After New Year's Eve, Song Yue was ordered by Princess Jia Hua to stay at the mansion and not to run around: "The fireworks were set off because they were aimed at you. We'll make plans after the envoys from both countries leave."
She nodded obediently.
Several more days passed.
The snow outside was getting heavier and heavier, bending the treetops. The thick snow on the eaves could slip off at any moment, and the maids walked carefully under the eaves.
"Yun Dong, go to the Guangjia Prince's Mansion."
Yun Dong nodded.
Before going, Song Yue specially made a lot of plasters, at least a dozen kinds in bottles and jars, and asked Yun Dong to pack them up and take them with her.
She sat by the window learning embroidery from Granny Zhang. She made a lifelike peony flower, and Granny Zhang praised her for her talent, saying she learned everything quickly.
Song Yue had unknowingly mastered all the skills of playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and accounting.
The next moment, she lost her focus, and the needle pricked her fingertip, causing a drop of blood to fall into the center of the peony's stamen, adding an eerie touch to the peony.
"Miss, something's on your mind," said Granny Zhang.
Song Yue shook her head and continued embroidering with her head down, but she couldn't concentrate and pricked her fingertips one after another. Zhang Mama simply snatched the needle and thread from Song Yue's hand: "Miss, if you prick yourself again, you won't have any good fingers left."
So Song Yue simply stopped embroidering and let Zhang Mama apply some ointment to her fingers. Zhang Mama sighed, "Since New Year's Eve, the young lady has often been absent-minded."
Song Yue suddenly realized: "Really?"
“Miss, you rarely lose your composure. Even when the Eighth Prince took Princess Lian’an away, you didn’t waste a single moment.”
Song Yue was both amused and exasperated, and did not respond.
Finally, Yun Dong stumbled back, and Song Yue greeted her, "What happened?"
"It's alright, I slipped and got my shoes and socks wet on my way back." Yun Dong handed the letter in her arms to Song Yue: "It was written by Prince Guangjia himself and he asked me to bring it back."
Song Yue helped her inside. Yun Dong sat by the stove to warm herself, watching Song Yue open the letter: "When I arrived, the prince was copying scriptures and said it was too cold to go out."
She gave a faint "hmm," opened the letter, and saw a large "Peace" written on it.
"The prince also said that the young lady's medicine is so strange that it could be sold as a clinic. He said he would definitely thank you in public when we have the chance to meet in the spring."
Yun Dong suddenly grinned and said, "Your Highness has such a good temper and a good personality."
Song Yue's anxiety subsided.
He sat cross-legged on the tatami mat, eating freshly roasted chestnuts, a smile playing on his lips; he was in a good mood.
Spring passes and autumn comes
Three years later
The Duke of Jingguo's mansion held a grand wedding.
Princess Jia Hua quickly gathered enough betrothal gifts and chose an auspicious day for Song Zhen to go to the Jiang family to present the betrothal gifts. After three years of living together day and night, the two had already fallen in love.
After three long years of silence, the family finally began to hold weddings.
"Second sister-in-law, I have already proposed to the Emperor that a residence be prepared, and the Duke of Jingguo's mansion will be handed over to you in the future."
Princess Jia Hua said.
Ms. Tao was shocked and reluctant to part with him.
“The princess’s residence is right next door. As the Duchess of Jingguo, you will inevitably have to worry about and give her advice in the future.” Princess Jiahua held Tao’s hand and said with a smile, “After Zhen’er’s wedding is over, it will be Huan’er’s turn.”
Tao smiled and said, "I've been preparing for this for three years, so there's no rush. But sister-in-law, what should we do with those women in the backyard?"
Fan Lianyi and Song Mao are still alive.
Princess Jia Hua almost forgot about the two of them.
“For the past three years, I’ve left Song Mao and Aunt Fan to fend for themselves in the small courtyard. The two of them have long harbored resentment, especially Song Mao, who often cries and begs to apologize, saying he’s sorry to you and Yue’er. He had a serious illness last winter, and although he didn’t die, his health has deteriorated, and he’s probably nearing his end. But he insists on seeing you one last time,” said Madam Tao.
Tao's idea was to resolve this matter before the two families held their weddings, either by sending the deceased away or by disposing of the deceased.
Don't bring bad luck.
Princess Jia Hua hesitated for a moment: "I will go later."
Some things really should be put to rest.
"And the Dowager Madam..."
For the past three years, the old lady has been a vegetarian and chanting Buddhist scriptures, and has not even stepped out of the gate. Out of consideration for Song Qingfeng, Madam Tao has not treated her harshly.
If the household is holding a celebration, it would be against the rules if the Dowager Madam did not appear.
"I understand."
Having conveyed the message, Ms. Tao said no more.
The courtyard was still quiet in the evening. Sunlight streamed in, and Song Mao sat on the steps with his back against the mottled wall.
He had long lost his former glory and spirit, leaving only dejection and filth.
The sound of a woman wailing could still be heard from inside the house.
"Maoge'er...water..."
"Maoge'er, it's me, your mother."
Song Mao ignored it after hearing it so many times, but his mind was filled with memories of a few years ago when he was still the eldest son of the family.
Everyone who sees him must treat him with utmost respect.
He lived a life of luxury, possessing both literary and martial talents; countless girls would have loved to marry him.
Thinking about all this, Song Mao smiled.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, interrupting Song Mao's reverie. He squinted at the doorway, and instead of the usual shrewish woman with her hands on her hips, a beautiful woman's face came into view. She was dressed in brocade and wore a phoenix hairpin, and slowly walked in with the help of a maid.
That face, I haven't seen it for three years.
Song Mao, however, had already imprinted himself in his mind.
Princess Jiahua looked at Song Mao, who was barely recognizable as a human, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips. Compared to the suffering that A Yue had endured in her previous life, Song Mao was nothing at all!
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, making sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Mother!" Song Mao scrambled to his feet and rushed toward Princess Jia Hua. His eyes reddened, and his knees buckled as he knelt on the ground. "Mother, you've finally come to see your son."
The word "mother" made Princess Jiahua laugh.
“Mother, I know I was wrong. I promise to turn over a new leaf and make amends to my third sister. I will treat her well and never question her again.”
Song Mao had been imprisoned for three years and had already realized his mistakes countless times.
Some of the words were even words that had been brewing for a long time, just waiting for the day when they could meet Princess Jia Hua and try to move her.
Song Mao wept with joy; the day he had been waiting for had finally arrived.
"Mother, I will not compete with Song Zhen. Please give me a chance." Song Mao kowtowed repeatedly to Princess Jia Hua.
He didn't stop even when his forehead was almost bleeding from hitting the ground.
The shouting inside the house stopped.
thump!
It looked like something had fallen from a great height.
Princess Jia Hua looked down at Song Mao, her eyes still filled with hatred, which left Song Mao bewildered: "Mother, I just want to hear the truth. Did you already know I wasn't Song Hengchuan when you came back?"
Princess Jia Hua shook her head: "I was also kept in the dark."
"I don't believe it!" Song Mao shook his head: "If you don't know my true identity, why did you treat me like that after thirteen years of separation, but promoted Song Zhen at every turn and arranged everything for him?"
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