Cai Shi entered with a dark expression, ignoring Song Yunzhao entirely as she first berated all the servants in the room.
Song Yunzhao knew Cai Shi was displeased and wanted to make things difficult for her. By deliberately scolding her maids in front of her, Cai Shi aimed to humiliate her.
Swallowing her anger, Song Yunzhao reminded herself she currently had no father to back her up. For now, she had to endure, but one day she would hold her head high and make Cai Shi regret this deeply.
The skills of favoritism, neglect, and suppression were equally detestable in both her past and present lives.
Just as Cai Shi was about to have the servants dragged out for caning and Song Yunzhao prepared to speak up, First Madam intervened.
“Third Sister-in-law, instead of rushing to see your sick child, why are you dealing with these servants first? If you punish them, who will attend to Yun Zhao? It would be better to let them redeem themselves through service. Besides, today’s main event is going to the Count’s Mansion. Let’s not waste time.”
Jiangxiang and Qiancao, being quick-witted, immediately kowtowed repeatedly. “It’s all our fault! We failed to take good care of our young lady. We will serve her diligently and help her recover quickly.”
Song Yunzhao breathed a slight sigh of relief. First Madam’s words had come just in time; on her own, she might not have been able to save her maids from the cane.
She hadn’t expected Cai Shi to so thoroughly disregard her dignity, seizing every opportunity to embarrass her.
She had truly underestimated how low Cai Shi would stoop.
First Madam stepped forward, looking at Song Yunzhao’s flushed little face with pity. “You poor child, why did you have to fall ill right now? Rest well, don’t worry, and focus on getting better soon.”
“Thank you, Aunt.” Song Yunzhao’s voice was hoarse and weak, her expression carrying a hint of regret. “It’s all my fault for playing under the eaves yesterday and catching a chill.”
First Madam was naturally pleased. She hadn’t wanted Song Yunzhao to go in the first place—with such striking beauty, if Song Yunzhao stood there, who would notice Ye Xi?
Unexpectedly, Song Yunzhao didn’t know how to cherish her blessings and fell ill at this crucial moment—truly unfortunate.
Seeing First Madam playing the compassionate mother in front of her, even outshining her, the birth mother, Cai Shi’s expression darkened further. In her foul mood, the sight of Song Yunzhao irritated her even more. “You’ve never been reliable in anything since you were little. Such a great opportunity, and you don’t know how to treasure it. You really are unlucky.”
Song Yunzhao:…
She had to grit her teeth and endure it!
Song Qinghan watched Song Yunzhao, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. After a moment’s thought, she spoke up: “Mother, Third Sister didn’t mean to get sick. As you said, this opportunity is rare. Why don’t we let Third Sister come with us? She can just make an appearance at the banquet to pay respects to the elders of the Count’s Mansion, then Aunt can arrange for her to rest. How does that sound?”
Song Yunzhao truly hadn’t expected that even now, Song Qinghan wouldn’t let her off. How much did she hate her?
Was she really in such a hurry to use her as cannon fodder?
Song Yunzhao coughed lightly, speaking weakly, “Eldest Sister, have you forgotten? One shouldn’t be exposed to wind while ill with a cold. If I go out for a stroll like this, I might as well lose half my life.”
“Your sister only has your best interests at heart, thinking of your future. What kind of twisted words are you speaking? Do you deserve your sister’s kindness?” Cai Shi scolded displeased.
Song Yunzhao had been restraining herself all day, gritting her teeth to endure, but now she truly couldn’t hold back any longer. So, in their eyes, even Song Qinghan’s nonsense was fragrant, while her honest words were seen as ill-intentioned and sarcastic?
“Mother is right. In your eyes, I’m not even worth a blade of grass beneath Song Qinghan’s feet. You find fault with me everywhere. Even when I’m sick, if your precious eldest daughter tells me to go out, I must go. Even if I die, it’s my own fault. If you thought my life was so worthless, why did you bother giving birth to me in the first place?”
Gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, she couldn’t fucking take it anymore.
