How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Master Song ushered him out, and Song Yuanliang kept thinking about what Master Song had said. It seemed he still had to go to the factory. "What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand," Song Yuanliang silently recited this famous saying in his heart, and then strode out.

Upon reaching the door, Song Yuanliang stopped, turned around to look back at Master Song inside the house, and then left.

Master Song sat in the middle of the study in a grand chair, his eyes closed, leaning back in the chair, playing with a white jade wine pot in his hand.

Hearing footsteps outside, Master Song opened his eyes, waved to the butler, and signaled him to leave.

The butler approached, bowed respectfully, and said to Master Song, "Master, the young master has already departed."

Master Song nodded and said nothing more. After a while, he asked again, "How long has that lad Song Yuanliang been gone?"

The butler glanced at his watch and replied, "About 45 minutes."

Mr. Song stood up, slowly straightened his clothes, and then walked into the courtyard. Looking at the bright moon and a few stars in the sky, he felt a little sentimental. Over the years, he didn't know if he had gotten old or what, but in any case, his health was getting worse and worse.

"It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" A gentle female voice suddenly rang out beside Master Song, startling him from his earlier sigh. He turned around abruptly and saw that the newcomer was wearing a dark yellow woolen coat, with a silk dress peeking out from underneath. Her long, smooth, black hair was styled into a bun and adorned with a gold hairpin inlaid with a ruby.

The second concubine never relied on her looks to win over the family, but the dignified elegance that emanated from within captivated Master Song, which was why she remained a prominent figure in the Song family's inner quarters for so many years.

She still wore a gentle and charming smile, but that warmth didn't reach her eyes. She looked at Master Song, "Master, are you still up so late?"

Looking at his second concubine, Master Song suddenly felt very tired. "You too, why don't you rest earlier?"

The second concubine's lips curled into a slight smile, tinged with a girlish shyness. "I'm waiting for Master to return to his room to rest!" she said, then reached out to help Master Song. "Please go back to your room!"

Master Song shook his head and said, "I'm not tired yet, I'll just sit in the courtyard." With that, Master Song walked to the center of the courtyard and found a stone to sit on.

"Whom is the master worried about?"

Master Song didn't answer, but suddenly said, "Yuanliang is all grown up, let's arrange a marriage for him."

The second concubine was surprised that Master Song suddenly brought this up and asked in astonishment, "Master... you have someone in mind?"

"Didn't you find Miss Liu? How is she? Is she suitable?"

The second concubine quickly composed herself, feeling somewhat worried about her son's marriage, but still tentatively asked, "Miss Liu is just a guest, she's only in middle school. I've heard that among the young ladies in the city, Miss Zheng is the most outstanding. I am of humble birth and have never been to see the world. What do you think of Miss Zheng, sir?"

Master Song sized up his second concubine, trying to discern a calculating look on her face. Unfortunately, he only saw the loving maternal gaze of a mother carefully planning for her child. He sighed inwardly, "Miss Zheng is indeed lovely, but it's a pity. Young Master Guo seems interested. If you think Miss Liu is good, then make your betrothal sooner rather than later."

"So fast?" The second concubine was a little startled. "Master, has something happened? The New Year is almost here, are you in such a hurry to place an order?"

Master Song then realized that it was inappropriate to rush into proposing marriage since the end of the year was approaching.

His displeasure was written all over his face. "You decide. The sooner the better. Go back now."

Master Song looked exhausted, and the second concubine tactfully withdrew, gently closing the door behind her. She had originally come to invite Master Song to her courtyard or ask him to stay the night, but she hadn't expected to be rejected this time. For a moment, the second concubine's usually well-maintained face cracked.

"Niaoluo, what's wrong with Xiaolou again? Why is the master acting so strangely?"

Yingluo replied cautiously, "I heard that the master went there in high spirits a couple of days ago, but he left again after less than a quarter of an hour, looking angry. He's been confined to his quarters again."

The second concubine gritted her teeth; ever since that little wretch entered the household, the master had increasingly disregarded her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. After a while, the second concubine ordered the maid beside her, "Summon the fourth concubine!"

The fourth concubine was a relative of the second concubine's family, so the second concubine trusted the fourth concubine quite a bit and would tell her any secrets.

Before long, the fourth concubine arrived at the second concubine's courtyard. The fourth concubine was wearing a light purple brocade embroidered cheongsam, with a light blue satin jacket over it, and matching embroidered trousers. The old-fashioned dress, when worn by her, gave her a unique and elegant demeanor.

The fourth concubine walked with an elegant posture, each step like a dance, captivating all who saw her.

"What's wrong? Why did you call me over in such a hurry?" As soon as the fourth concubine arrived, she saw that the second concubine, who was always kind in front of outsiders, had a gloomy face, and asked without any surprise.

Yingluo stepped forward and quietly told her what she had just seen and heard. The fourth concubine laughed and said, "What was I thinking? You've been worrying too much. Let me tell you, the woman in that little building is about to be in big trouble."

The second concubine looked over suspiciously, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

The fourth concubine pressed down her lips, her eyes and brows full of smiles, "I've found out some incredible things."

Seeing that she was still showing off, the second concubine became impatient and said, "Hurry up and tell me."

The fourth concubine became serious and recounted everything she had learned, "The woman in that small building is named Lü Yanru..."

Seeing the second concubine's puzzled expression, the fourth concubine added, "That was a fugitive, a fugitive personally arrested by the Marshal's Mansion."

"Don't talk nonsense." The second concubine suddenly realized the key point. No wonder Master Song hid her and didn't let others see her.

"It is impossible for the master to take a fugitive as a concubine. Don't talk nonsense anymore."

Seeing the second concubine's slightly warning expression, the fourth concubine reluctantly shut her mouth.

Where did you hear all this from?

The fourth concubine said smugly, "She has a maid in her courtyard, which is like a wall that lets in drafts on all four sides."

"Little brat? She's spreading rumors everywhere?"

"No, that's not it," the fourth concubine said with a pained expression. "This girl used to be very tight-lipped, she wouldn't let anything slip no matter how I asked. But in just one month, that man has been confined to his quarters twice, and he's not pregnant, so the servants had to find a way out. She gave me his photo and name, and I found out about the others myself."

"Alright, let's not talk about these things again. There are plenty of ways to deal with her. There's no need to harm the Song family. We all have children, and you don't want the Song family to get involved in these things, do you?"

Fourth Concubine nodded listlessly. "Hmm, I know, this is boring, I'm leaving." With a sway of her slender waist, she walked away gracefully.

The second concubine stared at her departing figure, her eyes unreadable.