This marriage was not only dissatisfying to Qi Sulun.

Ever since Song Yao learned that Song Wan was to be enfeoffed as Empress, she had been like someone possessed by madness, constantly anxious and uncertain all day long.

The household was still in the mourning period, yet she had no mind to think about Song Lan’an. Instead, day and night, her heart felt as if it were being gnawed by ants. Jealousy and unwillingness tormented her, leaving her unable to eat or sleep, spending sleepless nights.

As for Madam Song, ever since learning of Song Lan’an’s death, she had been deeply dejected. The few times Song Yao sought her out, she appeared lost and absent-minded.

After several attempts, Song Yao could no longer bear it. With no other choice, she went to find Song Nian.

For Song Lan’an’s funeral, unmarried young ladies like them could not keep vigil in the front courtyard. Song Nian had been in her room copying sutras for transcendence. When Song Yao pushed the door open and entered, she merely lifted her head slightly before quickly continuing her writing.

“Upon seeing your elder sister, you don’t even speak?”

Sitting somewhat resentfully beside Song Nian, Song Yao said, “Are you still angry about what happened some days ago?”

Song Nian frowned slightly but did not stop writing.

“I admit I was rather harsh with you during that time, but it wasn’t my intention. You know how difficult things have been for your elder sister—I couldn’t help losing my temper.”

Reaching out to grasp Song Nian’s hand, Song Yao shook it in a coaxing manner. “Please don’t blame your elder sister anymore.”

With this shake, droplets of ink the size of beans fell onto the paper, spreading into a circle of stains. Song Nian stared blankly at that patch of black, finally unable to help but look at Song Yao and say, “Does Elder Sister know that we are currently in the period of national mourning, and also Father’s mourning period?”

“Father’s body is not yet cold. Whatever important matter Elder Sister has, can it not wait?”

Song Nian put down her brush, her eyes reddening. “Moreover, what difficulties does Elder Sister face? Why not tell your younger sister?”

Song Yao frowned. “What do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m not grieving over Father’s passing? It’s just that I haven’t displayed this sorrowful indignation on my face as you have.”

“Besides, when did you become so…”

When had she ever known Song Nian to be so filial to their father? On the day they received news of his death, she had cried like a tearful wraith, making her seem like a heartless and unrighteous person by comparison.

Song Yao choked up a few times. “Father has always favored the eldest two. Look—if not for Father’s partiality, how would I have fallen to such circumstances?”

“If Father hadn’t obstructed things, the one who should now be doing… it should have been me.”

“But now, it’s turned out wonderfully—forcing me, a legitimate daughter born of a prestigious family, to marry into a declining household. The difference between the two is like heaven and earth.”

She clutched her handkerchief, full of bitterness.

Song Nian opened her mouth. She had a thousand words she wished to say but could not utter a single one.

She had never known before that her Second Elder Sister was such a selfish and self-serving person. In the past, she had only thought Second Elder Sister was somewhat willful due to their mother’s doting. Who would have imagined that even when Father died trying to pave the way for her, all she cared about was the quality of her marriage match?

Song Nian lowered her head and murmured, “Wasn’t Second Elder Sister the one who agreed to the marriage proposal with the Qi family? If not for fear of Father being a burden, how could someone like Second Elder Sister, who has always aimed so high, have so hastily agreed to Mother’s suggestion and accepted?”

“Now that Father’s name has been cleared, does Second Elder Sister want to go back on her word?”

She looked up at Song Yao, enunciating each word: “The reputation of the Song clan that Father built with his flesh and blood—is Second Elder Sister planning to tarnish it before Father’s mourning period has even passed?”

“You came to find me today because you want me to help you persuade Mother to break off the engagement, isn’t that right?”

“Song Nian!”

Song Yao’s face turned white with anger.

“Second Elder Sister, please go back. Your younger sister cannot do this, and will not do it. I hope Second Elder Sister remembers that you are a daughter of the Song family, bearing the reputation of the Song clan. Crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, borrowing others’ influence in times of crisis, then turning cold and heartless once prosperous—these are not disgraceful acts that members of our Song family would commit.”

