Chapter 46

Chapter 46: A Vicious Oath "How could it be Yu-jie who collided with her? The Eldest Young Madam wouldn't even let her go to Wutong Court." Nanny Qiu was truly panicked this time, turning to look at the Eldest Young Madam. Caixia said it happened in the garden. "The Commandery Princess wanted to speak with Yu-jie, but Yu-jie refused. They struggled, and that's when she was knocked down." "Where is Yu-jie now?" Cui Lingrong asked. "Kneeling in the courtyard of Wutong Court," Caixia said. "To Wutong Court." Cui Lingrong took a deep breath and hurried over. At that moment in Wutong Court, Song Yu knelt in the courtyard while all the maids and matrons watched. If word of this got out, all her good reputation would be ruined. From inside the room came the Commandery Princess's agonized cries. Old Madame was also in the room, and basin after basin of bloody water was carried out. The physician had said the child could not be saved—now they could only worry about the mother's safety. Old Madame Song's brow twitched violently. The child she had so desperately hoped for, not even a month of joy, and now it was gone. "Old Madame, don't be anxious. You must take care of yourself." Mama Xu fretted at her side. "How can I not be anxious?" Old Madame Song's eyes brimmed with tears. "The Commandery Princess holds a noble status. If anything happens to her, how can the Marquis Manor answer to the Rong Prince Mansion?" The more she spoke, the harder it became to breathe. "And that unfilial girl—has she admitted her fault yet?" Old Madame Song was referring to Song Yu. The granddaughter she had doted on had done such a foolish thing, which was why Old Madame had ordered her to kneel in the courtyard. Mama Xu said she had not. "Yu-jie still insists she didn't push her, but so many people saw it, and they all say Yu-jie knocked into the Commandery Princess." She too couldn't understand how Yu-jie could have done such a thing. Some time ago, when Yu-jie had stopped her younger brothers from going to Wutong Court, Old Madame had heard about it. At the time, she had thought that since Yu-jie and her brothers were older now, it would be difficult to make them close to the Commandery Princess. As long as they maintained a surface-level harmony, that was enough, so Old Madame Song hadn't interfered. Now that she thought about it, Yu-jie must have harbored resentment toward the Commandery Princess all along, which was why today's incident happened. "Then let her keep kneeling. When her father returns, we'll see if she still has a hard mouth. And Lady Cui—have her come kneel as well. She raised such a fine daughter, truly impressive!" Old Madame Song heard crying from inside the room. Wang Shanxi's Wife came out to say the Commandery Princess had woken and was crying again, so she hurried in to console her. "My child." The Commandery Princess lay in bed, eyes swollen and red from crying. She bit her lip hard and looked at Old Madame. "Mother, I... my child is gone." "I know. Don't cry." Old Madame Song held the Commandery Princess's hand. Seeing her cry, her own tears fell as well. "You must not cry at a time like this, or you'll leave lasting problems." Wang Shanxi's Wife also urged her, "Yes, Commandery Princess. Hold back your tears quickly. You must believe that Old Madame and the Marquis will surely seek justice for you." The Commandery Princess turned her head away, tears sliding from the corners of her eyes onto the pillowcase. She said nothing, which made her seem all the more pitiful. Just then, Song Shulan arrived upon hearing the news. Seeing this scene, his fists clenched tight. "Commandery Princess, you... how are you?" Song Shulan bent down. But the Commandery Princess didn't turn back. She choked out, "Marquis, our child..." She couldn't continue. Song Shulan was consumed with rage. He had been looking forward to this child's birth. With the child as a bond, his relationship with the Rong Prince Mansion would have grown closer. For some reason, every time he met with Prince Rong and the Heir of Prince Rong, even though they all laughed and chatted, and they never threw their weight around in front of him, he still felt a sense of unease deep in his heart. Now the child was gone, and the bond had grown thinner. Song Shulan roared, "How were all of you attending to her? A bunch of useless gluttons! What use is the Marquis Manor in keeping you?" Wang Shanxi's Wife knelt down. "This old servant is guilty, but Marquis, please see clearly—it truly was... Yu-jie acted too suddenly." At the mention of this, Song Shulan finally thought of his daughter kneeling in the courtyard. In truth, for a moment, Song Shulan didn't believe his daughter had pushed the Commandery Princess. Yu-jie was lively and adorable—she was his first child, and his earliest affection had all been given to her. But these past days, he had heard no small amount about Yu-jie's dislike of the Commandery Princess. Wang Shanxi's Wife continued, "The Commandery Princess merely wanted to ease the relationship with Yu-jie. Since they happened to meet in the garden, she suggested sitting down for tea together. But before two sentences were exchanged, Yu-jie cursed the Commandery Princess for meddling in others' affairs, saying her matters were none of the Commandery Princess's business to criticize. She even said... said..." Song Shulan: "Said what?" "She said the Commandery Princess had nothing to be proud of—conceiving wasn't a skill; only carrying the child to term and raising it would count." No sooner had Wang Shanxi's Wife finished speaking