“Who?” Song Congzhi’s brows furrowed even tighter. He feared he had misjudged—what if Mu Ziyu’s heart did not belong to Song Wei?
Mu Ziyu bowed to Song Congzhi before speaking slowly, “I have long been devoted to Sister Wei’er. My visit today is to seek your approval, Uncle.”
Song Congzhi’s frown instantly relaxed. He had vaguely sensed Mu Ziyu’s affection for Song Wei earlier and had anticipated this outcome, feeling a secret sense of satisfaction.
Having Song Wei marry the Heir would both preserve the Song family’s dignity and unite a pair of lovers. Why not go along with it?
With this in mind, Song Congzhi deliberately asked, “Heir, are you sincere when you say your heart belongs to Wei’er?”
“Absolutely sincere. I harbor no false feelings toward Sister Song Wei. Please believe me, Uncle.”
Song Congzhi nodded slightly. “In that case, I have no reason to insist that you marry Song Tang. Although your grandfathers arranged the Betrothed Before Birth, Wei’er is now also a daughter of the Song family. Switching from Song Tang to Song Wei does not break the vow of the engagement.”
The weight in Mu Ziyu’s heart lifted, and he quickly clasped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you, Uncle, for your understanding. Ziyu will treasure Wei’er like a precious jewel and will never let her down.”
Song Congzhi smiled faintly, acknowledging Mu Ziyu’s sincerity. Ever since Song Wei entered the residence, she had often been brought to tears by Song Tang, and he pitied her deeply.
Back then, Mu Ziyu frequently visited. Once, Song Congzhi saw him secretly comforting Song Wei after she had been bullied by Song Tang. From that moment, he began to think how wonderful it would be if Wei’er could marry Mu Ziyu, the Heir. Given Song Wei’s circumstances, she had few options—the Heir was the best match she could hope for.
As for Song Tang, she was the legitimate daughter of the Song Residence, with many choices available to her. Even entering the palace as a consort was not out of the question.
“However, there is one more matter I need to discuss with you, Uncle.” Mu Ziyu’s expression grew slightly tense.
“What is it? Feel free to speak, Heir.” Song Congzhi’s tone remained calm.
Mu Ziyu hesitated, looking troubled. “My third uncle has agreed to cancel my engagement with Song Tang and allow me to marry Sister Song Wei instead, but…”
“But what?” Seeing Mu Ziyu falter, Song Congzhi pressed immediately.
Mu Ziyu spoke frankly, “But Third Uncle insists that I formally apologize to Song Tang and publicly declare that you and Song Wei have long been fond of each other. Additionally, I must provide two hundred thousand taels of private assets as compensation to Song Tang for canceling the engagement.”
“Two hundred thousand taels of private assets?” Song Congzhi’s eyes flickered.
Mu Ziyu hurriedly explained, “Uncle, it’s not that I begrudge the two hundred thousand taels. Rather, if I publicly claim that Sister Song Wei and I have long been fond of each other, it could damage her reputation. After all, she is not yet married, and such rumors would indeed be unfavorable to her.”
Seeing Mu Ziyu’s sincere words, which did not seem false, Song Congzhi pondered briefly. “That is true. Wei’er’s reputation is of utmost importance. She must not suffer such injustice.”
Song Congzhi paused before continuing, “Song Tang is out today. When she returns, I will have her visit Marquis Mu again. We will publicly state that she initiated the cancellation of the engagement, and your Marquis’s Mansion refused to simply annul it unless the marriage was switched to Song Wei. This way, Wei’er’s reputation will be preserved, and there will be no objections from Marquis Mu’s side.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Ziyu inwardly sighed in relief. This way, the matter could be resolved satisfactorily while avoiding any criticism directed at him and Song Wei.
Song Congzhi’s protection of Song Wei made him feel a newfound respect for this future father-in-law. So what if Song Wei wasn’t the Song family’s biological daughter? She was still treated as their precious jewel.
Song Tang never expected that she would be slapped by Song Congzhi again the moment she returned home.
Song Congzhi’s stern gaze fixed on Song Tang, his tone icy. “Since you are a daughter of the Song family, you should understand the family’s dignity. How can you act so recklessly? In this matter of breaking off the engagement, you must consider the bigger picture.”
Song Tang covered her face, tears welling in her eyes. She knew that in her father’s eyes, only profit mattered.
The Earl’s mansion was declining year by year, and her two older brothers were incompetent, failing to gain favor in the Emperor’s eyes. If a daughter could marry into the Marquis’s Mansion, it could reverse the family’s decline.
Song Tang took a deep breath, preparing to try Song Wei’s method.
So she lowered her head, gathered a few tears, and imitated Song Wei’s manner, feigning fragility.
“Father, in three days, you’ve slapped me twice. It hurts, it really hurts.”
“You never hit me before. Why have you disliked me ever since Cousin came?”
“Yesterday, Wang Mengqi said I was the Song family’s adopted daughter. Father, am I really not your biological daughter?”
“When I was little, you pushed me on the swing, taught me to ride horses—were all those things fake?”
“Father, this morning, Sister Shu An took me to the outskirts of the capital to relax. She bought me a stick of candied hawthorn from a roadside vendor, but why doesn’t it taste as sweet as it did when I was a child?”
Song Congzhi’s brow furrowed slightly, seeming somewhat moved.
In recent years, he might have indeed been too harsh on Song Tang. A trace of guilt stirred in Song Congzhi’s heart.
But that tiny flicker of guilt vanished in an instant. Song Tang had grown up in luxury, accustomed to being coddled. How could she understand the hardships of a child without parents?
She was Wei’er’s older sister, yet she showed no consideration for her younger sister’s difficulties. Instead, she constantly competed with her sister and even bullied her. How could that not anger him?
Seeing Song Congzhi’s shifting expression, Song Tang continued playing the emotional card.
“Father, no matter how you treat me, I will always respect you in my heart. The reason Marquis Mu had the Heir do this was to preserve the Song family’s dignity. Think about it—if the Heir of the prestigious Marquis’s Mansion apologizes to me under Marquis Mu’s orders, wouldn’t our Song Residence’s reputation shine even brighter?”
“Nonsense! If Marquis Mu wanted to preserve the Song family’s dignity, why would he have the Heir publicly claim that he and Wei’er had long been in love? Wouldn’t ruining Wei’er also disgrace our Song Residence?” Song Congzhi’s mind was clear, and he wasn’t falling for it.
Song Tang analyzed further, “Father, how is this ruining Cousin? This is paving the way for her!”
“Madam Sun values social status the most. She wasn’t even fully satisfied with me, the legitimate daughter of an Earl’s mansion, marrying into their family. How could she possibly agree to let Cousin marry the Heir?”
“But if the Heir personally spreads the news that he wants to marry Cousin, Madam Sun will have no choice but to agree.”
“Besides, I saved Marquis Mu. With his nature of repaying kindness, if the Heir didn’t take full responsibility, others would think the men of Mu Fu lacked integrity. Wouldn’t that disgrace Marquis Mu? To avoid criticism, Marquis Mu had the Heir take this action.”
After listening, Song Congzhi pondered for a moment. “Your words are not without reason, but in the end, Wei’er is still wronged.”
“Where is cousin being wronged? This is the Heir we’re talking about. Given her circumstances, Father, do you think she could find a better match? Moreover, the Heir is deeply devoted to her, his affections are genuine.” Song Tang spoke earnestly, almost convincing herself.
That libertine Mu Ziyu—was there any girl he didn’t shower with devotion and genuine affection?