Volume One, Chapter 20: Securing a Title and Honor

Chen watched her so intently that her scalp tingled. She shielded Song Mingzhu behind her and asked sharply, “What do you mean by that? What are you planning to do to her?”

“My engagement to the Lu family was decreed by the Empress Dowager herself. Yet Song Mingzhu has been secretly involved with him. If the Emperor finds out...”

“Do you dare! Lu Yumo has always cared for Mingzhu. You are the one who stole what wasn’t yours!” Chen shot her a fierce glare.

Behind Chen, Song Mingzhu quickly shed a couple of tears. “Mother, it’s all my fault. I’ll give Brother Yumo back to Sister.”

“Give back? How shameless! I spent ten years among the Rongdi, stealing what’s not mine? Who is the thief and who is the rightful owner?” Song Qinghuan sneered coldly.

She truly was utterly shameless.

“Enough!” Chen pulled the tearful Song Mingzhu into her arms. “Why have you become so harsh and heartless? It seems the days among the Rongdi have turned you bitter and cruel.”

Though Chen had long seen this family’s true nature, the pain still stung unbearably.

That suffocating feeling was a hundred times worse than her time with the Rongdi.

They were her closest kin, yet also the ones who stabbed her most deeply.

Her voice turned icy. “Mother, rest assured, even if I enter the palace, I will not speak carelessly. I am a Song, and I must think of the Song family.”

She was already plotting how to overturn the Song clan.

Her tone softened, and her gaze grew gentle. “I know you love Cousin Mingzhu dearly. But I am still your daughter. How could I possibly wish you harm?”

She intended to repay all grievances a hundredfold.

“Mother, I spent ten years with the Rongdi, always longing to be at your side. Now that I have just returned home, I do not want to lose the chance to be with you.”

She sought the opportunity for revenge.

“Mother, I do not ask for your love, but at least allow me to stay by your side.”

To watch you all suffer, losing everything, one by one.

...

In the great hall, Song Qinghuan appeared slowly, bowing respectfully to the rows of officials clad in crimson robes on either side.

When her greeting was done, she fixed her gaze respectfully downward before the imperial throne.

Xiao Xingyu stared at the frail figure. For the first time, he sensed a steely resolve in her as she knelt upright among the courtiers.

“Song Qinghuan,” the Emperor’s voice was soft yet heavy like a net falling upon her. “Prince Su says you are a meritorious subject. What do you think?”

Song Qinghuan bowed again. “I dare not claim merit, Your Majesty. I am a child of Tianqi. Like a border guard protecting the land, I only did what was required and do not seek reward.”

“So you think you don’t deserve any recognition?” The Emperor’s tone was half teasing.

“I do not.”

The Song Marquis felt a dull pain at his temple. He had already sent word to stop her, so why had she come?

He must never let Song Qinghuan say reckless things that would harm the Song family.

“Then do you think you deserve punishment? Prince Su defended you, saying it’s shameful for the powerful to slander you. Was he complaining about me?” The Emperor’s tone was stern.

The Song Marquis gasped for breath and hurried to kneel beside Song Qinghuan. “Your Majesty, since returning from the Rongdi, she has harbored hatred against her elders and siblings. Evidently, she harbors resentment. I confess, as her father, I failed in teaching her well. Her conduct has been...”

“Ridiculous!” Xiao Xingyan interrupted him sharply.

The Marquis swallowed his anger. “Prince Su, this is a private family matter. Please spare yourself the trouble.”

Xiao Xingyan shot the Marquis a cold glance, then turned to Song Qinghuan. “You speak.”

Song Qinghuan knelt straight, her wide sleeves covering her hands as she bit herself hard.

“Your Majesty! I dare not. For ten years among the Rongdi, I clung to thoughts of Tianqi and my parents to survive. I returned only by Your Majesty’s grace. If I truly bore grudges, I would not have endured a decade—I might have ended my life long ago, sparing myself and others the gossip. Why endure and return to Tianqi?”

“As for what my father said, I do not acknowledge it.”

She lifted her head, eyes brimming with tears mingled with sorrow and anger.

Her reddened eyes shone defiantly. “I have never asked for anything, only that my family not believe those rumors. If even they doubt me so, then Your Majesty might as well punish me with a white silk ribbon.”

Silence fell over the court. Song Qinghuan’s trembling voice echoed faintly in the vast hall.

Xiao Xingyan’s eyes gleamed with a hint of admiration. Sitting beside her, he caught the drop of a tear fall from her eye onto her plain robe like a faint floral pattern washed in water.

She was completely unlike before. A sharp light still flickered in her gaze.

This was a performance, like a finely staged opera.

Truly... fascinating.

The Emperor cast a meaningful glance at the Song Marquis. Women are not easy, he had heard the rumors.

If such things happened even within the palace, how much more so outside?

But if even Song Qinghuan’s own parents treated her so, then this reward must be more than mere objects.

“I grant you a favor. You tell me what reward you desire.”

A clever person would make good use of ten years of suffering.

Song Qinghuan shook her head and bowed once more. “I only wish to often enter the palace and accompany the Empress Dowager.”

Xiao Xingyan’s lips curved slightly. “Then a title would be more fitting.”

A title?

Song Qinghuan paused, surprised by Xiao Xingyan’s words.

The Emperor glanced at Xiao Xingyan. “Then how about granting her the title Lady of Qingping County?”

Lady of Qingping County?

Though without real power, it was an official rank!

That was a solid reward.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!” the Song Marquis spoke up immediately.

Song Qinghuan quickly expressed gratitude. “I thank Your Majesty!”

Once accepted, an imperial edict could not be revoked.

“In that case, you may visit the palace often to be with the Empress Dowager. Song Qing, now that your daughter has returned to court, do not believe such rumors again. At least do not neglect her sustenance and clothing.”

The Song Marquis’ face darkened, but he had no choice but to accept his guilt.

Worried, he only wanted to hurry home and inform the family of these events.

After the court session, Song Qinghuan was still dazed. She had just been made a county lady and granted many rewards. Finally, she had the means to establish her position.

As soon as she stepped out of the hall, the Song Marquis shot her a sharp glare and swept away in a huff.

Song Qinghuan paid no mind. Instead, she looked ahead to the person seated in a wheelchair.

“Prince Su.”

Two of Xiao Xingyu’s guards moved to block her, but he raised a hand.

“No need.”

Song Qinghuan approached respectfully and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Prince Su, for today’s help and all you have done before.”

“Is that all?” Xiao Xingyu teased.

She was different from before.

Song Qinghuan was momentarily taken aback. “Of course not. How about I treat you to something to eat?”

To eat?

Xiao Xingyu realized she was not joking and recalled her ten years among the Rongdi, likely often going hungry.

“What would you like to treat me to?”

Song Qinghuan thought for a moment. “Back then, I often heard the Rongdi speak of the Palace of Culinary Delights in Tianqi’s capital. Have you ever been?”

“No,” he replied.

The guards pushing Xiao Xingyu’s wheelchair exchanged puzzled looks.

The Palace of Culinary Delights—could it be... one of His Highness’s ventures?