Chapter 915 - 869: Expulsion from the Clan (Part 1)

Chapter 915: Chapter 869: Expulsion from the Clan (Part 1)

The sunlight streamed through the green silk cabinet, illuminating the lacquered dressing table adorned with golden inlays.

In front of the dressing table, a fourteen-year-old maiden with a round face, having been cared for over twenty days, appeared with rosy and delicate skin, and her large, dark eyes brimmed with unconcealable joy.

She glanced at the maid who was dressing her hair in the bronze mirror, "Hua Mei, am I dreaming?"

Hua Mei paused her hairdressing for a moment, then forced a smile, "Second Miss, you’re not dreaming. News from the Capital has arrived; the master is sending you off to enjoy fortune!"

Song Qi’s heart pounded rapidly. She had often thought she would be tormented to death by her third uncle, unexpectedly, fortune descended from the heavens and a turning point arrived—Prince Cheng’s heir was selecting an Heir Consort, and she was among the candidates.

Surely, grandmother and sister, seeing her devotedly repent while guarding their remains for so long, couldn’t bear it and blessed her to rise to the top, freeing her from misery!

Thinking of soon becoming a noble among the upper circles, a shy blush appeared on Song Qi’s cheeks.

Hua Mei glanced at the bashful Second Miss in the bronze mirror and internally spat twice.

The eldest miss and the old mistress died so unjustly. Outsiders may not know, but they, the servants, were all too clear. Originally thinking the family would let her die on the burial hill, who would have thought she stepped on dog luck and was chosen by Prince Cheng Mansion to become the Heir Consort.

Recalling Second Miss, at such a young age, saying "I’d rather be a concubine to my brother-in-law than marry Xie Feng," Hua Mei felt so disgusted she wanted to vomit.

If not for the master’s deliberate arrangement, she wouldn’t want to serve this harbinger of doom!

Once the dressing was complete, Song Qi was satisfied as she adjusted the pearl hairpin on her head and asked Hua Mei, "There are many rules at the Prince Mansion; it’s said one must learn many etiquettes before joining. Why hasn’t the nanny come?"

Hua Mei replied, "Master has already sent someone to fetch her, probably within a few days she’ll arrive."

Upon hearing there was indeed a nanny coming, it seemed the matter of becoming the Heir Consort was practically confirmed. Song Qi was overjoyed in her heart, yet she dared not show too much on her face, timidly saying, "Should I go see Third Uncle?"

Since being brought back, her Third Uncle hadn’t invited her over even once.

Hua Mei secretly cursed her boldness, uttered "Oh" and said, "The master is here, if Second Miss wants to go, then go!"

Song Qi tidied her appearance in the mirror again before lifting her skirt and gracefully walking out of her boudoir.

Song Wei was in the main hall discussing matters with Old Song. Upon hearing from the servant that Second Miss was coming, his gaze focused slightly. After a moment, he nodded, "Let her in."

The young servant lifted the curtain and soon saw Song Qi entering, dressed in a white jacket embroidered with orchids.

Even before Song Wei spoke, she gracefully bowed down, her voice soft, "Grandfather, be well. Third Uncle, peace be with you."

Old Song, upon seeing her, furrowed his brows, took a sip of tea from the small table beside him, and remained silent.

Song Wei asked her, "Why have you come over?"

Song Qi replied, "Third Uncle, not holding past grudges, took me back and sent me to Beijing as a candidate. As your niece, I am endlessly grateful, always thinking of thanking you personally."

Song Wei appeared indifferent, "Those words, you can say them when you’re truly chosen in the future."

With the nanny invited, could the matter not be essentially settled?

Song Qi mused that Third Uncle was naturally this character— even if something is confirmed, he wouldn’t speak too conclusively, surely fearing she might become overly complacent.

Expressing even greater humility, Song Qi said, "If I’m truly fortunate enough to be chosen, should there be anything needed from your niece, Third Uncle, just feel free to instruct."

Though spoken subtly, Song Wei understood immediately.

Song Qi must be thinking that, due to the old mistress’s death, he was suspended for three years, worried that after returning he would have no standing. Now he’s trying in every way to align with the Imperial Family, thus sending her as a candidate.

Without responding to her words, Song Wei only said, "The nanny will arrive soon. If there’s nothing else, you should head back and learn well with the nanny then."

"Your niece takes her leave." Song Qi’s face was full of gratitude.

After Song Qi left, Old Song turned to look at the composed face of Song Wei, "Back then, letting her marry Xie Feng brought chaos to the family, one thing after another. Now why send her back again?"

Song Wei certainly couldn’t say it was all Wen Wan’s arrangement, only stating, "Ye Family’s condition is advancing, if Song Qi doesn’t leave the mansion, the family is sure to have turmoil again."

Old Song recalled Song Jiao and the child who died in the womb, shivering unexpectedly.

...

Early the next morning, the nanny arrived at the Song Mansion.