“Second Elder Sister, please leave.”

Song Nian gently folded the sutra stained with ink spots and set it aside, then started over from the beginning.

Song Yao’s cheeks flushed red with anger, and she could only leave in resentment.

These past few days, people coming to pay respects to Father had been arriving in an endless stream. She had heard from the household servants that common people outside had begun building temples for Father. The Song family’s reputation was illustrious—if she didn’t seize this opportunity while the world didn’t yet know about the engagement between the Song and Qi families to break off this marriage, it would be difficult to do so later.

Song Yao pressed her lips together and went in frustration to find Ming Xiang.

“Second Young Miss wants to see me?”

Ming Xiang wore plain white mourning clothes, with only the area around her eyes tinged red. She was busy receiving the female relatives from other households who had come to pay respects. Hearing that Song Yao was looking for her, she frowned and asked what the matter was.

“This servant also doesn’t know. Second Young Miss only said it was urgent.”

“I understand.”

Ming Xiang excused herself from several madams and turned to go to the rear courtyard of the Song residence.

Song Yao was standing under the corridor eaves, and before Ming Xiang arrived, her eyes were full of irritation.

She just couldn’t help being angry with Father.

Clearly Father knew everything, yet he simply wouldn’t tell her and Mother. If Father had told Mother all these things, how could Mother have arranged such an unsuitable match for her?

Her elder brother didn’t know what he was thinking either. He knew about everything, yet only watched her troubles coldly, never showing a trace of sibling affection.

Feeling both wronged and angry in her heart, Song Yao stood under the corridor eaves crying silently by herself.

When Ming Xiang saw her like this, her heart softened, and her previous impatience lessened somewhat.

“What matter did Yao’er seek me out for?”

Song Yao said with reddened eyes, “Sister-in-law, did you already know about Eldest Sister being enfeoffed as Empress?”

Ming Xiang’s brows furrowed, unsure of what Song Yao meant.

“If sister-in-law already knew, why didn’t you tell Yao’er? Why didn’t you stop Mother from hastily arranging Yao’er’s marriage with the Qi family? Does sister-in-law think that…”

Before Song Yao could finish her accusatory words, Ming Xiang interrupted her.

“Father was a civil official yet died in battle. As his children, we don’t expect to achieve much on his behalf, but his body is not yet cold, and all you have on your mind is those trivial matters concerning yourself…”

“Song Yao, is your mind still clear?”

Ming Xiang’s face was full of anger. She had never imagined that even at such a time, Song Yao was still fixated on her marriage.

Ming Xiang said, “I know what you mean, but as long as the Qi family doesn’t break off the engagement, the household will not take the initiative to cancel it.”

“After the mourning period, you can await your grand wedding procession.”

With that, Ming Xiang turned and left, no longer paying her any attention.

In the evening, Ming Xiang told Song Fu about this matter. Upon hearing it, Song Fu frowned and said, “Since she has already settled on this marriage, the household need only await her wedding. You need not worry yourself about other matters concerning her.”

“People value those who value themselves. Since she acts recklessly, she cannot blame others for looking down on her.”

“In the future, you need not trouble yourself over Madam Song and Song Yao. Leave everything to Nanny Song.”

Ming Xiang nodded, her heart feeling comforted.

After the couple finished their meal together, Song Fu went to the study to attend to business, while Ming Xiang wrote down household matters in a letter and had it delivered to Song Wan.

When Song Wan received the letter, it was already past the hour of Xu (7-9 PM). She was in Laiyi Pavilion grinding ink for Shen Qianyu while reading memorials aloud.

The two had maintained their past habits to this day. When there were difficult matters to handle, they would still discuss them together.

Ji Rong paid respects to both of them, then handed the letter to Song Wan. Song Wan opened it and quickly scanned through. After reading, she furrowed her brows slightly.