“Father, it’s not that you absolutely must have me marry into that family. You’re just worried that if I cancel the engagement, Song Wei won’t be able to marry over, right?” Song Tang said, looking directly into Song Congzhi’s eyes.
Song Congzhi remained silent, so Song Tang continued, “Don’t worry. Even if my engagement with Mu Ziyu is called off, I will ensure that Mu Ziyu marries Song Wei.”
“How can you guarantee that? What assurance can you give?”
“On the strength of the fact that I once saved Marquis Mu’s life!” Song Tang declared with firm conviction.
Song Congzhi was momentarily stunned. “You would truly let Song Wei marry Mu Ziyu?”
“Does cousin not wish it? If she doesn’t, then let’s forget it,” Song Tang said indifferently.
“Forget what? One of you, you or Song Wei, must marry into the Marquis’s Mansion!” Song Congzhi’s voice rose by several degrees.
A faint smile touched Song Tang’s lips. “I have one more condition.”
“A condition? What condition?” Song Congzhi frowned.
“I want ten thousand taels of silver.”
Madam He had initially intended to stay quiet, but upon hearing Song Tang demand money again, her expression instantly turned sour.
“Tang’er, you asked me for five thousand taels yesterday, and today you’re asking your father for ten thousand. What exactly are you planning to do?”
“I like silver. I like its weight, its luster, and I especially like the sense of security it brings when held in my palm,” Song Tang replied with a smile.
Song Congzhi waved his hand dismissively. “Ten thousand taels is a bit much, especially since you just asked your mother for five thousand yesterday.”
“Father, do you think ten thousand taels is a lot? I’m only agreeing to help Song Wei enter the Marquis’s Mansion out of respect for your face. Is your dignity not even worth ten thousand taels?”
Song Congzhi gritted his teeth. “Fine. Ten thousand taels it is.”
“Master!” Madam He started to protest, but the words died on her lips.
Better to give it to Song Tang than to those concubines. So be it. When the time comes for Song Tang to marry out, they could always recoup this amount.
“Thank you, Father. Tomorrow, I will go see Marquis Mu.” Song Tang’s smile blossomed like a flower.
Madam He and Song Congzhi left Song Tang’s room with dark expressions.
Song Wei had been waiting outside Madam He’s quarters. Seeing Madam He return, she immediately went up to her.
“Mother, how is sister? I wanted to go see her earlier, but I was afraid she might be angry, so I didn’t dare go in.”
Madam He looked at the gentle and delicate Song Wei and sighed inwardly. If only Song Tang could be as obedient and refined as Song Wei.
“Your sister is fine. She’s just throwing a tantrum. However, she just said she wants to break off the engagement with the Heir.”
“Sister wants to break the engagement? That won’t do. Father will be furious,” Song Wei feigned great concern.
Madam He patted Song Wei’s hand and said softly, “Wei’er, there’s something that might require you to make a sacrifice.”
“A sacrifice for me? What is it, Mother? If it can ease your mind, what does a little sacrifice on my part matter?”
“Over these years, Wei’er has relied entirely on Mother’s care. I am forever grateful for Mother’s kindness.”
Madam He looked at Song Wei with deep satisfaction. She tightly grasped Song Wei’s hands and said gently, “My good Wei’er, Mother truly hasn’t doted on you in vain. Your sister doesn’t want to marry the Heir; she wants to break off the engagement. So, Wei’er, I’m afraid this marriage of your sister’s will have to fall upon your shoulders. Are you willing to marry into the Mu Mansion in your sister’s place, for the sake of the Song family?”
“If it can help share Mother’s worries, Wei’er is willing to do anything.” Song Wei secretly rejoiced in her heart, but her face remained expressionless.
“However, Mother, perhaps Sister was just speaking in anger. The Heir and Sister are childhood sweethearts, with so many years of affection between them. It’s just that today the Heir spoke a fair word, which upset Sister. Maybe in a few days, when her anger subsides, things will be fine.”
Madam He nodded slightly. “Perhaps. But it might be better for you to marry into the Marquis’s Mansion. With your sister’s temperament, even if she married over, she wouldn’t settle down peacefully. It would be better to send you instead, which could also earn our Song family a reputation for raising children well and being virtuous and virtuous.”
“Moreover, I think the Heir seems to have taken a liking to you as well.”
A blush spread across Song Wei’s face. She lowered her head and replied shyly, “Mother, please don’t tease me. How could the Heir possibly take a liking to me? Although I am registered under your name, I am not born from your womb. I fear the Heir might mind.”
“Wei’er, you must not belittle yourself. I have watched you grow up, and your character, talent, and appearance are no less than anyone’s. Besides, the Heir is a reasonable person and won’t mind such things.”
Song Wei felt joy in her heart but still pretended to hesitate. “Mother, if you think it’s suitable, Wei’er is willing to follow your arrangements. However, I worry that Sister might hold a grudge because of this.”
“Silly child, it was your sister herself who refused to marry over. How could she blame you? Don’t worry, Mother will arrange everything properly so that you can marry into the Marquis’s Mansion with glory.”
Marquis Mu’s Mansion.
“Marquis, the legitimate daughter of the Song family has just sent someone to deliver a visiting card and is waiting at the gate.” Wan Xing knelt and reported.
Mu Changxiao set down the teacup in his hand. “Song Tang sent a visiting card?”
“Yes, Marquis. Will you see her?” Wan Xing inquired.
Mu Changxiao frowned. “Why wouldn’t I see her?”
“I heard that yesterday the Heir left the Song residence in a rage. It seems the eldest Miss Song wanted to cancel the engagement.” Wan Xing carefully chose his words.
Mu Changxiao’s gaze faltered slightly, his frown easing a little, his voice somewhat low.
“Let her in.”
Wan Xing received the order and immediately went to the gate to welcome Song Tang.
Stepping into the Mu Mansion once again, Song Tang’s heart ached sharply. In her previous life, it was here that she had been tormented to death.
Song Tang struggled to suppress the uncontrollable pain in her heart and followed Wan Xing into the main hall of the Marquis’s Mansion.
Mu Changxiao, dressed in a black brocade robe, sat upright in the main seat.
His gaze toward Song Tang was deep, dark as a deep pool, exuding an innate coldness and nobility. He resembled a cold yet exquisitely beautiful painting, radiating an aura that could not be ignored—one that made people dare not look directly at him, yet they couldn’t help but gaze upon this handsome yet awe-inspiring face.
Song Tang felt the pressure was immense at this moment. She curtseyed somewhat stiffly toward Mu Changxiao. “Thr… Marquis Mu, I hope you are well.”
She almost misspoke. Today, she had come to cancel the engagement. Since she was canceling the engagement with the Heir, she could no longer refer to Mu Changxiao as “Third Uncle” as she had followed the Heir in doing.
Mu Changxiao looked up, his gaze naturally falling upon Song Tang. “Eldest Miss Song, what brings you to see this Marquis?”
Song Tang forced a faint smile. “Marquis Mu, I have come today for two matters.”
Mu Changxiao set down his teacup and raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What two matters?”
“The first is to thank you, Marquis, for speaking up for justice yesterday, saving me from a slap. This is a small gift I have prepared for you as a token of my gratitude. Please accept it.”
After Song Tang finished speaking, Caidie, standing beside her, presented an exquisite brocade box.
Wan Xing gently opened the box, confirmed there was nothing unusual, and then handed it to Mu Changxiao with both hands.
Mu Changxiao took the brocade box. Inside was a rare South Sea pearl, its luster gentle and warm, clearly a carefully chosen item.