Song Tang watched Song Wei’s retreating figure with a faint smile. Madam Sun was not someone easy to deal with—neither soft nor hard tactics worked on her!
She had always looked down on Song Wei’s background, and with Song Wei’s petty schemes, they likely couldn’t be hidden from her.
In less than half an hour, Song Wei stumbled out, covering her face, with Mu Ziyu following behind. Clearly, Madam Sun had not given Song Wei a warm reception.
Song Tang couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. This outcome was not unexpected. She pulled the carriage curtain open a little more.
Just then, Mu Changxiao returned from military drills. He stared coldly at Song Wei and Mu Ziyu at the entrance of Mu Fu.
Song Wei quickly wiped the tears from her face and walked over to Mu Changxiao with Mu Ziyu.
Mu Ziyu cupped his hands respectfully and called out, “Third Uncle.”
“Marquis Mu,” Song Wei followed suit, curtsying gracefully.
Mu Changxiao remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the carriage before walking straight into the residence without acknowledging either of them.
Inside the carriage, Song Tang felt a sense of satisfaction, though she faintly sensed that Mu Changxiao knew she was in the carriage.
Song Tang gently lowered the curtain. Not long after, Song Wei boarded the carriage, sobbing, while Mu Ziyu did not follow.
“Sister, let’s go back,” Song Wei’s voice was filled with grievance.
Throughout the journey back, Song Wei cried incessantly. Song Tang grew annoyed and decided to get off the carriage.
It had been a long time since she had strolled through the market, and Caidie likely felt the same.
With Caidie by her side, Song Tang’s mood inexplicably lifted.
“Caidie, is there anything you’d like to eat?” Song Tang asked with a smile.
Caidie was pleasantly surprised, opening her mouth but momentarily at a loss for words.
Song Tang remembered how, as children, she and Caidie—two little ones—would often sneak around eating all kinds of delicious treats together. But as they grew older and under the guidance of their governess, Caidie no longer dared to overstep her bounds.
“Let’s start with two sticks of candied hawthorn,” Song Tang walked over to the hawthorn stall and picked one up. Caidie quickly handed over a few copper coins and selected a vibrant, glistening stick of candied hawthorn for herself.
Song Tang took a bite of the sweet-and-sour treat.
Mmm! It tasted exactly the same as it did in her childhood~
Caidie couldn’t bear to eat hers, holding the candied hawthorn in her hand as she happily followed beside Song Tang.
The two of them strolled leisurely until the sun began to set. They found a teahouse to rest, planning to eat and drink their fill before heading back.
“Song Tang?”
A familiar voice sounded behind Song Tang. She turned to look—it was actually Wang Mengqi!
Today, Wang Mengqi wore a light blue dress, with an exquisite butterfly hairpin tucked into her bun. She seemed to have lost a bit of weight.
Song Tang recalled how, in her previous life, Wang Mengqi—this noble lady from a prestigious family—had ended up marrying her eldest brother, Song An.
How could Song An possibly like Wang Mengqi, this “beauty” weighing over two hundred pounds? He was utterly unwilling to marry her.
Even Song Congzhi, who valued power above all else, did not want his legitimate eldest son to marry this noble lady from the Wang family, fearing it would damage his reputation in court.
But Wang Mengqi insisted on marrying Song An. Later, the Wang family went to the palace to plead with the Emperor, who issued an imperial decree for the marriage.
Song An dared not defy the Emperor’s command and had no choice but to marry Wang Mengqi.
However, it was said that after the wedding, their relationship remained cold, and the marriage was never consummated~
Wang Mengqi walked up to Song Tang and sat down directly.
“Bring another set of bowls and chopsticks,” she said, not treating herself as an outsider at all.
Seeing Wang Mengqi take a seat, Caidie quickly stood up and moved behind Song Tang.
Song Tang glanced at Wang Mengqi indifferently. “Mengqi, if you came here to pick a fight with me, I’m afraid I must decline.”
Wang Mengqi had just placed a piece of fish into her mouth. After swallowing it, she spoke slowly, “Song Tang, this meal is on me.”
“Hmm?” Song Tang couldn’t quite grasp Wang Mengqi’s temperament.
Wang Mengqi smiled brightly. “Song Tang, you once called me fat in front of Song Wei, and I embarrassed you in front of everyone. Let’s consider the matter settled.”
“I never said you were fat,” Song Tang denied. However, since Wang Mengqi seemed inclined to make amends, she decided to wait and see.
“Mengqi, you know Song Wei and I have never gotten along. It’s obvious she was trying to stir up trouble between us.”
Wang Mengqi took another bite before responding, “My mother told me to keep my distance from Song Wei.”
Song Tang looked at Wang Mengqi with slight confusion but didn’t reply immediately.
Wang Mengqi continued, “There’s something I’d like you to deliver to your elder brother.”
So it was about Song An. Song Tang felt somewhat reassured and asked, “What is it?”
Wang Mengqi gestured, and her maidservant retrieved a letter from her sleeve, handing it to Song Tang.
On the envelope, elegant ink strokes read, “To Song An, to be opened personally.”
“Make sure you give this to your brother,” Wang Mengqi said earnestly.
Song Tang smiled faintly. “Mengqi, do you have feelings for my brother?”
Wang Mengqi blushed, put down her chopsticks, and seemed somewhat flustered. “Stop calling me ‘Mengqi’ like that.”
“Understood. Have you told Song Wei about this?” Song Tang asked cautiously.
Wang Mengqi shook her head. “Of course not. Isn’t Song Wei your cousin?”
Suddenly, Song Tang realized that Wang Mengqi had a bit of “wisdom” in this matter.
“Miss, please, have mercy and spare some alms.” An old woman in tattered clothes, carrying a two- or three-year-old child on her back, entered the teahouse and knelt before their table.
Before Song Tang could speak, a waiter hurried over, waving his hand to shoo her away. “Who let you in? Get out, get out. Don’t disturb the distinguished guests.”
Wang Mengqi, sitting across the table, also wore an expression of disdain. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
“We haven’t eaten in two days,” the old woman pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation.
Song Tang’s heart softened, and she was about to ask Caidie to take out some loose silver for the woman.
But Wang Mengqi had already tossed out a plump little purse, which looked quite heavy.
The old woman took the money, kowtowed gratefully to Wang Mengqi several times, and left with profuse thanks.
Song Tang withdrew her gaze and turned back to Wang Mengqi, speaking gently, “It’s getting late. I should head back to the estate.”
“You go ahead,” Wang Mengqi waved her hand. “Don’t forget my letter. Make sure you deliver it to your brother personally.”
Song Tang agreed with a smile and left the teahouse with Caidie.
The night was pitch black, with only a faint moonlight. Song Tang’s steps felt somewhat heavy. Song Wei had returned home in tears that afternoon, and she wondered what tales she would spin to their father and mother.
If soldiers come, we’ll block them; if water rises, we’ll build a dam. We’ll act according to the situation. With this thought, Song Tang steadied her mind, and her steps grew firmer.
Suddenly, a figure in black emerged from the shadows, followed by a group of government soldiers.
Song Tang and Caidie quickly pressed themselves against the wall, but in an instant, the black-clad figure identified who the young lady was.
The black-clad figure swiftly grabbed Song Tang’s arm, pressing the blade against her throat as he threatened in a low voice, “Don’t move, or I’ll take your life.”
“Miss!” Caidie cried out in alarm upon seeing Song Tang seized by the black-clad figure.