The sinister glare made Yuan Fuling’s legs go weak.
“Has Father misunderstood something? Mother just moved in a hurry and hasn’t had time to arrange things properly yet. Did Song Yue complain again?” Song Yao fumed, about to rush out and settle scores with Song Yue.
“Stop right there!” the Duke of Jing roared, his venomous gaze fixed on Song Yao. “From today onward, you are forbidden to see Pei Zhao again. Stay away from him.”
“Father?” Song Yao protested. Previously, her father had always tacitly approved of her private interactions with Pei Zhao.
Yuan Fuling guessed something must have happened at the palace today. Having served the Duke for twenty years, she could easily read his current mood. She hurriedly soothed Song Yao: “Go back first, don’t anger your father.”
Under Yuan Fuling’s meaningful look, Song Yao could only stomp her foot in frustration and leave.
Looking at his daughter who only knew how to vie for affection, and then thinking of Song Yue, the Duke instantly felt Yuan Fuling had raised the girl all wrong.
“Duke, let’s sit and talk things over slowly,” Yuan Fuling lowered her posture, coaxing him to sit down. She poured a cup of tea and said cautiously, “Moving inevitably leaves rooms somewhat messy. If it’s because of this, I’ll go apologize to Song Yue later.”
The Duke sat down, his voice grave. “The Emperor already knows the villa fire had nothing to do with bandits.”
Yuan Fuling’s heart pounded like thunder.
“During the villa fire, only Song Yue escaped. It must have been the Emperor’s doing. Jingzhao Yin is the Emperor’s man; no matter how I tried to win him over, he wouldn’t comply. The Emperor has even discovered we’ve been getting close to Zhennanwangfu.”
“This…” Yuan Fuling panicked.
“We are no match for the Emperor right now. He could find any excuse to confiscate our property and exterminate our clan.” The Duke issued a stern warning: “From now on, keep your distance from Zhennanwangfu. Also, the Emperor values Song Yue highly. You’d better stop provoking her.”
Yuan Fuling felt as if she had swallowed a pound of bitter herbs. Ever since Song Yue returned, it had been the other party provoking step by step. In just a few days, her trusted Nanny Fang and Nanny Zhang had both fallen, and the Mama Wang she had painstakingly bribed had been beaten to death.
She hadn’t even had a chance to vent her anger yet.
“I know you feel wronged, but with the greater situation at stake, you must endure.”
“Duke, Song Yue’s reputation is ruined. Yao Yao and Pei Zhao grew up together as childhood sweethearts. To persuade Yao Yao to give up… she’ll be heartbroken. I only have this one daughter.” Yuan Fuling gritted her teeth at the thought.
Back then, just before Princess Jiahua left, she had specially bestowed a bowl of medicine upon her.
That was why Yuan Fuling had found it difficult to conceive again all these years.
Otherwise, with another son by her side, her position would have been secure long ago. Why would she need to curry favor with that fool Song Hengchuan?
“Today, the Emperor had Dazhang Gongzhu personally lead the inspection. Song Yue’s innocence has been cleared. Don’t speak such words again in the future,” the Duke reminded.
Yuan Fuling was stunned. Song Yue had undergone a chastity examination today?
“Yes. Moreover, Prince Zhennan and Pei Zhao were both present. This marriage was arranged since childhood. The Emperor won’t allow Yao Yao to snatch Song Yue’s betrothed. Privately advise Yao Yao—there are plenty of noble young masters in the capital. I will help look for another suitable match.”
Yuan Fuling bit her lip and nodded uneasily.
“Also, Yao Yao’s temper needs to change. Although Song Yue didn’t grow up in the mansion, her words and actions do not disgrace our Duke’s Mansion’s reputation.”
These words struck Yuan Fuling like a sharp slap across the face—the Duke of Jing was blaming her for failing to raise her child properly, who couldn’t even compare to a wild girl who had learned nothing at all.
It was utterly humiliating!
“The Duke’s reprimand is justified. This humble concubine will certainly discipline Yaoyao,” Yuan Fuling replied obediently.
…
As soon as Song Yue stepped into Ning’an Tang, Nanny Zhang approached her: “Third Miss, Grand Madam said you must pay your respects as soon as you return.”
“Mm.”
She went straight to pay her respects to Grand Madam.
The summer heat was intense, the chirping of insects incessant in her ears. A wave of cool air greeted her as she entered the room, where a maid had placed an ice basin in the corner.
Grand Madam was seated in a chair, gently turning a string of prayer beads in her hand while murmuring scriptures under her breath.
