Song Yunzhao’s shock required no acting at this moment – she was genuinely startled. “Father?”
Third Master Song sat on the stool beside the bed, carefully inquiring about Yun Zhao’s condition. Mama Luo, Jiangxiang, and Qiancao answered him one by one.
Mama Luo was a clever woman who had watched her young mistress grow up, sharing an unusually deep bond with her. Seeing the Third Master now, she gritted her teeth, immediately knelt down, and wept: “Third Master, you must seek justice for our young mistress! If she hadn’t dodged quickly that day, her face would have been scarred.”
“Thrown? Scarred? What happened? Explain clearly!” Third Master Song was shocked. How could such a thing happen?
He had received Consort Che’s second letter and learned of Yun Zhao’s illness. Though Consort Che hadn’t explained everything clearly in the letter, he knew it was somewhat related to his wife. Aware of his wife’s resentment toward their younger daughter, and fearing she might truly be suffering, he had rushed back overnight despite originally having two more days before reaching the capital.
Qiancao, long discontented, now poured out her grievances without restraint, crying: “Such a large teacup – Madam lifted it and threw it directly! Our young mistress was ill and weak at the time. If she had dodged even a moment slower… I dare not imagine! If her face had truly been injured, what would become of our young mistress in the future?”
“Though my life is worthless, I wouldn’t dare lie. Master, if I may speak disrespectfully – Madam only has thoughts of sending the Eldest Young Miss to the selection, but she cannot ruin the Third Young Miss’s face because of this!” Jiangxiang’s face was streaked with tears. “Madam was already furious at the time, and the Eldest Young Miss kept fanning the flames beside her. Knowing full well our young mistress was ill, she insisted she go to the Count’s Mansion – wasn’t this tantamount to demanding her life? When our young mistress refused to go, Madam helped the Eldest Young Miss pressure her. Master, our young mistress cannot go on living like this! We beg you to seek justice for her!”
Third Master Song’s face turned pale, then green, then pale again. His hands clenched tightly into fists as he suppressed his anger. Turning to look at his daughter’s deathly pale, silent face, he took a deep breath and softened his voice: “Zhaozhao, what are your thoughts?”
Song Yunzhao knew her father’s question came from genuine concern, but her servants hadn’t mentioned how she had talked back and argued with Cai Shi that day. She knew Cai Shi would certainly complain about it later.
She slightly lowered her gaze, adopting a helpless expression. “I’ve grown accustomed to this over the years. I don’t have any particular thoughts – let it be. Besides, that day I was too afraid of having my face ruined, so I talked back to Mother a few times. Truth be told, I was at fault too.”
As long as she remained under Cai Shi’s control for even one more day, she would have to endure this humiliation.
Did her father truly not know this?
He knew.
However, as the head of the household, he had his own considerations. Moreover, according to convention, a mother disciplining her daughter was perfectly justified. Therefore, she couldn’t take the initiative to propose freeing herself from Cai Shi’s control.
She could only show weakness.
The more vulnerable she appeared, the more guilt her father would feel. Later, when he met with Cai Shi and Song Qinghan, if that mother-daughter pair complained about her and spoke ill of her in front of her father, they would only fuel the fire he was currently suppressing.
What more would she need to do?
Not to mention the aunt-in-law watching like a tiger from the sidelines—if she proved effective and seized the opportunity to kick someone who was down, what Song Yunzhao desired might just fall right into her hands.
But what if she had misjudged the situation? What if her father couldn’t set aside the pride and dignity of a feudal patriarch and still insisted on preserving Cai Shi’s face as the mistress of the household? In that case, she had a backup plan.
It was just that it would strain their father-daughter relationship, and she didn’t want to push things to the extreme.
For now, she’d wait and see how her cheap father would seek justice for her.
Third Master Song patted his daughter’s hand. “You’re recuperating at your aunt-in-law’s place now. I’ve brought you some things—I’ll have them sent over later.”
Song Yunzhao forced a weak smile and said softly, “Thank you, Father.”
Seeing his daughter so obedient and her thin face with only her large eyes standing out, his heart ached. It had only been a few days since she left his sight, and his healthy child had ended up like this.
“Rest for now. I’ll come see you again tomorrow.”
“Father, you’ve just returned to the capital and must have many matters to attend to. My affairs are trivial—yours are far more important.” Song Yunzhao flashed a bright smile.
Third Master Song felt even worse. He instructed the servants to take good care of her before turning to leave.
As soon as he was gone, Song Yunzhao relaxed. Watching Mama Luo and the others bustling about, she said, “Jiangxiang, Qiancao, help Mama Luo up quickly. You were far too bold today—was it really necessary?”
Mama Luo leaned on the two maids to stand and said, “It’s all because this old servant is useless and couldn’t protect you, young mistress, that you had to suffer such grievances.”
Song Yunzhao smiled at Mama Luo. “You’ve watched me grow up, Mama. Without your careful care, how could I have grown up so well? I remember your kindness.”
When she married in the future, she would definitely take Mama Luo, Qiancao, and Jiangxiang with her. She would ensure they were well settled, so as not to betray the affection they had shown her over all these years.
“Oh, my dear young mistress, you mustn’t say such things. This is merely our duty as servants.” Mama Luo was delighted to hear it—their young mistress was truly kind-hearted.
Jiangxiang brought over a towel wrung out with hot water. “Young mistress, would you like to wipe your face?”
Song Yunzhao shook her head. “Not yet.”
Qiancao finished tidying up and turned around with a laugh. “How foolish of you! Surely more people will be coming to see the young mistress soon.”
Jiangxiang slapped her forehead. “You’re right.” She immediately took the towel away.
Soon, a young maid came knocking. Mama Luo went out, and Jiangxiang followed but quickly returned. “Young mistress, the master has sent over a large chest for you.”
Before Song Yunzhao could respond, Mama Luo had two strong women carry the chest inside. Qiancao gave them a handful of copper coins as a reward, while Jiangxiang cheerfully opened the chest.
Song Yunzhao rose and approached the chest. She picked up a palm-sized box and opened it to find a pair of pearl earrings inside. The pearls weren’t large, but their luster was fine.
Beside it was a box about a foot long. She picked it up—it was quite heavy. Opening it, she found a pair of Da Afu inside. She froze for a moment, remembering how she had once casually mentioned it to her father. She hadn’t expected him to remember, let alone actually buy them for her.
These trinkets weren’t valuable, but to Song Yunzhao, they represented a rare taste of familial affection in this world.
Her mood instantly lifted. If her father couldn’t help her escape Cai Shi’s control, she would reluctantly forgive him for the sake of this pair of Da Afu.
After all, she had grown accustomed to battling wits with Cai Shi, and she wouldn’t have to endure her displeasure much longer anyway.
Most items on top were small trinkets, likely collected along the journey. At the very bottom of the chest lay a full row of brocade boxes. Seeing the mark on them made Song Yunzhao’s heart leap.
“Miss!” Qiancao pointed at the brocade boxes. “This is… this is Chang Sheng’s mark!”
Song Yunzhao gazed at the dozen or so brocade boxes of varying sizes. Chang Sheng Bao Ji was the most famous jewelry store in Nanyu—and also the most expensive.
She had never been this wealthy or extravagant in her entire life. This time, her efforts hadn’t been in vain—these treasures alone made it all worthwhile.
Song Qinghan would probably be furious if she found out!