The atmosphere in the main hall was oppressive.
She seemed oblivious to the two figures kneeling on the floor and her parents' livid expressions at the head of the room, casually taking a seat in a corner chair with the relaxed demeanor of an audience member watching a play.
Her father Song Qingming spotted her as if grasping at a life-saving straw, speaking in an agitated tone:
"Yiqiu, you've come at the perfect time! You be the judge of this… this fool's idiotic actions. Should this woman be allowed into our household or not?"
Her mother Song Shenshi massaged her temples with a pained expression, chiming in:
"Yes, Yiqiu. You've seen more of the world. Tell us, how should this matter be handled?"
Only then did Song Yiqiu appear to notice the two people on the floor, her gaze coolly sweeping over the woman dressed in white who was weeping pitifully, her lower abdomen slightly rounded.
Her eyes contained a pie chart of emotions – three parts tenderness, three parts charm, and four parts delicate vulnerability.
Hmm, indeed the fragile appearance that would stir anyone's protective instincts. No wonder she had Third Brother completely bewitched.
She withdrew her gaze, her tone distant:
"Father, Mother, I've only just arrived and know nothing of what transpired. Perhaps Sister Sang Yu could explain the details to me. She's always so considerate and thorough – she must have already grasped the entire situation."
Suddenly finding herself thrust into the spotlight, Song Sangyu was caught off guard.
How could she possibly be unaware? But whatever she said would be wrong!
If she supported the woman's entry, she would offend her parents and appear lacking in propriety. If she opposed it, she would alienate Third Brother who was fiercely protective of Ying'er.
Feigning ignorance and fragility, she deflected the responsibility:
"Sister, you jest… I'm young and inexperienced, with limited knowledge. How could I compare to your foresight and decisive handling of matters? This… naturally rests entirely in your and Father and Mother's hands. I wouldn't dare presume to comment."
Song Yiqiu curled her lip slightly, bluntly exposing the evasion:
"We're only separated by two or three months in age. 'Sister' and 'younger sister' are merely forms of address – why must you undervalue yourself so?"
Song Haochu, kneeling on the floor and already distraught, found an outlet for his frustration upon seeing Song Yiqiu's detached attitude. Pointing at her, he shouted at their parents:
"Father! Mother! Why bother asking her? Didn't she herself have questionable relations with the groom, yet she remains a daughter of Song Jia? Why shouldn't Ying'er be allowed? Ying'er is a pure courtesan – her body is untouched! Besides me, she's had no one else!"
"You worthless fool!"
Song Qingming slammed the table in fury,
"Your sister was framed by villains! I see all your studies of the classics have gone to waste!"
Song Yiqiu interjected at the opportune moment, feigning doubt:
"Father, please calm your anger. Though Third Brother's words are crude, his logic isn't entirely flawed. I was indeed schemed against by vile people attempting to ruin my virtue."Third Brother resides at the academy year-round – logically speaking, he should be free from distractions." How then was he able to frequently encounter this… Miss Ying'er and impregnate her? Could it be that someone… secretly facilitated their meetings with deliberate guidance?"
The moment her words fell, the hall momentarily fell silent.
All eyes, whether intentionally or not, drifted toward Song Sangyu – it was common knowledge in the household that she frequently visited the academy to deliver items to her brothers.
Song Sangyu's face slightly paled as she immediately felt Third Brother Song Haochu's suspicious gaze upon her.
Cursing Song Yiqiu's venomousness in her heart, she hurriedly forced tears to her eyes and addressed Ying'er with feigned grievance:
"Miss Ying'er, my third brother is a scholar with a promising future who values his reputation above all. If you truly care for him, you shouldn't appear at this moment to force him into defying his parents and ruining his own prospects!"
"If… if you have any difficulties, you could privately tell me. I would certainly beg Mother to give you more silver so you can live comfortably for the rest of your life. Why must you make such a scene and destroy someone's reputation?"
