Chapter 6 Exposing the Aunt's True Colors

As Song Hui spoke, she smiled and slipped a purse into the hands of the Imperial Guard squad leader who was guarding the courtyard.

"I was very worried when I learned of the misfortune that had befallen the Marquis's family. I brought some food to visit my elder sister and would appreciate your help, sir."

The squad leader refused with a stern face.

"His Highness has a rule that bribes are forbidden, Madam, please don't harm me."

Song Hui wasn't embarrassed. She put her purse back and gracefully handed over the food box.

"His Majesty has only ordered the confiscation of property and has not yet made a judgment. Shouldn't it be permissible for family members to send some food?"

"They can inspect any snacks bought on the street as they please."

She speaks slowly and gracefully, which makes her pleasant to listen to.

The Imperial Guard squad leader glanced at her, opened the food box and carefully checked it before letting her pass.

Song Hui thanked them and quickly entered the side hall with the food box.

Before the person even arrived, their choked voice drifted in.

"Sister, were you scared? Your little sister is here, don't be afraid."

“Ah Hui.”

Song Yi excitedly went out to greet her, grabbed Song Hui's hand, and tears streamed down her face.

She had been terrified all day, but now, hearing her sister's comforting words, her tense emotions crumbled once again.

Song Hui offered a few more words of comfort, then opened the food box and took out two plates of pastries.

Then he took out a piece and handed it to Li Nanke.

"Ke'er must be starving! Look what your aunt brought you! It's sweet chestnut cake, freshly baked today. Eat up!"

Li Nanke took the chestnut cake and looked up at Song Hui.

She used to think her aunt was wonderful, elegant and confident, unlike her mother, who would only cry and whine when faced with problems.

But after experiencing everything in her dream, she understood a principle.

When faced with a life-or-death situation, those who seem as soft as dough and only know how to cry can actually protect each other with their lives.

But the kind and considerate person who is usually considerate can smile and push her into the abyss.

The hand holding the chestnut cake squeezed too hard, and the soft and glutinous chestnut cake was instantly crushed into crumbs.

She snapped out of her daze and turned to see Song Hui handing another plate of pastries to Marquis Anping.

"Lord Marquis and Second Young Mistress must be hungry too. Indeed, my brother-in-law has made such a big mess, we are all very worried, let alone you."

Even the most important matters must be addressed first, so I brought some snacks to fill my stomach. Please don't find them offensive, my lord.

Marquis Anping looked grateful, but secretly glared at Song Yi and Li Nanke.

"I always said that even if the blood of relatives is broken, the tendons are still connected. How can we stand by and watch someone die?"

But you're so petty and narrow-minded. Instead of seizing the chance to live right in front of you, you insist on aiming for the sun, which is out of reach of the sky.

"Ha, aren't you afraid you won't be lucky enough to be blinded by the sunlight?"

That's a sarcastic remark.

Song Hui's eyes flickered slightly.

"What does Your Excellency mean by this? Are you worried that something might happen to the Marquis's mansion, and that we, as relatives by marriage, should immediately sever ties?"

That's really unfair to us. My husband and I were terribly worried when we found out that my brother-in-law had an accident.

"At least my husband works in the Censorate now, so if anything happens, there's always someone to pass the buck to. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Marquis Anping snorted coldly as he ate his snacks.

“It’s not that we don’t want to ask you for help, but someone said that Lord Zhao has taken a fancy to one of his unfilial son’s paintings, and the unfilial son refuses to give it to him, fearing that Lord Zhao will hold a grudge because of it.”

"Oh dear, this is really unfair to us."

Song Hui clutched her chest, looking at Song Yi with a pained expression.

“Sister, why would you think of my husband like that? He has always been warm and righteous, and he is definitely not a petty person.”

Song Yi wiped away her tears, her face flushed red.

He stammered, "I was too anxious at the time, I was scared and panicked, and I lost my composure."

Song Hui held her hand tightly.

"What are sisters for? Aren't they just people who can lend a helping hand in times of crisis?"

My dear sister, how foolish of you! Why didn't you come to us for help, but instead went to other people?

He then tentatively asked her, "You didn't ask King Xuan for help, did you?"

After much thought, the meaning behind Marquis Anping's words could only refer to King Xuan.

