On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, white snow drifted down.
Song Tang leaned by the window, gazing at the vast white snow outside. The treetops, dusted in white, looked like a painting.
She tightened the cloak around herself and silently counted in her heart, “Three, two, one.”
The door creaked open, and a cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in.
“Young Miss, the Madam has sent word for you to go over.”
Song Tang set down her hand warmer and slowly stood up. “Let’s go.”
After passing through a long covered corridor, she finally arrived at Mistress He’s courtyard.
“Elder Sister, you’re here!” Song Wei was sitting before Mistress He, cutting paper-cut window decorations. Upon seeing Song Tang, she immediately revealed a sweet smile.
“Greetings, Mother.” Song Tang directly ignored Song Wei and gave a slight curtsy to Mistress He, her expression cold.
Seeing Song Tang ignore Song Wei, Mistress He’s face instantly turned cold. “Song Tang, who are you putting on that long face for?”
“For her.” Song Tang turned to look at Song Wei. In her past life, Song Wei was inextricably linked to the fact that Mu Ziyu had kicked her to death!
Song Wei froze, her eyes instantly turning red. She stood up and said with a choke in her voice, “Mother, you and Elder Sister please sit. I still have some scriptures to finish copying, so I’ll be heading back now.”
“Is my dear cousin playing the victim again?” Song Tang sneered.
Her sore spot having been poked, Song Wei truly began to cry this time. Wiping her tears, she jogged out of the courtyard.
Just as tomorrow was Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, everyone in the mansion knew that Song Wei was copying scriptures to burn as an offering for her parents who had passed away early.
Mistress He and Master Song felt that Song Wei was utterly pure and filial, and they pitied her all the more for it.
“Song Tang, why must you speak so harshly?” Mistress He’s temper flared.
Song Tang said coolly, “Calling her out for playing the victim is harsh?”
“She is your younger sister, after all.”
“We weren’t born of the same mother.”
“She is still your younger sister. She has already been officially registered under my name,” Mistress He stated bluntly.
Song Tang was speechless. “Mistress He, why are you so fond of raising other people’s daughters?”
“How is your aunt ‘other people’? Back then, if it weren’t for your aunt, I, your mother, would never have been able to marry into this Earl’s mansion.”
“Aunt did it for herself, so she could marry into an even higher station. It was merely a miscalculation on her part. Don’t try to take credit for it.”
“No matter what, your aunt is gone now. Wei’er is pitiful, so we must treat her well.”
“You can be a saint on your own. Don’t drag me into it, alright?”
“Can’t you learn from Wei’er? She has been well-read and sensible since she was a child, obedient and understanding. She’s so much better than you.”
Song Tang let out a cold laugh. “Hah, learn from her? Learn her pretentiousness? Learn how she executed the dove occupying the magpie’s nest? Or learn her scheming and how to snatch away love?”
“Song Tang! Look at you, spouting such nonsense! You don’t have the slightest bearing of a young lady from a noble family!” Mistress He said resentfully.
Song Tang’s sneer deepened. “And what is the bearing of a young lady from a noble family? Must one swallow all grievances and remain silent to be considered one?”
Mistress He knew Song Tang’s temperament. Thinking about Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony tomorrow, she knew she couldn’t truly provoke the girl, so she softened her tone.
“Tang’er, you must be present tomorrow. Your sister Wei’er is not our biological daughter to begin with. If you don’t come, she will be gossiped about by the other noblewomen from prestigious families, and it will be difficult for her to have a marriage arrangement in the future.”
“What does her difficulty in finding a marriage arrangement have to do with me!” In her past life, she would only get angry, throw tantrums, and smash things, which led to nothing ever being clarified and everything being left unresolved. She was the one who always suffered in silence.
Mistress He also had a fiery temper. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. “What will it take for you to agree to attend your sister’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony? Do Mother this one small favor, won’t you?”
“I can go, but I have two conditions.” Song Tang’s face was devoid of expression.
Mistress He couldn’t tell what Song Tang was planning, but seeing that her attitude had softened, she moderated her tone even further. “What conditions?”
“First, I want Caidie back before dark tonight. Second, I want five thousand taels to buy clothes and jewelry.” Song Tang’s tone was exceptionally calm.
Mistress He was stunned and blurted out, “Caidie was sold off several years ago, how can we find her? I can give you the five thousand taels.”
“No. The five thousand taels and Caidie, I want both! Not one less.” Song Tang’s words were resolute.
Mistress He’s brows furrowed tightly, and she instantly grew furious, just about to start scolding.
Mama Chen at her side hurriedly whispered a few words in her ear.
Only then did Mistress He’s brow relax. “Caidie was sold to the Zhang residence as a maidservant. I’ll have Mama Chen send someone to buy her back later.”
Song Tang held out her hand. “The five-thousand-tael silver note.”
Mistress He helplessly shot a look at Mama Chen.
Mama Chen immediately went to the inner room to retrieve the silver note and presented it to Song Tang with both hands.
Song Tang took the silver note, glanced at it, and tucked it into her robes.
“Then I thank you, Mother.” With that, she turned and walked toward the door.
“Song Tang, where are you going? Don’t forget to be on time tomorrow, and don’t throw a tantrum!”
Song Tang acted as if she hadn’t heard Mistress He’s admonishment at all, quickening her pace.
In her past life, she had not attended Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony~
In the evening, just as Song Tang finished her evening meal, she saw Mama Chen walk into the courtyard.
Following behind Mama Chen was a grimy-faced young maidservant, so thin she was skin and bones.
Song Tang frowned and looked closely. “Caidie?”
“Yes, Young Miss, this servant is Caidie!” Caidie dropped to her knees with a thud, tears streaming from her reddened eyes.
They hadn’t seen each other in four years. Caidie had grown much taller, but the shadow of her former self could still be seen in her features.
A pang of sorrow hit Song Tang. She walked forward quickly and took Caidie’s hands. “You’ve suffered all these years.”
Just looking at Caidie’s state, it was clear her life after being driven out of the mansion must have been difficult.
Caidie sobbed and shook her head, saying timidly, “Young Miss, this servant is fine. To be able to see Young Miss again, this servant’s life would be worth it even if I were to die.”
“Miss Tang, let’s go inside to talk,” Mama Chen reminded from the side.
Song Tang nodded. After telling Mama Chen to report back to Mistress He, she led Caidie into the inner room.
The maidservant Qiuling also followed them in, showing no intention of leaving.
Qiuling was the maidservant Mistress He had later assigned to her. In her past life, this girl had reported her every move to her cousin Song Wei, and had also sown discord between her and the Heir, indirectly leading to her death.
“Qiuling, go bring a pot of hot tea. Also, it’s not very warm in here. Have someone add some red silk charcoal.”
After sending Qiuling away, Song Tang had Caidie sit down and carefully asked about her experiences over the past few years.
Choking back sobs, Caidie haltingly recounted her experience of being sold to the third branch of the Zhang family as a maidservant after being driven out of the mansion.
The members of the Zhang family’s third branch all had bad tempers, and all the slaves and maidservants were caught in the crossfire. This was especially true for her, as she had come from the Song mansion. The other servants in the Zhang residence would deliberately bully her, making her do heavy labor and denying her food…
Caidie cried sorrowfully. Song Tang gently patted the back of her hand and comforted her, “It’s good that you’re back. I won’t let you suffer again.”