Han Qingfeng fell silent for a moment, unable to answer Song Yao’s question.
Song Yao pressed on, “Marquis, your wife is asking you a question. Speak up, won’t you?”
Han Qingfeng finally spoke, “You know I’ve never been fond of extravagance. Although I inherited the title of Marquis of Yunzhou, I aspire to a life of simplicity. Plain tea and simple meals are enough for my three daily meals. I have no need for lavish feasts to sustain me.”
The implication in Han Qingfeng’s words was that his daily indulgence in fine food and clothing was forced upon him by his wife, not something he desired! Since his wife had already forced him into such a lifestyle, she certainly deserved the label of “vicious.”
Song Yao burst into laughter, tears nearly streaming from her eyes, as she glanced at the table laden with plate after plate of exquisite delicacies, each a feast for the senses.
“Not fond of extravagance… hahaha… plain tea and simple meals are enough… hahaha…” Song Yao laughed as she spoke, “Marquis, don’t you feel ashamed saying such things?”
Hong Yu couldn’t hold back any longer. “Since everyone here claims to despise wealth, shun extravagance, and remain indifferent to fame and fortune, then none of you should touch those delicious dishes on the table.”
“If you truly have the nerve, don’t wear those silk garments either. Take them off right now and return them to my mistress.”
“If it weren’t for my mistress fighting and striving on your behalf, the Marquis Manor would struggle to even survive on scraps.”
Chunlan Xiu, who had remained silent until now, was displeased. Chunlan Xiu was the biological mother of Han Zhang, Han Zhi, and Han Lingyue.
Chunlan Xiu stepped forward to face Song Yao. “Sister-in-law, how can you and your maid speak like this? After all, your husband is your lord.”
“By reprimanding him in front of so many of us, you’re only proving your own ill-natured reputation.”
“Listen to your sister-in-law and say no more. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since you’ve come, let our family sit down together and enjoy a proper reunion meal.”
Hong Yu stepped in front of Song Yao and spoke bluntly to Chunlan Xiu. “Stop pretending to be kind. Where was this courtesy in the past? You’re the one with the least goodwill here.”
Having such harsh words thrown in her face by a mere servant, Chunlan Xiu could no longer maintain her composure.
Han Zhi rushed forward, intending to strike Hong Yu, but Chunlan Xiu stopped him. “Zhi’er, don’t be reckless.”
Han Zhi’s anger remained unabated. “Mother, why are you showing respect to a lowly servant? If she dares disrespect you, I’ll teach her a lesson.”
Song Yao’s pale face grew even paler. “What did you call her?”
Han Zhi lifted his chin defiantly. “What’s wrong with me calling my aunt ‘Mother’? We siblings have always been Aunt’s children. The only reason you had the privilege of raising us under your care is because you couldn’t bear children yourself. You should be grateful to my mother for giving you the chance to be a mother.”
“Song Yao, listen carefully. The biological mother of us three siblings is our aunt, not you. The person we will honor in the future is our biological mother!”
“Out of consideration for the fact that you raised us, I might grant you a simple coffin after you die.”
A hint of smugness flickered in Chunlan Xiu’s eyes, though she quickly protested, “Zhi’er, you mustn’t speak like that. Regardless of whether your mother gave birth to you, she still raised you.”
“Back then, it was only because your uncle died early, and I, a woman alone, couldn’t possibly raise the three of you, that I had no choice but to entrust you to your aunt’s care.”
“Since you’ve called your aunt ‘Mother’ for so many years, you may as well continue. As your aunt, I don’t mind.”
Han Lingyue also came to Chunlan Xiu’s side: “Mother, please don’t say such things. Although we were raised under that poisonous woman’s care, she never cared about what my brothers and I truly wanted.”
“She only forced us to do things we disliked. In everything, she considered only herself, never our feelings.”
“Mother, after she dies, my brothers and I will return to you. Then, you and Father can live openly together, no longer needing to hide behind us siblings.”
At these words, Song Yao trembled all over. “Han Lingyue, you said… after I die, she and your father can live openly together, no longer needing to hide behind you siblings? What do you mean?”
Han Lingyue replied, “Mother, my brothers and I were originally Father and Aunt’s children. Naturally, we also wish for our birth mother to be with Father. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Understood! She understood all too well!
Every word Han Lingyue spoke seemed to pierce Song Yao’s heart.
Song Yao laughed again, tears streaming down her face.
These were the family members for whom she had exhausted herself, giving without expecting anything in return.
