Song Yue pursed her lips. If they truly cared, wouldn’t they have visited her at the villa?
“There were certain matters back then that you were too young to understand.”
“The Duke of Jing’s Mansion also had its own difficulties. It was the Duke of Jing’s Mansion that failed to protect you and let you down. If you harbor any resentment, you may direct it at this old woman if you must.”
Song Yue raised her head and looked earnestly at the Grand Madam. “Grandmother, I only want justice.”
“Justice? What kind of justice?” the Grand Madam pressed. “Everyone at the villa is dead, leaving no witnesses. What more justice do you want?”
Song Yue pressed her lips together and remained silent, her expression still calm.
The Grand Madam felt somewhat indignant but dared not push too hard. She tentatively asked, “How much do you actually know about your mother?”
See? It didn’t take many words to reveal her true intentions.
She guessed that the Grand Madam must have recognized Ling Yi, which was why she had taken her side last night and demanded that Yuan Fuling vacate the courtyard.
Song Yue shrugged. “I was sent to the villa when I was just three months old. How could I possibly know my mother’s story?”
Trying to fish for information?
Dream on!
“Then what is the deal with the guard by your side?” the Grand Madam asked urgently.
Song Yue looked innocent. “I don’t know either. He just said he was here to protect me.”
The Grand Madam didn’t believe it. She had once seen Ling Yi by Princess Jiahua’s side, and Ling Yi hadn’t shown his face for ten years. Yet now he appeared beside Song Yue.
Could it be that Princess Jiahua had asked Ling Yi to protect Song Yue before she left?
That possibility couldn’t be ruled out.
“There’s one more thing. Have you met the Eighth Prince?” As she asked this, the Grand Madam kept her gaze fixed on Song Yue, trying to detect any flaw.
Song Yue still looked clueless, shaking the handkerchief in her hand. “Grandmother, are you referring to the one who just gave me the handkerchief?”
“Yes.”
“This granddaughter is also meeting him for the first time.”
“Really?” The Grand Madam didn’t believe it. The Eighth Prince’s visit today was too coincidental, and he left right after seeing Song Yue.
Clearly, he had come for Song Yue.
But she couldn’t detect anything from Song Yue’s expression, so she had no choice but to let it go.
She took Song Yue’s hand. “Yue’er, as the saying goes, family scandals should not be aired in public. Some matters are best not discussed with outsiders. Only we are your family.”
Song Yue lowered her eyes, looking aggrieved. “My reputation was ruined at the villa, and now it’s known to everyone. I’ve brought shame to the Duke of Jing’s Mansion. No wonder Nanny Zhang looks down on me, and Mama Wang says I’m unworthy. It turns out it’s all my fault.”
“Nonsense!” The Grand Madam was so angry her head buzzed. She immediately promised, “I will definitely have your father investigate and bring you justice.”
After saying this, the Grand Madam called for the steward. “Starting today, anyone who publicly slanders the Third Miss will be reported to me and severely punished.”
The steward bowed and acknowledged the order.
The Grand Madam gained little advantage from Song Yue, repeating the same old arguments over and over, only to have them effortlessly deflected by Song Yue.
The message was simple: if she wanted Song Yue to keep quiet, she must first thoroughly investigate the matters at the villa.
The Grand Madam had no choice but to let Song Yue return.
Once Song Yue left, she summoned the Duke of Jing.
“This child is truly clever—calm in the face of danger, brave and resourceful. If only she had been kept back then…” The Grand Madam trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
A legitimate daughter was indeed a legitimate daughter. Even at such a young age, she already displayed remarkable poise.
In contrast, Song Yao only knew how to ride the wind and harbor jealousy.
She was truly unfit for any dignified occasion.
“The incident at the villa must be resolved satisfactorily, otherwise, the Eighth Prince, the Jingzhao Yin, and countless citizens of Jingdu City will be able to break the Duke of Jing’s spine with their criticism.” The Grand Madam felt some regret; she should never have sent Song Yue away and ignored her.
If she had shown even a little kindness, she wouldn’t be in a position now where she couldn’t even play the emotional card.
The Duke of Jing nodded.
