Song Yannian lowered his head and thought quietly without saying a word.
He also did not understand why the clan elders could not warm up to Song Mei.
Other than letting the elders see Song Li first, and having Song Li become sworn siblings with the other three children after Song Mei was added to the family genealogy—saving the cost of another banquet—he had not secretly done anything else.
“Go call Old Zhuang. Make sure he cures my daughter.”
Tomorrow was the day they would choose study companions for the princes and princesses.
They were called study companions, but in reality they were hostages.
Other families might be allowed to refuse, but old generals like him, who controlled military power, had no choice but to send one.
If Song Mei could not go, he would have to send another child instead.
Either he would send his eldest or second son to serve in the Imperial Guards, where they would remain under the old emperor’s watch.
Or he would break Song Yihuan’s engagement with the Third Prince and send her into the palace selection instead.
He had always felt that the Third Prince treated Yihuan coldly, and the emperor had never given any hint of approval. It seemed they were not satisfied with her.
Still, the old emperor himself had arranged the childhood engagement with the Song family during a time of crisis.
As the Son of Heaven, surely he would not break his own promise.
Besides, many senior officials had witnessed it.
But a few days ago, after hearing Song Li’s inner thoughts, he learned that his precious daughter would eventually be sent into that palace—a prison that devoured people alive.
When he heard that she would die with her unborn child after only one year…
No one knew what he had felt at that moment.
Or how hard he had struggled to suppress his rage.
That very night, he discussed it with his wife.
Since they already had a ready-made insider, why not use her?
It would be better to help Song Mei become the Third Prince’s wife.
And if the Third Prince did not even like someone as gentle and virtuous as Song Mei…
Then let Song Mei serve the old emperor instead.
The old man was already so old.
What more could he possibly complain about?
Yang Yuyao agreed immediately.
The husband and wife slowly began filling Song Mei’s head with grand promises.
One promise from him.
One promise from her.
Then Song Mei would encourage herself with another promise.
Wouldn’t that keep all the children safe?
…
With these worries on his mind, Song Yannian brought the whole family to visit Song Mei after dinner.
Song Mei lay weakly in bed.
Her little face was flushed from the fever, making her look rather cute.
Seeing everyone come to visit her made her feel warm inside.
They’re all my loyal followers.
Even Song Li looked much more pleasant now.
“Mei’er, you’ve worked too hard. You’ve exhausted yourself,” Yang Yuyao said as she personally wrung out a towel and gently wiped Song Mei’s forehead and hands.
“Learning never ends. Take your time. You’re gentle, graceful, and the daughter of the Great General of the Northwest. Who would dare look down on you? Why put so much pressure on yourself?”
Song Yannian smiled kindly.
“Your mother is right. Your father and the Northwest Army are behind you. You don’t have to push yourself so hard. Your health comes first.”
Song Mei’s eyes turned red with emotion.
But inside…
She felt nothing.
As long as Song Li remained alive, she could never truly relax.
Identity, wealth, and reputation were all things others could give her.
But knowledge belonged to her alone.
No one could ever take it away.
The more she learned…
The safer she felt.
Song Hailan took out a bag of pine nut candy.
“Little Sister, this is your favorite. Eat one whenever you’re feeling sick, and you’ll feel happy right away!”
Song Mei silently thanked him.
Happy?
Do I look happy?
Next, Song Haiming presented her with a box of plum-scented ink.
“This ink gives off a delicate plum blossom fragrance when it’s ground. It matches your name perfectly.”
Song Mei’s eyes twitched.
She was too miserable to even complain.
Song Li quickly handed over her own gift.
“I picked the prettiest plum blossoms to match our beautiful Second Miss! Hehe!”
Song Mei forced another smile.
Can no one stop talking about “plum”?
I’m tired.
Just let the world end.
Song Yihuan also brought a gift.
“This is the Third Prince’s collection of poems. I heard from the maids that you’ve been studying poetry recently. The Third Prince’s poems are wonderful. Maybe they’ll inspire you.”
Song Mei’s eyes lit up.
Finally!
A normal person!
It was exactly what she needed.
She had planned to slowly study the Third Prince’s writing style herself so she could win his favor.
Instead…
Song Yihuan had directly handed her his personal poetry collection.
As expected of my most capable subordinate!
I wish I had more people like Song Yihuan and Yang Yuyao—smart people who understand the bigger picture.
And fewer fools like Song Hailan, Song Haiming, and Song Li!
Then another thought crossed her mind.
The Third Prince’s poetry collection was not available anywhere.
Even if someone somehow obtained a copy, they would treasure it like a family heirloom.
Yet now…
Song Yihuan had given it to her.
Before ending her engagement.
What did that mean?
Was Song Yihuan showing her loyalty?
Was she saying she was willing to give up the Third Prince…
And help bring Song Mei and the Third Prince together?
As expected…
Children raised in great noble families all had countless hidden schemes.
Everything they did carried secret meaning.
Compared to them, she was still inexperienced.
She still had much to learn.
…
After everyone left, Song Mei forced herself to sit up despite her fever.
She opened the Third Prince’s poetry collection.
The first thing she saw was his bold, flowing cursive handwriting.
Every stroke seemed like gentle fingers touching her heart.
Her face immediately grew even hotter.
Taking a deep breath, Song Mei lay under the blanket and continued reading.
Outside…
The four young people were busy praising each other’s gifts.
“Big Brother’s gift made Second Miss’s eyes light up instantly! She was obviously surprised!”
“No, no! Little Sister’s gift was the best! ‘Giving plum blossoms’ to ‘Song Mei.’ It was a gift chosen by fate!”
