“Master.” As soon as Nangong Yi left, the delicate woman who moved with willow-like grace appeared, linking arms with Song Father while keeping her eyes demurely lowered.
Song Mother remained relatively unresponsive, but the other consorts in the residence each clutched their handkerchiefs, barely restraining themselves from rushing forward to tear apart this aging yet still seductive fox spirit who knew how to use tricks to charm the master.
“Yao Yao, this is your Consort Ning.” With Nangong Yi gone, Song Father adopted the demeanor of both a father and the head of the household.
Consort Ning lifted her gaze to look at Song Yao, pressing her lips together in a gentle smile that appeared quite amiable.
Song Yao returned the amiable smile, then parted her lips to say: “So this is Consort Ning.”
She deliberately elongated the pronunciation of “Consort.”
Neither initiating conversation first nor offering formal greetings—this was no truly amiable person. This was someone relying on her neurotic father’s favor, waiting for her, a junior Crown Princess, to take the initiative in greeting her.
Song Yao wasn’t the only one who detected Consort Ning’s little scheme, as another consort immediately stepped forward with sarcastic criticism.
“Though Sister Ning comes from merchant background, she should at least know basic etiquette. What is this? Could she be waiting for our Yao Yao to greet her first?”
Song Father immediately reprimanded with displeasure, “Enough! No one would think you’re mute if you kept quiet.”
The consort was furious but dared not truly defy the person she depended on. Gripping her handkerchief tightly, she complained resentfully, “Master, I was just kindly reminding Sister Ning!”
But Consort Ning hurriedly released Song Father’s arm, flustered as she performed a bow: “This humble consort pays respects to the Crown Princess. This humble consort comes from lowly origins and understands little of propriety. I beg the Crown Princess not to take offense.”
As she spoke, her voice already carried a sob, and when she looked up at Song Father, she presented a pear-blossom-drenched-in-rain appearance.
Song Father’s heart ached unbearably, casting aside all reason and caution. His false paternal benevolence turned stern as he spoke in a deep voice.
“Song Yao.”
Using her full name—a reminder to Song Yao not to forget her place after merely a few days as Crown Princess.
Song Yao: …
In her previous life, Song Yao had died young, having only watched idol dramas featuring young actors. This was her first time witnessing a twilight romance performed right before her eyes by middle-aged and elderly actors.
Reaching out, she pressed down the hand of her older sister, who would always be the first to defend and protect her. Still smiling, she spoke with casual lightness.
“Consort, please rise. Rest assured, Father takes in several new consorts every year or two. There are so many consorts in the residence that I sometimes can’t even tell who’s who. Such trivial matters naturally won’t occupy my mind.”
Though these words sounded polite, they pierced Consort Ning’s heart like a sharp needle.
They also showed no consideration for Song Father’s dignity, making his face alternate between dark and pale shades of anger.
Song Wan looked at her younger sister in astonishment.
Her younger sister never used to publicly embarrass Father like this before—she would always criticize indirectly, in ways Father couldn’t comprehend anyway.
Song Yao pulled Song Wan into the residence, winking at her sister from an angle no one else could see.
Daring to show displeasure to her neurotic father who held the position of Prime Minister, just because she had Nangong Yi as backing? Exactly! Why not?
When a Jianghu assassin wouldn’t confront court officials directly, that was recognizing the times and acting accordingly. But continuing to endure humiliation after becoming Crown Princess? That would be sheer foolishness.
Filial piety?
Fatherly kindness begets filial devotion. Without fatherly kindness, how could one expect filial devotion? Dream on—such good fortune doesn’t exist in this world.
In the rear courtyard of the Prime Minister’s Residence.
Under the lush foliage of a banyan tree, within a red-tiled octagonal pavilion used for enjoying cool air, the four siblings gathered together.
Song Lin: “Consort Ning and Father had a past relationship, but she came from a merchant family. Marrying her wouldn’t have helped Father’s career advancement at the time, so they eventually married other people and it ended unresolved.”
