Volume One, Chapter 16: You're Back, Miss

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Song Yunche had not yet grasped the underlying meaning and sneered coldly, “Your Highness, that is mistaken! Song Qinghuan is a woman returned from among the Rong and Di tribes, unclean and without proper upbringing—what does that have to do with me?”

At this moment, Marquis Song’s mustache trembled slightly with fury.

The last time, causing such a scene before Prince Su had already shattered his dignity.

Now, once again, he was disgraced in front of Prince Su.

And all for a woman who had lain with barbarians and was considered unclean!

Seeing the usually stern expression on Prince Su’s face twist into mockery, Marquis Song felt a burning sting on his face and barked sharply, “Nonsense!”

Xiao Xingyu was a man whom even the emperor treated with utmost respect; how could the Song family dare show him such insolence?

Though Marquis Song harbored displeasure toward Prince Su, he had no choice but to bow to power.

“His Highness the Prince Su is admonishing you; you would do well to listen quietly instead of causing such a fuss.”

Song Yunche wanted to retort.

Marquis Song immediately raised his voice, “Young as you are, you must learn to respect your elders. Why aren’t you apologizing to Prince Su?”

Song Qinghuan narrowed her eyes and cast him a cold, mocking glance.

Young? Respect elders?

This was a jab aimed squarely at Prince Su.

Xiao Xingyu lounged lazily in his chair; hearing this, he raised an eyebrow and glanced meaningfully at the Marquis.

A ray of morning sunlight cast a glow on the noble features of the man.

Like a rare flower atop a high mountain, aloof and solitary, standing amid the pristine snow—a sight so dazzling it made Song Mingzhu blink in envy.

Her gaze was tinged with jealousy.

Everyone else was on her side, yet why did Prince Su favor Song Qinghuan?

Seeing the flicker in his father’s eyes, Song Yunche finally realized he had overstepped.

“His Highness Prince Su is right; it was Yunche who acted impulsively.”

His words were perfunctory and insincere.

Xiao Xingyu’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, yet when he lifted his head, the gleam in his eyes was dark and dangerous.

“Song Yunche, have you ever attended school?”

The guards immediately cut in coldly, “Does Third Young Master not understand the meaning of ‘apologize’? Didn’t your tutor explain it to you back then?”

This was no different from insulting Song Yunche’s education.

The sting of the wound deepened in Song Yunche’s heart.

The Marquis hastened to explain, “Your Highness, there is a misunderstanding. Yunche was injured and not thinking clearly. He means no offense and hopes Your Highness will be magnanimous and not hold it against him.”

Xiao Xingyu let out a slight chuckle, frost still lingering at the corners of his eyes: “The Song family is so feeble. No wonder they sent a woman to the Rong and Di tribes.”

For a moment, everyone’s faces but Song Qinghuan’s were clouded with embarrassment.

Xiao Xingyu raised a finger slightly.

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The guard immediately understood and steadied the wheelchair.

The Marquis’s eyes lit up. Once this grim reaper was sent away, they could finally deal with Song Qinghuan properly!

However, Xiao Xingyu suddenly withdrew a jade pendant from his bosom.

His slender fingers applied a slight pressure, and the pendant landed precisely on the table beside Song Qinghuan.

“Song Qinghuan, your life belongs to me. Should anyone harm you, come to me at once.”

Song Qinghuan was momentarily stunned.

Under the dawn’s light, the man’s high and handsome nose cast a shadow.

His maple-leaf lips curved slightly; the man who once inspired terror now seemed like a gentle spring breeze, making Song Qinghuan’s mind stir.

The wind carried a sharp fragrance—his scent.

She quickly shook off the enchantment.

Clutching the jade pendant tightly, wary yet understanding it was her talisman for survival, she tucked it into her bosom in front of everyone.

“Thank you, Prince Su.”

Xiao Xingyu looked up at her; the wariness in the young girl’s eyes was palpable.

He did not mind.

In this cruel world, vigilance was a virtue.

After seeing Xiao Xingyu away, the Marquis’s stiff smile instantly vanished, replaced by a stormy rage that blazed in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you die among the Rong and Di?”

The Marquis pressed aggressively.

“If you understood propriety, you should have died there, intact you should not have returned, and you certainly should not be helping outsiders bully the Song family—ah!”

A hidden weapon sliced through the air, striking the Marquis’s forehead precisely.

“Father!”

“Papa!”

Song Yunche and Song Mingzhu hurried over in alarm, while Madam Chen rushed in with a doctor. The front hall erupted into chaos.

Song Qinghuan watched them with an impassive face. A mere scratch—how could they be so weak?

Song Yunche fumed, “Song Qinghuan, you’d better be careful. Prince Su can protect you for now, but not forever. You’re just a woman everyone despises. Do you really think Prince Su has taken a fancy to you? Let me tell you, I’ve seen people like you before—he’s playing you!”

Song Mingzhu sighed with delicate charm, “Sister, Third Brother is right. I’ve heard rumors about Prince Su. He does have such a proclivity. On the surface, he pretends to like you, but in truth—”

Compared to the other side’s seething rage,

Song Qinghuan was terrifyingly composed. A faint smile touched her lips with biting sarcasm:

“In truth, he wouldn’t even bother to play with you.”

Suddenly, Song Mingzhu’s face darkened, her whole body staggering as if swept by autumn winds, faltering for a moment.

“Sister Qinghuan, you—”

“Song Qinghuan, don’t go too far!” Song Yunche shielded Song Mingzhu, eyes blazing with murderous intent.

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Yet he dared not act recklessly out of fear of Prince Su’s words.

Song Qinghuan’s lips curled slightly. Was she unaware of Song Mingzhu’s thoughts?

She longed to fly to Prince Su’s side at once.

“I advise you to have the doctor treat your mind quickly. Soon your wound will heal.”

With that, Song Qinghuan swept her sleeves and left, leaving behind a group cursing at their leisure.

At Luming Residence,

As winter approached, everything lay desolate; fields of withered grass stretched as far as the eye could see.

After being forced to move out, Song Mingzhu secretly arranged for everything inside to be relocated. Now, Luming Residence was but an empty shell.

The carefully tended flowers and plants at the gate had long since vanished, only a few fallen leaves scattered carelessly on the ground.

Rustling sounds came from the courtyard.

Song Qinghuan glanced toward the corner.

There, a maid clad in tattered homespun was sweeping the floor; her thick, jet-black hair was tidily pinned up with chopsticks.

That figure felt somewhat familiar. Song Qinghuan could not help but step forward.

“Who are you?”

At the sound of her voice, the maid turned around, dazed.

Familiar eyes broke through Song Qinghuan’s vision like a lone boat swallowed by a whirlpool in the vast ocean, plunging her unexpectedly into memories of a past life.

“Miss, your servant is here with you.”

“Miss, you must survive. If you survive, everything will come to you.”

“Miss, living is what matters…”

Tears welled in Song Qinghuan’s eyes. “Zhuer!”

This was the maid who had served her in childhood!

In her previous life, when she suffered abuse in the Song household, Zhuer had begged to serve her, even without wages, never abandoning her.

Zhuer wiped her eyes, pinched herself, and tears gradually flooded her dazed gaze.

“Miss?”

The broom in her hands fell.

“Is it really you, Miss?”

Zhuer collapsed before Song Qinghuan, trembling, unable to believe it.

“You’re really back, Miss!”