Song Yi pursed her lips and remained silent.

Marquis Anping said irritably, "That's right, it's King Xuan."

Song Hui exclaimed in surprise, then covered her mouth to suppress her voice.

“Sister, you’re confused. King Xuan is eccentric and tyrannical. He dared to kill his mother and brother at such a young age. How could he possibly have any pity for us?”

No wonder I saw Prince Xuan's palanquin heading towards the Censorate on my way here; he must be going to interrogate his brother-in-law.

I've heard that King Xuan's men are extremely ruthless in their interrogations; skinning and dismembering are commonplace. Good heavens, I wonder how much suffering my brother-in-law will endure.

"ah?"

Song Yi turned pale with fright, trembling all over, and instinctively gripped her hand tightly, asking in return.

"What should we do then?"

“My husband is already trying to make arrangements. Sister, listen to me, how much money do you have left? Take it all out to make arrangements.”

"Money? Where would we have any money left? It's all been confiscated."

"Sister, where is your dowry shop? You can't go out at this time. Sister, give me your private seal, and I'll have to make a trip for you."

Before the Imperial Guards shut down the dowry shops, I helped my sister withdraw all the usable money from them.

Smash as many as you can, at least save my brother-in-law's life first. At this time, saving his life is the most important thing.

Song Yi sobbed, her mind completely blank from her sister's string of words.

He subconsciously agreed, "Yes, yes, saving our lives is the most important thing."

As he spoke, he reached for the purse at his waist.

A chubby little hand suddenly grasped her trembling hand, followed by Li Nanke's clear and childish voice.

"Mother."

Li Nanke rushed into her mother's arms, looking up with a pitiful pout.

"Mommy, I'm hungry."

When Song Yi met her daughter's eyes, her muddled mind cleared up for a moment.

I subconsciously reached for the snacks next to me.

"Your aunt brought you some snacks, eat them quickly."

My eyes fell on the chestnut cake and I was taken aback.

Song Hui was about to obtain Song Yi's private seal when Li Nanke interrupted her, which made her somewhat displeased.

But he still patiently coaxed her.

"Ke'er, be good. Eat some chestnut cake first if you're hungry. Your mother and I are talking about saving your father."

Li Nanke turned to look at her, blinked his big, round eyes, and said loudly, "Auntie, have you forgotten that my mother and I get rashes and swollen lips when we eat chestnuts?"

My aunt always says she misses my mother and Ke'er, but it turns out she's just teasing Ke'er.

Song Hui was taken aback.

A tear still clung to the corner of Song Yi's eye. Her gaze shifted between Chestnut Cake and Song Hui, a strange feeling creeping into her heart.

She has developed rashes whenever she eats chestnuts since she was a child, and her daughter inherited this trait and also cannot eat chestnuts.

She had mentioned these things to her sister more than once, but her sister seemed to have no recollection of them at all.

Song Hui was embarrassed for a moment, then quickly smiled and switched the two plates of pastries.

“I remember, how could your aunt not remember that you and your mother can’t eat chestnuts? I just made a mistake in my haste.”

"Here, this plate of plum blossom cakes is for Ke'er. You and your mother can eat this."

Song Yi's eyes flickered slightly, and she felt as if her muddled mind had cleared up a bit.

She remembered that when her sister came in, she first gave Ke'er chestnut cake and emphasized that it was freshly baked that day.

It doesn't seem like a mistake.

Song Yi silently released her hand from the purse she was about to untie.

"Sister, what I just said..."

Song Hui frowned and urged him on.

Li Nanke swallowed the plum blossom cake in his mouth and looked at Song Hui curiously.

"Aunt, do you and Uncle both believe that my father is innocent?"

Song Hui was impatient, but she still forced herself to nod.

"Of course. It was because of your belief that you asked your mother to take out the money to save people. Good child, relatives should help each other."

"Quickly tell your mother to give me the private seal as soon as possible. Our Ke'er also wants Father to come back soon, doesn't she?"

Li Nanke nodded earnestly, looking as obedient as could be.

"My aunt said that it's only right for relatives to help each other, so why can't my uncle just help my father directly? Why does he have to ask for money?"

"If there's no money, will my uncle refuse to help save my father?"

"Ah, I see, Aunt and Uncle wanted money!"