"My dear daughter, I knew you were the most kind-hearted one. You would never abandon me!"
Song's mother rushed in, and upon seeing Song Tangxue kissing her so affectionately, she quickly said something.
They really have two faces. They weren't like this just a few days ago, but now they're unusually enthusiastic.
Song Tangxue looked at her with unusual indifference: "You sit down first. Everyone else, go out and wait outside."
Song's mother was quite shrewd, and she knew immediately that Song Tangxue must have something to say to her.
And they don't want outsiders to hear it, perhaps to shut themselves up in order to avoid this controversy.
"Did you send them all away because you wanted to tell me something?"
After everyone had left, Song's mother spoke calmly, as if everything was under her control.
"Let's not beat around the bush. You and I both know whether Father has been clean all these years."
Song Tangxue, of course, didn't hide anything and told her directly.
Song's mother had been remarkably composed, but upon hearing this, the smile on her face froze.
She thought of Song Tangxue's previous response and immediately had a guess in her mind, so she quickly spoke up.
"You wouldn't be trying to protect yourself by using your father's blood to clear your name, would you?"
"If you are upright, you have nothing to fear. I am not afraid of these things, nor am I afraid of being implicated by you."
Song Tangxue remained seated in the main seat, looking at her mother beside her; the two seemed to be negotiating.
Suddenly puzzled, Song's mother decided to speak directly.
"Just say what you want to do directly, stop beating around the bush."
“Father will inevitably be implicated, and all the things that have happened over the years will be dug up in a mess. All I can do is protect you.”
Song Tangxue spoke these words with remarkable nonchalance.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Song's mother again.
“Wrongdoings should be punished. You don’t need to argue with me this time, otherwise I won’t care about anything anymore.”
Song Tangxue was definitely not joking; Song's mother was absolutely certain of that, though she felt a little flustered.
She knew all too well that Song Tangxue now held all the power, and she could no longer act arrogantly.
That thought was incredibly foolish, so all I can do now is try to gain as much benefit as possible for myself.
Song's mother could only take a deep breath, suppress her panic, and begin the real negotiations.
"What are your plans?"
“Sending you to a farm in Jiangnan will surely ensure you have enough to eat and wear for the rest of your life, and you will be served by others. However, if you want to be as wealthy as you are now, that won’t work.”
At most, she would be content with a modest life; this was Song Tangxue's biggest concession.
However, Song's mother found it hard to accept and wanted to try again.
"I've never lived in a place like that before. It would be terrifying to spend the rest of my life there. I'd rather settle down in any county town."
"You have no room to bargain with me here. If you're not willing, then forget it."
Song Tangxue resolutely refused without any hesitation, and then warned her mother.
“But I will not lock you up from now on, and what will become of you, or whether anyone in the capital will bully you, is none of my business.”
Song's mother knew that Song Tangxue was implying that if she stayed in the community, she would inevitably become universally hated.
Others might be mindful of Song Tangxue's status, but over time they'll notice her attitude and naturally join in bullying her.
This would not only please Song Tangxue, but also demonstrate Xie Qianzhong's stance.
Song's mother was well aware of how quickly the winds of change could blow in the capital.
After weighing the options in her mind, Song's mother understood that she couldn't say much more about her current situation.
Otherwise, if he angered Song Tangxue, he would truly become like a rat crossing the street, hated by everyone.
"I never imagined that someone who schemed his way through life would end up like this. Now I finally understand the resentment your father felt yesterday."
Song's mother's eyes have become unusually calm, as if she has resigned herself to her fate.
She chuckled softly as she spoke, accepting the situation with equanimity.
"Yes, you're absolutely right. I'll listen to you for now."
Upon hearing this reply, Song Tangxue remained silent as if she had completed her task, and instead got up to leave.
But Song's mother suddenly hesitated and got up, looking at her figure as she prepared to leave, and suddenly asked.
"You still harbor resentment towards me, don't you?"
Song's mother was well aware of how outrageous her past actions had been, but she had always pretended to be ignorant.
Upon hearing this, Song Tangxue did not turn around to look at her again, but instead calmly continued her speech.
"No, if it weren't for the fact that the blood on your body is yours, I would never care about you."
She spoke her mind, and after finishing, she left without lingering.
Song's mother was ashen-faced, knowing that her last support had vanished.
If I hadn't hurt Song Tangxue so much, I wouldn't have ended up in such a miserable state.
"I noticed that the old lady seemed particularly heartbroken and dissatisfied with the outcome, but she dared not object."
Haitang then came over and spoke, but she sounded somewhat indignant.
Over the years, Song's mother has done many hurtful things, so she should be secretly glad that she has ended up like this.
Song Tangxue thought more deeply than Haitang, so after listening, she simply smiled calmly and then spoke.
"It's easy to go from simple to extravagant, but difficult to go from extravagant to frugality. You know how powerful she used to be, but now she can only live like a landlady. Naturally, she's dissatisfied."
The difference between the two was so great that Song's mother naturally found it hard to accept.
Haitang hadn't thought that way before, but now that she heard it, she felt it made perfect sense.
She nodded in agreement, but then said with a touch of wistfulness.
"Yes, now that you put it that way, I understand. But you have already done more than enough."
In the end, Song Tangxue couldn't bring herself to do it, which is why things turned out this way.
Song's mother said she got a free lunch, but she went far away from home.
She was destined to live a lonely and helpless life for the rest of her days, and Song Tangxue's arrangement was the best possible outcome for her.
Otherwise, staying in the capital and being looked down upon for the rest of one's life would be even more unbearable.
"Don't talk about this anymore. Just pretend nothing happened."
Song Tangxue suddenly spoke up, and after finishing her story, she earnestly told Haitang.
"From now on, this matter is entrusted to you. You can arrange everything over there, unless it's something important, you don't need to tell me."
Song Tangxue no longer wanted to waste any more energy on these people; it wasn't worth it.
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