Zhao Di opened her mouth, then finally spoke. She did not want to leave any regrets because of her name.
“Father, I want to name myself Song Churan.”
She had a feeling that as long as she used that name, she would become like that girl—smart, beautiful, blessed with incredible luck, and loved by everyone.
Song Yannian frowned slightly.
“But the clan elders chose your name together. We have already informed our ancestors. Changing it now would make the ceremony a joke.”
Zhao Di felt very disappointed.
She secretly blamed Song Yannian for choosing her name without asking for her opinion, but she still put on a gentle smile.
“Since all the clan elders chose it together, I’m sure it’s a wonderful name. May I know what it is first?”
Song Yannian smiled confidently.
“You’ll be using this name from now on, so there’s no reason to hide it. Your name is simply Mei, the character for the plum blossom.”
“It means ‘standing proudly against frost and snow, shining above all others.’ You suffered greatly while living outside the family, but now your hardships are over. In the future, you will surely achieve great things.”
In short…
Any name his wife chose was the best name.
Zhao Di was speechless.
…It actually sounds pretty impressive.
“So… My name is Song Mei?”
“That’s right. Song Mei. The plum blossom represents a woman’s strength and character. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
Song Yannian patted her shoulder again and looked at her with expectation.
Without thinking, Zhao Di looked back at him.
“Yes, Father.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she covered her mouth.
What did I just say?
Shouldn’t I argue a little more?
Song Mei… Song Mei…
No matter how she said it, it did not sound like the name of a heroine.
It sounded more like the name of a minor character…
Suddenly, her heart tightened.
She felt as if something important was slipping farther and farther away.
She quickly stood up and reached for Song Yannian’s sleeve.
But he walked with long strides and was already over ten feet away.
The other clan elders quickly stopped her.
“Second Girl! Don’t disrespect the ancestors!”
Feeling dizzy, Zhao Di could only kneel again.
She watched helplessly as Song Yannian entered the ancestral hall, dipped his brush into ink, and wrote her name into the family genealogy.
Her heart was full of pain.
But she knew she could not offend anyone.
She had no right to choose her own name.
She could only obey and accept the old-fashioned name that this feudal society had given her.
When the genealogy was sealed once more…
Everything was settled.
…
After the clan elders left, Zhao Di slowly stood up.
For some reason, she felt as if a part of her heart was missing.
Yang Yuyao walked over, hugged Song Mei warmly, and smiled happily.
“Wonderful! From now on, you’re called Song Mei. It’s such a beautiful name!”
Song Mei forced out a smile.
Even though she had achieved her main goal…
She simply could not feel happy.
Song Yannian was also in high spirits.
He called Song Li, Song Hailan, and Song Yihuan over.
“Weren’t you planning to become sworn siblings?”
“Since all the clan elders are here, they can witness it.”
Yang Yuyao clapped her hands.
“That’s double happiness! Wonderful! Today I gained two more daughters! What a joyful occasion!”
Song Mei’s eyes widened.
Song Yihuan happily pulled Song Hailan and Song Li down to kneel.
Song Haiming also knelt beside them.
Song Yihuan glanced at him.
“Big Brother, why are you joining us?”
Song Haiming smiled.
“How could you leave me out? Sister Song Li and I have already exchanged keepsakes.”
Song Li wrapped one arm around Song Haiming and the other around Song Yihuan.
She looked at Song Hailan.
“Let’s all become sworn siblings together!”
Zhao Di almost went blind from what she saw.
How shameless!
Don’t you know your place?
Today is my big day of returning to the family!
Do you really have to steal all the attention?
Fine!
I’ll become sworn siblings too!
The four of you will never leave me out!
“I’ve always called Song Li my sister… Mother…”
Before she could finish, Yang Yuyao grabbed her hand and led her to a quiet place.
“Mei’er, don’t act on impulse. Don’t waste all the effort your sister puts into helping you.”
Song Mei blinked in confusion.
Help me?
She honestly could not see how Song Yihuan had helped her.
Yang Yuyao looked disappointed.
“Song Li has extraordinary talent. She is a once-in-a-generation martial arts genius. Your sister noticed this long ago and deliberately became close to her.”
