As they stepped outside, Haitang stood shivering. Song Tangxue pulled her coat tighter around her: "Come on, let's go to the carriage first. Your clothes are in there."
Haitang felt a warmth in her heart and followed Song Tangxue to the carriage, parting ways with An Shiliu and the others. Song Tangxue did not take back the saltpeter powder, letting An Shiliu take it to report back.
Once inside the carriage, Haitang breathed a sigh of relief. Having finally escaped Wanli Village, her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. She couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed inside the carriage with her eyes closed.
Song Tangxue supported her, her teeth clenched in fury: "Haitang!"
Haitang did not respond; her pale lips twitched a few times before returning to stillness.
When Song Tangxue placed her hand on Haitang's pulse, she found it was almost imperceptible. She poured out all the pills from her waist, her fingers trembling slightly, and found the life-saving pills, stuffing them into Haitang's mouth.
Haitang had lost all instinct to swallow. She was panting with the pill in her mouth when Song Tangxue stuck her finger in and forced the pill down.
Only when Haitang's pulse gradually stabilized did Song Tangxue feel relieved. She pulled back the carriage curtain and glanced ahead: "Is this the road to the official road?"
The coachman said, "Yes, you have a sick person in your carriage. The road is bumpy, and it might worsen their injury."
"Take the back path." Song Tangxue lowered her eyes. She didn't dare gamble on whether Haitang had left or not. At least Haitang, who had taken the pill, was not in any danger.
The coachman scratched his head and obediently turned the carriage around to go down the side road.
In Wanli Village, an old woman leaned on a cane, her eyes lingering on the departing carriage of Song Tangxue.
She walked steadily back into the house, closed the door, and her eyes flashed with malice. The house was silent. The old woman took out the paper and pen she had hidden and began to write a letter.
Wanli Village is remote and difficult to find, and the men's level of education is not high, let alone the women's.
"Wan Ronghua's exposure may cause unforeseen changes; please be extra careful."
The homing pigeons took flight and soon became tiny dots disappearing into the horizon.
After all that trouble, the two finally arrived at the Song residence in the afternoon, and Song Tangxue felt an empty stomach.
Cui Xi greeted her at the door and carefully took the crabapple: "Old Madam Song has come looking for Miss several times today."
"Tell this servant that if Miss returns, you should go to the old lady's courtyard."
Song Tangxue rubbed her temples: "I understand. You take Haitang back first and find a doctor to examine her."
Cui Xi accepted the order, looking at her with some concern: "Do you need me to accompany Miss there?"
The longer Cuixi stayed in the Song residence, the more she could see that it was a den of wolves and tigers, with everyone eyeing Song Tangxue and hoping she would fall so they could devour her.
"It's alright, just take good care of Haitang." Song Tangxue had already gone towards Old Madam Song's courtyard.
Having resolved the matter to avoid involving those around her, Song Tangxue only wanted to quickly and decisively resolve the issue concerning the old lady.
When they arrived at the old lady's courtyard, Qiu Xiang came out from the inner room and led her inside.
The old lady sat in front of the table, with Buddhist scriptures in front of her, and was muttering something in a low voice.
Seeing her come in, the old lady put down the beaded string in her hand and asked her to sit down: "Tangxue, there is something that I have thought about for a long time and have decided to tell you."
Song Tangxue's eyes were full of sarcasm: "Grandmother, you may say so."
I'm afraid they're up to some wicked scheme again.
"You are a kind-hearted girl, and you would never separate a loving couple, would you?" Old Mrs. Song picked up her teacup and said with a smile, "His Highness the Crown Prince and your sister are deeply in love. They have been together for more than ten years and their love is as deep as the sea, inseparable."
"The moment you came back, this marriage fell on your shoulders. Have you ever thought about how your sister feels?"
“Ali has been raised by me for over ten years…”
These past few days, after much deliberation, Old Madam Song still felt that the marriage could not be given to Song Tangxue. Song Tangxue had changed too much and was becoming increasingly uncontrollable.
Song Tangli is different; she has been raised by the family since childhood and will wholeheartedly consider the well-being of the Song family.
A marriage alliance with His Highness the Crown Prince is the key to elevating the Song family to a higher level, and there cannot be any unstable factors involved.
Song Tangxue scoffed; she also wished Song Tangli would become the Crown Princess.
"To be honest, Grandmother, that's what I think too. I've discussed it with His Majesty in the palace before, but he doesn't agree. The Empress Dowager is also trying to bring us together, so I really have no other choice," Song Tangxue sighed.
They seemed unaware of the trembling behind the screen.
With a slight smile, she thought, "So what if you've won the Crown Prince's heart? You're just an adopted daughter, unable to bring him any help. Why would His Majesty and the Empress Dowager choose you as their Crown Princess?"
Grandma Song was also surprised by the level of importance attached to Song Tangxue, but her resolve only grew stronger.
Song Tangxue has already won the favor of His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, and has already distanced herself from the Song family. The consequences of her becoming the Crown Princess are unimaginable.
"Grandmother does have a plan, which is to make Tangxue suffer a bit." Old Mrs. Song looked down at her condescendingly, as if she was making plans for her two granddaughters.
"I'd like to hear the details." Anything that can get rid of Li Zhaoxian is worthwhile.
"I heard that you agreed to elevate Ali to the position of Crown Princess. You will be married at the same time. You will ride in Ali's sedan chair, and Ali will ride in the Crown Princess's sedan chair. How about that?" Old Madam Song's words were more like a warning than a question. The sandalwood incense in the room was the same as that of Huguo Temple.
It's really stuffy to smell it for too long.
"Grandmother! I refuse." Song Tangxue stood up, a surge of secret joy welling up inside her, but her face remained impassive: "This marriage was clearly arranged with the eldest daughter of the Song family, Song Tangli is not a daughter of the Song family at all!"
Taking advantage of Song Tangli's reluctance to come out, Song Tangxue brazenly poked at her weakness: "Why do I have to give it to my sister!"
"This matter was decided by the whole family, so you must behave! You can't neglect the development of the family because of your own personal reasons!"
"Your sister and the Crown Prince are in love, do you really have to be the villain?" Old Madam Song tapped her snake-head cane, her face showing displeasure.
Song Tangxue bit her lower lip and sat down indignantly, tears streaming down her face: "I understand, Grandmother."
This means that you have agreed.
With her head bowed, Song Tangxue smiled. The Song family dared to change the Crown Princess chosen by the imperial family. They were truly audacious!
At that time, I only need to pretend to be weak and innocent. Anyway, His Majesty and the Empress Dowager know that I am having a hard time in the Song family. Won't the Song family be outmaneuvered by my "good plan"?
Old Mrs. Song's eyes lit up. She knew that once she took charge, there was nothing she couldn't accomplish. No matter how capable Song Tangxue was, she was still the granddaughter of the Song family.
She had everyone in the Song family, big and small, firmly in her grasp; no one could overturn her.
"Tangxue is the best girl." Grandma Song was happy and didn't mind praising her a few times, since it was nothing to worry about anyway.
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