Chapter Two: Indiscriminate Attack

Caidie lifted her tear-stained face, looking at Song Tang with trembling lips as she called out, “Miss.” Then, unable to contain her emotion, she dropped to her knees and knocked her head on the ground before Song Tang three times in quick succession.

“Let the past be the past; let us look forward together,” Song Tang said, reaching out to help Caidie up. “Caidie, the girl who just went out to fetch tea is called Qiuling. Be wary of her.”

“I understand, Miss,” Caidie replied. She was always quick-witted and grasped immediately what Song Tang meant.

Song Tang did not immediately dismiss Qiuling just because Caidie had returned; she still needed this pair of eyes and ears to pass along certain messages she wished others to hear.

—

Song Wei’s coming-of-age ceremony was a grand and splendid affair. The entire Earl’s residence was festooned with bright lanterns and colorful decorations.

Lady He had spared no expense, hiring the most renowned chef from Ruifu Pavilion in the capital, and half a year earlier, she had booked Lanyin, the leading chanteuse of Jinrong Garden, to perform at the celebration.

Today, many of the city’s most illustrious families were in attendance. Everyone knew how much the Song family valued their adopted daughter, Song Wei; guests arrived resplendent in their finest attire, showing great respect for the occasion.

The ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Earl’s residence. In the center stood a long vermilion table draped with brocade embroidered with golden phoenixes. Upon it were laid a mutton-fat jade hairpin, a golden hairpin, a set of red robes adorned with phoenix motifs, and an array of exquisite grooming implements.

Song Wei herself was dressed in a long pink silk gown, over which she wore a white brocade cloak. Her long hair cascaded to her waist, tied simply with a silk ribbon. Her delicate features radiated gentle charm.

Lady He took Song Wei’s hand lovingly. “Wei’er, today is your coming-of-age. Look at all these guests gathered here just for you. Are you pleased?” she asked affectionately.

“Thank you for your deep kindness, Mother. I am indeed overjoyed,” Song Wei replied sweetly, her tone warm and respectful.

Song Wei was well aware that she was not Lady He’s own daughter and that outsiders inevitably looked down on her for it.

In order to elevate her own standing, she had deliberately hidden in a corner to cry at the conclusion of Song Tang’s coming-of-age ceremony the previous year—just where Lady He might find her.

Lady He had been deeply moved by pity and promised Song Wei that her own ceremony would be even more magnificent.

Indeed, to comfort and reassure Song Wei, Lady He had gone so far as to vow that she would outdo the celebration she had given Song Tang.

True to her word, Lady He had made Song Wei’s ceremony even more extravagant than the one she had arranged for her own daughter.

Most of the guests were already seated, waiting for the auspicious hour.

A group of distinguished ladies gathered to chat over tea.

—

“The Song family has truly outdone themselves today.”

“Indeed, this is even grander than the coming-of-age ceremony last year for their own daughter, Song Tang. Clearly, the Earl’s residence dotes on this adopted girl.”

“Song Wei is not only beautiful but accomplished in both the arts and learning. No wonder the Earl’s family holds her in such esteem.”

“I heard her mother was the legitimate eldest daughter of the He family. Back then, she chose the newly ranked scholar over the Earl himself, but tragically, the scholar died of a lingering cough, and her mother, stricken with grief, soon followed him.”

“How pitiful! Still, with such a lavish ceremony today, many families in the capital will surely look at Song Wei with new eyes.”

“Madam Qin, your second son is still unwed, isn’t he? Have you ever—”

“Let’s not speak of it. My son is in no hurry to marry,” Madam Qin interrupted, waving her hand.

“Besides, even if she’s talented and beautiful, she’s not the Earl’s own blood. Who knows what the future holds? I would not want my son to marry a girl without a solid foundation.”

Madam Qin spoke bluntly; as the principal wife in a marquisate, born of the noble House of Duke Qin, she had every reason to be forthright.

At that moment, Song Tang entered the courtyard at a measured pace. Madam Qin glanced at her, thinking that if it were Song Tang, the true-born daughter, she might be more inclined to accept the match.

“That must be Song Tang in the pale blue gown.”

“Yes, Lady He’s only daughter—yet not treated as a treasure.”

“Such a striking girl, and yet her family shows her so little favor. She’s graceful and dignified.”

“I’ve heard Song Tang has long been betrothed to the heir of the Marquis of Mu. That household is a den of wolves and tigers, though. If she marries in, she’ll have her hands full.”

…

Song Tang found herself a seat in a quiet corner and glanced around.

The guests today were all elite figures of the capital: even Madam Xu from the House of Duke Qin, Madam Zhou from the House of Duke Wang, and Madam Qin from the House of Marquis Gu had arrived.

Song Tang remembered that the first two had not attended her own ceremony the previous year.

Clearly, Lady He must have pressed them with repeated invitations, all to bolster Song Wei’s standing.

Song Tang could not help but give a cold, mocking smile.

—

“Tang’er, why are you only just arriving?” Lady He greeted her with a smile, but the reproach in her words was evident. No one else could perceive the chill beneath her cordiality.

“The auspicious hour has not yet arrived, has it?” Song Tang replied in a cool, even voice.

Lady He, seeing Song Tang’s indifferent manner and mindful of the many guests present, said nothing more. She merely admonished her to behave with proper decorum as the legitimate daughter, not to embarrass Song Wei, and not to disgrace the family.

Song Tang had no intention of causing a scene. Caidie had already returned yesterday, and the five thousand taels had been delivered as promised—Lady He had kept her word, and as a daughter, Song Tang was willing to show due respect in return.

Lady He, perhaps fearing gossip, took Song Tang’s arm and staged a display of mother-daughter affection before the assembled guests, then let her return to her seat.

“Song Tang.” Wang Mengqi sauntered over with a swagger.

Wang Mengqi, the legitimate second daughter of the Duke Wang’s family, had always been bold and unruly, perhaps a bit simple-minded. Whenever she took a dislike to someone, she attacked indiscriminately, regardless of status.

Song Tang’s heart sank—this was almost certainly Song Wei’s doing. She rose to leave, but Wang Mengqi was already standing before her.

With a look of open provocation, Wang Mengqi said, “I heard your engagement to the Marquis Mu’s heir has fallen through. Is it true?”

Song Tang’s brows drew together. She had no wish to quarrel with Wang Mengqi, but neither would she submit to baseless taunts. “Where did you hear such a thing? I, of all people, would surely know.”

Wang Mengqi’s face darkened. As a duke’s daughter, she was not accustomed to being treated so coolly; Song Tang’s calm reply was clearly a subtle rebuke.

“Hmph. With that attitude, it must be true. But really, who would want to marry a girl like you?”

“And what sort of girl am I?” Song Tang replied with a cold smile. “Mengqi, if you’ve nothing else, I won’t keep you company.”

Song Tang had no desire to argue further; if things escalated, she would be the one at a disadvantage—Lady He and her father would never side with her.

She turned to leave, but Wang Mengqi grabbed her sleeve.

“Song Tang, your tongue grows sharper by the day,” Wang Mengqi sneered. “Your sister’s ceremony today is far grander than yours last year. Perhaps you are the adopted daughter of the Song family, after all.”