The maid made no move to remind Song Yue of her presence.
The same old trick again.
Whenever Grand Madam recited scriptures, it would take at least an hour or two to finish. In the past, Song Yue would have simply waited, but now, she had long cast aside any concern for reputation. She bent down and took a seat.
As soon as she sat, Grand Madam opened her eyes, subtly furrowing her brows as she glanced at Nanny Zhang and chided, “How has the young lady’s etiquette training been these past few days?”
Nanny Zhang inwardly groaned. How dare she teach Song Yue etiquette? Hesitating over how to respond, Song Yue curved her lips into a smile: “Nanny Zhang has been diligent and devoted. It is your granddaughter who has grown too wild and needs time to adjust. I thought Grandmother was reciting scriptures and did not wish to disturb, but being young, I grew dizzy after standing for a while and took the liberty of sitting down. Is Grandmother blaming Nanny Zhang for failing to teach etiquette because of this?”
As if she didn’t understand the implied meaning, Song Yue directly voiced the unspoken question.
Grand Madam frowned deeply upon hearing this: “It seems Nanny Zhang still hasn’t taught proper etiquette.”
Song Yue couldn’t be bothered to argue with Grand Madam.
“Nanny Zhang…”
Song Yue toyed with the jade thumb ring on her thumb. Its texture was clear and translucent, shimmering with a crystalline glow—clearly of immense value. Catching sight of the jade ring, Grand Madam swallowed her words abruptly.
“What is this?”
“This is an imperial gift, bestowed by the Emperor himself and given to me. Does Grandmother like it?” Song Yue asked with an innocent expression.
Grand Madam sometimes couldn’t fathom Song Yue’s thoughts—sometimes obedient, sometimes overbearing, like a wild child with no sense of propriety.
“If the Emperor bestowed it upon you, you should keep it for yourself,” Grand Madam softened her expression and asked about what had happened in the palace.
Song Yue patiently repeated the story once more.
Grand Madam grew anxious: “Did the Emperor truly say that?”
“Grandmother, if the Emperor wasn’t deceiving me, then it must be true.”
“Why would the Emperor deceive you?”
“Then… could it be that the Emperor intended to use your granddaughter’s words to warn the Duke of Jing’s Mansion?” Song Yue retorted.
Grand Madam fell silent.
Realizing she might have been played by Song Yue, she narrowed her eyes: “The Duke of Jing’s Mansion shares both glory and disgrace. In the future, you must speak with greater caution.”
“Yes, your granddaughter will remember Grandmother’s teachings.” Song Yue stood up.
Grand Madam stared at her face, muttering to herself, then waved her hand, signaling Song Yue to leave immediately. As Song Yue withdrew, she glanced at Nanny Zhang beside her: “Where is your deed of servitude?”
Nanny Zhang’s heart trembled: “It is in the hands of the Madam.”
“Go personally to the Madam and retrieve the deeds of servitude for everyone around me. Tell Yuan Fuling that if even one is missing, I will deliver the corpse to her doorstep in the dead of night.”
Song Yue finished with a beaming smile, yawned, and left. Her words left Nanny Zhang stunned for a long time, watching Song Yue’s retreating figure as if she were looking at a monster.
Third Miss was truly terrifying.
When Nanny Zhang went to demand the deed of indenture, Yuan Fuling refused to hand it over: “All the deeds of indenture in the household are kept under my unified care. If I give them to her so easily, who will listen to me? Nanny Zhang, why are you helping Song Yue too?”
“Madam, Third Miss said that if you are missing any of them, tonight she will… send someone to your **.”
At these words, Yuan Fuling’s expression changed abruptly: “How dare she!”
How dare that little wretch threaten her?
“Go back and tell her that I am busy here and cannot spare the time to look for them right now. I’ll do it in a few days when I have some free time.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a servant from Duke of Jing’s side arrived: “Madam, the Duke has instructed you to hand over all the deeds of indenture to Third Miss.”
Yuan Fuling felt her bottom line being challenged. In the past ten years, when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
She gritted her teeth in anger.
In the end, she had no choice but to reluctantly hand over all the deeds of indenture to Nanny Zhang, warning her at the same time: “Nanny, don’t forget who your master is.”
Nanny Zhang held the deeds of indenture in her hand, her heart already soaring elsewhere.
Master?
Even if she were given three times the courage, she wouldn’t dare betray Song Yue.
Betraying Third Miss would only lead to death.
“Yes, yes, this old servant remembers,” Nanny Zhang stammered, sweating profusely as she kept up the pretense.