Lin Zhaofeng’s clothes were not properly fastened as he lazily opened the door.
However, it was evident that Lin Zhaofeng held a degree of respect and fear for his elder brother, Lin Muyang.
Upon seeing Lin Muyang, his previously slouched posture straightened abruptly. "Do they really need me there? Big Brother, Father isn't truly angry this time, is he? When we go back later, you must speak well of me in front of him!"
Lin Muyang seemed to have no other recourse with his half-brother. "Hurry and get dressed, then come back with me. Your concubine mother is ill, so you should refrain from causing trouble. You'll be discussing marriage arrangements in a few days, so restrain yourself! Otherwise, if the Song family learns of your conduct, they might not marry their daughter to you."
Hearing this, Lin Zhaofeng appeared nonchalant. "They don't want to marry their daughter off? That one born of an outside concubine, I don't mind her! If Father weren't pushing so hard, and if I hadn't seen her at the palace banquet and found her attractive, would I, the son of Prime Minister Lin, have to marry the daughter of an outside concubine as my main wife? She should be grateful for clinging to me!"
A feeling of disgust and nausea welled up in Song Chaoyu's heart.
Instead, Lin Muyang spoke a few words in defense of Song Chaoyu. "I saw the fourth daughter of the Song family at the palace banquet as well. Although born of an outside concubine, her demeanor and conduct are quite proper. Furthermore, she saved the Crown Princess, which shows considerable courage. If she were to marry into our Lin manor, she could properly manage your courtyard. You should be thanking her!"
Even with Lin Muyang's words, Lin Zhaofeng remained disdainful. "How can she be compared to the eldest legitimate daughter of the Song family whom you are to marry? She is the true lady of a noble family!"
In his previous life, Lin Muyang's feelings for Song Yanjiao had bordered on obsession.
But this time, when Song Yanjiao was mentioned, although his eyes held a smile, his tone was always faint. "Aren't most noble ladies of prominent families like that? Hurry and get ready. If Father grows impatient, my words might not be enough."
They hastily concluded their conversation and departed from the pleasure boat.
Song Chaoyu and Xun Lü kept their heads bowed low until they had descended the stairs. Only then did they raise their heads and breathe a sigh of relief.
Xun Lü pulled Song Chaoyu, ready to go downstairs. "Miss, let's go? That was too frightening! If we had been discovered just now, your reputation would have been ruined!"
Song Chaoyu pushed Xun Lü away. Knowing they should leave, she couldn't help but step forward, wanting to see what was happening inside that room.
"Bang—"
Before Song Chaoyu could approach the door, a fair hand suddenly reached out from within!
Then, a woman covered in wounds crawled out of the door. "Save me... help!"
Seeing the woman's state, Song Chaoyu's heart felt as if it had plunged into an ice cellar—
The woman was almost completely unclothed, her body covered in numerous scars of varying sizes.
As far as Song Chaoyu could see, there were burn marks, whip marks, and bruises from being beaten, all overlapping.
Except for her face, there was almost no part of the woman's body that was unharmed!
Her face was also streaked with tears, her eyes filled with despair. "Someone, help!"
Someone heard her cries and rushed forward from behind Song Chaoyu and Xun Lü.
Most of them were women from the pleasure boat. Upon entering, they helped the injured woman up.
One of them cursed, "Heavenly wrath upon Lin Zhaofeng! Every time he comes here, he causes such trouble. Is he trying to kill Hua Hong?!"
Another sighed, "Isn't this just how our lives are? That second young master Lin spends money like water, and the madam doesn't care. Hua Hong received quite a bit too. If it were me, I'd be willing even if I died!"
...
Indeed, for a woman's life and destiny, how many could have their wishes fulfilled?
Song Chaoyu eventually stopped at the door, watching as Hua Hong's door slowly closed, concealing the despair in her eyes.
Tomorrow morning, these stains and sins would become eternal secrets.
He, Lin Zhaofeng, would remain the same dashing second young master of the Lin family in the capital!
Song Chaoyu turned, and with Xun Lü, finally departed. "In the next few days, find a way to inquire about how I can meet this Miss Hua Hong."
Xun Lü hurried, but gasped, "Miss wants to see Miss Hua Hong?! Isn't that madness? If Master and Madam find out, they'll likely skin you alive!"
Song Chaoyu frowned. "If you don't speak, and I don't speak, and I have my ways to ensure Miss Hua Hong also stays silent, how will Master and Madam ever know?"
Xun Lü dared not say more and could only agree.
As they were about to leave the pleasure boat, Xun Lü finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss, you shouldn't do such dangerous things in the future."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a person emerged from the dock behind them and grabbed Xun Lü's arm. "I haven't seen these two young ladies on the flower boat before!"
"Ah!"
Xun Lü cried out in surprise, and Song Chaoyu also took two steps back. She saw three men slowly closing in on them.
The flower boat was docked on the moat. These three men all looked like dockworkers.
The one who had grabbed Xun Lü was clearly a bit drunk.
His body swayed unsteadily as he held Xun Lü's hand and spoke lewdly. "It looks like you're new girls from the flower boat, aren't you? Want to have some fun with a few of us?"
Song Chaoyu immediately pulled Xun Lü closer to protect her and angrily rebuked the men, "How dare you! Don't you see what we're wearing? We are not women from the flower boat. Move aside at once!"
The other two hesitated, but the drunken man pressed forward relentlessly, reaching to grab Xun Lü. "Aren't you just maids from some official family? Aren't there plenty of those in the capital? We'll pay you! You came out of a flower boat, what kind of respectable family could you be from?"
Song Chaoyu pulled Xun Lü again and glared fiercely at the man. "Look closely at our clothes! We are maids from Prime Minister Lin's household, and we are out to find our Second Young Master. If you dare to lay a single hair on us, do you not wish to live?"
The other two were intimidated by Song Chaoyu's demeanor.
One of them took a step back. "Forget it! Looking at them, they don't seem like ordinary maids. Let them go!"
But the drunk man remained insistent. "What? Have we been in the capital all these years for nothing? Maids are servants! Who would risk offending us for a mere servant?"