Chapter 15: Just as Song Shiwei Overheard Those Words
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Bai Bohan cast a cold glance at Yang Hu but said nothing.
Yang Hu shrank his neck and forced a smile awkwardly. “My lord, it’s no wonder that your servant thinks this way.”
“Although it seems you are surrounded by many women, none of them truly get close to you, and you never genuinely care for them.”
Only the lord treated Miss Song differently. Not only did he investigate all the matters concerning the Song family’s wrongful accusations, but he also risked danger to seek out Miss Song personally.
Bai Bohan replied indifferently, “Because Song Shiwei is worth it.”
Yang Hu didn’t believe a single word. Knowing the lord’s nature, if he truly wanted to use the Song family to achieve his goals, he could have simply sent someone else; there was no need to come himself.
“Yes, yes, my lord, you are right.”
Bai Bohan could tell he wasn’t convinced, and had no intention to explain further. “Keep a close watch on the Song family. Don’t let anything go wrong.”
Yang Hu thought to himself, “Lord, you say you have no feelings for Miss Song, but look at what you’re doing. Isn’t it obvious you’re worried something might happen to her?”
“My lord, rest assured, your servant will protect the Song family and Miss Song well. I guarantee not a single mishap will befall her.”
Bai Bohan saw through his small scheme immediately and was too lazy to say more. In time, Yang Hu wouldn’t think this way anymore.
Just as he set down his teacup, a voice from a covert guard reached his ears.
“My lord.”
“Come in,” Bai Bohan said.
The guard bowed as he entered the carriage, then knelt before him. “My lord, there’s news regarding Princess Anning.”
A cold gleam appeared in Bai Bohan’s eyes as he narrowed his sharp gaze. “What has she done this time?”
The guard replied, “Princess Anning has been secretly associating with the Cui and Qin families, attempting to meddle more deeply in court affairs.”
Bai Bohan let out a cold snort. “My imperial sister’s ambition grows ever greater.”
He had sensed Anning’s odd and strange nature long ago, along with her ambition.
The poems she wrote since childhood—she claimed they were the product of innate talent, but from his observations, it was highly likely she hadn’t penned them herself.
Who wrote them remained a mystery he had yet to uncover.
The guard said nothing further.
Bai Bohan continued, “Since Princess Anning harbors such grand ambitions, arrange for her to be indulged.”
“Let her understand that the emperor is fully aware of all her deeds.”
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The emperor had not taken action against Anning nor exposed her schemes because he intended to use her to accomplish certain objectives, and to maintain a good reputation through her.
The guard acknowledged the order and withdrew to carry out the task.
“My lord, Princess Anning may soon make a move against Miss Song,” Yang Hu warned.
Bai Bohan shot him a sideways glance, well aware of his petty thoughts. “Handle it.”
Yang Hu muttered to himself, “Can the lord really win over Miss Song this way?”
Even though Miss Song now bore the status of a prisoner, Minister Song was capable of finding a suitable husband for her.
He sighed inwardly. If the lord ultimately failed to win her, he would surely be heartbroken.
No! He had to help the lord!
Yet Song Shiwei remained oblivious.
She and Song Mingting had just returned, laden with bags, when their third sister, Song Shiyue, ran over to complain.
“Big sister, second brother, you have no idea how outrageous Aunt Qin and Song Shilan have been.”
Song Shiyue put her hands on her hips, puffing her cheeks in anger. “The doctor clearly came to treat all our foot injuries, but those two forced her to massage them and treat themselves separately.”
“When the doctor refused, they insulted her and threatened to kill her entire family.”
Song Shiwei had anticipated trouble from Aunt Qin and Song Shilan when she arranged for a female physician to come to the courier station.
In the past, whenever there was anything good at home, Aunt Qin and Song Shilan would scheme to possess it.
If they failed, they would spread rumors that they were being bullied, using gossip to manipulate the family.
Song Shiwei’s face darkened, her tone displeased. “Where are Aunt Qin and Song Shilan?”
Song Shiyue grinned maliciously. “They caused such a ruckus that the constables whipped them several times and locked them in the wood storage.”
Leaning toward Song Shiwei’s ear, she whispered, “Big sister, they haven’t eaten a bite yet.”
She despised Aunt Qin and Song Shilan most of all.
Her birth mother was murdered through Aunt Qin’s schemes, and over the years, she had been targeted many times by Aunt Qin and her daughter.
If not for the protection of her father and big sister, she would have long been forcibly married off to some old man just to pave the way for Song Shilan.
Song Shiwei handed her the bundles and instructed, “Take these to your room and give them to mother.”
“Say they are some supplies I bought for the journey, and let her and the aunts organize them.”
Song Shiyue’s eyes brightened, and she asked shyly, “Big sister, did you buy any rations or water?”
During the raid, they were forbidden from taking anything, not even a single coin.
Song Shiwei patted her shoulder gently. “Don’t talk about this outside. Go to your room.”
Song Shiyue obediently responded and went with their second brother toward their mother’s room.
Song Shiwei then went to the wood storage where Aunt Qin and Song Shilan were held.
The storage was piled not only with firewood but also miscellaneous clutter.
The room was dimly lit and carried a faint, unpleasant odor.
It was unbearable for Aunt Qin and Song Shilan.
“Aunt, when can we leave this wood storage?” Song Shilan nervously shifted from one foot to the other, afraid of touching the dirty wood.
She covered her mouth and nose with her hand, her face full of disgust and dissatisfaction, vowing to teach those lowly constables a lesson once back in the capital.
Aunt Qin also showed distaste, frowning deeply. “Keep your voice down.”
“Our situation is different now. If you anger the constables again, we’ll be whipped once more.”
Song Shilan winced in pain at the memory of the lashes, growing more resentful toward her father.
“It’s all Father’s fault!”
She cursed recklessly, “Useless wretch. Why didn’t he kill himself during the raid? Then we could have used that as an excuse to stay in the capital.”
“So that’s how you think of Father’s death,” Song Shiwei said as she pushed open the storage door and stepped inside.
Standing against the light at the doorway, her expression was unreadable, but a chilling aura radiated from her.
Aunt Qin and Song Shilan were startled; they hadn’t expected Song Shiwei to appear so suddenly.
“Miss, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!” Aunt Qin forced a smile, explaining quickly, “Second Miss must be hungry and confused…”
“Do you think I would believe such foolish words, Aunt Qin?” Song Shiwei interrupted impatiently.
Her cold, dark eyes fixed on Aunt Qin and Song Shilan. She never imagined Song Shilan could think so ill of their father.