“You wretched creature! I’ll beat you to death!” Cai Shi grabbed a teacup from the bedside and hurled it at her.
Song Yunzhao dodged sideways. If she hadn’t moved, the teacup would have smashed into her face and likely disfigured her!
“If you want to kill me, you’ll have to ask the ancestors of the Song Family if they agree! I am the legitimate daughter recorded in the Song family register, my father’s treasured pearl. When my father returns, I’ll tell him I want to shave my head and become a nun—since this household can no longer tolerate me, and my own mother wants me dead!”
“Since the day I was born, you’ve never cherished me. I know you wanted a son, but I turned out to be a daughter, failing to help you outshine Consort Che. You resent me, despise me, and suppress me at every turn. You’re the elder, I’m the younger—I’ve endured it all, thinking that if I obeyed you in everything, you might eventually treat me better.”
“But I was wrong. Since you wish me dead, I won’t stand in your way. Don’t worry, when my father comes, I’ll make everything crystal clear. The bond between us as mother and daughter ends here!”
Even someone as fierce as First Madam was shocked by Song Yunzhao’s outburst. Good heavens, this girl had truly lost her mind!
First Madam immediately shooed all the servants out of the room, stepped forward, and pulled Song Yunzhao into her embrace. “Good child, you’re delirious from fever. Your aunt knows you’re unwell and not yourself—these are just ravings from your illness.”
Pressed into First Madam’s embrace, Song Yunzhao didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t help the original host’s sensitive nature—the grievances were too overwhelming, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.
She knew First Madam was trying to cover for her, to dismiss her words as nonsense. But since she had already caused a scene, she wouldn’t retreat until she achieved her desired outcome.
Cai Shi, having her shameful secrets publicly exposed by Song Yunzhao, was both shocked and furious. Her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.
Song Qinghan hurried forward to support her mother, then turned to Song Yunzhao and said, “Third Sister, how could you be so disrespectful to our elders? Hurry and apologize to Mother, or even I won’t be able to protect you.”
Song Yunzhao broke free from First Madam’s embrace and sneered at Song Qinghan. “How shameless of you to say that. We’ve been sisters for so many years, and I’ve never once seen you stand up for me.”
“We’re both legitimate daughters, yet all these years, you’ve had what I lacked, and even what you didn’t have, I still didn’t get. Whatever I had, you inevitably ended up with too. When you received fine things, did you ever once ask Mother why I didn’t have any?”
“When she scolded me for no reason, why didn’t you ever speak up for me? When she took you out visiting and left me at home, why didn’t you defend me? Over all these years, haven’t these things happened repeatedly? Are you blind? Me disobeying elders? If you dare, go report me to the authorities for disobedience! I’ll lay bare all my experiences in the Song Family these years and let the magistrate judge right from wrong. Whether it means death or dismemberment, I’ll accept it! I have the courage – do you mother and daughter dare?” (5,0)
Song Yunzhao knew Cai Shi and her daughter naturally wouldn’t dare. It wasn’t about whether they could win the case, but rather that once Cai Shi’s lack of maternal kindness and Song Qinghan’s absence of sibling affection became known, even if Song Yunzhao’s disobedience charge was confirmed, they still wouldn’t benefit.
In these times, reputation was like a sharp blade. Every family maintained a glamorous facade externally while being chaotic internally.
Song Yunzhao had precisely grasped this point. Perhaps people become particularly vulnerable when ill, with grievances magnified infinitely. Although she wasn’t the original host, she had transmigrated right after birth, thus remembering every word Cai Shi had said to her in childhood.
Making such a big scene wasn’t Song Yunzhao’s intention, but faced with the situation, she wouldn’t retreat.
Since the conflict had begun, there was only one path forward – to see it through to the end.
Let’s see who outlasts whom!
Today is New Year’s Eve! Wishing all dear readers an early Happy Spring Festival, great fortune in the Year of the Rabbit! May the new year bring you health and happiness. For students – academic success; for workers – flourishing careers with promotions and raises. Grateful to have your company continuing into the new year. Love you all!