"Although you've been released, you've ruined the Song family's reputation. This is something the Song family can't change!" Old Madam Song accused him condescendingly. "Don't you plan to make amends for this?"
Song Tangxue smiled nonchalantly: "You all know that the one who really ruined the reputation is Song Tangli. She colluded with Li Zong, making the Song family a pariah!"
The Song family members' expressions changed.
Song Tangli clenched her fists and glared at Song Tangxue with resentment.
No one in the room spoke, and Song Tangxue understood what they meant, giving a self-deprecating smile.
At least on the surface, she is the true master of this house, but even though the truth has been uncovered, the Song family chooses to protect a criminal.
They even wanted to take the blame themselves; isn't the current accountability just an attempt to completely shift the blame onto them?
"Is it because Song Tangli is obedient, more like a pet you keep, coming and going at your beck and call, making you feel valued, that's why you chose her?" Song Tangxue asked with a smile, tearing away the veil of pretense from the Song family.
Mr. Song slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "What nonsense are you spouting about your sister! How can you talk about your sister like that?"
"Am I wrong?" Song Tangxue looked at him: "If she had no value, would you still love her? Love someone who has no blood relation to you?"
The Song family members looked extremely grim, but Song Tangxue turned and walked away gracefully.
A bittersweet feeling inevitably welled up in her heart. In her previous life, Song's father never knew until his death that he was not her biological daughter.
But she didn't receive a single bit of fatherly love before she died. Yet he was willing to dote on his adopted daughter, Song Tangli, even though this adopted daughter seduced his political enemy, plunging the Song family into crisis. It was truly ironic and laughable.
Ironically, the person I was in my past life, desperately seeking family affection, was as insignificant as an ant, yet couldn't earn even a shred of pity.
Back in their own courtyard, the servants were all doing their jobs, and very few of the people they had taken to the Dali Temple returned.
The new maids hadn't arrived yet, so the courtyard was rather deserted for a while.
The scorching sunlight shone down on them, and Song Tangxue closed her eyes.
Begonia, Miss will definitely avenge you.
In the evening, someone from the palace came to invite Song Tangxue to the palace. When Song Tangli heard the report, she clenched her handkerchief in jealousy.
Why do the people in the palace like her more? But it doesn't matter, all of this will be completely overturned on her wedding night.
She herself was the high and mighty Crown Princess, while Song Tangxue was nothing more than a concubine.
The next day, Song Tangxue got up early because she had to go to the palace.
Cui Xi was the one who came to help her wash up. Song Tangxue tilted her head and said, "Haitang..."
Habits are a terrible thing; the names she subconsciously chose reminded her of what she had lost.
I concealed the sorrow in my heart; I would never see him again...
By the time they finished packing and entered the palace, the sun was already high in the sky.
Inside Kunning Palace, the Empress Dowager sighed softly, "Our Tangxue has been wronged this time."
Song Tangxue lowered her head slightly: "Since the matter has been resolved satisfactorily, suffering is no problem."
"So, I've instructed the Imperial Household Department to move your wedding date forward a bit." The Empress Dowager raised her hand and grasped her palm: "You're such a lovely child."
"From now on, you will be a proper Crown Princess. Those snobbish people will naturally not bully you anymore." The Empress Dowager kindly instructed her, her eyes seeming to be looking at someone else.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I am but an ordinary woman, how could I possibly deserve such praise?" Song Tangxue replied respectfully.
"If I say you can handle it, then you can handle it." The Empress Dowager patted her hand without room for argument: "Xian'er is a fickle child. You must be a good wife in the future."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty." Song Tangxue replied gently.
"The wedding is in two days, so there's no need to be nervous." The Empress Dowager sighed softly. "Now that you have been exonerated, I don't know how to compensate you. This wedding is to put your mind at ease."
Song Tangxue rose repeatedly, about to kneel in gratitude, but was stopped by the Empress Dowager, who smiled broadly: "You're such a kind-hearted child, I know you care about the Crown Prince."
Song Tangxue almost ground her back teeth to powder. Such a reward was unnecessary. Even though she was unwilling in her heart, she could only smile and accept it.
The Empress Dowager pulled her to sit beside her again: "You have never lived in the Song family since you were a child, and you have little connection with the people in the Song family. I suppose your mother will not prepare a dowry for you."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and Granny Geng beside her immediately had several large boxes brought over: "These boxes contain the dowry that I personally supplemented for you. A woman's marriage should be grand and dignified."
At that moment, Song Tangxue felt as if she were seeing her maternal grandmother, and her nose tingled with emotion, especially since she had just lost a close relative.
"Tangxue thanks Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Song Tangxue rose and bowed gracefully. This time, the Empress Dowager did not stop her. She smiled and looked at her, and had someone add some more to her dowry. In total, there were ten full boxes of dowry.
They were all covered with red silk, and a large red "囍" (double happiness) character was pasted on top.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The eunuch outside relayed the message.
The emperor entered from outside, and Song Tangxue knelt down to greet him: "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The emperor waved for her to rise, and then bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your subject has come to pay his respects to Your Majesty."
"Get up quickly, you've come at an inopportune time. I was having a private conversation with the Crown Princess." The Empress Dowager smiled and offered Song Tangxue a seat beside her.
Song Tangxue sat down and listened to the two of them talk in silence. For some reason, the conversation turned to her again.
The emperor glanced at her and nodded approvingly: "Although the eldest daughter of the Song family was not raised by her parents since childhood, her character and courage are both of the highest quality. She is a good match for the Crown Prince."
The Empress Dowager nodded in approval: "Who can argue with that?"
"It is my great fortune to be appreciated by the Empress Dowager." Song Tangxue stood up and bowed slightly. "It is just a pity that the Crown Prince does not like me. Instead, he likes my younger sister. My sister will also enter the Eastern Palace with me for this wedding."
The emperor's expression darkened: "Song Tangli?"
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea without saying a word, her eyes deep and unfathomable. That little wretch has caused such a commotion that everyone in the capital knows about her.
“Yes, true love will prevail. The Crown Prince is in love with my sister. One is my sister, and the other is my future husband. Of course, I can’t bear to separate them.” Song Tangxue smiled and tried to sow discord between Li Zhaoxian: “His Highness the Crown Prince often comes to the Song residence to see my sister.”
"I also know that the two of them have been childhood sweethearts and have a deep friendship."
"Where is the Crown Prince now?" the emperor suddenly asked the eunuch beside him. The eunuch hesitated for a moment and said, "The Crown Prince left the palace this morning, and it seems he went in the direction of the Song residence."
The emperor frowned in displeasure. Beauty was a curse, and the crown prince's debauchery was utterly disappointing.
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