Zhaodi regained her confidence and smiled gently at Song Hailan.
Song Hailan politely nodded back.
However, the corner of his eye remained fixed on Song Li, who looked half-dead from her illness but still had determined eyes.
Mama Liu naturally noticed the small exchange between Zhaodi and Song Hailan.
Looking at the increasingly graceful and beautiful Zhaodi, she quietly made up her mind.
After all the girls entered the front hall, the seats were already filled with distinguished guests.
Besides Song Yannian, Song Hailan, and Deputy General Liang, there was also another young man about Song Hailan’s age, along with an older woman who wore a kind smile but had sharp, observant eyes.
Song Li guessed that the young man was probably Song Hailan’s cousin and the Song family’s adopted son—Song Haiming.
The older woman had not appeared at this point in the original novel.
Song Li could not identify her.
Perhaps the Song family had brought her here because they had become confused and wanted someone else to help.
After warmly greeting everyone, Mama Liu began introducing each girl one by one, explaining their names, personalities, and special talents.
The guests all looked noble.
Especially Song Hailan and Song Haiming.
Both were handsome and heroic-looking.
The girls blushed as they secretly imagined how wonderful it would be if one of them chose to take them home.
When it was Zhaodi’s turn, Mama Liu pulled her forward by herself.
“This girl is called Zhaodi. Her parents abandoned her beside the river when she was born. A family that couldn’t have children took her in and named her Zhaodi. Sure enough, she’s a lucky child. Within two years, her adoptive mother gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Later, a famine struck their village. They had no choice but to send her here.”
“She’s had a hard life, being abandoned by her family twice. But she’s a good child. She never caused trouble after coming here. Whenever her younger brothers and sisters have difficulties, she always helps them. She’s hardworking, clever, and eager to learn. Just look at the girl standing beside her. She has been sick these past few days, and Zhaodi has been taking care of her and making medicine for her.”
As expected, selling people was best left to professionals.
With Mama Liu’s carefully chosen words, everyone immediately felt sorry for Zhaodi.
They almost wanted to take her home right away.
Especially the only older woman present.
Her eyes became slightly wet as she repeatedly praised Zhaodi.
“What a good child.”
Even Song Hailan, who had previously thought Zhaodi’s smiles were fake, felt a little ashamed.
Her life has been so difficult.
Yet she still smiles at the world.
That is true optimism.
Only Song Yannian showed little emotion.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.
Deputy General Liang slowly stroked his beard.
Thinking back…
When Madam Song had given birth years ago, there really had been a small river nearby.
He had even ordered his soldiers to fetch water.
Zhaodi greeted everyone politely.
A gentle smile rested on her lips as if praise and hardship meant nothing to her.
But inside, she was secretly delighted.
She hadn’t helped that old woman with so much work for nothing.
At least Mama Liu was speaking well of her now.
With such praise today…
She was sure she would completely defeat Song Li.
Next came Song Li.
Mama Liu patted her shoulder.
“This child recently caught a bad cold. Thanks to Zhaodi taking care of her, she’s finally able to get out of bed.”
Song Yannian and the others immediately listened closely.
But Mama Liu simply took a few steps forward and continued with the next girl.
“This girl’s name is Xi’er. Just looking at her face brings good luck…”
Zhaodi pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.
Standing next to Song Li, anyone with eyes could see the difference between them.
One looked like a plain country chicken.
The other looked like a phoenix.
“Wait!”
Song Hailan suddenly stood up.
He had been waiting for Song Li’s introduction all this time.
Instead, Mama Liu skipped over it.
Suppressing his anger, he patiently asked,
“Why didn’t you introduce the girl standing before me?”
Mama Liu looked at Song Li’s messy bird’s-nest hair and laughed awkwardly.
“My mistake. I’ll introduce her now, Young Master.”
She knew wealthy families valued carefulness.
Nothing should be done carelessly.
“This child is named Song Li. She was raised by an old beggar since childhood. Before the old beggar died, he sent her here. She may look dirty, but she’s quite clever. She can chop firewood, fetch water, and wash clothes. She’d make an excellent rough servant in any household…”
Song Hailan had already clenched his fists.
He had wanted to grab Mama Liu by the collar and ask her:
If you knew Song Li had a fever, why did you make her wash clothes in freezing river water?
