Lin Shi led Song Si out of the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion, her heart clenching with anxiety.
She couldn't understand it. Not long ago, her family was harmonious, with a loving mother and filial son. How could her son suddenly be in prison and her daughter like this?
Even with Song Wenyue, who was usually very considerate, she didn't feel much warmth. She always felt that the things Song Wenyue said were all for her own future.
Is this really retribution for her sins?
Consort Gao accepted Madam Song's invitation, knowing why she wanted to see her. However, she was currently struggling to protect herself and had no other way to offer charity to others.
but......
Yuwen Wuji has taken a liking to Song Wenyue, so she can use Song Wenyue to please the Emperor. Maybe if he's pleased, both the Gao and Song families can escape this calamity.
When Lin brought Song Wenyue into the palace, she was extremely apprehensive. They knew that the Gao family had all been imprisoned, and they were afraid that the Imperial Concubine would be powerless to help.
But considering the crimes committed by the Gao family, which should have resulted in the execution of the entire family, they were only sentenced to exile in the autumn, which shows how much favor Consort Gao received.
They were desperate and grasping at straws.
"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Highness, the Noble Consort!"
"Rise," the Imperial Concubine said, resting her forehead on her hand, looking rather listless.
Lin was not good with words, and it took him quite a while to get to the point.
“My eldest son is just too stupid. He believes whatever others say! He didn’t know that those were real exam questions. He thought they were just joking around. He figured it was only a few taels of silver, just something to watch for fun. Who would have thought he would end up in jail like this…” Lin’s tears flowed uncontrollably as she spoke.
The Imperial Concubine said, "I understand your feelings. Isn't my family the same? An unintentional act has become a weapon used by someone with ulterior motives to stab you in the back."
Upon hearing the Imperial Concubine's words, Lady Lin knew there was hope, and quickly knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, is there any way to save my eldest son? I am willing to give my own life for it!"
The Imperial Concubine waved her hand, her gaze falling on Song Wenyue beside her, and said, "What use is your life? I was thinking that there hasn't been any happy occasion in the palace for a long time. If we add some joy, the Emperor might be pleased. If he's pleased, then all the things you've asked for will be easier to accomplish."
Upon hearing this, Madam Lin hesitated. She truly did not want her other daughter to get involved in the intrigues of the royal family.
Seeing her mother hesitate, Song Wenyue assumed she was unwilling and feared that she would bypass her own daughter. She quickly knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude, saying, "Wenyue is willing! As long as it can save my brother, Wenyue is willing!"
Seeing this, the Imperial Concubine sneered inwardly and waved her hand, saying, "Go back and await the imperial decree!"
As Song Wenyue left the palace, she couldn't suppress her smile. She would soon be the Prince Yong's principal wife!
Lin held her hand and said with concern, "Yue'er, the kinship among royals is weak. I'm afraid you'll suffer after you marry into the royal family."
Song Wenyue, however, didn't care much. She had been a prince's concubine in her previous life and had experience. Those who had made things difficult for her before wouldn't let her suffer even a little more!
Upon hearing that Song Wenyue had come out of the palace with a beaming smile, Song Yaozhu, while eating strawberries, said to Xie Liwei, "I wonder if Yuwen Wuji will like this gift."
Xie Liwei basked in the sun, his eyes slightly narrowed. He turned to the side, flipping through the pages of his book, and said, "Aren't you afraid of making yourself a formidable rival?"
"What am I afraid of?" she said, clapping her hands. "Alright, I'll go to the Song residence tomorrow to see what's going on!"
The next day, Song Yaozhu got up excitedly to go to the Song family to see what was going on. Xie Liwei insisted on going with her, but she refused.
"Your shoulder injury hasn't healed yet; the bumpy ride in the carriage isn't good for your recovery!"
Xie Liwei looked at her and said seriously, "I have a shoulder injury, not a serious injury that makes me unable to take care of myself."
"No, no!" Song Yaozhu put her hands on her hips, her voice rising several decibels. "I know you want to see some excitement, but this excitement isn't limited to today. I'll tell you when I get back! Your wound looks like it's scabbed over on the outside, but it's not healed inside yet!"
Xie Liwei suppressed the urge to smile and reluctantly said, "Alright, then bring me some pastries from Xu's when you come back."
"good!"
After everyone had left, Granny Qin muttered, "The roads in the capital are wide and smooth, how could they be bumpy?"
Then look at the smile on her husband's lips. Well, the young couple is showing mutual care!
Song Yaozhu arrived uninvited, and no one in the Song family welcomed her.
Song Wenyue was in a great mood and looked at her, saying, "Sister, we'll have to take good care of each other in the future!"
Song Yaozhu looked at her with a smile and said, "It seems that my sister has gotten what she wanted?"
Only then did Song Wenyue show a slightly shy expression, saying, "Your Majesty has always taken good care of me, so today's outcome was inevitable."
Song Yaozhu gave a meaningful "Oh~" and said, "I came to see my mother today. I was a bit too emotional the other day, and I think my mother must be very sad, so I came to see her today."
She wasn't being sincere. If she really cared, she would have sent someone over yesterday.
"Sister, you're so kind. But we also owe a great deal to you, sister, for helping our family get through this crisis. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't be where I am today."
When Lin heard Song Si say that, she looked at her in astonishment.
"Wen Yue! How dare you talk to your sister like that!"
“Mother, where did I go wrong! If my sister hadn’t stood by and watched coldly, how would we have had the chance to plead with the Imperial Concubine!”
“Sister, the way you’re saying this makes it sound like I’m some kind of wicked person. This marriage was your own choice, but now it’s as if I forced you into it.”
“I earned all of that myself!” Song Wenyue said, staring intently at her.
She was the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Song, and she married into every official family in the court!
If she didn't want Song Yaozhu to step on her in terms of status, she would definitely have chosen a man who was one in a million.
"My sister's hypocritical attitude is truly an eye-opener. Fine, since my sister doesn't welcome me, I'll come to this house less often in the future. But after my sister gets married, we probably won't have many chances to see each other anymore," Song Yaozhu said with a smile, not taking Song Wenyue seriously at all.
"Yaoyao, this is your home. You can come back whenever you want!" Madam Lin said anxiously. "I know we've been distant, but that relationship needs to be nurtured through frequent interaction!"
Song Yaozhu smiled faintly and remained silent. Just then, the gatekeeper rushed in and said, "Madam, Miss, someone from the palace has come to deliver an imperial decree! The old master and other gentlemen have all gone to the front courtyard and sent this servant to invite you!"
"Really!" Song Wenyue's face lit up with joy. She glanced at Song Yaozhu with disdain, then hurriedly lifted her skirt and headed to the front yard.
Lin stared blankly at her retreating figure, thinking to herself that she had been left behind by this daughter again.
"Mother, let's go together to hear the imperial decree."
Song Yaozhu smiled brightly; it was the first time Lin had ever seen such a radiant smile on her face, more beautiful than all the spring flowers in the courtyard. She was like that rose, with sharp thorns beneath its bright petals, capable of piercing one's hands until they bled.
A bad feeling rushed into Lin's mind.
There's something wrong with the imperial edict!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com