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There’s something off with Jin Guangyao’s marriage to Qin Su. Su She would be worse than blind if he didn’t notice it given how close he is to Jin Guangyao. He swears to himself that he’ll never say anything to anyone, not even Jin Guangyao himself.
“I’m just glad that Jin Rusong’s birth went well. I hope that Jin Guangyao’s wife is doing okay. Jin Guangyao seems more…”
He hears footsteps behind him and whirls around to see Qin Su holding Jin Rusong approaching him.
“What’s wrong with my husband?”
Su She’s face scrunches up nervously.
“Nothing! Nothing at all! How are you feeling Lady Qin Su?”
She tears up. “A-Yao won’t look at me or A-Song. Has something happened to him? Have I done something wrong?”
Su She walks over and places a hand on her arm.
“He’s…not feeling well recently. It has nothing to do with you. He wouldn’t want you thinking that.”
Qin Su looks down at Jin Rusong.
“Oh A-Song, I would- I wish- if only-” she starts sobbing.
“What is wrong, Lady Qin Su?” Su She places his other hand on her other arm. “Are you unwell?”
Qin Su sniffles and shoves Jin Rusong into Su She’s hands.
“It’s…I must be cursed. He may be trying to hide it, but I can see the disgust in his eyes when he looks at me.”
Su She blanches and looks down at Jin Rusong in his arms. “He…what?”
“He looked absolutely grossed out on our wedding night. He always puts distance between us when it is polite to do so. He- he- he just looks sad whenever he has looked at A-Song. I don’t know what is going to become of us.”
Qin Su is crying loudly while gripping Su She’s boot at his ankle. Jin Guangyao and some servants hurry over after hearing Qin Su’s cries. They all stop dead in their tracks when they see the scene before them.
“A-Su, I’m sorry you’re still not doing well. Here let’s get you and A-Song back to bed.”
He reaches for Qin Su, who in response screeches, slaps Jin Guangyao’s hand away, and clings to Su She’s leg.
“You don’t love me at all!! I’ve seen your face, the look in your eyes, everything!!”
Jin Guangyao gives a slightly darkened look at Su She. Su She shakes his head to convey he has nothing to do with this. Jin Guangyao pauses then turns to the servants.
“Please bring A-Su and Su Minshan to my residence. I would like to speak with them privately.”
Jin Guangyao walks away before Su She can plead his case. He doesn’t resist the servants guiding him and Qin Su. He doesn’t even have the opportunity to hand Jin Rusong back to Qin Su. They are seated comfortably in the main room. Servants stay to watch over them while they wait for Jin Guangyao.
“Lady Qin Su, would you like your son back?”
He feels awkward still holding her and Jin Guangyao’s child. Qin Su looks up at Su She.
“I don’t know…” she whispers.
Su She is about to reply when Jin Guangyao enters and dismisses the servants.
“Su Minshan, A-Su…what is going on?”
Su She tries to reply again, but is cut off by Qin Su.
“Please tell me you aren’t angry!! I- I was the one who went to him! He- he- you- you don’t love me!! I see the way you avoid me!”
Jin Guangyao walks over slowly, concern woven into his features.
“A-Su, I never meant to hurt you… I didn’t want to hurt you.” He sighs heavily as he reaches out for Qin Su’s hand. “I do love you...just not as a husband.”
Qin Su gasps in sync with Su She. The tension in the room makes Jin Rusong start crying. Su She is trying to comfort him when Qin Su and Jin Guangyao don’t do anything to stop the child from crying.
“What…do you mean, A-Yao…?” Qin Su looks like the floor collapsed beneath her.
Jin Guangyao takes Qin Su’s hands after sitting across from her.
“...A-Su, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. We…are half siblings.”
Qin Su and Su She’s eyes shoot wide open. Qin Su begins to start crying, pulling her hands away from Jin Guangyao.
“You- how? Why…?” she sobs covering her face with her hands.
“I’m sorry, A-Su. I had hoped that I would’ve never needed to tell you. I’m sorry that you are also dragged into this, Su Minshan.”
Su She looks at Jin Guangyao in the eyes feeling a rush of confidence.
“If there’s anything either of you need I’m here to support both of you.” He looks at Qin Su. “I can give you both some space and put…Rusong to bed.”
“No! Don’t leave me like this! A-Yao-*gasp*!”
Jin Guangyao takes Jin Rusong from Su She and stands up.
“I believe that you will make her happy, Su Minshan.”
With that, Jin Guangyao leaves for Jin Rusong’s room with the fussing child. Su She and Qin Su are stunned into silence.
“I’ll…what now?”
He looks at Qin Su to make sure he heard Jin Guangyao correctly. She nods with the same level of shock on her face. She looks towards Jin Rusong’s bedroom as if waiting for Jin Guangyao to come out and explain. It takes a while before he returns to the group, only pausing for a moment before seemingly going to leave.
“Lianfang-zun, wait!”
Jin Guangyao pauses then turns to look at the two of them. He looks like he’s about to cry, which is an expression that Su She never wanted to see.
“I’ll- let’s work this out together.”
“Work it out how? It should have never been.”
“I’ll stay married to you, A-Yao. I- I wish you would have told me sooner, but I know you and I both do not need the shame that would bring.”
“Then what will you have me do? I…”
“If it helps, I will take care of Lady Qin Su. I’ll do anything it takes to preserve both of you’s reputation.”
Jin Guangyao looks at Su She for a moment. He opens his mouth to say something, but the words don’t seem to want to come out.
“A-Yao, I know this is an odd question…but can Su Minshan be my- my partner unofficially?”
Jin Guangyao looks at her and then at the surprised Su She.
“Your life is your own, A-Su. Ah, Su Minshan, I believe this makes us equals. Brothers-in-law one would say. Please address me less formally.”
Qin Su takes Su She’s hand, who is a bit overwhelmed by the whole situation, and smiles at Jin Guangyao.
“A-She and I will still call you A-Yao.”
Su She looks at her and then at Jin Guangyao.
“I will- I’ll do my best Lianfa- Guangyao sir.”
Jin Guangyao smiles.
“Do your best, A-Su and…Minshan.”