Why were the other girls treated like young ladies while Song Li was treated like a servant?
“Enough!”
Song Hailan shouted.
Mama Liu jumped in fright.
He pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve.
Printed on it was the shape of a jade pendant.
At first glance, it looked like a flower.
But on closer inspection, it was actually the Chinese character “Song” (宋) in an artistic design.
“I’ve heard one of the children here has a jade pendant like this.”
“Whoever has it, step forward.”
His eyes swept across every girl.
But all his hope rested on Song Li alone.
Time slowly passed.
Unfortunately…
Song Li did not step forward.
Neither did anyone else.
Song Li secretly glanced at Zhaodi.
Zhaodi lowered her head obediently.
It seemed she had no intention of taking out the jade pendant.
That made sense.
The real owner was standing right here.
How could she dare?
As the heroine, Zhaodi was still intelligent.
If neither of them produced the pendant, then they remained on equal footing.
And with her appearance alone, she already had a huge advantage.
Seeing that no one moved, Song Hailan softened his voice.
“This is the Song family’s heirloom.”
“Whoever has this jade pendant is my biological younger sister.”
The girls immediately became envious and whispered among themselves.
The original Song Li had treasured the pendant.
She always tied it around her waist and never let anyone see it.
Most of the children didn’t even know it existed.
Maybe one or two sharp-eyed girls had noticed it before.
But girls like Luoyu were far too jealous to help Song Li.
And if someone did speak up for Song Li…
The girls secretly bribed by the mysterious man would immediately speak up for Zhaodi instead.
Song Li quietly clenched her fists while carefully watching Zhaodi.
Unlike everyone else…
Zhaodi’s eyes filled with tears.
Her gaze slowly moved across each member of the Song family.
Finally, she stared blankly at Song Yannian.
Her lips trembled as though she wanted to speak.
But in the end…
She said nothing.
The older woman had been watching her all along.
Seeing her expression, the woman became excited.
She stood up and slowly walked toward Zhaodi.
“Zhaodi’s about to start acting!”
Song Li instantly became alert.
She immediately decided to pretend to faint.
“As long as I faint, the Song family will definitely call a doctor.”
“Once the doctor examines me, he’ll discover I’ve been poisoned.”
“There’s still a bowl of poisoned medicine in my room.”
“And Mama Liu already said that Zhaodi has been taking care of me these past few days.”
“Surely the Song family will realize Zhaodi poisoned me!”
Having made up her mind…
Song Li collapsed onto the floor.
Mama Liu was startled.
Afraid the noble guests would think she abused the children, she quickly called over two older girls.
“Carry her back to her room.”
“This child is sick. She should have stayed in bed. Why insist on coming here?”
The members of the Song family exchanged glances.
Each of them saw the same shock in the others’ eyes.
They had all heard…
Song Li’s inner thoughts.
At their level of martial arts, they could easily tell the difference between ventriloquism and other techniques.
What they had just heard was like a voice speaking directly into their ears.
There was no way it was ventriloquism.
Song Yannian…
Song Hailan…
And Song Haiming…
All three had heard it.
No one else reacted.
Could it be…
Only people with the surname Song could hear it?
After two seconds of stunned silence, Song Yannian stepped forward.
“Wait.”
“I know a little medicine. Let me examine her.”
Song Li searched her memory of the novel.
“My dad knows medicine too?”
“It must be one of his hidden talents.”
“My dad is amazing!”
Song Yannian’s fingers trembled slightly.
She called me Dad…
Is she really my daughter?
He placed two fingers on Song Li’s wrist and pretended to check her pulse.
After a moment, he spoke in surprise.
“Hmm… This little girl has been poisoned.”
“Wow! My dad really knows his stuff! He figured it out immediately!”
Song Yannian coughed lightly.
“Old Liang, go search her room for the source of the poison.”
“We can’t let the other girls be poisoned as well.”
“Dad is awesome! That’s exactly what I was thinking!”
Song Yannian’s old face turned slightly red with embarrassment.
Then he bent down and gently picked Song Li up from the floor.
Deputy General Liang found it strange.
When did the General secretly learn medicine without telling me?
But after following Song Yannian for so many years, he trusted him completely.
Whatever the General said, he obeyed without question.
That was the understanding they had built over many years.
“Yes, General!”
Deputy General Liang answered before immediately leaving the room.