Chapter 24: Cui Jing Comes to Beg for Song Shiwei's Forgiveness

"If I may speak plainly without offending you, Miss Song, it is precisely because your father’s power had grown too great and threatened the Emperor that His Majesty used Princess Anning to dispose of the Song family."

"The Emperor had another motive as well: to pave the way for dismantling the other great clans that follow."

"Therefore, the Emperor will never permit the Cui family or Cui Jing to rise to any greater prominence."

Yet, many failed to see this, still hoping to use Princess Anning to secure what they desired.

Song Shiwei let out a sudden, abrupt laugh. It was a hearty, relieved sound, yet it carried an eerie undertone.

"They deserve it!" Her eyes were filled with frost. "The Cui family and Cui Jing thought that by trampling over my house and clinging to the high branch of Princess Anning, they could climb even higher, never realizing it was a path to their doom."

"Is there any other news?"

Ling Ze replied, "Beyond that, Princess Anning has no time to trouble you for now; she is busy taming Cui Jing. The Qin family is secretly searching for someone to help them ingratiate themselves with the Princess, but they have yet to find a suitable candidate."

He paused, then added, "However, the Qin family has dispatched people to quietly contact Concubine Qin and Song Shilan, hoping to use the lives of the Song family as a ladder to reach Princess Anning. Furthermore, before being locked in the woodshed, Concubine Qin left a secret signal outside the courier station, urging her kin to come and rescue her and Song Shilan immediately."

Hearing this, Song Shiwei felt a profound surge of turbulence in her heart. This alone revealed how deep and formidable Prince Ding’s influence truly was. Everyone, the Emperor included, and most of the events unfolding, were within his control. And yet, such a man insisted on cooperating with her...

"Thank you," she said, her face betraying nothing. "Please tell Prince Ding that my family is willing to cooperate with him."

Ling Ze smiled broadly. "His Highness said that you would certainly agree, and he was quite right."

A flicker of vigilance rose in Song Shiwei’s heart, though she maintained a faint smile. "Given my family’s current circumstances, Prince Ding is the best choice."

The more he insisted, the less she understood why Prince Ding was so determined to work with her, especially when he clearly had better options.

Ling Ze nodded in total agreement, his voice filled with reverence. "His Highness is truly extraordinary."

Song Shiwei offered a polite acknowledgment, but her mind was preoccupied with how to best safeguard the lives of her family.

"Miss Song, once your engagement to Cui Jing is officially dissolved, will you seek another match?" Ling Ze suddenly asked.

Song Shiwei was taken aback. She became cautious, smiling thinly. "Who can say what the future holds? Just as I once could not have predicted that my family would suffer exile, I do not make predictions about the future."

Ling Ze continued as if making idle chatter. "Take a guess, Miss Song. Perhaps what you guess will come true?"

Song Shiwei’s eyes flickered. "At the very least, until my family is secure, I will not consider marriage."

Ling Ze offered an understanding "Oh." "Rest assured, Miss Song—with His Highness on your side, your family’s troubles will soon be resolved."

Song Shiwei smiled, not truly believing him. "If that is so, then that would be for the best."

She steered the conversation back to the situation in the capital, gleaning further information.

The next day, just as the sky began to pale with the first light of dawn, Song Shiwei and her group were escorted out of the town by the yamen runners. This time, they carried much more with them: a donkey cart loaded with pots, pans, and various daily necessities. The sight of it brought a sense of relief to the family.

But for Song Shilan and Concubine Qin, this was not good news. Having gone without food or water since the previous day and failing to get any proper sleep, they looked utterly haggard. Glancing at the cart and its contents, they exchanged a dark look and whispered to each other.

"Concubine, where did they get the silver to buy all this?" Song Shilan’s tone was thick with resentment. "They have money for these things, yet they won't buy us decent food, clothes, or jewelry. It’s outrageous!" She thought of the misery she had endured in the woodshed for a day and night, while her father hadn't even thought to rescue her, busying himself with these purchases instead.

Concubine Qin swallowed to moisten her throat. "Enough. Don't speak of it now. When the opportunity arises, we will seize these things for ourselves." Everything belonging to the Song family was rightfully hers; it was only natural that she should reclaim what was hers.

Song Shilan heard this, her venomous gaze sweeping over Song Shiwei. She refused to believe she couldn't find a way to destroy that wretch.

Song Shiwei noticed the look but did not spare her a glance, focusing instead on supporting her mother as they walked. She wiped the sweat from her brow; it was already so hot early in the morning—how would they endure the midday heat? Though they had prepared extra water skins when leaving the courier station, with so many people in the family, it might not be enough. She needed to figure out how to store more water.

Just then, she heard a voice she knew well, and detested even more.

"Shiwei! Wait! Wait!"

Song Shiwei turned her head and saw Cui Jing galloping toward them on horseback, his face etched with anxiety and distress. She looked at him only once before turning away, continuing her stride. She and Cui Jing no longer had any ties.

Cui Jing rode at full speed until he reached her, ignoring the horse as he dismounted and rushed toward her.

"Shiwei..."

Song Shiwei dodged, distancing herself. "Magistrate Cui, please conduct yourself with dignity." She kept her face cold, refusing to grant him even a sideways glance.

"Get lost!" Song Mingting darted forward. He shielded his sister, staring at Cui Jing with burning hatred. "If you dare come near my sister again, I will have your life!"

Song Mingxuan and Song Mingyu also approached, glaring at Cui Jing with fury.

"It’s not—" Cui Jing tried to explain, but he didn't know where to begin. "Shiwei, can we speak in private?"

Song Shiwei said coldly, "There is no need. Magistrate Cui, the engagement between us has already been annulled..."

Before she could finish, she heard Cui Jing cry out, "I do not agree!"

Song Shiwei frowned in annoyance.

Cui Jing was nearing a breakdown. "Shiwei, please, give me another chance, won't you?"

Just as Song Shiwei was about to snap back, Song Mingting delivered a heavy punch to Cui Jing’s face. She opened her mouth but ultimately did not stop her second brother. It was necessary to teach Cui Jing a lesson, lest he truly believe that after everything he had done, she would still choose to be with him.

"You piece of trash!" Song Mingting landed another fierce blow. He was relentless, striking with immense force. "You don't agree? Bah! Who do you think you are?"