Volume One, Chapter Eight: Song Yueyi Makes a Special Visit to Apologize

Song Lin wore a smile that was neither warm nor cold as he looked at the indignant Song Jing. “So, in your heart, Princess Jiajia is nothing more than a helpless commoner, is she? Though you call her your sister, in your eyes, she’s just a worthless life?”

Song Jing choked, immediately retorting, “That’s not what I mean. I’m only urging you to be more compassionate.”

Song Yueyi suddenly burst into tears. “Brother, please don’t quarrel. I’m really scared. I thought it wasn’t safe to go to the capital, so I stayed to accompany Sister. Please don’t let this matter cause a rift between you. We siblings are one family; we can’t let petty disputes ruin our harmony.”

Song Jing was the first to soften. “Alright, alright, it’s my fault. I won’t say any more. I know you want to stay with Su Lingfeng. With him protecting you, I can rest easy. Song Zhen and I will return to Nanjing first.”

Song Yueyi nestled in Song Jing's arms. “Big brother, I’ll listen to you. Please be careful on the road and take more people with you. If anything happens to you, Empress Zhou would be heartbroken.”

Song Jing smiled reassuringly. “Alright, alright, don’t cry. Brother will listen to you.”

Only then did Song Yueyi reveal a smile. “Brother, rest assured. I will follow Fourth Brother’s advice here and take good care of Sister.”

Song Jing felt comforted and turned to Su Lingfeng. “Take good care of Yue... my two younger sisters. Otherwise, I’ll hold you accountable.”

Su Lingfeng did not respond directly. “It’s getting late. Prince Qin and the Fifth Prince should leave the city soon.”

...

Song Jiayin watched their actions coldly, finding the entire scene utterly ridiculous.

She couldn’t help but wonder why she had returned to the Great Zhou royal family at all.

What meaning was there in living with these people?

Well, after seeing the emperor and empress dowager one last time in Nanjing, she would leave.

The suffering and humiliation she endured these past three years should be enough to offset the fifteen years of privileged life once granted by the Great Zhou royal family, right?

Night fell, and the cold wind always found its way through the cracks in the window. No matter how fiercely the charcoal burned, Song Jiayin still felt chilled.

Her joints ached faintly all over, and the pain in her knees was indescribable.

She had become numb from the cold before, but after a couple of warmer days, the suppressed pain seemed to erupt, making her restless.

She really was a wretched soul—unable to endure even a single day of ease.

Ziyan returned from outside carrying some food: pastries, noodles, and some stewed braised pork so tender it fell apart, paired with vegetables commonly eaten by nobles.

“Princess, please have something to eat. This was gifted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He said there was more than they could finish, so he sent some to you.”

Song Jiayin frowned slightly. Why was it Song Lin again?

What exactly was he plotting?

She did not believe that someone who once barely interacted with her would suddenly show kindness toward a false princess, simply out of sibling affection.

She took a few bites carelessly, then put down her chopsticks. For some reason, she felt nauseous.

Ziyan spoke with concern, “Princess, you’re too thin. Please eat more.”

Song Jiayin could no longer hold back and retched.

Ziyan quickly patted her back. “Princess, what’s wrong? You haven’t eaten much yet.”

Song Jiayin clutched her chest, tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s nothing. It’s just been too long since I ate meat. I’m not used to it.”

Upon hearing this, Ziyan burst into tears. “Princess, these are just snacks for the nobility. Many commoners occasionally enjoy a meal like this, too. The Jin people don’t even let you have meat?”

Song Jiayin found it somewhat amusing. “Why are you crying? It’s as if you’re the one suffering. I was given all this, but I just can’t eat it.”

Wiping her tears, Ziyan said, “Thank you, Princess. I’m not hungry. I’ll give this to the commoners who have been settled.”

Song Jiayin hummed in acknowledgment, then asked curiously, “Which commoners?”

Ziyan responded quickly, “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has settled those who are literate and have family or relatives. Those beyond help were... well, put down.”

Song Jiayin was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected Song Lin to have taken care of those people.

She truly hadn’t imagined it—after all, he had once shouted about killing them all.

Not long after Ziyan left, someone knocked at the door.

Song Jiayin didn’t want to answer. If it was someone from the Song family, she didn’t want to see them.

She remained silent, but the voice outside began speaking. “Sister, it’s me. I came to see you. I also wanted to chat a bit.”

Song Yueyi?

Song Jiayin sneered briefly. Why should she want to talk to her?

Outside the door, Song Yueyi spoke in a delicate voice, “Sister, are you already in bed? I’m scared to sleep alone...”

Song Jiayin furrowed her brow slightly. How laughable.

She was the one who should have gone for the political marriage back then, but she had retreated, weeping and wailing, forcing herself to go instead. Her crying and fasting hadn’t worked; in the end, she was still bound to the bridal sedan.

Why would she want to see her now?

Unable to understand, Song Jiayin coldly refused, “I’m already in bed.”

Song Yueyi’s voice began to choke. “Sister, are you still angry about letting me go for the political marriage in your place? If so, I came specially to apologize. If you don’t forgive me, I’ll kneel outside your door and won’t get up!”

Ziyan had said it might snow tonight. If this person really knelt outside her door, would she become the villain again?

With that thought, Song Jiayin sighed and rose to open the door. “Come in.”

A cold wind rushed in, making Song Jiayin shiver.

Song Yueyi looked at her, then took her frostbitten hand, her expression full of pity. “Sister, are you very cold?”

Song Jiayin pulled her hand away coldly. “A little. Please close the door.”

Song Yueyi shut the door and approached Song Jiayin, adopting a tender tone. “Sister, please don’t hate me anymore. I’ve been thinking of you all these years. When I heard Father’s order to find you quickly, I came to the capital without hesitation.”

Song Jiayin sat back down, a faint sneer curling her lips. “In such cold weather, Princess, you came just to say this?”

Song Yueyi immediately looked wronged, tears welling but held back. “Sister, I lie awake at night, unable to sleep. All I can think about is your injured hands and trembling legs. I feel so guilty. Even if I had died back then, I should have gone for the political marriage. If I had, you wouldn’t have been abused by the Jin.”

A string of heartfelt words.

But how could Song Jiayin believe crocodile tears?

Suddenly, Song Jiayin’s gaze sharpened. She stared intently at Song Yueyi, as if trying to pierce through her soul. “Your mother, Consort Li—no, now Noble Consort Li—how exactly did she find my biological father?”

Song Yueyi was clearly startled by the sudden question. Her expression shifted swiftly—surprise, unease, and a barely perceptible panic. “Sister, why... why do you ask this all of a sudden?”