Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Song Qinghuan Strikes Someone

“It’s me, Zhu’er.”
Song Qinghuan pulled Zhu’er up.
Outside, the wind howled fiercely, and Zhu’er’s tattered attire suggested she had endured hard times lately.
Wiping away her tears, Zhu’er hurriedly straightened Song Qinghuan’s collar and sobbed, “Miss, why are you dressed so lightly?”
Song Qinghuan stared at her, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
It was clear she cared deeply for her.
Whether in her past life or this one, Zhu’er’s eyes always put her first.
Song Qinghuan led Zhu’er back to her room.
The scent of Song Mingzhu still lingered inside. She opened the window, and outside, the sky merged with the barren tree branches in a hauntingly beautiful way, making Song Qinghuan feel as if she were in another world.
Her childhood courtyard had once been a riot of vibrant colors, the liveliest spot in the Marquis’s residence. Now, it was desolate and cold.
“Zhu’er, how did you end up here? What did they do to you after I left?”
Zhu’er hesitated, unable to speak.
Seeing the branches swaying violently outside, she closed the window and finally said, “Miss, those days are behind us now. Rest first. Zhu’er will bring you some food.”
In her past life, Zhu’er had spent all their money and brought warm food for their last meeting.
This time, Song Qinghuan vowed not only to reclaim everything but also to protect Zhu’er.
As for the Song family, one day she would make them pay dearly.

Within the Prince Su’s residence.
“Your Highness, the area over there remains peaceful. Though Lady Chen harbors resentment, Miss Song isn’t foolish; she’s bribed the servants with silver and is getting by.”
A guard reported the daily gathered intelligence to Xiao Xingyu.
Xiao Xingyu was playing chess against himself.
Hearing this, the black pieces played with uncharacteristic ferocity, swiftly defeating the white pieces.
“Keep watching.” Xiao Xingyu closed his eyes, feigning sleep.
The guard studied the chessboard, sensing the game’s unpredictable shifts.
He glanced at his lord and asked hesitantly, “Your Highness, pardon my boldness, but though Miss Song has contributed, she’s been in Rongdi for a long time. Given your high status, it might be wise to keep your distance.”
“Know when to keep quiet.”
Xiao Xingyu lifted his eyelids with displeasure.
The guard sensed his meaning. The room fell silent for a moment before Xiao Xingyu sighed deeply.

What was wrong with his lord to be so obsessed with that Song lady?
Xiao Xingyu’s thin lips pressed together.
His long fingers stroked the docile white cat in his lap, his eyes dark and enigmatic.
Song Qinghuan.
Everyone looked down on you with disdain.
How will you resolve such a predicament?
Sunlight spilled onto the ground, the smoky blue night fading into dawn.
The door creaked open.
“Oh, still asleep!”
Zhao, the maid sent by Lady Chen, gave a signal, and a girl dumped a basin of icy water onto the bed.
Song Qinghuan shivered violently.
The quilt was instantly soaked. The cold autumn wind pierced her to the bone, chilling her heart.
Zhu’er hurried over, draping a cloak smuggled from Song Shuche the day before over her, tenderly buttoning her collar.
Song Qinghuan’s body was ice-cold, but she did not flinch.
Her fingers, cold as midwinter, touched Zhu’er’s back, who winced in pain.
She glanced toward the door. Zhao wore a deep blue padded jacket, jade beads hanging from her sleeves, eyes gleaming with scorn as she glared at her.
“Miss, you’re far too rude! The sun is high, yet you haven’t paid respects to the Marquis and Madam. The lady is furious.”
Song Qinghuan pushed back the wet quilt, signaling Zhu’er to hang it out to dry.
“I was away in Rongdi for years and couldn’t pay respects. She lived just fine. Why is she so angry now that I’m back?”
“Because you forgot the rules!” Zhao snapped.
“According to you, I’d better never return? Then Prince Su saved the wrong person, the court made a mistake, and the Emperor issued the wrong decree?!”
Zhao shuddered at the audacity of such words.
If this got out, she might lose her head.
“You, you—you’re talking nonsense! When have I ever said such things?” Zhao’s fingers trembled in anger.
No wonder the lady called her to punish this little jade; such sharp tongue was dangerous.
“You didn’t say it outright, but that’s what you mean. I just spoke honestly what you truly think!” Song Qinghuan’s gaze was piercing.

Though disheveled and dripping wet, her eyes radiated a fierce aura that could quell armies and shake hearts.
The nearby maids were startled by her gaze, exchanging glances and retreating cautiously.
Zhao took several deep breaths.
Before arriving, Miss Mingzhu had warned her not to be led by Song Qinghuan’s nose. Now Song had the upper hand, and Zhao was caught in the crossfire.
Thinking this, Zhao sneered triumphantly.
“Words mean nothing. I don’t believe you. You’re slandering me! Even if you want to tell the Emperor, you’ll have to get past me first—once you leave this door, then we’ll talk!”
She leisurely sat down, a petty smile on her face as she stared at Song Qinghuan.
“Madam instructed me to remind you that, having just returned to the Song residence, you’ve forgotten many rules. I’m here to teach you properly so you don’t disgrace the Song family!”
Song Qinghuan recognized her as a notoriously difficult subordinate of Lady Chen.
Clearly, this was a deliberate ploy to make things difficult for her.
“From your appearance, Miss Song seems to have forgotten everything. Let me start from the beginning: a proper lady of Tianqi must…”
Zhao babbled on incessantly.
“After all that, I wonder how much you actually remembered. Come now, take a few steps so I can see.”
Song Qinghuan slowly changed clothes, tidied herself, and then stood to face Zhao.
With each step, Zhao clicked her tongue in displeasure. “Stop, stop! Your movements are too coarse, like a country bumpkin rushing to reincarnate—”
“I’m rushing to hit you!”
Song Qinghuan swung both hands like a whirlwind. Before anyone could react, she had slapped Zhao five or six times.
Zhao’s mouth bled as she grabbed Song Qinghuan, screaming, “They say you went mad after returning from Rongdi, and it’s true! Someone, help! Miss Song is attacking people!”
The maids nearby hurried to restrain Song Qinghuan.
Rolling up her sleeves, Song Qinghuan grabbed a chair and smashed it, knocking two people unconscious. “Yes, I’m crazy! According to Tianqi law, madmen who kill need not pay with their lives. Today, I’ll send you all to your next reincarnation!”
Seeing her eyes redden, the remaining two maids scrambled to flee, leaving Zhao wailing loudly.
“Crying for your master? It’s a bit premature!”
Song Qinghuan threw aside the broken chair and swung a redwood table into Zhao’s waist. Zhao collapsed as if her soul had fled, sobbing and begging.
“I was wrong, Miss. Please spare an old servant’s life.”
Song Qinghuan kicked away the table and said sternly, “If you don’t want to die, then get lost!”