In ancient times, a personal maid often meant a woman who could later become her master’s bed companion.
Song Hailan never hid how much he favored Song Li.
Zhaodi had noticed it clearly.
She had even seen them holding hands several times.
Neither of them knew they were actually biological siblings, yet they were so close.
Their feelings for each other probably weren’t so innocent anymore.
If the two of them fell in love and crossed the line…
Then even if the Song family later discovered that Song Li was their real daughter, they would never acknowledge her again for the sake of the family’s reputation.
At that point, Song Li would become nothing more than a discarded pawn.
She would have only two possible endings.
First…
The Song family would hide the truth, make Song Li become Song Hailan’s concubine, and lock her away in a small courtyard for the rest of her life, never allowing her to appear in public again.
Second…
They would send Song Li far away so the two siblings would never meet again.
No matter which ending happened…
Zhaodi’s position as the true young miss of the Song family would never be threatened.
As for Song Li…
She would never be able to rise again in this lifetime.
…
Looking at Zhaodi’s fake expression, Song Li felt so disgusted that goosebumps covered her body.
【Can anyone understand how I feel right now?!】
【I seriously want to slap her to death.】
【Her thoughts are unbelievably vicious!】
【Fine, fine. Since you’re so obsessed with sibling romance, I can arrange something for you. You know who I am, so do you think I don’t know who you are?】
【Your older brother traveled to the capital for the imperial examination. He started with no money at all, freeloaded the entire journey, and even arrived with fifty taels of silver left over. With skills like that, I’m sure you’ll be impressed.】
Song Hailan and Song Haiming stretched their ears as far as they could, afraid of missing even a single word.
But Song Li suddenly stopped thinking.
The two brothers became so anxious they almost scratched their heads.
Does Zhaodi have parents?
Who exactly is her brother?
How did he freeload all the way to the capital?
Come on, tell us the details!
Just as they were dying of curiosity, Song Li suddenly spoke.
“Oh right, Zhaodi.”
“I suddenly remembered something.”
“I used to have a pink pendant.”
“It was the only keepsake my parents left me.”
“But when I had a fever, it suddenly disappeared.”
“Have you seen it?”
Zhaodi wished she could immediately cover Song Li’s mouth.
“How would I know?”
“You’re always losing things.”
She nervously looked ahead.
When she saw that Song Hailan and Song Haiming showed no reaction, she finally relaxed a little.
After that, she didn’t dare say anything outrageous again.
She was afraid Song Li would say something even more outrageous.
Still, she wasn’t angry.
Her goal had already been achieved.
She had planted a seed in Song Li’s heart.
As long as Song Li and Song Hailan stayed this close, that seed would eventually take root and grow.
No one wanted to remain a servant forever.
Everyone wanted to climb higher.
And Song Hailan was Song Li’s only chance to rise in status.
Zhaodi could hardly wait to see this pair of biological siblings fall in love.
Song Li thought,
A loving family?
Nothing wrong with that.
If you want to watch, I’ll let you watch every day.
…
The mountain behind the inn wasn’t very tall.
Before long, the four of them reached the top.
An old, run-down temple stood before them.
The wooden doorframe had been eaten away by ants.
The two doors hung crookedly, covered with spider webs.
“There’s nothing worth seeing.”
“Let’s go.”
Song Hailan lost interest before even stepping inside.
But Zhaodi walked in first.
“I saw a lifelike Guanyin statue inside.”
“It looks like craftsmanship from the previous dynasty.”
“I want to take a look.”
The other three exchanged glances and slowly followed her.
Inside the main hall lay a reclining statue of Guanyin.
The posture was graceful and relaxed.
The expression was peaceful.
The colors were still bright.
It was clearly a masterpiece.
Unfortunately…
After the dynasty changed, the temple had been abandoned.
The statues were damaged and had long lost their former glory.
After bowing to the statue, Zhaodi slowly recited a poem.
“Who carved this Buddha into the stone?
Where upon the mountain may an immortal be found?”
“What a wonderful poem!”
“Cousin, you’re so talented!”
Song Haiming immediately applauded and stepped closer to her.
Without anyone noticing, Zhaodi quietly moved away.
She didn’t want any physical contact with him.
But Song Haiming seemed unable to understand the hint.
Every time she stepped back…
He stepped closer.
Zhaodi was speechless.
She secretly regretted showing off by reciting poetry.
Now she had attracted this annoying flirt.
