Song Hailan saw how happy she was over just ten taels of silver and felt very bitter. His own younger sister, the daughter of a top general, had no money, a sallow thin face, and was all alone with no one to rely on…
“Come on! I’ll take you to buy two sets of clothes, so you don’t embarrass me.”
“Okay!”
Song Li followed closely behind him.
When they reached the gate, they happened to see the steward and several clerks checking the accounts. Song Li slowed her steps and carefully studied their faces.
[In the original book, there is a steward with the surname Wen who is a criminal. He relied on the powerful Xie family and harmed more than a dozen young women. To cover his crimes, he tried to shift the blame onto Xie Mian, saying he acted under Xie Mian’s orders and that Xie Mian was helping someone of even higher status.]
[Because Wen was hired by Yang Yuhua, who is the elder sister of Yang Yuyao, Yang Yuyao’s husband—Song Yianian—also became a main suspect.]
[This matter not only destroyed the Xie family but also greatly damaged Song Yianian’s reputation among the common people, forcing him to give up his control over the army.]
Song Hailan’s expression became serious. He carefully wrote down all the details. Although he was anxious, he still spent half a day walking around the streets with Song Li and took her to eat the city’s most famous dishes.
By the time they returned to the Xie residence, it was afternoon.
After sending Song Li back to her room, he immediately went to tell Song Yianian about what he had learned.
That very night, a major event happened in Qingzhou City!
The steward Wen Changgui from the Xie family’s Fortune Building was caught on the spot by the Xie family for harming women.
Under strict questioning, Wen Changgui confessed to more than ten cases. The authorities then drained his family’s fish ponds and found a thick layer of human bones and old jewelry at the bottom.
Some of the onlookers knelt down right where they stood. They felt as if they had found their missing daughters, and at the same time feared that the remains really belonged to their daughters.
Watching the scene of people crying and weeping, Song Hailan felt many emotions at once.
In times like these, girls are as fragile as glass. He felt lucky that at least they were able to find his sister safe and unharmed.
During the search, the officials also found three chests of gold in the Wen family’s house. Only then did Xie Mian and Yang Yuhua realize Wen Changgui had secretly been taking their money for himself.
Now, the Xie family had also clearly become victims, and the people of Qingzhou City no longer directed their anger at them.
Xie Mian was very good at handling situations. He immediately announced that all the seized money would be used to compensate the families of the victims.
From then on, no one held any grudge against the Xie family.
This matter happened so suddenly that Song Li knew nothing about it. At dinner, she only noticed that Yang Yuhua’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she had cried, and that Xie Mian looked colder than usual and did not treat her as warmly as before.
Song Li did not think more about it. She simply assumed the couple had quarrelled.
…
She slept, woke up, and another day had passed.
The Song family began packing their belongings. Eight wagons lined up at the gate of the Xie residence, most of them filled with items the Xie family had prepared over the past few days for their new “sister.”
Song Li, carrying a small bundle, found Zhaodi just as she was about to get on a wagon. She spoke excitedly, “Zhaodi! I don’t have to be a foot-washing maid anymore! The Second Young Master wants me to be his personal maid!”
Zhaodi’s smile froze.
She had thought Song Li was scared off and wouldn’t come again.
She hadn’t expected Song Hailan to be determined to take Song Li with them.
This made Zhaodi feel very uncomfortable.
“Song Li, once you sign a servant contract, you will be stuck in low status for life. You must think clearly. Don’t try to climb higher and end up making a mistake. Being a maid in a rich family isn’t as easy as you imagine. Before we leave, think it over carefully.” She whispered in Song Li’s ear.
Song Li rolled her eyes inwardly, but outwardly she smiled happily. “The young master doesn’t need me to sign a servant contract. I’m still free.”
“How can that be?” Zhaodi covered her mouth in surprise. In big households, servants usually sign contracts; otherwise the masters won’t feel secure.
Song Li kept an innocent look. “As long as he agrees, he doesn’t need me to sign. Isn’t that simple?”
“Do maids have to sign a contract?”
The Song family members were nearby, so Zhaodi naturally would not ruin her gentle image.
“Of course not. I would never want you to sign a servant contract. I only heard that big households usually require it, so I told you to think carefully.”
Song Li affectionately rubbed Zhaodi’s head. “From now on, we can stay together again. That’s great!”
“Yes! Zhaodi, you’re my best friend. We’ll always be together.”
Although they spoke softly, the Song family members, who all practiced martial arts, could hear every word. They witnessed this “plastic” sisterhood clearly.
People say three women make a drama. These two little girls were already putting on quite a show, and they were only eight years old. Who knows what the older women in the inner palace would be like.
Song Hailan quickly arranged for Song Li to sit in a separate wagon, not giving Zhaodi any chance to object.
Then the group officially set off.
By noon, the convoy stopped by a wide river.
Everyone began to rest and cook.
Song Li volunteered to go collect firewood, and Song Hailan followed without hesitation.
Zhaodi, by now, felt emotionally tired.
…
At first, when dealing with Song Hailan, she tried to give her own opinions, object to his choices, or offer better plans.
But Song Hailan never listened. After he repeatedly ignored and embarrassed her, she stopped trying.
She did not think too deeply about it. This was a male-dominated era; men were not likely to follow a woman’s arrangements. Besides, she looked like an eight-year-old child, while Song Hailan had already fought in battles at fourteen. How could he listen to her?
He bought her sweets three times a day, which already meant he cared about her as a sister. She didn’t mind his strong sense of male authority.
Zhaodi looked around and saw Song Haiming carrying a bucket to fetch water. A thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly followed after him. “Cousin, let me help you!”
Song Haiming was different from Song Hailan. He wore a flowing white robe and looked gentle and refined. His temper was mild, and he always spoke softly to her, afraid of scaring her.
Most importantly, he was her cousin.
…
In ancient times, cousins could marry.
“Cousin, go back now. The water splashing from the river might wet your shoes and socks.”
Just listening to his clear, gentle voice made Zhaodi feel lightheaded.
“If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid. At worst, Cousin can carry me back,” she said playfully.
Her tone was childlike and cute, but Song Haiming felt uncomfortable, as if a very mature person was pretending to act like a child. Something felt very off.
If he hadn’t heard Song Li’s inner thoughts before, he might not have felt this way. But after days of hearing them, it was as if he could see beyond Zhaodi’s sweet exterior and glimpse a selfish, greedy older woman inside.
He forced a polite smile. “All right.”
Zhaodi was instantly happy and held onto his arm.
Song Haiming’s body stiffened. He tried to quietly pull his arm free. Just then, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.
[Oh no, I remember this part of the story now!]
[Zhaodi noticed Cousin likes to draw children’s feet, and she guessed he has a special liking for them.]
[She deliberately put scented powder on her feet every day, hoping for a chance to attract his attention. Today, she planned to pretend she hurt her ankle so Cousin would check it. Originally, this would lead to a very embarrassing scene that makes him attach great importance to her.]
[From then on, he would become her most devoted follower.]
[This is a critical moment. I must save Cousin!]