Song Yao: “Wow, what a shocking piece of gossip.”
As she listened, she took a bite of the chilled watermelon, shifting her gaze from her second brother to her third brother who had taken over the conversation.
Song Ye: “Not long ago, Consort Ning’s husband died of illness. It’s only been a few days since then, and Father couldn’t wait to bring her into our residence. He’s not even afraid of bringing criticism upon our Prime Minister’s Residence.”
“You don’t know this, little sister, but if we hadn’t stopped him, Father would have wanted to bring her son and daughter into the residence too.”
At this point, Song Ye slammed the table heavily. The extraordinarily handsome but hot-tempered young master was so angry he was grinding his teeth, furious as he said:
“I think Father has really lost his mind in his old age. He doesn’t even consider whether those two have any blood relation to us before daring to bring them into our residence. Although elder sister lives at the clinic and rarely returns, and little sister is married and moved out, Second Brother and I still live here!”
“And those children of the other consorts too – they’re all unmarried. If we really let those two move in, what would that look like? It’s simply absurd!”
Song Yao never expected to hear the words “simply absurd” from her usually carefree third brother. She couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Seeing Song Ye look over, she cleared her throat lightly.
She raised her finely trimmed eyebrows, imitated Song Ye by slapping the table, and cheered him on: “Third Brother is right, it’s simply absurd!”
Song Wan was exceptionally beautiful. Perhaps due to years of practicing medicine and saving lives, she had her own unique ethereal quality. Sitting there quietly listening to her younger siblings talk, she was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting.
Seeing Song Yao imitate Song Ye, she was instantly charmed by her younger sister’s cuteness. She couldn’t resist patting her sister’s head and smiled gently along.
Song Ye felt an itch in his heart and hands, wanting to pat her head too. However, his little sister was not only grown up but also married, so he had to maintain proper boundaries. He could only reluctantly withdraw his eager hand.
But if his sister hadn’t cheered him on it would have been fine – once she did, Song Ye became even more energized. All the frustration he had accumulated over the past few days came pouring out like beans being emptied from a container.
“Not just what we’ve mentioned! Father even asked Second Brother to find a way to get that gambling addict son of Consort Ning an official position in the Ministry of Justice. Ha! Ha! This infuriates me!”
“I avoided becoming an official myself to prevent the Emperor from seeing our Prime Minister’s Residence as a thorn in his side, and now this outsider, a gambling addict no less, wants to become an official? What kind of person is he? A shameless scoundrel!”
“And her daughter – when she comes to our residence, she might as well write ‘I want to climb the social ladder’ on her face. Eating and taking things, even bothering Second Brother and me is one thing, but she actually dared to go to Elder Sister’s clinic, calling her ‘Elder Sister’ repeatedly. Who does she think she is!”
Song Yao initially listened to it as entertainment, but as she continued listening, the smile on her beautiful face faded. She stopped eating watermelon and lightly tapped the stone table with her knuckles.
“What do Elder Sister, Second Brother, and Third Brother plan to do?”
Song Lin had called Song Yao back precisely to discuss these matters and already had a plan. He was just about to speak when Song Ye cut in again.
Song Ye: “As for Consort Ning’s gambling addict son, my plan is to beat him up, beat him half to death, and then throw him in jail.”
Song Yao looked at her elder sister.
Song Wan, being more gentle in her approach to things, had a different opinion from Song Ye:
“Since he’s a gambling addict, there must be many faults that can be investigated. Find his mistakes and send him to jail legitimately.”
Song Lin agreed with his sister’s approach, though how long the imprisonment would last and whether it meant life or death was another matter entirely.
Song Yao had her own perspective and a rather brilliant idea: “Why go through all that trouble? Why not just kill them?”
Clean and simple, putting an end to it all.
Song Wan: “…”
Song Lin: “…”
Song Ye: “…”