The following evening, Hou Manor was adorned with lanterns and decorations. Consort Miao’s courtyard was filled with wine and delicacies, with servants bustling about, creating a lively atmosphere.
Consort Miao wore a light pink dress, her eyes carrying a hint of shyness and unease.
She sat at the banquet with lowered eyes and a submissive demeanor.
Since Song Shi was under house arrest, He Shi guided Consort Miao through the banquet instead.
He Shi moved with such briskness it seemed she had wings on her feet.
She was the happiest about Qu Cheng taking a concubine.
For so many years, she had fallen short of her elder sister-in-law in every way.
He Shi’s bitterness had nowhere to vent; she could only swallow it down.
She envied Song Shi and resented her.
But now, things were better.
The Marquis was taking a concubine with such grand fanfare.
He Shi felt like throwing her head back and laughing heartily three times.
She held Consort Miao’s hand with unusual enthusiasm, raising her cup in a toast. “Today is Consort Miao’s auspicious day of entering the manor. Everyone, please make yourselves at home.”
Aside from Song Shi’s two sons and one daughter, all the invited guests had come to offer congratulations.
Even the Old Madam had sent her maid Cuilu, demonstrating the importance of the occasion.
Just as everyone raised their cups but before they could drink, Qu Lianzhi arrived.
Dressed in a striking red gown, she made Consort Miao’s light pink attire appear dull in comparison.
Her expression was sharp and cold as she stared at Consort Miao, her eyes filled with undisguised hostility.
“Second Young Miss, you’ve arrived. Please, take a seat.” Though He Shi sensed trouble, she greeted Qu Lianzhi with a forced smile.
Qu Lianzhi looked at her with open mockery and scorn. “A lowly concubine like her deserves to have me drink at her celebration?”
“Second Aunt is so kind-hearted to help with the arrangements. That’s good—when Second Uncle returns with his concubines, you’ll already be well-practiced.”
Second Uncle Qu, having been assigned to an official post elsewhere, had taken one concubine with him and acquired another after assuming his position.
The smile on He Shi’s face froze completely.
Qu Lianzhi paid her no further mind, turning her gaze to Qu Ling instead. She sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “You really aren’t picky, are you? Lowering yourself like this—aren’t you afraid of catching bad luck?”
Her words were too sharp. Consort Miao’s face paled, and the cup in her hand trembled slightly, almost slipping from her grasp.
Qu Ling remained unperturbed, smiling faintly. “Consort Miao is someone Father brought into the manor, and this banquet was arranged by Grandmother. Are you dissatisfied with Father, or are you angry with Grandmother?”
Qu Lianzhi’s eyes darkened. She knew Qu Ling was sharp-tongued and that she wouldn’t gain any advantage from confronting her.
She redirected her attack toward Consort Miao. “You truly are fortunate. I wonder, what did you do before? What tricks do you know? Teach the manor’s maidservants, so they can learn how to win Father’s favor and, like you, soar to great heights one day.”
Consort Miao, being thin-skinned, fought back tears and replied softly, “This humble one… comes from an ordinary merchant family.”
“An ordinary family? Yet your seductive methods are anything but ordinary…” The thought of her mother’s despondent state made Qu Lianzhi wish she could strangle the vixen before her.
Her words grew increasingly venomous.
The guests fell silent, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Consort Miao dared not speak again, fearing the esteemed Second Young Miss would say something even more offensive.
Qu Ling stood up, walked to Consort Miao’s side, and gently patted her hand. She then said to Qu Lianzhi, “Since Father brought her into the manor, he must have his reasons. Being so aggressive like this only tarnishes the dignity of a well-bred young lady.”
A faint, cold smile played on Qu Ling’s lips.
By adding fuel to the fire, she was certain Qu Lianzhi would put on an even more dramatic performance.
“If you really want to vent your anger for your mother, why don’t you go confront Father? You’re just bullying the weak and fearing the strong, Qu Lianzhi. You’re utterly useless.”
