Chapter 114 Daring to Act and Take Responsibility

Inside the ancestral hall, the familiar scene unfolded once again.

The only difference was that the person kneeling in the center was now Song Haochu, who was barely holding on.

Ying'er knelt beside him, nestled weakly in his arms as if she had suffered a great injustice, still clutching the incense containing the soul-capturing fragrance tightly in her hand.

She wasn't too worried about her situation, after all, she was carrying the Song family's child in her belly, and the Song family wouldn't really do anything to her.

But she still had to put on a convincing act. She cried with tears streaming down her face, her voice mournful, making it seem like she was attending someone's funeral.

Song Sangyu was also kneeling to the side. When she saw Song Yiqiu walk in, her indifferent attitude angered her, and she immediately turned her anger towards Song Yiqiu:

"Father, you must investigate this matter thoroughly! If it weren't for my eldest sister insisting on taking that... that Ying'er to Feizhi Pavilion, how could such a commotion have occurred today?"

"Eldest sister knew that Third Brother and Sister Jiawen had made a prior agreement, yet she deliberately brought people to disrupt things. Her intentions are despicable! If we are to assign blame, eldest sister is also to blame!"

She wanted to clarify her role in bringing Song Haochu and Ruan Jiawen together, but when she saw the scheming Ying'er kneeling on the ground, she was afraid of being accused by her. So she swallowed her words and could only vaguely push the blame onto Song Yiqiu.

Song Qingming was already upset and couldn't bear to punish his son severely. He was looking for a way to save face when he saw Song Sangyu dragging Song Yiqiu into the mess. He immediately straightened his face and looked at Song Yiqiu sternly:

"Yiqiu! Is what Sangyu said true? Is today's event really related to you?"

Song Yiqiu feigned surprise, calmly took out the visiting card Ruan Tianxin had given her from her sleeve, and gently placed it on the table beside her, speaking in a flat tone:

"Father, you are wise. I was invited by Miss Ruan Tianxin, the second daughter of the Ruan family, to go to Feizhi Pavilion to select perfumes. It was a proper visit."

"How could my daughter have foreseen that she would happen to stumble upon my third brother's...private meeting with Miss Ruan, thus triggering a dispute? This attempt to shift the blame is rather clumsy."

Seeing that Song Yiqiu had produced evidence, Song Sangyu became even more flustered and said urgently:

“Father! Ruan Tianxin and Song Yiqiu are in cahoots. They must have conspired together and set a trap for us today.”

"They're trying to frame us, ruin Third Brother's future, and destroy the reputation of our Song family! Eldest sister, even if you dislike me, you shouldn't use such vicious methods. This is putting our Song family in an unjust and immoral position."

Song Yiqiu was almost amused by Song Sangyu's ability to twist the truth and distort the facts. If Song Sangyu's ability to shift blame and pin names was second to none in the capital, no one would dare to claim the top spot.

She spoke coldly:

“Song Sangyu, you keep accusing me of setting a trap. Then let me ask you, did I send my third brother to meet Ruan Jiawen at Feizhi Pavilion? Did I send my third brother to attack the Shen family’s young master for a prostitute? Or did I hold my third brother down, forcing him to neglect his studies and deceive our parents?”

"Your own misconduct has caused you great trouble, yet instead of reflecting on your own mistakes, you're acting like a mad dog, wildly accusing others! Is this the Song family's way of finding a daughter to take the blame when something goes wrong? If so, then you might as well give up the title of Marquis of Yongjia, lest you tarnish the reputation of your ancestors!"

Just then, Song Yiqiu's brothers also rushed over upon hearing the news.

The eldest brother, Song Tianhan, was still being supported, walking unsteadily. Song Yiqiu glanced at them, a cold smile playing on her lips.

Her brothers may not have any other skills, but they are very loyal to each other and are quick to get information and act swiftly when they band together to plead for her.

Sure enough, they stepped forward one by one and began pleading for Song Haochu's life.

"Father, my third brother acted impulsively, all while trying to protect his own people..."

"Yes, Father, that Shen Yanjun is nothing but a spoiled brat. We can beat him, but I doubt the Shen family would dare to really do anything to our Song family..."

"My third brother knows he was wrong, please forgive him this time..."

However, they underestimated the extent to which Song Haochu was love-struck in front of Ying'er.

Hearing his brothers plead for leniency, Song Haochu not only didn't take the opportunity to admit his mistake, but instead straightened his back and said defiantly:

“Father! Brothers, there’s no need to plead for me. What happened today was done by me, Song Haochu, alone. That Shen Yanjun went too far. I beat him to vent my anger for Ying’er. If I had another chance, I would beat him again without hesitation!”

"You...you unfilial son!"

Madam Song was trembling with anger, pointing at him and scolding him with exasperation.

“Your parents have already arranged your marriage, and you agreed to it, didn’t you? It’s not like we’re forbidding Ying’er from entering the family. Once she gives birth, we’ll make her a concubine and ensure she’ll have enough to eat and wear for the rest of her life. Isn’t that enough?”

"You insist on making a scene that's the talk of the town. Now, which respectable family in the capital would dare to marry you? Don't forget, next year's imperial examinations, even the tutors say you have the best chance of passing! How can you ruin your future by indulging in such lustful women?"

It would have been better if the imperial examination hadn't been mentioned. As soon as it was, Song Haochu's expression changed instantly, his eyes darted around, and he dared not meet his parents' gaze.

Seeing an opportunity, Song Yiqiu winked at Bai Mei beside her.

Bai Mei immediately understood and muttered casually:

"Oh? Speaking of which, the weather turned cooler a few days ago, and the kind-hearted young lady specially asked me to make a few pairs of warm sleeves, thinking of sending them to the third young master at the academy. But I went to the academy several times and circled around several times, and I didn't even see a shadow of the third young master."

"Later, I found out that... the Third Young Master hadn't been to the academy for over a month. It seems... it seems he had a big argument with the teacher and vowed never to go again!"

"What?!"

Song Shen was so shocked she almost choked. She looked at Song Haochu in disbelief, then suddenly turned to Song Sangyu. Seeing her evasive eyes, she immediately understood.

It turns out that Song Sangyu had been covering up for Song Haochu all along.

But she couldn't bring herself to blame Song Sangyu, and instead turned her anger towards Song Yiqiu:

"Song Yiqiu! Since you already knew, why didn't you report it to me sooner?!"

Song Yiqiu's face showed just the right amount of innocence:

"Mother, please calm down! I did want to say something, but you've been ill and unwell these past few days. How could I dare to bother you with such trivial matters?"

"Besides... the fact that Third Brother skipped class is probably no secret in the manor. I am but a lowly person, what can I do? I... I am busy preparing for the succession to the title, I am really too busy to do anything."

Her casual remark about inheriting the title stung Song Qingming and Madam Song's hearts.

Song Qingming was already overwhelmed with worries about Shen Yanjun's matter, and now, upon hearing that his son had neglected his studies and deceived his parents, he was furious and roared at Song Shenshi:

"Look at the fine son you've raised! It's all because you spoiled him! Go and fetch the family discipline officer!!"

Startled by the shout, Madam Song trembled and dared not say another word. She quickly signaled her servants to fetch the family punishment.

Song Yiqiu watched this farce with indifference, her heart completely unmoved.

However, just as the servant brought the family discipline ruler and Song Qingming raised it to carry it out, he suddenly stopped and said in a strange tone:

"Today's incident caused such a big commotion, but it was fortunate that it was eventually calmed down... It's all thanks to you, Sister Ruoling."

Song Yiqiu was puzzled. Sister Ruoling? What does this have to do with her?