“It was all to make Song Li completely loyal to the Song family… and completely loyal to you.”
“Do you know?”
“Although your sister is engaged to the Third Prince, she is carefree and often acts without restraint. The Third Prince and His Majesty are both unhappy with her. Your father and I believe this marriage will most likely be canceled.”
“When that happens…”
“You will take her place.”
Song Mei’s eyes grew wide.
“Mei’er! If you become the Third Prince’s consort, the Song family will spare no effort to help you reach that highest position.”
“And when that day comes, you will need loyal servants by your side.”
“Song Li will be one of them.”
“Do you understand?”
A storm rose inside Song Mei’s heart.
She had never imagined that the Song family had planned such a grand future for her.
Sorry.
I was too shallow.
Her eyes should not only focus on what was right in front of her.
Song Li was only one of her future chess pieces.
Yet she had been jealous of her.
How short-sighted.
How could someone like that accomplish great things?
“Thank you for your guidance, Mother.”
“I simply like Song Li too much. When I saw them becoming sworn siblings, I couldn’t control myself.”
“From now on, I’ll follow all of Mother’s arrangements.”
“My good daughter!”
Yang Yuyao hugged her and gently patted her back.
Leaning against Yang Yuyao’s arms, Song Mei felt a long-lost sense of security.
At the same time, she reminded herself again and again:
The Song family had risen from bandits to one of the great noble families.
Their schemes and wisdom were far beyond ordinary people.
Standing on the Song family’s shoulders, she already had a natural advantage in competing for the position of Empress.
She could no longer hold them back.
She had to prove her ability so the Song family would fully support her.
She must never again be narrow-minded and jealous of Song Li.
Nor did she need to harm Song Li anymore.
Because once she entered the political game, even if the Song family discovered she was a fake daughter, they would still have no choice but to support her.
Even if Song Li disliked her, she would still have to serve her for the sake of the Song family.
This…
…was a true vision.
For the first time in her life, Song Mei’s mind felt completely clear.
When the two of them returned, Song Li and the other three had just finished becoming sworn siblings.
The four of them were still kneeling on the ground, grinning foolishly.
Song Mei looked down at them.
It was as if she were looking at the four mighty generals who would serve her in the future.
She felt deeply satisfied.
Song Li thought,
[What’s with Song Mei’s expression?]
[How many empty promises did Mother feed her this time to make her so full of confidence?]
[But now the story has completely changed. She actually renamed herself Song Mei. Pfft—]
[What an amazing name!]
[It sounds so inspiring. Much better than Song Churan!]
Yang Yuyao brushed the hair beside her ear.
Of course.
After all, I was the one who chose it.
…
At noon, the Song family held a grand banquet.
Although the clan elders were old, they could still drink well.
Everyone raised their cups and enjoyed themselves.
Song Mei was busy with her studies.
As soon as she finished eating, she returned to her room.
During the day, she practiced proper etiquette.
At noon, she learned embroidery.
At night, she studied ancient books.
She wished there were twenty-four hours of nonstop work every day.
She did not want to waste a single moment.
Since she had asked Nanny Rong for leave that morning, she did not need to practice etiquette today.
She planned to spend the afternoon reading every poem from this dynasty.
Only then could she determine whether the Three Hundred Tang Poems would still be useful.
Even if they were, she would still need to change the historical stories, people’s names, and place names to fit this world.
She could not accidentally break any taboos.
After making her study plan, she immediately buried herself in her books.
The Song family had already bought her a complete collection.
If she needed anything else, she only had to tell a servant to buy it.
The money came directly from the family’s treasury.
With such wonderful conditions…
What excuse did she have not to work hard?
Meanwhile…
Song Li and the other three spent their time eating, drinking, laughing, and playing together.
Song Mei studied alone at her desk.
That night, for some unknown reason, Song Mei suddenly developed a high fever.
A young maid delivering her dinner discovered it.
She immediately rushed to the front hall and informed the Song family while they were eating.
The clan elders had not left yet.
After hearing the news, their expressions darkened.
“She must have shown disrespect to the ancestors.”
“She has angered their spirits.”
“Have her kneel in the ancestral hall for three days.”
“Once she earns the ancestors’ forgiveness, she will recover.”