Madam Meng had initially intended to send a servant to relay the message, but after much thought, she also wanted to see Songyin’s reaction for herself, so she ultimately chose to appear in person.
Since Songyin had entered the Xie residence, aside from the servants, none of the Xie family masters had ever visited Songyin’s small courtyard.
Though only three or four days had passed, Madam Meng felt as if this courtyard had become a forbidden place within the Xie family, now utterly unfamiliar.
Yet, it had to be said that if one could set aside Songyin’s past actions, she was actually quite a likable girl.
Especially now, as Songyin very politely welcomed her inside and seated her, her manners and etiquette were impeccable. There wasn’t a trace of wildness in her demeanor, and her eyes even carried a smile. It was truly hard to imagine that such a girl could concoct poison.
Madam Meng didn’t rush to speak, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to let the man outside wait a little longer.
When Songyin had first entered the residence, Madam Meng hadn’t dared to scrutinize her closely. Now, taking advantage of the tea-drinking moment, she mustered the courage to observe Songyin carefully.
Songyin’s temperament was completely different from her daughter’s.
Her daughter had been taught etiquette by a Nanny specially brought from the palace, so even when smiling, she wouldn’t make exaggerated movements. Her daughter was sensitive by nature, occasionally insecure, and couldn’t help but hide her emotions, always striving to hold her head high for fear of being looked down upon. As a result, she appeared somewhat aloof and proud.
As for Songyin, her face was lovely, her features delicate, and her smile warm and gentle. Just from her appearance, she seemed to have no sharp edges or corners. She carried a faint scent of medicinal herbs, evoking a profound sense of tranquility. In her every gesture, there was a calmness that neither contended nor competed, making one feel at first glance that she must be a good person with no desires or demands.
Madam Meng couldn’t help but feel this way, yet she also sensed something discordant.
Songyin’s gaze didn’t convey the slightest hint of submission.
It was as if this harmless appearance was merely a facade.
“Your hands…” Madam Meng’s eyes glanced over Songyin’s wrists, frowning slightly. There were several scars on her hands.
Songyin lowered her head to look, then casually rubbed them without concern. “Just minor injuries. Besides, the person who hurt me like this is already dead, so it doesn’t matter. Did you come to see me for something, Madam?”
It was only because her master had drawn her blood while refining medicine.
After she displayed her talent for medicine, she became less worthless to her master, so he no longer took blood from her. That’s why, during all the years she studied medicine under him, she never dared to relax even slightly, fearing that if she showed any laziness, she would once again become a useless disciple in her master’s eyes.
These scars were old. She had never thought about removing them before, but seeing Madam Meng’s expression… perhaps she should apply some scar-removing ointment in the future, so as not to frighten people.
Compared to the past, she cared more about the future.
Hearing her words, Madam Meng trembled inwardly and didn’t dare to probe further.
“It’s like this… that second young master of the Jiang family, Jiang Gu’an, has come knocking on our door. He’s outside making a scene, claiming that you are his betrothed…” Madam Meng said, carefully watching Songyin’s reaction.
If Songyin had feelings for him, her expression should show some joy, sorrow, or indignation, shouldn’t it?
She watched intently but heard Songyin let out a scornful laugh.
“Yes, there is such an arrangement, but it was only a verbal promise. Jiang Gu’an’s parents assured me that once he achieves the top rank in the imperial examinations, he would marry me with great fanfare and make me a true member of the Jiang family.” Songyin did not hide the truth.
Madam Meng was taken aback. “He won’t marry until he becomes the top scholar? You’re already seventeen this year, aren’t you?”
“Even under the most optimistic scenario—if he passes the provincial exam next year, proceeds to the metropolitan exam the following year, and even secures the top rank—you would still have to wait a full two years. By then, you’d be nineteen… While there are girls in the capital who marry at that age, most do so because they are observing mourning for a family member and cannot marry sooner…”
Does studying really delay marriage?
That makes no sense!
“I used to be rather naive. On the surface, the Jiang family treated me well, and I thought he was decent enough, so I didn’t refuse,” Songyin added.
“So, what do you intend now?” Madam Meng probed.
“Romantic entanglements are like poison that eats through the gut. I have no plans to destroy myself for now. Moreover, Jiang Tan’er concealed my true origins, stole my token, and exploited my abilities—each of these acts has become a deep-seated resentment in my heart. One day, I will make her taste the bitterness I once endured. Therefore, the entire Jiang family is now my sworn enemy, and I naturally cannot honor the previous verbal promise.” Songyin spoke frankly.
Whenever she recalled Jiang Tan’er’s hypocritical tears and words at the time of her death, a flicker of rage would inevitably rise within her.
For her own good, so they harmed her loved ones? For her own good, so they squeezed every last bit of usefulness out of her?
Madam Meng had been observing her expression closely. When she heard Songyin’s words, she noticed her gaze sharpen considerably, her face cold and resolute, exuding a fierce determination.
“You… have a token?” Madam Meng keenly grasped the most crucial detail in her words.
“A piece of embroidery from my childhood swaddling clothes. The stitching and pattern should be identical to the pouch my elder brother lost,” Songyin explained further.
“How do you know your elder brother lost a pouch?” Madam Meng frowned.
Before coming to the Xie family, Songyin had never even met Xie Jiling. Yet now, she seemed to know so much about him—even trivial matters like a lost pouch. It was hard not to suspect that she had prepared in advance, gathering all the information before entering the household…
“Not only do I know the item is missing, but I also know that both my embroidery and his pouch are now in Jiang Tan’er’s possession. She doesn’t want me to claim my kinship, so she hid them. However… none of that matters anymore, because no one said that claiming kinship must follow a mutually agreeable approach. The way I’ve appeared here now works just fine.” As she spoke, Songyin smiled with clear satisfaction.
After all, she was already inside the Xie household.
“…” Madam Meng opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.
She wanted to say that the current situation felt forced, causing her entire family sleepless nights and constant worry!
But what could be done when the other party’s token had been stolen?
Madam Meng forced a dry laugh and unconsciously wiped away nonexistent sweat from her forehead.
Unable to hold back, she added another question: “Aren’t you afraid… that the master will never acknowledge you as his own daughter…”
“Status is insignificant compared to staying alive.”
“Staying alive? Who? Isn’t everyone alive and well?” Madam Meng didn’t understand.
“Of course, it’s you all,” Songyin replied with unusual seriousness.
“…” Madam Meng’s lips twitched. Well, she shouldn’t have asked that question. Whether alive or dead, there wasn’t a single auspicious word coming from this girl’s mouth…
Though she sensed no malice from the young woman, she felt an unfathomable mystery about her. Despite her youth, she seemed shrouded in layers of mist—both eerie and peculiar.