At the same time, she became increasingly anxious.
She had already delayed for so long.
Why hadn’t the mysterious person acted yet?
…
Last night, after returning to her carriage, she had smelled that familiar medicinal fragrance again.
She also found a note hidden beneath her blanket.
The mysterious person had obviously been secretly watching her.
He knew exactly what situation she was in.
He wanted her to lure Song Hailan into this temple.
He would kill Song Hailan for her.
Without Song Hailan around…
Her future in the Song family would be much easier.
She had written back agreeing to the plan.
But she had her own plans as well…
Sure enough, today they had stopped at this inn.
And Song Hailan had even suggested visiting this temple himself.
She almost laughed out loud.
To make sure she could come along, she had even asked Song Yannian for permission.
Fortunately, she came.
Otherwise, Song Hailan wouldn’t even have entered the temple.
She didn’t know when the mysterious person would make a move.
All she could do was keep delaying.
…
“Cousin is truly an outstanding man.”
“Why doesn’t Cousin compose a poem too?”
“And Brother and Song Li can join us as well.”
“Let’s all share our thoughts.”
Although Song Haiming looked elegant in his white robes, he was a military man at heart.
His handwriting and painting were decent.
But poetry was not his strength.
Song Li noticed his embarrassment and stepped forward.
“I’ve thought of one!”
Zhaodi burst into laughter.
She quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief.
“Come on.”
“Sharing happiness is better than enjoying it alone.”
Pretending not to notice the mockery, Song Li clasped her hands behind her back and proudly recited:
“One spider web hangs across the temple gate.
Dust covers the great Buddha by two or three inches.
Four people came here for a stroll.
By mistake, we wandered into the Buddha hall.”
“Hahaha…”
Zhaodi laughed so hard she nearly doubled over, sounding like a hen laying eggs.
“The lines aren’t even the same length.”
“And you call that a poem?”
“You can’t even copy properly.”
“With a brain like yours, you’ll only ever be a maid.”
Song Li rolled her eyes inwardly.
【What’s so funny? At least I wrote my own poem. You copy other people’s poems every day and somehow feel proud of it.】
【Just like your real brother. He cheated to pass the county examination and feels proud instead of ashamed.】
【When I get the chance, I’ll write down all Three Hundred Tang Poems and give them to my brother. Let’s see how well you can keep copying after that.】
Song Hailan naturally stood up for his real sister.
And honestly…
He truly thought Song Li’s poem was excellent.
“Song Li’s poem is simple, natural, and easy to remember.”
“I like it very much.”
“When we get back, write it down again.”
“I’m going to frame it and hang it in my study.”
Zhaodi’s laughter stopped instantly.
Fine.
Keep lying with a straight face.
When you two spend your wedding night together someday…
I’ll definitely send you an unforgettable gift.
Song Li nearly choked.
She had made that poem up on the spot.
How could she let Song Hailan hang it in his study?
What if his friends saw it?
She would die of embarrassment.
Just as she was about to refuse…
One of the eyes from a Heavenly King statue suddenly fell to the floor.
It landed right beside Song Hailan’s foot.
He casually kicked it aside and ignored it.
Still, it felt like a bad omen.
Song Haiming said,
“It’s getting late.”
“We should head back.”
This time, Zhaodi didn’t stop them.
She quietly followed behind.
She had smelled that familiar medicinal scent again.
Strangely enough…
She was the only one who could smell it.
Back at the charity hall, she had even asked the other children.
None of them could smell anything.
…
As they reached the temple entrance, Song Hailan suddenly heard rustling behind him.
He instantly drew his sword and slashed backward.
The sword hummed sharply.
A long black snake shot up from the ground—
And was cut cleanly in half.
“Hmph.”
“A tiny snake dares to assassinate me?”
“Enough showing off!”
“There’s another one ahead!”
Song Li shouted.
Song Hailan quickly turned around.
A venomous viper was staring directly at him.
“Ahhh!”
Terrified, Zhaodi screamed and jumped onto Song Hailan, wrapping herself tightly around him.
Song Hailan hurriedly pushed her away.
But because of the delay…
He missed the best chance to kill the snake.
The viper struck.
Its fangs sank deep into his thigh.
“Brother!”
Tears instantly streamed down Zhaodi’s face.
She frantically reached for his pants.
“It’s all my fault!”
“Don’t be afraid, Brother!”
“I’ll suck the poison out!”