Having not slept well all night and only managing to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning, Song Tang naturally learned of this news.
She sat on the edge of the bed and listened to the visitor finish delivering the news. After she finished, she simply told the visitor to leave.
She stared blankly for a while.
Ai Cao pushed the door open and came in, saying, "Madam Song is outside now." She pointed outside the door, "She wants to see you."
Songtang listened in silence.
There was little mother-daughter affection left between her and Madam Song. Madam Song's trip was solely for the sake of Master Song, who had been sentenced to death by the Emperor.
Between her and Mr. Song, Mrs. Song always chose Mr. Song.
What exactly is she? Song Tang wondered. She was a daughter, a child who was not expected to be born and would be labeled a jinx.
Artemisia said, "You don't have to see her."
Song Tang smiled. She shook her head wearily and said, "I can't refuse to see her. I'll go see her after I finish combing my hair."
She sat down at the dressing table, picked up a comb, and stared blankly at herself in the mirror.
Ai Cao sighed and turned to leave.
She didn't like watching the cubs grow up. Even though it was better for the cubs to grow up as fast as possible, she hoped to give them more happy and carefree time.
She stood at the door and said to Madam Song, who was being kept outside by the guards, "She is willing to see you."
Lady Song's eyes lit up. After last night's ordeal, the wrinkles on her face had deepened, making her look decades older; she was wearing the same luxurious clothes she had worn to the palace yesterday, which were now somewhat wrinkled.
She waited there quietly.
It's like a quiet, flowing active volcano.
Song Tang slowly emerged. She calmly gazed at Madam Song and asked, "What's wrong?"
Mrs. Song suddenly rushed in front of her.
Song Tang stood still, letting the guards continue to keep Madam Song out of the door.
Madam Song cried out, "You can't just watch your father die!" Her eyes were bloodshot as she stared intently at Song Tang. "Yes! He did some wrong things! But he's your father!"
Songtang lowered her eyes.
"You jinx! You jinx! I should have listened to your father and drowned you!"
Song Tang seemed completely oblivious to Madam Song's insults and accusations, and simply said calmly, "Good morning."
"If he dies, I'll go with him! I'll haunt your dreams every night from now on!"
Her voice was drowned out by Madam Song's frantic screams. Song Tang sighed and said to Ai Cao, "Master Song is clearly dying, so why can't we communicate?"
She asked Ai Cao earnestly, "What can I do to communicate with Madam Song?"
Ai Cao glanced at Madam Song, who was trying to break through the guards.
Mrs. Song's face was covered in tears. The tears blurred her hate-filled, distorted face.
Ai Cao said, "When Master Song dies, she will try to take over the Song family." Ai Cao's voice was devoid of any emotion. "Let's try then."
Song Tang sighed again. She said, "There's nothing I can do."
These words briefly broke through Madam Song's voice, becoming a thorn in her heart; but she quickly continued to use Master Song as a shield, closing herself off from the world.
Song Tang looked at Madam Song in silence. She couldn't see her own reflection in those bloodshot eyes, and finally only said, "Go find someone else."
She told the guards, "Get her away from here."
The guards at the gate grabbed Madam Song from either side. These two strong female guards lifted Madam Song as easily as lifting a chick. They threw Madam Song directly outside the courtyard and then threatened her with their swords.
Mrs. Song and her insults faded into the distance.
The eldest princess strolled lazily over from the other side of the courtyard. She glanced outside and asked, "Has Madam Song been here?"
Having received an affirmative answer, she continued, "She went to plead with many people last night, but unfortunately, Master Song has offended the Emperor this time. Besides the Emperor, who can change her mind?"
Song Tang gently shook her head. She set the topic aside for the moment and asked, "How is the Crown Princess's health now?"
The eldest princess blinked and asked with a smile, "I heard it's better than before. Would you like to go see my elder sister together?"
Song Tang nodded. They asked for directions to the courtyard where the Crown Princess was resting, and then headed there. It was still early, and there was no one on the road, only a few people chatting in the wind.
There were more guards outside the Crown Princess's courtyard. When the two leading guards saw that it was the Eldest Princess, they stepped aside and said, "Her Highness the Crown Princess has woken up and is talking about the Eldest Princess."
The eldest princess, impressed by her sweet words, slipped her a handful of gold leaves and led Songtang and Aicao straight inside. The Crown Princess, now dressed in a deep purple-red, low-cut, wide-sleeved dress, was sitting alone in the courtyard drinking wine. Upon seeing the three of them arrive, she smiled and invited them to sit down.
The eldest princess sat down next to the crown princess and asked, "How is your health, elder sister?"
Songtang sat on the other side of the Crown Princess, while Aicao still stood behind her.
She never wanted to be a maid again. Ai Cao thought expressionlessly.
The Crown Princess smiled and poured a cup of wine for the Eldest Princess, saying, "She's alright." She turned her face to the side, covered her mouth, and coughed a few times, concealing the bright red bloodstains on her sleeve. She said calmly, "Now she only coughs occasionally like this, and she hasn't fainted again."
"What did the imperial physician say?" the princess continued to ask.
"The imperial physician said to drink more water," the Crown Princess said with a smile. She took a sip of wine from her cup and said, "I just took two doses of bitter medicine, and I'll have to take another one this afternoon."
She briefly explained her situation, then asked Song Tang, "I didn't expect to pin this on Master Song. Should you go and plead with the Emperor?"
Song Tang was about to shake her head when the Crown Princess stopped her. She pursed her lips and looked at the Crown Princess, noticing a deep smile in the Crown Princess's eyes.
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