Chapter 389 - 387: You Are Truly a Wonderful Woman (First Update)

Chapter 389: Chapter 387: You Are Truly a Wonderful Woman (First Update)

Xu Jing glanced at Chunyang.

She knew about the things Chunyang mentioned, but didn’t pay much attention to them.

After all, once a person gains a certain reputation, they inevitably become a topic of conversation for others. Xu Jing wasn’t the kind to care about such things. Besides, she originally wanted her fame to grow even more so she could better compete with Guangming Hall.

She only curiously leafed through the pamphlets that Chunyang and Chunxiang playfully bought, which were based on her as a character. However, the quality of those pamphlets varied, and many included the authors’ own imaginations. Even small things Xu Jing casually did were exaggerated as if she had done something world-saving. Just a glance at them made her feel a toothache; she really didn’t have the face to continue appreciating them.

Fortunately, those writers were wary of her status and didn’t dare to blatantly use her real name. Either pseudonyms or incomplete names were used for the protagonists, in the pamphlets like the one Chunyang mentioned earlier, "Lady Xu’s Collection of Exonerations," where the protagonist was simply called Lady Xu. Her full name never once appeared, yet it didn’t prevent readers from knowing who this Lady Xu was referring to.

Moreover, while they exaggerated the facts, they only exaggerated the positive aspects. Even if they had a hundred guts, they wouldn’t dare write anything negative about her. Xu Jing eventually let them be.

Chunyang suddenly brought it up in hopes of lightening the mood, and cheerfully said, "I wonder if Madam Song has ever read this pamphlet? But Madam Song is the daughter of Mr. Song, so she most likely wouldn’t have the chance to engage with commoners’ leisure activities like this."

Unexpectedly, as soon as Chunyang finished speaking, the woman’s face in front of her turned even redder, with a blush extending to her neck. Her head remained slightly lowered, her teeth gently biting her lower lip, reflecting a complex expression of confusion, frustration, and inner conflict.

Chunyang suddenly felt uneasy, glanced at her own lady, and dared not say anything more.

What did she say wrong just now? Why did the atmosphere get even worse instead?

Xu Jing looked at Song Qingyun thoughtfully, gently smiled, and changed the subject by saying, "Let’s not talk about this. It’s rare for Madam Song to visit me; let’s not waste time on trivial matters. Madam Song, please take a seat.

Chunyang, go and bring over the snacks you bought from Huachun Garden this morning, and prepare a pot of hot tea as well."

Chunyang quickly glanced at Song Qingyun, responded, then turned to prepare the refreshments.

After that, Xu Jing deliberately selected some inconsequential topics to chat with Song Qingyun, and Song Qingyun’s mood gradually returned to normal. It was only then that Xu Jing brought up the main topic, smiling slightly as she said, "Speaking of which, I haven’t asked Madam Song why you suddenly came to Qingzhou. Are you here by yourself this time?"

Song Qingyun smiled faintly, put down the teacup, and said, "Yes, I wanted to stay at my grandmother’s house for a while because I heard Mrs. Xu was in Anping County, so I thought of stopping by."

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback.

Returning to her grandmother’s home?

The last time she and Madam Song passed by Anping County was because Madam Song had just finished mourning at her maternal home and was returning to the Capital City with her.

At that time, they were mourning Madam Song’s father, Song Qingyun’s maternal grandfather. So they mourned for the full three years. However, although Song Qingyun had a close relationship with her maternal grandfather, strictly speaking, as a granddaughter, she didn’t need to complete the full three-year mourning ritual. Why she still refused to return to the Capital, those around her were actually quite aware.

Madam Song always regretted that the matter had delayed her daughter’s matrimonial prospects, which is why she was so eager to find a match for her upon returning to the Capital.

At this critical point, why was Song Qingyun returning to her grandmother’s again? It was also intriguing that Madam Song allowed her to go back.

Did the match between her and Sun Sanlang not ultimately get settled?

Though Xu Jing was filled with questions, she wasn’t sure if Madam Song minded her asking directly, so she simply asked, "I hadn’t heard from Shaohua that you were going to your grandmother’s."

"Because it was a last-minute decision. My aunt has been unwell lately, and my mom, being old, suffered a lot when she came back from my grandmother’s. So I told my mom I’d go visit my aunt on her behalf."

Song Qingyun smiled faintly and said, "Besides, having been away from the Capital for so long, I found myself somewhat unaccustomed to living there. I also wanted to go back and stay for a while."

Xu Jing furrowed her brows slightly, but in the end, it wasn’t her place to comment, so she nodded and said, "I see."

Song Qingyun hesitated for a moment, then suddenly turned towards Xu Jing, pursed her lips slightly, and said, "Actually, my reason for finding Mrs. Xu was to personally apologize. I know Mrs. Xu might have heard from my mom already. During the time Mrs. Xu was investigating the Imperial College case, I... secretly told the Ministry of Justice about Mrs. Xu’s matters. I was aware the Ministry was at odds with Mrs. Xu, and they surely had ill intentions spying on Mrs. Xu. Yet, I... I still spoke to them..."

This was indeed her error.

And a terribly disgraceful one at that.

As Song Qingyun spoke, her eyes reddened, "I know I have no right to ask for Mrs. Xu’s forgiveness, but I... also didn’t want to continue evading it. No matter what, I hope to apologize in person, even if Mrs. Xu never forgives me, I..."

"Madam Song."

Xu Jing suddenly interrupted her, gazing softly at the woman in front of her who seemed to despise herself, and said, "I have never not forgiven you. It is you who have never been able to forgive yourself."

Song Qingyun’s body slightly froze, looking somewhat bewildered at Xu Jing.

Xu Jing sighed lightly, took her hand gently, and said, "No one under heaven is perfect. Having one’s own selfish desires isn’t something to be ashamed of. Being controlled by them and making mistakes is also common. But as I see it, mistakes have varying degrees of severity, just like the law prescribes different penalties for different crimes. Madam Song, perhaps you did something wrong, but I feel you’ve already been punished enough. It’s time to forgive yourself.

I also don’t wish for this small matter to become a shadow over your entire life."

At heart, she is still a kind and pure woman.

Knowing that alone is enough.

Song Qingyun’s eyes immediately reddened even more. She stared at Xu Jing for quite a while before softly saying, "You truly are a wonderful woman. Despite being the one hurt, you comfort me instead. No wonder people around you all adore you."

Xu Jing smiled at her, "Madam Song is also a very good woman, and you have many people who care for you too."

Song Qingyun’s lips curved slightly, and there was finally a bit of ease in her gaze towards Xu Jing.

At this moment, she felt completely at peace with past events.

Such a woman, let alone Xiao Qilang, if she were a man, she would certainly be infatuated with her too.

Losing to such a woman leaves no room for resentment.

Then, Xu Jing noticed a familiar figure gesturing to her from outside the main hall, and she was slightly taken aback. She smiled at Song Qingyun and said, "The snacks from Huachun Garden in Anping County are quite delicious. I will send someone to buy a set for you to take on the road."