Chapter 34: Song Shilan Intends to Kill Song Shiwei

"Let me tell you two more things." He held up two fingers. "First, after Cui Jing returned, he nearly strangled Princess Anning to death, yet she took him back to the Princess's Manor."

"She locked him up, claiming she intends to tame him completely."

Song Shiwei's eyelids flickered. A trace of worry welled up in her heart, which she forcibly suppressed. Whether Cui Jing lived or died, or became good or evil, had nothing to do with her.

"What is the second thing?" she asked calmly.

Ling Ze could not tell if she still had feelings for Cui Jing, so he dared not ask. "The second thing is that Princess Anning has ordered the Cui family to take your life and bring back your head."

As soon as Song Shiwei heard this, she understood it was related to Cui Jing. The more Cui Jing refused to submit to Princess Anning, the less the Princess would let her go.

"For Princess Anning to act so recklessly at a time like this, there will surely be trouble."

"Indeed," Ling Ze agreed.

"There are plenty of people who dislike Princess Anning; the more arrogant she is now, the easier it will be for something to go wrong."

Father Song chimed in, "This is a good opportunity."

Song Shiwei and Ling Ze looked at him.

Father Song smiled cheerily. "I mean, don't target Princess Anning directly; target those around her. For instance, Consort Chun or the court officials who stand on her side."

"A person like Princess Anning, the less she is kept in check, the more she will do exactly as she pleases."

Song Shiwei understood and gave an 'oh' of realization. "If Princess Anning causes too much of a scene, the Emperor will no longer protect her. When that happens, we will have the chance to use the situation to clear our name."

"That is about right," said Father Song. "Our ultimate goal is not just exoneration, but to be able to live securely. Given the Emperor's temperament, if our family were to be cleared, he would surely find other ways to deal with us."

The three of them discussed the matter.

Zhang Huai and the other constables remained some distance away. Even if any of the constables wanted to get closer, they were stopped by Zhang Huai. He knew very well that he could only rely on the Song family now, so he would not let anyone ruin their plans.

"If you don't want to die early, stay put," he said, lowering his voice.

Wang Laosan rubbed his hands, hesitating. "Captain, are we really going to let the Song family do as they please? If they mess up, we will be the ones who suffer in the end."

Zhang Huai looked at him deeply, his tone inscrutable. "Even if the Song family doesn't act recklessly, can you guarantee that you will survive?"

Wang Laosan scratched his head and said nothing more.

Zhang Huai gave a heavy huff and warned, "I don't care what you are thinking; you should think more about whether you can survive once the task is complete. Dead men are the best at keeping secrets."

Wang Laosan and the others looked at each other, remaining silent. Zhang Huai had said all he was going to say. From the current situation, it was clear that Wang Laosan and the others were problematic. At first, they seemed fine; the issues likely began after that constable died on the first night. But when and how had those people contacted them? He couldn't figure it out, nor did he dwell on it—keeping a close watch on them was enough.

...

At dinner time, a sudden torrential downpour soaked everyone and turned the meal into a watery mess.

"Quick, grab the things on our donkey cart!"

"Put everything in the tents, especially the flour—make sure it doesn't get wet."

"Be careful, don't fall. No matter how important the supplies are, they aren't as important as people."

Song Shiwei braved the downpour, moving items from the cart while keeping a watchful eye on her family. In the midst of the chaos, only Song Shilan hid under a tree, staring at Song Shiwei with a sinister gaze. If it weren't for Song Shiwei, she would be the legitimate daughter, the one surrounded by everyone's adoration. Once this thought took root, she could not control her malice.

Seeing everyone's attention on the cart and the supplies, she picked up a rock and walked toward Song Shiwei with a vicious look in her eyes. Only if this wretch died could she get everything she wanted. This bitch had to die!

She gripped the rock, her pace quickening, the murderous intent in her eyes growing heavier. Song Shiwei, still struggling through the rain with a large bag of vegetables and a sack of clothes, did not notice Song Shilan. In a brief moment, Song Shilan reached her back. She raised the rock high and smashed it down toward Song Shiwei's head.

"Die, you wretch!"

*Thud!*

A piercing scream cut through the curtain of rain, stabbing into everyone's ears.

"What's wrong? What happened? Who's screaming?"

"It sounds like... Song Shilan's scream. Is she up to some trick again?"

"Song Shilan is clutching her hand and rolling on the ground. What happened to her?"

Song Shiwei looked at Ling Ze, who was standing beside her, then glanced at Song Shilan, roughly guessing what had occurred.

"You certainly have guts, trying to kill the eldest Miss Song," Ling Ze said, stepping on Song Shilan's broken hand and grinding down hard. "Did you think that because everyone was busy moving supplies, no one would notice you?"

Fortunately, the Prince had sent them to protect the eldest Miss, or something terrible would have happened.

Song Shilan's screams were ear-piercing. She was in such pain she nearly fainted and had no strength left to resist. *Who is this person? Why didn't I know he existed?*

"What?!" Mother Song nearly fainted upon hearing the news. Ignoring her own weak state, she rushed to Song Shilan and kicked her hard several times. "You beast, you actually thought of harming my daughter!" It had been a hair's breadth from her daughter being killed by Song Shilan.

"No... it's not like that," Song Shilan weakly defended herself. "I wanted to help the eldest sister, but this man misunderstood."

Mother Song's eyes turned red with fury. "Do you think I would believe your nonsense? Song Shilan, my daughter kindly spared your life, and yet you want to harm her."

The more pitiful Song Shilan appeared on the surface, the more resentment she harbored in her heart. *Song Shiwei is kind?* That wretch only wanted to step on her to make herself look better. Besides, it was Song Shiwei who had stolen everything that belonged to her; where was the kindness in that?

"Mother, I really didn't do such a thing," she cried miserably. "I don't know how things ended up like this. Wuu wuu, my hand is broken... Ah!"

Ling Ze increased the pressure under his foot, his tone icy. "Since you refuse to tell the truth, I will have to use some unconventional methods."

Hearing this, Song Shilan shook like a sieve. "No, no! You can't do this to me! You have no right!" She wailed, "Father, Mother, help me! This man is going to kill me, he's going to kill me!"

*It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't be like this!*