Chapter Twelve: Even She Believed It Herself

“Who?” Song Congzhi furrowed his brows even tighter, afraid he had been mistaken—that the person Mu Ziyu favored was not Song Wei.

Mu Ziyu bowed to Song Congzhi before speaking slowly, “I have long held affection for Sister Wei. I have come this time to ask uncle for your blessing.”

Song Congzhi’s frown instantly eased. He had already suspected Mu Ziyu’s feelings for Song Wei and had anticipated this outcome, feeling a secret sense of satisfaction.

If Song Wei were to marry the heir, it would preserve the Song family’s dignity and fulfill the union of two lovers—what could be more pleasing?

With this in mind, Song Congzhi deliberately asked, “Young master, do you truly have genuine feelings for Wei’er?”

“Truly genuine. I have no false intentions towards Sister Song Wei. I ask uncle to believe me,” Mu Ziyu replied earnestly.

Song Congzhi nodded slightly. “In that case, I see no reason to insist on your marriage to Song Tang. Although our grandfather arranged the betrothal before birth, Wei’er is now a daughter of the Song family. Changing from Song Tang to Song Wei still honors the original vow.”

A weight lifted from Mu Ziyu’s heart. He clasped his hands respectfully. “Thank you, uncle, for your consent. I will treasure Wei’er like a precious gem and never let her down.”

Song Congzhi smiled faintly, feeling a measure of respect for Mu Ziyu’s sincerity. Since Song Wei had entered the household, Song Tang had often driven her to tears, which he deeply pitied.

Mu Ziyu frequently visited, and once, Song Congzhi saw him quietly comforting Song Wei after Song Tang had bullied her. From that moment, he had wished that if only Wei’er could marry the heir—given her circumstances, he was the best she could aspire to.

Song Tang, as the legitimate daughter of the Song mansion, had many options; even becoming a consort in the imperial palace was not out of reach.

“However, there is one matter I must discuss with you, uncle,” Mu Ziyu said, his expression tense.

“What is it? Speak freely, young master,” Song Congzhi replied calmly.

Mu Ziyu hesitated, then said, “My third uncle agreed to cancel my engagement to Song Tang and approved my marriage to Sister Wei, but...”

“But what?” Song Congzhi pressed, noticing Mu Ziyu’s reluctance.

Mu Ziyu spoke plainly, “He asked me to formally apologize to Song Tang and publicly announce that you and Song Wei have long been attached. Additionally, I must provide two hundred thousand taels of private wealth as compensation for canceling the engagement.”

“Two hundred thousand taels of private wealth?” Song Congzhi’s eyes flickered.

Mu Ziyu hurried to explain, “Uncle, it is not that I am unwilling to give the money, but if I openly declare longstanding feelings for Sister Wei, it may harm her reputation. She has yet to marry, and such rumors would be damaging.”

Seeing the earnestness in Mu Ziyu’s words, Song Congzhi pondered briefly. “That is true; Wei’er’s reputation is crucial. We cannot let her suffer this injustice.”

After a pause, he continued, “Song Tang has gone out today. When she returns, I will have her approach Lord Mu again, telling the outside world that she herself proposed to cancel the engagement. The Mu household will not agree to dissolve it unless the marriage is switched to Song Wei. This way, Wei’er’s honor is preserved, and Lord Mu’s side will have no objections.”

Mu Ziyu breathed a silent sigh of relief. This resolved the matter perfectly and spared him and Song Wei from scandal.

Song Congzhi’s protection of Song Wei earned Mu Ziyu’s respect for his future father-in-law. Though Wei’er was not a biological daughter of the Song family, she was treated like a cherished treasure.

—

Song Tang never expected that upon returning home, she would be slapped across the face by Song Congzhi once again.

His stern gaze fixed on her, his tone cold and sharp: “Since you are a daughter of the Song family, you should understand the family’s honor. How can you act so recklessly? You must consider the bigger picture in canceling this engagement.”

Covering her face, tears brimmed in Song Tang’s eyes. She knew her father cared only for advantage.

The Earl’s estate was declining year by year; her two elder brothers were disgraceful, and the family was losing face before officialdom. If a daughter could marry into the Marquis’s household, it could reverse their fortunes.

Drawing in a deep breath, Song Tang resolved to try Song Wei’s tactic.

She lowered her head, letting a few tears fall, and imitated Song Wei’s delicate manner.

“Father, in three days you have slapped me twice. It hurts so much, truly it does,” she said softly.

“You never struck me before. Why have you come to dislike me since my cousin arrived?”

“Yesterday, Wang Mengqi said I am only an adopted daughter of the Song family. Father, am I really not your biological daughter?”

“When I was little, you pushed me on swings and taught me to ride horses—was all that a lie?”

“This morning, Sister Shu’an took me to the outskirts of the capital to relax. She bought me a stick of candied hawthorn by the roadside. But why does it taste less sweet than when I was a child?”

Song Congzhi’s brow twitched, moved slightly.

In recent years, perhaps he had been too harsh on Song Tang. A faint guilt stirred within him.

But the feeling passed swiftly. Song Tang had been pampered all her life, accustomed to being held in the palm of a hand. She knew nothing of the hardships faced by children without parents.

Though she was Wei’er’s elder sister, she showed no understanding of her sister’s difficulties. Instead, she constantly competed against and even bullied her. How could he not be angry?

Seeing Song Congzhi’s conflicted expression, Song Tang pressed on with her emotional appeal.

“Father, no matter how you treat me, I respect you in my heart. Lord Mu made the young master act thus to preserve the Song family’s honor. Think about it: the heir of the Marquis’s household apologizing to me at Lord Mu’s behest—wouldn’t that enhance the Song family’s prestige?”

“Nonsense. If the Marquis wanted to protect the Song family’s face, why insist the young master publicly declare he and Wei’er had long been attached? Doesn’t that ruin Wei’er’s reputation and disgrace our family?” Song Congzhi’s mind was clear; he was not falling for it.

Song Tang reasoned carefully, “Father, how is that ruining cousin? It is paving a path for her!”

“Madam Sun values lineage above all. She is not fully satisfied even with her daughter, the Earl’s legitimate daughter, marrying into the Marquis’s household. How could she consent to cousin marrying the heir?”

“But if the young master announces his intention to marry cousin himself, Madam Sun will have no choice but to agree.”

“Besides, daughter saved Lord Mu’s life. Lord Mu is grateful and loyal. If the young master does not take full responsibility, others will think the Mu family men lack honor. Would that not disgrace Lord Mu? That is why he made the young master act so.”

Song Congzhi considered for a moment. “Your words have merit, but it still wrongs Wei’er.”

“How does this wrong cousin? This is the young master, after all. Given cousin’s situation, father, do you think she could marry into better circumstances? Moreover, the young master’s affection for her is sincere.”

Song Tang spoke so convincingly even she almost believed it.

That rake Mu Ziyu had professed affection to many girls, all with such sincerity.