“But Eldest Sister… wasn’t that book the treasure you used to… ahem… keep hidden away? How could you bear to give it to Cousin?”
“Oh, she’s family. Of course I should spoil her.”
“Second Brother’s gift touched me too. Second Miss loves candy, and you still remembered.”
“That’s what an older brother should do.”
In the blink of an eye…
…
Two days passed.
Early that morning, Song Mei finished getting dressed.
She wore a light green dress beneath a moon-white short jacket.
The outfit was elegant yet lively, making her look like a quiet orchid blooming in a secluded valley.
It suited her age perfectly.
Her maid, Wang Yue, styled her hair into twin butterfly buns and decorated it with white jade plum blossom ornaments.
She looked beautiful.
Another maid, Wang Shu, lit plum blossom incense so even her hair carried its delicate fragrance.
The plum blossom ornaments and incense had both been specially sent by Yang Yuyao.
She could not refuse to use them.
Nanny Rong carefully inspected her appearance.
After confirming everything was perfect, she nodded.
“You are the hardest-working student I have ever taught.”
It was the first time she had praised Song Mei.
Song Mei bowed respectfully.
“I haven’t thanked you yet, Nanny. Please accept my gratitude.”
Over the past few days, she had felt that Nanny Rong might become an important opportunity in her life.
After all, Nanny Rong had once served the Empress Dowager.
She probably knew many palace secrets.
Showing respect could never be wrong.
Nanny Rong helped her up.
“You’ve already learned everything I can teach you. There’s no reason for me to stay. Once you leave today, I’ll say goodbye to General Song and return to my hometown in Qingzhou.”
Song Mei quickly held her arm.
“Nanny, please don’t leave! I still have so much to learn from you. I’ll ask Father to keep you here as my tutor.”
For a brief moment, Nanny Rong was deeply moved.
A tutor nanny was different from a personal maid.
She was more like a teacher or advisor to a noble young lady, not someone who performed household duties.
Just as she was about to speak, Song Yannian entered.
Song Mei immediately begged him to let Nanny Rong stay.
He agreed without hesitation.
He even doubled her monthly salary and asked her to take good care of Song Mei.
Nanny Rong knelt and thanked them both.
She had no children.
Being able to spend her old age in the Song residence was a wonderful blessing.
Song Mei respected her and worked harder than anyone.
More importantly, she had patience and determination.
Perhaps…
One day, her own wish might finally come true.
Before Song Mei left, Nanny Rong stopped her.
She painted a small begonia flower decoration on Song Mei’s forehead.
“This old servant knows you have great ambitions.”
“But remember…”
“Too much of anything can become harmful.”
Song Mei thought about those words and nodded.
Then she left.
…
When she reached the doorway, she found Song Li leaning against the doorframe, waiting for her.
Song Mei could not help asking,
“Father? Is Song Li coming too?”
Song Yannian answered vaguely,
“Let her go with you. She should get used to it in advance.”
In reality, he felt completely helpless.
Over the past few days, he had heard Song Li’s inner thoughts every day.
She kept saying she wanted to see the palace.
The other children also begged him.
“Let her go! Let her go!”
He had no choice.
She was his real daughter.
He could only give in.
Song Mei secretly smiled.
Getting used to being a maid in advance?
These foolish people from the Song family…
They’re actually giving me their real daughter as my maid and still think they’ve planned everything perfectly.
What a bunch of idiots.
…
Although she had already memorized every rule of palace etiquette, Song Mei still became nervous as she approached the magnificent crimson palace gates.
Song Yannian could only wait outside.
Each candidate was allowed to bring only one maid inside.
Song Li stood steadily behind and slightly to one side of Song Mei, always within sight.
Whenever someone came too close, she even raised a hand to shield Song Mei.
For some reason…
Song Mei suddenly felt safe.
Only then did she truly understand Yang Yuyao’s good intentions.
Having loyal and capable servants was incredibly important.
Several other girls entered the palace with Song Mei.
They clearly knew one another and chatted happily together, deliberately leaving Song Mei out.
But Song Mei ignored them.
Her soul belonged to a thirty-year-old adult.
Why would she care about childish tricks like these?
She remained calm and composed as she followed the eunuch leading the way.
Soon they arrived at the Empress’s palace—Taihe Palace.
All the candidates stood in a line.
Their maids waited nearby.
Before long, the four younger princesses also arrived.
The First, Second, and Third Princesses were already adults.
This selection was for companions to the Fourth through Seventh Princesses.
A little later, the Empress appeared.
Supported by her maids, she slowly walked past each candidate.
When she stopped before Song Mei, she asked,
“Whose daughter are you? You look unfamiliar.”
Song Mei stepped forward and respectfully bowed.
“Your Majesty, this servant’s daughter is Song Mei. I am ten years old and the legitimate second daughter of the Great General of the Northwest.”
As soon as she mentioned she was the legitimate second daughter, the Empress understood.
The story of Song Yannian finding his long-lost daughter had already spread throughout the capital.
“Song Mei?”
“That’s certainly… an unusual name.”
Although it sounded like praise, her tone carried a trace of mockery.
Song Mei bit her lip.
The name could no longer be changed.
No matter how much she blamed Song Yannian, it was useless.
She could only give the ordinary name a deeper meaning.
“A sword’s edge comes from sharpening.”
“The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from enduring the bitter winter.”
“My father named me ‘Mei’ because he hopes that after all my hardships, the rest of my life will be peaceful and successful.”
Just then, a group of princes walked past the corridor.
The Third Prince suddenly turned around.
Perhaps he had never met someone whose personal motto sounded even more impressive than his own.
She immediately caught his interest.
“Brothers, our younger sisters are choosing their study companions.”
“Let’s go watch the fun too.”