Because she could not bear children, she had agreed to her mother-in-law’s request to adopt her elder brother and sister-in-law’s children.
But it turned out the children she had raised were actually Chunlan Xiu and Han Qingfeng’s offspring.
With the truth laid bare by Han Lingyue, Chunlan Xiu no longer hid anything.
She said, “Sister-in-law, now that things have come to this, I’ll be honest with you. After my husband passed away, your husband took over both branches of the family.”
“On the surface, Qingfeng is your husband. In reality, he is also my husband.”
“Because you couldn’t bear children, the children I had with Qingfeng were adopted under your name.”
Chunlan Xiu moved closer, leaning in beside Song Yao’s ear.
She whispered, “Let me tell you one more thing—you weren’t born infertile.”
“After you entered the family, Mother-in-law feared you wouldn’t be willing to care for the children I had with Qingfeng.”
“So, without your knowledge, she forced you to drink the Sterility Potion. That’s why you can’t bear children. It wasn’t that you were born infertile.”
After revealing this, Chunlan Xiu stepped away from Song Yao.
The secret struck Song Yao with such fury that she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Hong Yu cried out, “Madam!”
Song Yao finally collapsed. Was there anyone in this world more foolish than her?
…
“Madam, Madam…” Hong Yu’s voice echoed in her ears.
Song Yao, who had been leaning on the couch with her eyes closed, instantly awoke.
Seeing her mistress awake, Hong Yu continued, “The General’s Manor has sent a matchmaker to propose marriage. Old Madam has asked you to go to the front courtyard.”
Song Yao slowly sat up. Gazing at the slightly worn furnishings in the room, she unconsciously furrowed her brow.
Hadn’t she died? What was this…
Her memories still lingered on the moment she faced that group of ungrateful wretches.
After a long pause, Song Yao finally recognized reality.
She had Chongsheng!
The General’s Manor had sent someone to propose marriage?
It seemed she had Chongsheng back to five years ago.
Song Yao carefully recalled.
On the day the General’s Manor sent the matchmaker to propose marriage, Han Lingyue, to showcase her uniqueness and aloofness,
had made bold statements in front of the matchmaker. She claimed that the wealth and honor of the General’s Manor were nothing but cages and shackles to her.
As for Young General Su’s prowess in both civil and martial arts, she dismissed it as mere skill in archery and horsemanship.
When it came to romance and poetry, she argued, how could Young General Su compare to an ordinary man from the mountains and fields?
The lifelong companion she yearned for was someone who cared not for fame or wealth, a carefree soul.
If she could find such a good man, she would be willing to live with her beloved in a thatched cottage in the mountains, drinking spring water and eating coarse grains.
Even if life might be poor in the future, it would be better than being trapped in a grand mansion that was nothing but a facade.
Recalling her past life, boundless resentment surged in Song Yao’s heart.
Since the ungrateful wretches in the Marquis Manor scorned her efforts and considered her fighting and striving for them to be malicious.
Fine, in this lifetime, I will grant all of you your wish.
I won’t waste myself on any of you anymore!
A family of ungrateful wretches, clearly wanting everything, nothing but a bunch of bloodsucking leeches.
Yet they still pretend to the world that their entire family is like spotless white lotuses, unsullied by the mud.
[Without me, this venomous woman, to serve as your family’s foil.]
[I’d like to see how noble, transcendent, and full of pristine reputation your family will be!]
“Hong Yu, let’s go to the front courtyard.” Song Yao straightened her attire and walked ahead, with Hong Yu following behind.
In the front courtyard, inside the Main Hall.
Before Song Yao entered, she heard the exact same commotion from inside as in her previous life.
Han Lingyue’s voice was exceptionally clear: “Please convey to General Su, Madam, that this young lady has no intention of seeking favor.”
“The immense wealth of the General’s estate may be a lifelong pursuit for others, but for this young lady, it is merely a cage forged of gold.”
“Even if Young General Su is both cultured and martial, a true hero, he is only skilled in archery and horsemanship. When it comes to romance and poetry…”
What Han Lingyue was saying at this moment was indeed no different from her words in the previous life.
Walking slowly, Song Yao raised a hand and lightly touched the side of her temple.
How could she, in her past life, have worn herself out for such ungrateful wretches?
No intention of seeking favor?
No desire for wealth?
Hah… her words sound even sweeter than a song!
Collecting her thoughts, Song Yao led Hong Yu and stepped into the front hall.