Nanny Li was actually from Changning Marquis Mansion, having come from the palace, dressed in a Shu brocade treasure bottle-pattern armor, her hair meticulously styled, adorned with a pure gold flat hairpin, and wearing a pair of jade bracelets with excellent luster on her wrist, her eyes sharp and clear. Her overall demeanor and aura immediately suggested she was a person who highly values rules and etiquette.

Song Qi saw her, displaying an excellent posture, lowering her brows and restraining her gaze, hands overlapping at her side waist, gracefully curtsying, "Greetings, Nanny."

Nanny Li gave her a cursory glance, "You’re the Song family’s second young miss?"

"Indeed." Song Qi replied with a soft voice, fearing she’d act inadequately, displeasing the nanny and losing the position of Heir Consort.

Nanny Li sized her up with an air of unaffected calmness, "Go back to your room and wait first, this old body will go see the master and the old master."

"Yes."

Song Qi, accompanied by Hua Mei, took small steps back to her boudoir.

...

Main hall.

When Nanny Li arrived, Old Song was out on business, leaving only Song Wei there.

Seeing her about to salute, Song Wei quickly stopped her, "Nanny, you’re an elder from the palace; there’s no need to perform grand ceremonies when you see me." He added, "Regarding the second young lady’s matters, I’ll entrust them entirely to you, Nanny."

"There’s no issue in educating the young lady," Nanny Li replied, "but I don’t know how the master wants her to be trained and when she’s to be sent to the Capital?"

Song Wei smiled, "Train her according to the standards of an Heir Consort. As for the day she’ll go to Beijing, I’ll inform you once it’s decided."

Nanny Li nodded, "I understand."

...

Having received Song Wei’s instructions, Nanny Li began training Song Qi after lunch. Although the status of an Heir Consort is not as high as that of a Princess Consort, there are still many etiquettes to learn.

Nanny Li was strict, making Song Qi repeat any task if she did it slightly wrong, practicing over and over again.

By the end of the day, Song Qi was so exhausted she could hardly straighten her back, yet her heart was full of joy.

No matter how foolish she was, having studied at the Hongwen Academy for years, she knew that Nanny Li was indeed training her according to the rules of an Heir Consort.

She must persevere; after getting through this tiring period, becoming the Prince Mansion’s Heir Consort would be great, and even then, her third uncle would have to rely on her.

Didn’t the Xie Family always look down on her? She would make them open their eyes wide and see that she, Song Qi, was no ordinary person. Everything before was just because the opportunity hadn’t arrived yet; Xie Feng was never worthy of her!

...

Nanny Li had been training at the Song Mansion for nearly a month when the news from Wen Wan arrived, allowing Song Wei to send the person to the Capital.

Song Wei personally informed Nanny Li about this.

Nanny Li acknowledged her understanding, then Song Wei arranged a lavish red-wheeled carriage with Xique and Hua Mei as maids for Song Qi, along with several house servants, and chose a date to set off.

On the day Song Qi was leaving for Beijing, the Second Lang’s wife stood outside the main gate, holding Song Qi’s hand, too excited to speak, her eyes red.

After a month of strict training, Song Qi had learned to control her facial expressions well, smiling gently and softly, "Mother, rest assured. In the future, when I choose..." Seeing Nanny Li beside her, she coughed lightly and corrected herself, "By then, I’ll bring you and father to live a good life."

By that time, with the support of Prince Cheng Mansion, their branch of the family would finally hold their heads high, no longer needing to depend on the third branch or watch their moods.

The more she thought about it, the more determined Song Qi felt.

This consort selection, she’s determined to win!

...

Capital.

Wen Wan privately invited Xie Feng out, informing him that the house was ready, and Song Qi was already on the way; he could go welcome her now.

Xie Feng was full of gratitude and thanked her profusely.

Wen Wan reminded him, "Song Qi’s coming to the Capital has other purposes; she might not be willing to return with you."

Sister Song Qi was already in such a situation; where else could she go? She could only rely on him, Xie Feng thought confidently, "Even if I can’t marry her with an eight-carried sedan chair, I will treat her well for a lifetime. Just wait for my good news, Commandery Princess."

"May your dreams come true," Wen Wan smiled.

...

One day after Song Qi’s carriage set off, ensuring that the second branch could no longer catch up, Song Wei gathered everyone in the main hall.

Ye Ling, carrying her belly, carefully sat down in a cushion-padded round chair.

The Second Lang’s wife, seeing her there, thought there must be something major happening at home; otherwise, Ye Ling, being pregnant, had been excused from morning and evening greetings and shouldn’t be in the main hall.

At this moment, Old Song sat at the head, Song Wei at his left, and Song Yuanbao stood beside Ye Ling, everyone’s faces solemn.

After the couple of Song Erlang took their seats, Second Lang’s wife whispered, "Third Son, why have you suddenly called everyone here? Is there something happening?"

Song Wei put down his teacup, his expression very composed, "Later, we’ll make a trip to the village."

The Second Lang’s wife looked bewildered, "Why go back to the village for no reason?"

"Open the ancestral hall and expel Song Qi from the family."

A simple sentence, as if a thunderbolt had struck, and the Second Lang’s wife’s vision went black.