than Song Shulan charged out. He kicked Song Yu hard in the shoulder. Having already been kneeling for some time, she slammed heavily into the ground. Song Yu was stunned. Her first reaction wasn't pain, but that her father had kicked her. In front of so many people, he had kicked her. "What exactly did she say to Father?" Song Yu's eyes were shot through with bloodshot veins. "Why is it that when I say I didn't push her, Father and Grandmother both refuse to believe me?" In the past, Father and Grandmother had both doted on her. Even after her younger brothers were born, many things were still hers alone. Her father had also said she was the pearl of the marquis household, worthy of the finest things Bianjing had to offer, and the finest young men as well. Her grandmother had said she was the old lady's heart and soul, and that when she married, she would surely prepare a lavish dowry for her. Yet today, they refused to hear her defense and forced her to kneel publicly in the courtyard. It was only now that Song Yu winced from the searing pain in her shoulder, but the ache in her chest was far worse. Song Shulan pointed at his daughter. "I told you long ago—the Commandery Princess is also your mother, and you must respect and honor her. Yet you had the audacity to talk back to her. Song Yu, where is your upbringing? Your mother drones on about propriety every day—how could she have raised a daughter like you?" Song Yu's face went deathly pale. She had never been accused of lacking upbringing. Since she could remember, she had only ever received praise. Her mother had raised her with meticulous care, and she had never once brought shame to the family. "Father truly doesn't believe me at all?" "Are you trying to say the Commandery Princess would rather lose her unborn child and deliberately fall just to frame you? What power do you have, Song Yu, to make the Princess sacrifice so much?" Song Shulan couldn't control his roar. He was on the verge of promotion, and now that Princess Rongjia had miscarried, Prince Rong would surely blame him. If he lost this chance at promotion because of this, Song Shulan would regret it for the rest of his life. "Then what if I say that's exactly what she did?" Song Yu countered. "Stubborn and unrepentant—you have truly disappointed your father." Song Shulan summoned the matrons. "The eldest miss has erred and refuses to repent. Have her kneel in the ancestral hall for ten days and ten nights. Once the Princess recovers, she can decide the punishment." Seeing the matrons about to move, Song Yu staggered to her feet, her eyes filled with despair. "Why should I repent for something I didn't do? Father didn't even investigate, didn't bother to distinguish right from wrong before condemning me. Even the magistrate of the capital requires witnesses and evidence to arrest a criminal. Whatever Princess Rongjia says, you simply believe." Song Yu laughed—a loud, bitter laugh. "I'll say it again: I will never admit to something I didn't do. And my mother is the best mother in the world. In this life, I, Song Yu, have only one mother!" The moment the words left her lips, Song Yu charged toward the stone pillar, determined to prove her innocence with her life. Qiutang's eyes flew wide. Seeing her mistress sprinting toward the pillar, she lunged forward and threw her arms around her. But Song Yu still struck the pillar, her forehead instantly swelling red. "Yu-jie!" At that very moment, Cui Lingrong arrived and saw the scene. She rushed to her daughter's side. Cui Lingrong trembled all over. "Yu-jie, are you all right? Don't frighten your mother." Seeing the eldest madam had arrived, Qiutang quickly spoke up for her mistress. "Eldest Madam, you must seek justice for miss! Today in the garden we encountered Princess Rongjia. Miss Yu didn't want any trouble and stepped aside to let her pass. It was Princess Rongjia who spoke ill of you, and only then did miss Yu say a few words in reply. Miss truly did not push Princess Rongjia—truly, she didn't!" Song Yu saw her mother and could no longer hold back her emotions. She threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Mother, I feel so terrible. Father and Grandmother don't believe me. I... I might as well be dead!" "Don't say such foolish things!" Cui Lingrong wiped her daughter's tears with a pained heart. "I've told you before—there is no obstacle in this world that cannot be overcome. If you died, wouldn't that bring grief to those who love you and joy to those who hate you?" Then she turned to look at Song Shulan, her eyes filled with disappointment and fury. "Marquis, do you not know in your heart what kind of person Yu-jie is?" She gritted her teeth, each word heavier than the last. "Or do you truly believe your daughter is someone with a vicious heart?" Song Shulan was momentarily struck silent. He had said many hurtful things in his anger. But the fact that his daughter would rather die than admit to pushing Princess Rongjia gave him pause. Cui Lingrong took a deep breath. "As for what happened today, I believe Yu-jie is innocent. If the daughter I raised had done such a harmful thing, I, Cui Lingrong, would willingly request to be cast out, take Yu-jie and leave the Jiangyuan Marquis Mansion, and never return to Bianjing for the rest of my life!" She glared at Song Shulan, wishing her gaze could bore a hole through him to see just how muddled his mind was. "But even a sentence requires solid evidence. The people of Wutong Courtyard will surely speak for Princess Rongjia—how can the Marquis trust only their one-sided account?"