Side Story: Past Life
"Song Jingwu won first place in this round of competition, and won one hundred high-grade spirit jades and one spot in the Underworld selection."
In the vast competition arena, Jingwu stood on the stage, watching the people below whispering amongst themselves, a bright smile on his face.
She comes from the Song family, a family of metaphysicians. Although it is a prestigious family, it was only glorious a few decades ago. In recent years, the family members have become unambitious and have gradually declined.
In this large family of over a hundred people, only she and her elder sister have emerged as two exceptionally talented individuals in this generation.
This competition is closely related to the selection of candidates for the Underworld in half a month. If it weren't for the fact that their elder sister was injured and couldn't participate in the competition, the first and second place should have gone to their family.
After receiving his prize and stepping off the stage, Jingwu couldn't wait to return home and share the good news.
She walked into the front hall and quickened her pace when she saw her father and sister waiting for her.
Her smile was bright, and her tone was light and cheerful. After bowing, she couldn't wait to speak.
“Father, I have lived up to your expectations. I won first place and secured a spot for our Song family in the Underworld competition.”
The Song family head, seated in his seat, nodded in satisfaction, a smile playing on his lips.
"Well done. After this, let's see who dares to say that our Song family has declined."
Jingwu smiled and looked at his older sister, whose complexion was not good, and asked with concern, "Sister, how is your injury healing?"
Song Luoyan paused for a moment, then forced a smile: "It's almost fully recovered, thank you for your concern, Awu."
"Your elder sister's injuries have healed. In half a month, she will go with you to participate in the selection of the Underworld," the Song family head said with a smile, holding a teacup.
Jingwu was taken aback for a moment, and subconsciously said, "Father, but we only have one spot."
"I forgot to tell you, there are new rules during your time in the competition. Each major family has one spot to participate in this selection, and with the one you won this time, our family has two in total, which is perfect for you and your sister to go together." The Song family head said with a smile, his face full of satisfaction: "The Song family has only produced two talented people in this generation. You must do your best in the Underworld competition and win first place, then you can obtain an official position in the Underworld. Although the position is small, at least you will have a connection with the Underworld."
Upon hearing this, Jingwu and Song Luoyan immediately replied, "Yes, Father."
The head of the Song family said a few more words and then dismissed the two men.
After saying goodbye to his elder sister, Jingwu went to the side courtyard to find his mother.
She was born out of wedlock; her birth mother was Consort Lu, and they lived in a side courtyard next to the main courtyard.
Jingwu pushed open the door and saw his mother sitting on the soft couch doing needlework.
Hearing the noise, he looked up and saw it was her. He immediately smiled and said, "You're back. Come and sit down. Madam gave you a pigeon today, and I specially stewed it for you to nourish your body."
Jingwu sat down beside her, watching as she instructed the maid to bring up the soup. She leaned against the table, sipping the soup slowly, and recounted the events of the day.
Aunt Lu listened to the dangers of the competition and looked worried. Just as she was about to speak, she heard her daughter say that she wanted to participate in the competition in the underworld with Song Luoyan. She felt a little uneasy.
She came from a humble background, the daughter of a commoner family, and it was because of her face that the head of the family took a liking to her and brought her into the household.
There were more than a dozen concubines in the mansion. She was neither the most favored nor the most beautiful. She was forgotten by the head of the family not long after giving birth to her daughter. It wasn't until Awu was five years old and showed amazing talent that she regained favor.
Although she wasn't very knowledgeable, she knew that the lady of the house would definitely help her eldest daughter win first place in this competition, after all, it meant a bright future. Once she won first place, her status in the family would be completely different.
Looking at her daughter who was still chatting about trivial matters, Aunt Lu said worriedly, "Awu, this competition is too dangerous, you..."
Jingwu knew what his mother was going to say, so he smiled and comforted her, "Mother, don't worry, I will protect myself. Besides, those arrogant young masters from noble families are no match for me. Don't worry. By the way, I need to go to my father to get the jade sword. We can bring magic weapons to this competition."
As soon as he finished speaking, he put down the spoon in his hand and hurriedly went to the study.
Aunt Lu watched her retreating figure and sighed. "Silly child, how could we give you the Song family's ancestral jade sword like this? Even if we were to give it to you, it should be to the eldest daughter."
As expected, Jingwu was rejected.
The Song family head flipped through the book in his hand and said, "Both you and your sister are going to participate in the competition. If I give the jade sword to one of you, the other person will definitely be unhappy. To avoid being unfair, I cannot give you the jade sword this time."
Upon hearing this, Jingwu realized that he hadn't considered things thoroughly.
The Song family head looked at her without speaking, then comforted her again: "Awu, I know your and Luoyan's strength. Even without this jade sword, I believe you can still win. Your talent far surpasses your older sister's. I believe you can definitely bring honor to the Song family."
"Yes! Don't worry, Father, I will do my best!"
