How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Rubbing his temples, Song Yuanliang got up and walked towards the outer study, but was blocked by Master Song.

"Where are you going?"

Song Yuanliang asked in surprise, "Father, is something the matter?"

"I want to talk to you."

Song Yuanliang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

The two sat in the chairs, neither of them speaking first.

“I heard from your mother that she has found you a marriage partner.”

"It's not a marriage, we're just friends."

"Which young lady is it?" Master Song asked as gently as possible.

"I don't know which family Liu Xiang belongs to, so I don't agree."

Master Song frowned. “Marriage is a serious matter that cannot be decided by your whims. Take a look at these suitable young ladies, choose a few that you are satisfied with and that are of similar age, and I will have someone arrange a marriage between you.”

“Father, you don’t need to trouble yourself with this matter.” Song Yuanliang said meaningfully, “Don’t ruin someone else’s daughter’s life. I have someone I like. I told you before that I will not go on blind dates with anyone else.”

Master Song's eyes flickered for a moment, then returned to normal. "Since that's the case, then so be it."

Song Yuanliang nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Master Song did not stop him, but watched him walk away, a cold glint in his eyes.

Yanru tossed and turned in bed for a long time before finally falling asleep, but when she woke up in the middle of the night and found that Song Yuanliang was not by her side, she couldn't help but feel anxious and uneasy.

This feeling has lasted for a long time.

She couldn't eat or sleep well as long as Song Yuanliang wasn't by her side.

Habits are a terrible thing. It hasn't been long since we went from resisting them to becoming dependent on them.

Yan Ru threw off the covers, got out of bed, and ran barefoot to the study, opening the window.

The moonlight spilled onto the window paper, highlighting her pale and thin face, making her appear exceptionally pitiful.

She stood there, looking at the dim lights outside the window, suddenly feeling lost, unsure of where to go or what the future held.

The next morning, while it was still barely light, the sky was still overcast.

Yanru got up, dressed herself, and walked towards the door. Master Song no longer restrained her and released Dujuan. There were also two rough-working women below.

Du Juan, who was guarding the gate, stopped her.

"Sixth Madam, the Master has instructed that you are not allowed to go out during this period."

"Can't we even leave our rooms?"

"I dare not ask that. Please go back inside."

Yan Ru stood there, without insisting further, and went back inside.

Out of boredom, she picked up a book to look at; it was the one Song Yuanliang had found for her before.

Unexpectedly, it has now become her go-to way to pass the time.

It was already morning when Yanru felt sleepy and lay on the bed, dozing off.

Du Juan quietly brought in hot water and found that she had fallen asleep. She took a handkerchief to wipe her face and covered her with a blanket.

Du Juan sighed softly, unsure how to comment. She had initially thought it was because Master Song had caught the Sixth Concubine and the Eldest Son in their affair, but it turned out it wasn't because of that. The Master had only confined her for less than a day before lifting the ban, which showed he cared for her. Alas… what was she to do?

Du Juan shook her head, sighed, and left the room.

As soon as Master Song stepped into the room, he saw Du Juan carrying a basin out, and he couldn't help but frown.

"Cuckoo," Master Song called out.

"Yes," Du Juan quickly turned around and said respectfully, "Master?"

Master Song glanced around the room, then at Du Juan, his tone stern, "Has Sixth Concubine gone to sleep?"

"Yes, I fell asleep while reading," Du Juan replied.

Master Song waved for her to leave and went into his room. Yan Ru was fast asleep on the chaise longue, the pages of a book covering her face, revealing only the delicate tip of her nose. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she had an unresolved sorrow. Her originally pretty face was now so thin that only a point remained.

Master Song gazed at her tenderly for a moment, then gently raised his hand to stroke her cheek. Yan Ru seemed to sense something, and groggily opened her eyes, just in time to touch Master Song's descending hand.

Her dazed eyes snapped open, and she abruptly stood up, dodging Master Song's outstretched hand as if he were some kind of monstrous beast.

The book fell to the ground with a "thud," and Yan Ru bent down to pick it up, just in time to bump into Master Song's hand.

Yan Ru abruptly withdrew her hand, and Master Song picked up the book and glanced at it.

"I didn't buy you a book like this, did I?"

Yan Ru snatched the book from him and hugged it to her chest, not daring to look him in the eye. "I brought this myself."

Mr. Song was suspicious for a moment, but he didn't say much. He was afraid that the truth would be the one he would find hardest to accept.

I'll be having dinner here tonight.

Yan Ru stared wide-eyed, "You...you can't!"

Mr. Song said helplessly, "I have something to tell you, I won't be staying here overnight."

Yan Ru breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt that she had been being a bit pretentious.

Can you tell me now?

Following behind her, Mr. Song suddenly realized that he was helpless against her. When she smiled, he was happy; when she frowned, he felt heartache. But when she resisted him, he would lose his mind and become extremely afraid and terrified.

Ha, this is actually the magic of a little woman, and a little woman who doesn't even have him in her heart.

"Yanru," Master Song suddenly called to her, "I can let you see your father."

Yan Ru's eyes lit up, then she hesitated, "Do you... have any other conditions?"

"No, it's just that I promised you and I've done it now."

Yan Ru hesitated, her mind in turmoil, but in the end she gave in, "Thank you, when can I see my father?"

After a moment's thought, Master Song said, "I'll send someone to take you there. It's not convenient for a girl like you to go alone. Once I've rescued your father, I hope you can stay by my side."

Yan Ru bit her lip, her lowered eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes.

Master Song continued to tempt, "And I've met your sister. If you're willing, I can bring them all to the manor."

Yan Ru looked up at him, "Really?"

"of course."

"I...I'll think about it."

Mr. Song breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and turned to leave. It's not about being indifferent to everything; attracting her with what she cares about most is also a way of "playing to her tastes," isn't it?

He admitted that the method was neither honorable nor aboveboard, and even despicable. But without using some means, Yan Ru would probably never have taken that step; he had simply done what he was supposed to do.

Yanru sat in front of the dressing table, lost in thought, her eyes unfocused and vacant. Various thoughts flashed through her mind, one moment the image of her father and sister, the next the face of Song Yuanliang.

"What about my sister you mentioned? How is she? Where did you meet her? Is she alright?"

"Good, bad, she's in Commander Guo's hands."

Yanru couldn't believe it. "Has my sister been captured by the Guo family?"

"No, she is very clever. She knows that the most dangerous place is the safest place, so she hides in the Guo family mansion under an assumed name."

"What should we do then?" Yan Ru asked anxiously. "General Guo was going to arrest us anyway, isn't that very dangerous?"

"So, Yanru, you must save them. You have the ability to save them."

Like a hellish chant, Master Song gradually increased the stakes, luring Yan Ru into his trap.

"Me?" Yan Ru looked bewildered.

"I will help you." Master Song said with certainty, looking directly at Yan Ru.

Unable to dodge, Yan Ru could only resort to tears to force Master Song to back down.

"I..." She couldn't bring herself to say it. She didn't want to agree, but she couldn't ignore her family. So she just mumbled something, unwilling to face these things any longer.

Mr. Song considerately stepped out of the room, saying, "I'll come back tonight to hear the answer."