Chapter Six: Thanking the Marquis

“Father, you don’t necessarily want me to marry into that family; you’re just worried that if I break off the engagement, Song Wei won’t be able to marry into it, right?” Song Tang looked directly into Song Congzhi’s eyes as she spoke.

Song Congzhi remained silent, so Song Tang continued, “Rest assured, even if my engagement with Mu Ziyu is broken, I will make sure Mu Ziyu marries Song Wei.”

“How can you guarantee that? What assurance do you have?” Song Congzhi asked sharply.

“Because I saved Lord Mu’s life!” Song Tang declared decisively.

Song Congzhi was momentarily stunned. “You really will let Song Wei marry Mu Ziyu?”

“Doesn’t cousin wish to? If she doesn’t, then forget it,” Song Tang replied calmly.

“What nonsense! Either you or Song Wei must marry into the Marquis’s household!” Song Congzhi’s voice rose three pitches.

Song Tang smiled faintly. “I have one more condition.”

“A condition? What condition?” Song Congzhi frowned.

“I want ten thousand taels of silver.”

Madam He, who had been silent, immediately frowned at Song Tang’s demand for more silver.

“Tang’er, yesterday you asked me for five thousand taels, and today you’re asking your father for ten thousand. What exactly are you planning?”

“I like silver—the weight of it, the sheen, and most of all the reassurance it gives in the palm of my hand,” Song Tang said with a smile.

Song Congzhi waved dismissively. “Ten thousand taels is too much, especially since you just asked your mother for five thousand yesterday.”

“Father, do you really think ten thousand taels is too much? I’m agreeing to help Song Wei join the Marquis’s household out of respect for you. Does your face not even deserve ten thousand taels?” Song Tang retorted.

Song Congzhi gritted his teeth. “Fine, ten thousand it is.”

“Master!” Madam He wanted to object but stopped herself.

It was better to give it to Song Tang than to those concubines. They could wait until Song Tang’s marriage and then make up for it later.

“Thank you, Father. Tomorrow I will go to see Lord Mu,” Song Tang said, her smile blooming like a flower.

Madam He and Song Congzhi left Song Tang’s room with dark expressions.

Song Wei had long been waiting outside Madam He’s room and immediately approached as soon as she returned.

“Mother, how is sister? I wanted to see her just now but was afraid she’d be angry, so I didn’t go in.”

Madam He sighed, looking at the gentle and delicate Song Wei. If only Song Tang could be as obedient and gentle as Song Wei.

“Your sister is fine—just sulking. But she just said she wants to dissolve her engagement with the heir.”

“Sister wants to break off the engagement? That can’t be; Father will be angry,” Song Wei feigned worry.

Madam He patted Song Wei’s hand gently and said softly, “Wei’er, there’s something that may require you to bear some hardship.”

“Hardship? What is it? If it can ease Mother’s worries, I’m willing to endure anything,” Song Wei asked with concern.

“You’ve relied entirely on Mother’s care these past years, and Mother’s kindness is forever engraved in your heart,” Madam He said with a face full of relief, holding Song Wei’s hand tightly as she continued softly:

“Good Wei’er, Mother truly hasn’t favored you in vain. Your sister doesn’t want to marry the heir and wants to cancel the engagement. So, Wei’er, it seems your sister’s marriage will fall on you. Are you willing to marry into the Mu household on behalf of your sister for the Song family?”

“If it can lighten Mother’s burden, I am willing to do anything,” Song Wei’s heart leapt with joy though her face remained composed.

“However, Mother, perhaps Sister was only speaking out of anger. The heir and Sister have known each other since childhood; their bond spans many years. It was only that today the heir spoke a fair word that upset Sister. Perhaps after a while, she will calm down.”

Madam He nodded slightly. “Maybe. But it’s good for you to marry into the Marquis’s household. With your sister’s temperament, she wouldn’t settle even if she did marry in. It’s better for you to go, and it will bring our Song family the reputation of raising a virtuous and wise daughter.”

“Besides, I think the heir might also have feelings for you.”

A faint blush rose on Song Wei’s cheeks. She lowered her head shyly and replied, “Mother, don’t joke with me. How would the heir look at me? Though I’m under your name, I wasn’t born of your womb. I’m afraid the heir would mind.”

“Wei’er, don’t belittle yourself. I raised you with my own eyes. Your character and beauty are no less than anyone else’s. Besides, the heir is a reasonable man who won’t care about such things.”

Song Wei felt her heart brighten but still feigned hesitation. “Mother, if you think it’s right, I will follow your arrangement. It’s just that I worry Sister might harbor resentment.”

“Silly child, it’s your sister who doesn’t want to marry in, so how can that be your fault? Don’t worry; Mother will arrange everything so you’ll marry into the Marquis’s household with honor.”

——

Mu Marquis’s Residence.

“Marquis, the eldest daughter of the Song family has just sent a formal invitation and is waiting at the door,” Wan Xing reported on bended knee.

Mu Changxiao set down his teacup. “Song Tang sent it?”

Wan Xing asked cautiously, “Shall I receive her?”

Mu Changxiao furrowed his brows. “Why not?”

“I heard the heir stormed out of the Song residence yesterday, seemingly because the eldest Miss Song wanted to cancel the engagement,” Wan Xing carefully chose his words.

Mu Changxiao’s gaze flickered slightly; his brows relaxed a little. His voice dropped slightly. “Let her in.”

Wan Xing received the order and went to the door to welcome Song Tang.

Stepping into the Mu residence again, Song Tang’s heart suddenly ached. It was here, in her previous life, that she was tormented to death.

She struggled to suppress the pain welling inside as she followed Wan Xing into the main hall.

Mu Changxiao sat upright on the main seat, dressed in a deep black brocade robe.

His eyes, dark as a deep pool, held an innate cold nobility. He was like a painting—stern yet exquisitely handsome—exuding an overwhelming presence that made one dare not meet his gaze directly, yet was irresistibly drawn to his majestic, awe-inspiring face.

Feeling the heavy pressure, Song Tang bowed slightly and said with some hesitation, “M-Mu Marquis, good day.”

She almost called him “Third Uncle Mu” out of habit, but today she was here to cancel the engagement. Since she had broken it off with the heir, she could no longer address Mu Changxiao as such.

Mu Changxiao raised his eyes, his gaze naturally resting on Song Tang. “Miss Song, what brings you to see me?”

Song Tang forced a faint smile. “Mu Marquis, I have two matters to discuss today.”

Mu Changxiao set down his teacup, arching a brow. “Oh? What two matters?”

“The first is to thank you for your righteous defense yesterday, saving me from being slapped. This is a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it,” Song Tang said.

At her words, a lady-in-waiting presented an exquisite brocade box.

Wan Xing gently opened the box, confirmed nothing was amiss, then handed it to Mu Changxiao with both hands.

Mu Changxiao took the box. Inside lay a rare South Sea pearl, its luster warm and gentle—clearly a carefully chosen gift.