The Song family head nodded in satisfaction: "If you really win first place, I will bestow the villa next door upon you so that you and your mother can move there."
Jingwu knew that this villa was a family heirloom of the Song family, said to be a royal villa, elegantly and exquisitely decorated, and had always been vacant. If he had that villa, it would be much more convenient for him and his mother to live in.
She immediately agreed with a smile, her desire to win even stronger: "Thank you, Father."
Days passed quickly, and the day of the competition arrived soon. Jing Wu and Song Luoyan had achieved good results in the previous few rounds. In the final competition, there were five people in total, and it was a contest to see who could get the Phoenix Pearl first.
Just as the five entered the illusion to begin their competition, a man appeared out of thin air on the viewing platform and silently took his seat at the head of the table.
The person next to him quickly realized what was happening and was about to bow, but the man gestured for them to stop.
Yue Huai's gaze fell on the Viewing Pearl, watching Jing Wu's figure overcome all obstacles, defeat the two people in front, and arrive at the location of the Phoenix Pearl.
He recognized the man's talent and his eyes showed admiration.
But she kept the other person behind her the whole time, which is probably...
Jingwu was fighting against the prodigy of another aristocratic family when he turned around, wanting the people behind him to come forward and help him: "Sister, come and help me, let's defeat him together!"
Song Luoyan's eyes darted around, then she suddenly squatted down, clutching her old arm injury: "Awu, my old injury has flared up again, my arm hurts so much..."
Jingwu hurriedly turned around and glanced at her. Seeing her pained expression, he didn't say anything more and focused on fighting the person in front of him.
Before long, the person in front of him was forced to retreat and was knocked to the ground, unable to get up.
Jingwu sheathed his wooden sword, but before he could even feel happy, he heard the sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath behind him.
She turned her head and saw the jade sword heading straight for her.
She dodged the attack instantly with her wooden sword in hand, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Jingwu looked at Song Luoyan, whose old wounds had reappeared, and frowned deeply: "Sister, what are you doing?"
"Awu, I'm sorry, but I also want a spot in the Underworld." Song Luoyan wielded her jade sword and struck at her. Sisters were nothing compared to this spot.
"Father gave you the jade sword? Didn't he say...?"
Jingwu looked at the person in front of her and understood everything. She took out her wooden sword and fought with her, which seemed to be a fight to the death.
The jade sword, being an ancestral treasure, naturally possessed powerful magic. She was no match for Song Luoyan and was thrown several meters away by the magic power emanating from the jade sword.
Ignoring his injuries, Jingwu hurriedly got up and saw that Song Luoyan had obtained the Phoenix Pearl.
In an instant, her strength vanished, and she slumped down completely.
Once she emerged from the illusion, she clenched her fists as she looked at her father, who dared not meet her gaze in the crowd.
Jingwu stepped forward, wanting to ask him on the spot why he was so biased, but his hand was grabbed by the person next to him.
"Awu, don't forget Aunt Lu." Song Luoyan whispered these words and then let go of her hand.
Jingwu glanced at her, his eyes filled with disappointment. She looked away, but didn't act impulsively. She remained on the stage with dignity, watching Song Luoyan complete the ceremony.
Sitting in the center, Yue Huai watched her figure, sighed, turned his head and said something to the person next to him, and then disappeared into thin air.
After returning home, Jingwu immediately went to the study to find the head of the Song family.
"Didn't you say you would treat everyone equally? Why did you go back on your word and give the jade sword to my elder sister?"
Her face was full of anger as she looked at her father, who dared not meet her gaze, and asked with a wronged expression.
When questioned like this, the Song family head's face darkened: "Your elder sister is injured, and the jade sword is for her protection. Can you please stop being so inconsiderate?"
Hearing this, Jingwu's nose suddenly stung with tears: "You protected her, but in the end, you hurt me! If you really wanted to give it to her, you should have just said so! Why did you lie to me? I could have clearly gotten this spot!"
Looking at his daughter's aggrieved question, the head of the Song family felt both annoyed and confused. His original intention was indeed to have Luo Yan protect him, but he did not expect her to use it on A Wu.
He frowned and tried to soothe the person in front of him: "In the end, it all belongs to the Song family. Your sister's selection will also benefit you. At worst, we can find her a job for you in the underworld later."
Jingwu frowned as he looked at him: "This is different!"
"Alright! I'll still give you that villa as usual. Ah Wu, stop making a fuss. You're more talented than your older sister, and you'll definitely have more opportunities in the future!" The Song family head frowned and said impatiently, "The Song family has nurtured you, so you should learn not to be so concerned about gains and losses. Besides, you're born out of wedlock, so you can only blame yourself for not having a maternal family that can help you."
Hearing this, Jingwu felt a sense of unfamiliarity towards the person in front of her for the first time. It was as if her memories had instantly returned to before she was five years old, before her talent was revealed, to that cold and heartless head of the family, her father.
When they need her, they're all sweet talk; once they've used her, they despise her for being born out of wedlock. Such a father is truly disgusting.
