Though under house arrest, Song Shi showed no signs of decline.
She burned incense and brewed tea, appearing leisurely and composed.
There was no trace of the madness she had displayed before the Old Madam that night.
As a daughter of the Song Family, with her elder sister being the Empress in the central palace, even under confinement, no one dared to treat her harshly.
This was the confidence her maternal family provided.
“On the fifteenth of March, during the Guoqing Temple festival, the Old Madam will take you.” Prepare well,” Song Shi said, grasping at the ethereal wisps of smoke.
Qu Lianxue felt a surge of excitement.
Such a grand gathering would attract all the capital’s nobility—a perfect opportunity to gain visibility.
She dared not show overt joy before her biological mother, cautiously asking, “What about Mother and Second Sister?””
Song Shi remained unperturbed, without a hint of anxiety, “Just focus on yourself.”
The room fell silent, but Qu Lianxue grew even more delighted.
That meant Qu Lianzhi wouldn’t be going.
It was for the best.
Without Qu Lianzhi, she would truly have a chance.
Noticing the suppressed smile at Qu Lianxue’s lips, Song Shi’s eyes flickered with disdain.
Recalling the task she needed Qu Lianxue to accomplish, Song Shi decided to offer another incentive,
“The Crown Princess Consort has been decided, but the Side Consort is still under selection.” The Empress intends for our family to choose a daughter to enter the Eastern Palace. Would you like to go?”
Qu Lianxue abruptly looked up, staring at Song Shi in disbelief.
A Side Consort in the Eastern Palace?
To serve the Crown Prince?
The opportunity felt like a pie falling from the sky, nearly overwhelming her.
“Such an honorable position—I dare not aspire to it,” Qu Lianxue said, secretly pinching herself.
She bowed low, her expression uneasy, “It should be Second Sister who…”
Song Shi tossed her prayer beads onto the table with a clatter, making Qu Lianxue flinch.
She heard her stepmother say, “My daughter is the legitimate daughter of the Hou Manor, the Empress’s own niece.” How could she become someone’s concubine? She has her own glorious future.”
Qu Lianxue’s face burned with humiliation.
Suddenly, the position of Side Consort didn’t seem so appealing after all.
They were all the lord’s daughters, yet she alone was a concubine’s daughter.
First, it was Qu Lianzhi; now, Qu Ling would likely join the ranks. She would always be trampled beneath their feet.
Beneath her lowered brows lay resentment, unwillingness, and a flicker of ruthlessness.
“This is Qu Ling’s handwriting from when she was ten,” Song Shi handed a paper to Qu Lianxue, “You know what to do—no need for me to instruct you.”
Qu Lianxue’s hands clenched slightly in her sleeves, but when she looked up again, her expression was docile, “I understand, Mother.”That night, a servant reported, ‘The lord has arrived.'”
Song Shi wore a reserved smile. As long as the Song Family stood firm, what could the Dingxiang Marquis Manor do to her?
Even if the Old Madam had not survived, she wouldn’t have to pay with her life.
Invite the lord in.”
Song Shi rose to greet him, but her face stiffened when Qu Cheng entered.
Behind him followed a woman in plain attire, demure and light-footed.
Qu Cheng remained calm, waving for the servants to withdraw.
Song Shi’s fingertips trembled slightly, her heart burning with rage, yet she forced herself to remain composed.
Her gaze sharp as a blade, she swept it over the woman and coldly demanded, “What is the meaning of this, Lord?””
Qu Cheng’s expression didn’t change, “This is the newly arrived Consort Miao. I brought her to pay her respects to you.”
Song Shi’s breath quickened, “Are you trying to humiliate me? Even if I’ve made mistakes, I won’t tolerate such an insult!”
Qu Cheng slightly furrowed his brow, his tone still calm, “Humiliation? It’s merely adding another concubine. Among the noble families in the capital, who doesn’t have multiple wives and concubines? Or are you saying that the Song Family’s son-in-law cannot take concubines?”
