Song Qingshu froze for a moment, then studied her with an amused look. "Madam, are you sure you want to invite me into your bed? Aren't you afraid I might do something I shouldn't later?"
Cheng Yaojia's face reddened slightly. Lowering her head, she said, "I know you're a gentleman. You wouldn't... wouldn't take advantage of someone in distress."
"I don't have as much faith in myself as you do," Song Qingshu said, shaking his head. "Better not. I wouldn't want to tarnish Madam's reputation."
Cheng Yaojia's little face turned even redder. "I'm already sleeping in your room. What reputation do I have left to protect?"
Song Qingshu smiled. "That's different. The innocent remain innocent, and the guilty remain guilty. Afterwards, Madam can explain everything to your husband. I trust he won't blame you. But if we truly sleep in the same bed, then no matter how broad-minded he is, I'm afraid it would be difficult for him to believe that nothing happened between us."
"He stopped believing me long ago." Cheng Yaojia sighed sadly. "In his heart, he thinks that you and I already..."
Song Qingshu patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, Madam. Misunderstandings will be cleared up eventually. Would you like me to explain things to him when the time comes?"
"Absolutely not!" Cheng Yaojia hurriedly shook her head. Noticing his startled expression, she blushed and explained, "He thinks... thinks that you... violated me. Right now, he wants nothing more than to kill you. If you went to explain, it would only add fuel to the fire and make things worse."
"That's true," Song Qingshu said thoughtfully. "It seems Madam will have to explain it to him slowly herself."
"Mm." Cheng Yaojia gave a soft little hum, and the room once again sank into an ambiguous silence.
"Are...