Both of them understood perfectly well that this matter was most likely orchestrated by Yuan Fuling.
What was the motive?
Wasn’t it because Song Yao had set her sights on the marriage with the Prince of Zhennan’s Son?
“She is right. We must act quickly before the Jingzhao Yin uncovers the truth and before the Emperor summons her,” the Grand Madam reminded.
The Eighth Prince had a good temper and didn’t express his stance on the spot, but that didn’t mean the Emperor of Beichu would indulge them.
The Duke of Jing also understood the underlying message. With a cold expression, he said, “After all these years, who would have thought the Emperor still remembers? What a misfortune for our family!”
This humiliation was something the Duke of Jing could only voice in private.
The Grand Madam was equally furious: “Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he has been promoting martial arts, recruiting soldiers, and buying horses. What does that mean? It’s almost as if he’s openly declaring his intentions to the world.”
The Duke of Jing clenched his fists tightly, feeling as though a heavy stone were pressing on his heart, making it difficult to breathe.
“As long as she lives one more day, the Emperor will not give up,” the Duke of Jing said solemnly.
How he wished she were dead.
The Grand Madam took a deep breath and said, “The more he acts recklessly like this, the more dissatisfaction he will provoke, especially among the imperial relatives, regional princes, and the common people, who are already filled with grievances. As long as he suffers a military defeat, his throne will surely become unstable.”
At that time, the Duke of Jing’s Mansion would have its chance to rise.
Suddenly changing the subject, the Grand Madam said gravely, “Until then, we are like eggs striking a rock. We must remain patient.”
The Duke of Jing took a deep breath. “I will remember your words, Mother.”
…
Yuhan Courtyard
Yundong, her eyes red, applied medicine to Song Yue’s wounds. Looking at the swollen palm marks, she whispered, “Miss, please don’t get hurt again in the future.”
Seeing Yundong’s tears, Song Yue felt a warmth in her heart. This was probably the only person in the entire Duke’s Mansion who truly cared for her.
She smiled faintly. “I remember your parents and your elder brother are all working at the estate?”
Yundong nodded, not understanding why she asked.
Song Yue knew that Yundong’s elder brother was diligent, had studied, and had a remarkable memory for numbers, making him an excellent accountant. Unfortunately, in her previous life, he had died of tuberculosis.
“Miss, my family is of humble status, but please rest assured that no matter who threatens me, I will never betray you.”
Thinking that Song Yue suspected her loyalty, Yundong quickly knelt on the ground to declare her devotion, raising three fingers as if to swear to the heavens. “You are my first master, and I will serve you faithfully.”
Seeing Yundong’s earnest expression, Song Yue smiled and bent down to help her up. “I don’t doubt you. I was just thinking that since your parents and brother are outside, it might be easier to handle certain matters.”
Hearing this, Yundong breathed a sigh of relief. “Miss, if there’s anything you need done, just give the order. My elder brother visits me from the estate on the first and fifteenth of every month.”
Every month?
Song Yue felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
As long as one cared, even as a servant, they would find every possible way to visit their loved ones.
After applying the medicine to her face, she leaned back on the couch, pretending to rest.
Yundong moved about quietly, careful not to disturb her.
Evening
When it was time for dinner, a large table was laden with delicious dishes—a full twelve courses, both meat and vegetables, enough to make one’s mouth water at first glance.
Song Yue raised an eyebrow. Yuan Fuling managed all household affairs, including her daily provisions and meals. When had she ever received such treatment?
Bending to sit down, the aroma of the dishes wafted into her nostrils. Song Yue’s eyes flickered slightly, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips.
So that was it—how could Yuan Fuling possibly have changed her ways to treat her kindly?
She had been waiting for this all along.
Every dish contained a slight amount of Lingyun Grass. The effect of Lingyun Grass was that, if consumed in excess, it would cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Even the pulse would show false signs of pregnancy, and it would take a month for the effects to fade from the body before the pregnancy-like pulse disappeared.
She was only thirteen years old, already burdened with the vile reputation of having been defiled, and now Lingyun Grass was delivered to her doorstep. This was meant to solidify the accusation that she had lost her purity.