Song Yunzhao hadn’t originally planned to confront Cai Shi so soon in her scheme. She intended to wait until after the Imperial Harem Draft, as there was a crucial moment following the selection—the court was widely choosing Imperial Concubine Candidates to fill the rear palace and console the Emperor’s grief over the loss of Guifei. This gave all the daughters of the Song Family an opportunity.
However, Song Yunzhao’s face was far too striking. Cai Shi, fearing she would outshine her elder sister, demanded that Yun Zhao not participate in the draft. When the original host refused, Cai Shi then insisted that she not steal Song Qinghan’s spotlight.
The original host gritted her teeth and agreed just to secure her place in the draft, but she never expected Song Qinghan to be even more ruthless than Cai Shi. After entering the palace, Qinghan gave her no chance to appear before the Emperor, swiftly using conflicts among the Imperial Concubine Candidates to eliminate her.
Yun Zhao had planned to cause a huge scene when Cai Shi asked her to make way for Song Qinghan. By then, her father—her external support—would have arrived in the capital, and she was confident she could break free from Cai Shi’s control.
But what’s done is done, and regret is useless. Fortunately, there was still First Madam here, who was at odds with Cai Shi. She had to get the latest updates first by visiting 5 5. (5,0);
“How dare you rebel like this! Since childhood, you’ve always been aggressive and competitive. Your sister has constantly yielded to you, and now you have the audacity to slander her. I have no daughter like you—you’re going to be the death of me!” Though furious, Cai Shi couldn’t let Song Yunzhao tarnish her reputation in front of First Madam. To avoid becoming a laughingstock, she had to crush Yunzhao completely.
Hearing Cai Shi’s words, Yun Zhao understood her scheme: pin all the blame on her, absolving herself and Song Qinghan. They would remain the innocent, virtuous mother and daughter, while Yun Zhao would be cast as the vicious, unfilial daughter.
With no way out and her father’s support nowhere in sight, Yun Zhao could only cling tightly to First Madam.
She leaped off the bed, grabbed Song Qinghan, and dragged her outside.
“What are you doing?”
“Let go!”
Yun Zhao’s face was pale with rage, her dark eyes fixed on Cai Shi, ignoring Qinghan’s panicked expression. She yanked open her jewelry box. “Aunt, look at this—these are the accessories my mother has given me over the years. Today, I’m risking my life to clear my name. Mother says I’m never satisfied, and Song Qinghan claims she’s fair. I’ll take you to see Qinghan’s jewelry box and clothing chest…” (5,0);
As she spoke, Yun Zhao dragged Qinghan a few steps and shoved her own clothing chest to the ground.
With a loud thud, the chest burst open, scattering a pile of semi-new, worn clothes—mostly dull in color, with only one or two slightly brighter pieces.
“Look! These are my clothes. Song Qinghan gets new outfits every day, while I’m stuck with these rags. Where is your fairness now, Song Qinghan? These two new pieces were made by Aunt. If Mother were in charge of my wardrobe, I’d probably still be left with these tattered clothes!”
Yun Zhao, fueled by fury and beyond reasoning, snatched a pair of sewing scissors from the windowsill to clear her path. The onlookers were too terrified to stop her.
I was afraid the scissors would land on Song Qinghan’s face.
Song Yunzhao forcibly dragged Song Qinghan to her own courtyard, viciously smashing her glittering jeweled dressing case on the ground and flinging open all her clothing chests.
Song Qinghan’s jewelry was exquisite piece by piece—just the ruby-inlaid gold hairpins and the step-shake hairpins alone numbered seven or eight, not to mention the full case of other items like earrings and bracelets. And the chests of clothing, inside and out, were adorned with intricate embroidery; one could tell from the patterns alone how much care had been put into them.
Such a stark disparity was enough to make even the heartless First Madam unable to hold back.
“Third Sister-in-law, you… have truly gone too far.”
Song Yunzhao paid no mind to the livid faces of Cai Shi and her daughter. Having torn their masks off in front of so many people today, she had no intention of reconciling with them.
She had been waiting for First Madam’s words. Clutching First Madam’s arm, she sobbed, “Aunt, I truly have no way to survive. After causing such a scene today, I doubt I’ll live to see tomorrow. I still wish to bid farewell to Father. Aunt, have pity on me—grant me a place to stay. Once I’ve seen Father and thanked him for raising me, I’ll dash my head against the Song Family ancestral hall to atone for today’s unfilial sin.”
Cai Shi trembled with rage at Yunzhao’s words. “You wretched girl! I should have strangled you at birth rather than let you disgrace us like this today.”
“Aunt, listen to her—just because I’m not a son, she wishes me dead! I truly cannot go on living…” Song Yunzhao wept as if her heart were breaking, her body shaking, before her words trailed off and she collapsed in a feigned faint.
First Madam nearly choked on her breath. “Why are you all standing there? Quickly help Third Young Miss up and take her to my courtyard!”
“Sister-in-law, what are you doing?” Cai Shi couldn’t possibly let First Madam take Song Yunzhao away.
First Madam had no desire to meddle, but with her Ye Xi’s future at stake in the Count’s Mansion, she couldn’t allow Cai Shi to join forces with the Count’s wife to suppress Ye Xi.
Now that Song Yunzhao had stirred up this turmoil, keeping her close would serve as a check on Cai Shi, forcing her to tread carefully. Otherwise, when Third Master returned, settling this account would become complicated.
On a grand scale, this matter reflected a mother’s lack of compassion and a child’s lack of filial piety—the Song Family’s reputation would be shattered beyond repair.
On a smaller scale, it was merely Cai Shi’s favoritism causing Yunzhao grievance. As long as the situation was smoothed over afterward, it wouldn’t be a major issue. With the gates closed and the lid on the pot, who would know what simmered inside? Once boiled to mush, distinctions would blur.
First Madam, being clever, immediately identified the most advantageous stance in this muddy situation.
“Third Sister-in-law, Yunzhao is Third Brother’s beloved daughter. If anything happens to her now, how will I explain it to him when he returns to the capital? When we came from Nanyu to the capital, I promised Third Brother I would take good care of Yunzhao.” First Madam spoke without a trace of shame. “Since both you and your daughter are enraged, I think it’s best to separate temporarily. Yunzhao has fallen ill, so let her recuperate at my place. When Third Brother returns to the capital, he can handle this matter. I won’t interfere at all. What do you think?”
Of course, it was anything but acceptable!
Cai Shi had always disliked this youngest daughter, yet the girl cunningly won her father’s favor—even Qinghan had to yield to Yun Zhao in her husband’s presence. How could this sit well with her?
Now First Madam was using her husband to pressure her further—how could Cai Shi be pleased?
But First Madam wasn’t one to be easily manipulated. Without waiting for Cai Shi’s response, she immediately had servants bring a soft sedan to carry Yun Zhao back to her own courtyard, specifically instructing, “Clear out the east wing of my courtyard for Third Young Lady to reside in. Check if the Director has arrived—have him examine Third Young Lady’s pulse first.”
“Sister-in-law, this isn’t appropriate. Yun Zhao is my daughter…”
“Indeed she is your daughter, but she’s also Third Brother’s daughter,” First Madam retorted sharply. “Sister-in-law, Third Brother will soon arrive in the capital. You should at least let me account for this to him properly.”
Song Jinxuan’s eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement—let the conflict escalate, the bigger the better!
New Year’s Day greetings, dear readers! May the harsh winter fade away and the galaxy shine bright. Wishing you all a new year where everything flows smoothly, surpassing the old with greater joy and satisfaction, with endless possibilities ahead.
Love you all ♥