His tone carried a hint of mockery.
Even the princesses of this dynasty do not forbid their consorts from taking concubines.
“Princess’s consort Pei has two attendants in his residence. What? Are the women of your Song Family nobler than the Princess?”
Song Shi trembled with rage, pointing sharply at the woman and exclaiming, “If it’s about taking a concubine, why wasn’t I consulted first?”
A flicker of impatience crossed Qu Cheng’s eyes, and his tone turned cold, “This is Dingxiang Marquis Manor, not your Song Family. Do I need your permission to take a concubine?”
“Should I first send a formal request and seek your father’s approval?”
Qu Cheng was not a lustful man.
For so many years, aside from Qu Lianxue’s mother, he had never taken another concubine.
Qu Lianxue’s mother had long passed away, and the inner quarters of the Hou Manor had only Song Shi.
Many secretly envied her.
But today, she had been openly humiliated.
A sharp pain twisted in Song Shi’s heart, as if she had been brutally stabbed.
She staggered back two steps, leaning on the corner of the table to steady herself, “Fine, very well. Treating me like this—are you disregarding all our years of marital affection?”
“Marital affection?” Qu Cheng’s face darkened, “If you truly regarded me as your husband, you should have treated A Ling kindly and respected my mother. But look at what you’ve done!”
After court today, Empress Song had sent him a message, saying, “The daughters of the Song Family are not to be insulted at will.”
Qu Cheng was deeply angered by the Empress’s warning.
“Do you really want me to expose all your deeds publicly?”
His words were sharp as a blade, “Though Empress Song is your sister, she has no right to interfere in the affairs of the Hou Manor. The Princess is still alive, and the court is not dominated solely by your Song Family!”
The status of Dingxiang Marquis Manor today was earned through his cautious diligence and self-discipline.
It was not achieved by relying on the Song Family.
He recalled Qu Ling’s words.
Who would win or lose was still uncertain.
Several high-ranking officials had recently been promoted in the court, all of them aligned with the Princess.
“I told you, I don’t want to see any of your Song Family’s people in the Hou Manor. If you don’t replace those in the courtyard, I will have them all beaten to death!”
Qu Cheng said no more, turned, and left with the woman.
Song Shi watched his retreating figure, her vision darkening, her chest heaving violently.
The news that the Marquis had brought back a concubine quickly spread.
That evening, during dinner at Yun Song Hall, the Old Madam was beaming with joy.
“This is a good thing. Tomorrow, I’ll have two tables set for a feast to celebrate.”
She then asked, “Is she from a respectable family? Who are her family members?”
Qu Cheng answered one by one, “She’s the daughter of a merchant family in the cloth trade. Both her parents are alive, and she has a younger brother.”
The Old Madam nodded, very satisfied.
Qu Ling’s eyes sparkled as she smiled sweetly, “Then why would she agree to become Father’s concubine?”
The Old Madam quickly stopped her, “You’re an unmarried girl, why ask such things?”
Qu Ling fell silent.
Why bring up the matter of concubines in front of an unmarried girl?
“A Ling is no longer a child,” Qu Cheng, however, showed no intention of avoiding the topic, “In one month, it will be your sixteenth birthday.”
Qu Ling never celebrated her birthday.
That day was also the anniversary of her mother’s death.
“Father knows you don’t like celebrating birthdays,” Qu Cheng said. “After all these years, your mother wouldn’t blame you either.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to Father,” Qu Ling didn’t refuse, looking up with a light smile. “In a few days when we visit Guoqing Temple, I’d like to offer some scriptures before the Buddha and light several Eternal Flame Lamps for Mother.”
Her obedient demeanor pleased Qu Cheng greatly. “Of course you may. If you need more silver, Father will provide.”
Qu Ling nodded and continued eating her meal.
Yet in her heart, she was calculating the dowry left by her mother.