Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Finally Uttered Aloud
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Song Wenyuan’s tone suddenly softened, and he spoke in a low voice, “If your mother had not stopped you in time, who knows how much greater the disaster you would have caused! If you had harmed another person, I would find it difficult to protect you!”
After saying this, his gaze subtly swept over Song Jiayin, making her keenly aware of the deeper meaning behind his words.
Then, Song Wenyuan shifted his tone sharply and sternly said, “However, though the death penalty can be spared, the punishment for living is hard to forgive!”
At this moment, Song Yueyi suddenly knelt on the ground, her voice choked with emotion, “Father, please calm your anger! Do not punish my eldest brother. He has always been kind-hearted; today’s actions were truly out of unbearable fury… There must be a reason behind his sudden killing.”
Song Wenyuan’s heart stirred slightly. His eldest son was indeed the one he had invested the most care in, and his character was not bad.
Especially Song Jing, whose eyes were full of emotion at this moment, he even cast a hopeful glance at Song Jiayin, wishing she would plead for him.
However, Song Jiayin was hidden in the crowd, her face cold and expressionless, which made Song Jing’s heart grow even more bitter.
Yueyi had only known her for just over three years and had treated her with kindness, but Song Jiayin, who had lived with him for fifteen years, was so cold and heartless?
He had clearly sought revenge for her, yet she would not even utter a word to plead on his behalf.
Song Wenyuan sighed and finally relented, imposing a light punishment: “Copy the scriptures one hundred times and be confined for ten days as a warning!”
Upon hearing this, Song Yueyi quickly stepped forward to support Song Jing: “Eldest brother, please get up quickly.”
Everyone else bowed and withdrew, but Song Jing called out to Song Jiayin, “Song Jiayin, stop! Do you really have nothing to say today?”
Song Jiayin reluctantly stopped and turned to face Song Jing, “What does His Highness Prince Qin wish to hear?”
Song Jing was clearly taken aback for a moment, then said, “Today, I sought revenge for you. Those Jin people insulted you, so I fought to restore justice for you. Is that wrong?”
His dark robe bore the imprint of Song Wenyuan’s foot, and he stared intently into Song Jiayin’s cold eyes, trying to awaken some feeling within her.
If only Song Jiayin would say he was not wrong, or show him a bit of kindness, perhaps his mood would improve, and maybe he would make up to her even more in the future.
Song Jiayin stood quietly. Everyone’s footsteps halted, and all eyes focused on them, seemingly expecting her to say something.
Yet, Song Jiayin deliberately remained silent. She would not say the words they wished to hear.
Her unadorned lips parted slightly, her voice cold as she questioned sharply, “His Highness Prince Qin, is killing and humiliating others your way? Why insist it was for me? What glory is there in killing several unarmed prisoners? Why three years ago did you not kill that old Song Wenyuan who married me? Was it guilt over abandoning me in the snowy center of the capital last time? Or remorse seeing me now weak and wretched? Does killing someone lessen your guilt?”
“What did you say!” Song Jing roared incredulously.
Is this really the sister he remembered? The one he had cherished for fifteen years?
Song Yueyi also could not help but defend Song Jing, “Sister, eldest brother truly acted for you this time.”
Song Jiayin replied coldly, “If it were truly for my sake, then do not cause trouble and then shift the blame onto me.”
In truth, this matter originated from Song Yueyi, and fundamentally concerned the marriage alliance.
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She had endured three years of hardship in Song Yueyi’s stead.
Killing a few Jin soldiers was nothing!
This was utterly a huge joke!
Song Jing was at a loss for words, his anger intensifying, yet he could only swallow it back.
Fifth Prince Song Zhen was already filled with righteous indignation, “Do you have any conscience? How can you speak like this! It was eldest brother who first found you, and yet you should have been thrown into the capital to freeze to death in the snow!”
Song Jiayin sneered coldly, “Then why wasn’t I thrown away? Disappointed? Why must you find me again? I am nothing but a false princess married off!”
Song Zhen angrily rebuked, “Don’t be ungrateful! Everyone brought you back out of old affection.”
Song Jiayin cast a cold glance at Song Zhen, “Oh? Is that how Fifth Prince treats old affection? Either beating or scolding me?”
Song Zhen was speechless. When had he ever beaten or scolded her?
“When did I ever hit you? Don’t tell me you think throwing a snowball at you counts as hitting?”
Song Jiayin said expressionlessly, “Isn’t it?”
Then came Song Wenyuan’s punishment: “Everyone, withdraw. Jiayi, I punish you to kneel for an hour at the entrance of the imperial study.”
Everyone knew Song Jiayin’s knees were nearly ruined, and Song Wenyuan was fully aware, yet he still imposed the kneeling punishment.
He truly struck where it hurt most!
At this moment, Song Jiayin scanned everyone there; others wore expressions of helplessness or indifference, only Song Lin’s eyes blazed with fury.
He suddenly approached Song Wenyuan’s desk and saluted: “Father, rather than kneeling punishment, wouldn’t it be better to punish her by remarriage? She has many grievances about the marriage alliance, doesn’t she? Then let her remarry. The Prince of the South keeps demanding the heir marry a princess; the imperial sister has just returned…”
What? Has the true intention finally been revealed?
Remarriage? This punishment was undoubtedly more cruel than kneeling.
Everyone about to leave suddenly turned to look at Song Lin.
Lady Zhou nervously watched Song Jiayin’s expression.
Even Song Wenyuan appeared momentarily stunned.
Song Jing nearly lost his footing, “What are you saying! Don’t talk nonsense!”
Song Yueyi wept, “Sister just returned; this cannot be. I will kneel in her place, Father…”
Song Jiayin looked up and caught sight of Song Lin’s cold and hard profile—so ruthless and cruel.
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The scar deep within Song Jiayin’s heart suddenly bled afresh, aching painfully.
At this moment, she fully understood that this might be the very reason she was forcibly brought back.
Song Wenyuan had not said it aloud, but Song Lin had spoken it clearly.
Song Lin turned away, as if not seeing Song Jiayin’s expression, and asked, “Imperial sister, now that Great Zhou is beset by troubles both within and without, are you willing?”
What use was her unwillingness? Ha.
Song Jiayin took a deep breath and glanced at Song Jing, “If I must say something today, then I truly must thank His Highness Prince Qin. Another good marriage has fallen upon me.”
Thanks to his killing of a Jin soldier, the Song family could now justify arranging her remarriage.
Having said this, she took her leave, unwilling to witness the hypocrisy of those faces any longer.
She thought perhaps life would be better if she left with the heir of the Prince of the South.
Back in Hanzhang Palace, Ziyan learned of Song Jiayin’s ordeal and began to weep again.
“Princess, you just returned, and already they want to marry you off. This is too much.”
Song Jiayin’s face was cold, and her tone indifferent, “I am the one to be married off, not you. Why are you crying? Leave now; I want to be alone for a while.”
Ziyan wiped her tears, “Princess, please allow me to stay and serve you.”
Song Jiayin sighed, “Why do you care so much?”
“Princess, you were once of noble birth too. They cannot treat you this way. You just returned a few days ago and have not yet recovered your health. The south is hot and humid; if you go there, you surely will not endure. I care for you.”
Song Jiayin merely responded with a faint “Hmm.”
“What’s the point of saying such useless things? Go now. Tonight I want to be alone.”
Ziyan dared not resist further, agreeing as she wiped her tears and left.
The next day, just after Song Jiayin had eaten lunch and was tending to her wounds, she heard that the emperor had issued an edict summoning her to the Zichen Hall.
What must come will eventually come.