Volume One, Chapter Two: Requesting a Favor

“Hm?”

A flicker of surprise swept through Song Qinghuan’s clear, watery eyes.

Could it be that even the heavens could not bear to watch, and so granted her another chance at life?

“Miss Song, are you alright?”

Aunt Fenruo, who shared the carriage with her, noticed something was amiss and hurriedly asked from the side.

Song Qinghuan looked at her, her hands clasped tightly together, trembling ever so slightly.

Here was where it all began.

In this life, she would never die in such a wretched, humiliating manner again!

Whether it was the family bonds of the Songs or the childhood affection she shared with Lu Yumo, all those debts had been paid.

In this lifetime, she would no longer crave anyone’s attention; let all those so-called family ties, blood relations, and romantic promises go to hell—this time, she would live for herself alone!

She would make sure that everyone who bullied or betrayed her in her past life paid with their own blood.

A tear formed in Song Qinghuan’s eyes and fell with a soft ‘pat’ onto the back of her hand.

Regaining her composure, she turned to the still-worried Aunt Fenruo and smiled gently. “Forgive me, Aunt. I’ve been away from the capital for so many years, and now that I’m finally returning, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous.”

Fenruo was taken aback, then smiled and shook her head. “What are you saying, Miss? Now that the Rongdi have surrendered and you’ve come back to Tianqi, there will be plenty of days ahead to enjoy happiness.”

Happiness?

Song Qinghuan did not reply.

The marquis’s residence was near; she needed to plan ahead.

She remembered that Aunt Fenruo had always been a confidante of the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager had always favored the younger generation. Ten years ago, when Song Qinghuan was sent to Rongdi as a hostage, the Empress Dowager had spoken against it, but for the sake of the nation, her words had not prevailed.

In her previous life, Song Qinghuan had hurried to see her family, never entering the palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Looking back now, it seemed rather unwise.

“Aunt Fenruo.”

“Before returning to the residence, I wish to visit the Empress Dowager and pay my respects. Please, Aunt, grant me this permission.”

Her gaze was clear, and though she had spent ten years as a hostage in an enemy land, her eyes remained timid, stirring pity in those who saw her.

“When I was in Rongdi, I often dreamed of the Empress Dowager’s kindness to me.”

“This time, my safe return is entirely due to her blessings and protection. Now that I am about to enter the capital, it is only right to go to the palace and pay my respects. Please, Aunt, allow it.”

Song Qinghuan spoke calmly, making no effort to highlight her suffering, only sincerity shining in her eyes.

Aunt Fenruo saw it all and knew Song Qinghuan to be a dutiful girl.

“Well, if you insist, then let us go.”

Seeing her resolve, Aunt Fenruo could not refuse further and nodded, ordering the carriage to change direction.

She gazed outside as the curtain fluttered.

In her past life, she had rushed home to see her mother and brother, not stopping at the palace to greet the Empress Dowager, and had her servants drive the horses at a gallop.

But when she arrived at the marquis’s gate, she could not gain entry, forced to wait alone outside for hours, mocked by passersby for her awkwardness, despised by the household for being foolish and embarrassing.

This time, she would not wait.

Song Qinghuan exhaled a shaky breath.

The carriage rolled into the imperial palace.

Song Qinghuan’s frame was frail; though she wore the latest fashions, her appearance remained rough, looking no better than the lowest palace servants.

Yet her eyes held no fear. Led by Aunt Fenruo, she carried herself with dignity.

She was made to wait in a side hall of Shoukang Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.

The Empress Dowager was surprised that Song Qinghuan would visit her first upon returning to the capital.

“That girl is quite thoughtful.”

“Will Your Majesty see Miss Song?” Aunt Fenruo asked, seeking to probe. “Your servant believes Miss Song’s heart for Your Majesty is pure. It is a pity that such a good girl was sent away to suffer for so many years.”

“When she returned, I saw many wounds on her body—she is so thin, little more than bones.” Fenruo sighed deeply.

At this, the Empress Dowager sneered coldly.

“Is it not the fault of those useless people?”

“Otherwise, why would Tianqi need to send a hostage to Rongdi, letting a young girl suffer for the imperial family?”

“You are right, Your Majesty,” Fenruo nodded, surprised at the Empress Dowager’s protectiveness toward Song Qinghuan.

Yet, even so, the Empress Dowager had no intention of meeting her.

“In terms of kinship, I am that child’s grandaunt, but as the Empress Dowager now, it is best not to see the daughter of an outside official.”

The Empress Dowager came from the Song clan, and over the years had shown them much favor.

Seeing that the Empress Dowager would not meet her and intended to send her back to the marquis’s residence, Song Qinghuan was stunned, then knelt at the door of Shoukang Palace’s main hall.

“Your Majesty.”

“I have something I wish to present to you in person. Please, Your Majesty, grant me this audience.”

Song Qinghuan’s heart thundered in her chest.

In her previous life, she had not managed to enter the palace, confined to the Song family’s rear courtyard on the grounds that “wandering outside would bring shame to the Songs.”

In this life, she would not return until she had seen the Empress Dowager.

Her tone was stubborn, drawing the Empress Dowager’s curiosity.

What could it be that made Song Qinghuan so determined to present it in person?

After a moment’s hesitation, the Empress Dowager nodded. “Very well, let her in.”

Entering the main hall, Song Qinghuan first bowed, then offered a talisman she held in her hands. “For ten years in enemy lands, I never dared forget Your Majesty’s kindness.”

“Before returning, I made a special trip to the most revered Fo’an Temple at Tianqi’s border to pray for Your Majesty, and received this talisman for your peace.”

Her gaze was sincere.

This was originally intended for her mother, Lady Chen.

But after what happened in her past life, Song Qinghuan felt Lady Chen was unworthy of her devotion; instead, she would use this gesture to secure her own future.

Song Qinghuan knew well that her action was abrupt and somewhat risky.

But if she did not take this chance, she would return to the marquis’s residence as a lamb awaiting slaughter.

She refused to accept such a fate.

With that thought, Song Qinghuan bent low and solemnly knocked her head upon the floor. “Your Majesty, I have a humble request.”

“I beg Your Majesty, in light of my years as a hostage—even if I earned no merit, I endured hardship—please grant me your favor and protection!”