She turned and left, returning to her small courtyard.
In principle, unmarried children born out of wedlock in the mansion do not have their own courtyards. The younger ones live with their birth mothers, while the older ones live with their brothers and sisters.
But because of her talent, she won one competition after another for the Song family, which led to the creation of this separate courtyard.
Jingwu looked at the simple furnishings in the room, huddled by the bed, and numbly applied medicine to his wounds while listening to the cheerful sounds outside.
Indeed, Song Luoyan rarely comes out on top, so how could the First Madam possibly miss this opportunity to celebrate? Naturally, she wants everyone to know.
Jingwu hid in the house for seven or eight days and didn't see anyone. Aunt Lu came almost every day, and just stood there for a while through the door.
Early that morning, a servant came to inform her to go to the study.
As soon as Jingwu entered the study, he heard the Song family head speak gently.
"Awu, there's a competition in a few days, it's organized by the royal family, you should go."
Jingwu looked at his face and said, "I don't want to go."
The head of the Song family paused for a moment, then said, "Awu, don't be stubborn. I know you were wronged last time. The villa is all ready, and you and your mother can move in in a few days. This competition is organized by the royal family. If you win, your father will give you a reward, okay?"
Jingwu, with a cold face, looked at him and said sarcastically, "Father, you're always like this, using people only when they're in need."
Upon hearing this, the head of the Song family immediately understood her meaning. His face darkened, and his tone turned cold: "Song Jingwu, you are a member of the Song family. It is your duty to bring honor to the family! If you insist on not going, don't blame me for taking action against Aunt Lu."
These words once again shattered Jingwu's understanding, leaving him staring at him in disbelief.
His mother had been with him for over ten years, yet he was so heartless.
Jingwu took a deep breath and suppressed his anger: "I'll think about it some more."
After saying that, he turned and left.
She wanted to leave this suffocating home, taking her mother with her, and get away from here.
Jingwu first returned to his own courtyard, packed his things, and then planned to go find Aunt Lu.
As soon as I stepped outside, I heard someone rushing towards me.
"Second Miss, something terrible has happened! Aunt Lu, Aunt Lu has committed suicide by poisoning herself."
Jingwu panicked instantly and hurriedly ran out of the courtyard.
Upon entering, I saw Aunt Lu lying on the bed, vomiting blood continuously.
"Mother?"
Aunt Lu, barely holding on, touched her face and said, "Go, don't let your mother become a stumbling block for you. Go..."
He died before he could finish speaking.
Jingwu hugged her and burst into tears, her fists clenched tightly.
The maid beside him cried as she spoke.
"These past few days, the head of the family's men have been coming every day to pressure the concubine, asking her to persuade you, but she hasn't agreed. Today, as soon as news of what happened in the study reached us, the concubine took poison. Miss..."
Jingwu buried her face in her mother's body and wailed. She knew her mother's intentions. She knew she was heartbroken and unwilling to work for the Song family anymore. She just wanted to leave without any worries.
But she could have gone with me!
She has the ability to give her mother a better life...
Jingwu suddenly remembered something, picked up Aunt Lu, and walked towards the door.
Upon hearing the news, the Song family members who arrived immediately tried to stop the scene.
"Jingwu, where are you going? Aunt Lu is dead. We will arrange her funeral!"
Jingwu looked at his father, who was at the head of the group, and said coldly, "I'm taking my mother away from here. The Song family is not worthy."
"What nonsense are you spouting? Guards, stop her!" Enraged by these words, the Song family head immediately summoned his men.
We absolutely cannot let Jingwu leave. If she leaves, wouldn't it be obvious that there was something fishy about the competition that day? If word gets out, where will the Song family's reputation be?
Moreover, the Song family still needs Jingwu to continue the competition.
Jingwu looked at the people surrounding him, put his mother aside, and attacked like a madman with his wooden sword.
Those people, more or less afraid of getting hurt, kept backing away.
With a burning anger in his heart, Jingwu suddenly turned around and slashed at the Song family head and his wife Song Luoyan standing behind him. The immense force sent the three of them flying, falling to the ground unprepared.
She stood there looking at the three of them, her tone cold: "If you dare to stop me again, I'll cripple Song Luoyan and make all your efforts go to waste!"
"Song Jingwu! The Song family has nurtured you for so many years, and this is how you repay them?" The Song family head trembled with rage, clutching his injured chest as he roared.
"Yes, if it weren't for the years of nurturing I gave you, I would have killed you all long ago and buried you with my mother."
"She's gone mad, she's gone mad!" the First Madam said, her voice trembling as she pulled her daughter aside.
"Don't stop me anymore. From now on, I have nothing to do with the Song family anymore."
Jingwu carried Aunt Lu's body out of the house and disappeared into the street, leaving behind only the wounded Song family members.
The Song family head certainly didn't want to lose such a talented daughter, but none of them could defeat her. Moreover, the girl had already gone mad.
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