Her words appeared conciliatory but actually accused Ying'er of having ulterior motives and disregarding Song Haochu's future.
Having navigated the world of pleasure quarters, Ying'er was no simple character.
She immediately detected the daggers in Song Sangyu's words. Raising her tear-streaked face, she looked at Song Sangyu with a fragile voice:
"Miss Sang Yu, how… how can you say that? Haochu and I share mutual affection – our feelings arose naturally, yet we've always observed proper boundaries…"
"If not for uncontrollable emotions, I… I…"
She wept even more bitterly, then suddenly seemed to remember something. Shooting a timid glance at Song Sangyu before quickly lowering her head, she sobbed softly,
"Moreover… if not for Miss Sang Yu frequently visiting the academy to share interesting stories from outside, and… occasionally bringing pastries and sachets I made to Haochu, saying he would surely like them, we wouldn't have… wouldn't have gradually deepened our feelings… to reach this point today…"
At these words, Song Sangyu's face instantly paled.
She had indeed often brought gifts to curry favor with her brothers, sometimes bringing small trinkets from outside at their request, but she never imagined it would lead to such consequences.
How dare this lowly woman turn against her!
"You're lying!"
Song Sangyu lost composure and shrieked in refutation,
"When did I ever deliver anything for you? I didn't even know you existed! Don't you dare make false accusations!"
Frightened by her outburst, Ying'er shrank into Song Haochu's arms like a startled rabbit, weeping until her whole body trembled:
"Haochu, I'm not… I'm not lying. Miss Sang Yu… she clearly said she envied us back then, and promised to help us. Why does she deny it now…"
Song Haochu looked at Ying'er crying her heart out in his arms, then at Song Sangyu desperately denying everything, his brow furrowed.
Indeed, Sangyu often visited the academy. If she hadn't been the messenger, how could Ying'er's items have reached him? Could it be that while seemingly helping them, Sangyu was actually…
"Song Sangyu! Was it you?"
Song Haochu glared angrily.
"Third Brother! You believe her over me?"
Song Sangyu was both furious and anxious, tears now falling from her eyes,
"How could I do such a thing! Clearly she's the one without shame who seduced you!"
"Enough!"
Their father Song Qingming, headache from the noise, slammed the table,
"All of you shut up!"
The hall descended into chaos – two women weeping and accusing each other, while Song Haochu felt torn between them.
Song Yiqiu coldly watched this entertaining drama of dogs biting dogs, judging the timing about right.
She then slowly rose, her voice clear and melodious:
"Father, Mother, what's done is done. Arguing won't help. Since Miss Ying'er insists she and Third Brother share mutual affection, and she already carries the Song family's flesh and blood, simply driving her away might bring misfortune upon us and chill Third Brother's heart."
She walked over to Ying'er and extended her hand,
"The floor is cold. Sister, you're with child – please rise."
Ying'er shrank further into Song Haochu's embrace, ignoring the offered hand. Song Yiqiu smiled and continued speaking:
"In my daughter's opinion, perhaps this would be best. Since Miss Ying'er is a chaste courtesan, she can be considered from a respectable background. Why not temporarily settle her in a quiet residence outside the mansion, arrange for proper care, and wait for her to safely give birth."
"If she bears a son, grant her the status of a concubine and register the child in the Song family genealogy. If she bears a daughter, provide ample silver and let her leave on her own."
"This way, we would honor Third Brother's affection, preserve the child, avoid immediate disgrace to the family, and maintain the Song family's dignity. As for Third Brother…"
She looked at Song Haochu, her tone serious:
"The immediate priority is the Imperial Examination! If Third Brother achieves high honors in this Imperial Examination, it would be a double blessing, bringing glory to Father and Mother, who might then overlook this matter."
"If he fails… that would indeed prove that romantic entanglements hinder scholarly pursuits, and we can discuss other arrangements then. What do Father and Mother think?"