Qu Lianzhi’s eyes blazed with fury. “I’m useless?”
She suddenly turned and ordered her maids and matrons, “Smash everything! Destroy it all! A lowborn merchant’s daughter who managed to enter the Hou Manor should count herself blessed. What more could she possibly aspire to?”
The servants naturally obeyed her.
Soon, the courtyard was completely wrecked.
Consort Miao covered her mouth, shrinking into He Shi’s embrace as she wept.
He Shi was dumbfounded.
Had the Second Young Lady gone mad?
She certainly had the right to be arrogant, but this was going too far.
“Second Young Lady, you…” He Shi began to speak, but then she saw the Old Madam arriving.
“Qu Lianzhi, you’ve gone completely lawless!” The Old Madam looked at the devastation on the ground, furious beyond words. “Have you forgotten all your manners and upbringing? Take her to the ancestral hall! She’ll kneel there until the Marquis returns for punishment!”
“Just for a concubine, Grandmother, why such fury?” Qu Lianzhi showed no fear. “My manners and upbringing have even met the Empress’s approval without fault. I wonder what exactly dissatisfies you, Grandmother?”
Seeing her so defiant, the Old Madam trembled with rage. “What dissatisfies me most is that we ever allowed you to bear the Qu surname.”
“You keep mentioning the Empress. How about this? I’ll send you to the palace and have Her Majesty change your surname to Song?”
Qu Lianzhi froze, clearly not expecting the Old Madam to say such a thing.
“What are you waiting for!” The Old Madam’s cane struck the ground loudly. “Are my words no longer heeded? Has the Dingxiang Marquis Manor become surnamed Song too?”
The maids and matrons didn’t dare hesitate, forcibly taking Qu Lianzhi away.
The courtyard fell into silence.
Lanterns swayed in the wind, casting shifting light and shadow on Qu Ling’s face.
“Grandmother, let me escort you back.” She stepped forward to support the Old Madam.
The Old Madam glanced at Consort Miao, her tone softening slightly. “You’ve been wronged. The Marquis will compensate you when he returns.”
Consort Miao quickly bowed, her voice gentle. “This humble one thanks the Old Madam.”
Song Shi sat in her room, nearly crushing the teacup in her hand.
Having learned that her daughter had caused trouble and been punished to kneel, she felt both helpless and heartbroken.
She slammed the teacup onto the table. “Get Jindan in here now!”
Jindan entered trembling, kneeling on the floor with a shaky voice. “Madam, please save the Second Young Lady…”
Song Shi scolded, “How have you been serving your mistress?”
Jindan kept her head down, voice tearful. “I tried to advise her, but the Young Lady… she wouldn’t listen…”
“Then you’re incompetent!”
Song Shi was furious. “Teach her properly how to be a servant!”
A matron stepped forward, holding a ruler expressionlessly. “Hold out your hand.”
Jindan wept and begged for mercy. “Madam, have mercy. This servant will be more diligent in the future…”
“Strike!”
Song Shi’s tone was terrifyingly cold.
The matron grabbed Jindan’s hand and struck hard.
Excruciating pain spread throughout her body.
Jindan bit her lip until it bled, not daring to make a sound.
Finally, the punishment ended.
She was drenched in sweat, her palms covered in shocking, gruesome wounds.
“If you can’t serve properly, I can always replace you.”
Song Shi’s words made Jindan forget her pain as she kowtowed. “This servant will never dare again.”
Replacement.
That would mean certain death for her.
“Get out.”
Jindan staggered out.
Song Shi rested her forehead in her hand, utterly vexed.
She knew she could no longer endure this confinement in such a manner.
In the dead of night, Song Shi hung a white silk ribbon from the beam and set the bed curtains ablaze.
The firelight illuminated the window, and those outside saw the silhouette of a figure with dangling legs, screaming, “Someone, come quickly—”
“Madam has hanged herself—”