yuanliang nodded, his expression serious, revealing his deep reluctance.

These words, which sounded like a confession, left people speechless.

Yan Ru didn't dare push him anymore, but opened the door and said, "Go back and rest. Don't tell anyone I'm at your house. It's not good because... because it's not good to talk about my family situation. You mustn't tell anyone, okay? Especially at school. Don't reveal my whereabouts."

"Okay, I promise I won't say a word." Song Yuanliang's undisguised gaze forced Yan Ru to back down, leaving her no choice but to dodge.

After repeatedly saying goodbye, Song Yuanliang finally turned and went downstairs, leaping out of the courtyard with agility.

Yan Ru watched with envy, thinking, "I wish I had such skills."

After tossing and turning for most of the night, Yan Ru could no longer stay awake. She carefully closed every window and door before finally falling asleep, half-asleep and half-doubting.

Meanwhile, Master Song was sitting alone in his study.

Bringing his hand close to his nose, he could almost smell a faint fragrance. Master Song was never one to compromise himself, but for the first time, he yielded and suppressed his desires in front of Yan Ru.

"It shouldn't be."

Master Song was unsure of his feelings. He always wanted women as he pleased. He had five concubines in the garden, three of whom were "Miss Xiulou," not counting Yanru.

He had a diverse array of women, from plump to slender, including traditional women of the old days and modern ladies brought back from the bustling metropolis. Whether it was charm or literary discussions, his concubines were more than enough for him.

Then why still treat Yan Ru...?

Master Song suppressed the stirrings in his heart, attributing them solely to Yan Ru's youthful beauty and her blend of ancient and modern charm. Her delicate fragility was unmatched, like a fragile flower bud, making one unable to resist feeling pity for her.

The reason he didn't touch her today was simply... simply because she was the daughter of an old friend. After analyzing his actions in this way, Master Song finally felt relieved; he didn't want a young woman to so easily sway his emotions.

Brushing the cigarette ash off his clothes, Master Song couldn't sit still any longer. The night was already more than halfway over, and he should get some rest as soon as possible.

Even feeding the mosquitoes at the door couldn't stop Song Yi from falling asleep. He made up his mind that if the master still didn't make a sound in another hour, he would go to the side room to catch up on sleep.

Just as he was feeling drowsy, the study door opened, startling Song Yi. He quickly bent down and asked, "Oh, sir, it's so late, which concubine's courtyard are you... going to stay with?"

Master Song casually pointed in a direction, "Let's go to her place."

Following Master Song's gesture, Song Yi looked around and remarked, "Isn't this Fifth Concubine's courtyard?"

I turned to look at Master Song's face, but Master Song never showed his emotions, so it was impossible to tell.

"Alright, please wait a moment, I'll have Song Ren bring over a sedan chair right away."

"No need, I'll walk over."

"Yes." Song Yi replied verbally, quickening his pace to keep up, thinking to himself: What's wrong with Master? Hasn't he been favoring the young ladies of Xingxiang Pavilion lately?

Why go after the unpopular Fifth Concubine? Could it be that you've seen too many alluring and seductive women and want to try something simpler like the Fifth Concubine?

Song Yi asked himself honestly, and realized that he still preferred the passionate and fiery type from Xingxianglou, and had no interest in the scholarly type like Fifth Concubine.

Huh? Who was he dating again? Song Yi shook his head, unable to remember.