Song Fu returned to the manor but did not go back to his own courtyard. Instead, he went directly to the Song Family’s main courtyard.

Song Lan’an had not yet retired for the night. When servants came to report that Song Fu was seeking him and Madam Song for an important matter, he dressed and went together with her to the main hall.

“It’s so late—what matter brings you here?”

“Father, why don’t you ask Mother what she’s done?”

Madam Song sat to the side, clutching her handkerchief and keeping her head down without speaking. Song Lan’an glanced at her and frowned. “What’s going on?”

“My lord…”

Madam Song’s eyes reddened at the corners, her gaze filled with panic. “This humble wife only felt sorry for Wan’er, seeing her living alone outside isn’t very safe…”

“Enough.”

Song Lan’an’s tone turned gloomy. “Do you think anyone can’t see through those petty schemes of yours?”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve certainly grown quite bold.”

“This son has said before—no one, whoever they may be, is allowed to scheme against Wan’er.”

“What do you intend to do?”

Song Fu said, “Before Mother passed away, she surely left instructions. If Father still holds even half a measure of affection for Mother in his heart, you shouldn’t cover for this person.”

Song Lan’an furrowed his brow. “What if I don’t?”

“Then this son can only say one unfilial word—I will leave the manor and live separately.”

After saying this, father and son exchanged a glance, each understanding the other’s intent perfectly.

How could Madam Song dare to bear the vicious reputation of a stepmother who forced the manor’s legitimate eldest son to leave and live separately? If such a reputation spread, how would the world view her Yao’er and Nian’er, especially Lan’er who was also a legitimate son?

“Fu’er, you’ve misunderstood. Mother absolutely bears no ill will toward Wan’er. Mother simply felt that Wan’er shouldn’t live alone outside the manor—this… this doesn’t conform to propriety.”

Song Fu’s face was cold. “Father hasn’t said a word, yet you’ve overstepped Father to take action—is that conforming to propriety?”

Madam Song hurriedly explained, “This matter was indeed improper. I’ll go apologize to Wan’er tomorrow.”

“Are you trying to make Wan’er bear the reputation of being unfilial as well?”

“I absolutely have no such intention!”

Madam Song’s eyes reddened as she anxiously defended herself.

Originally, she didn’t think there was anything wrong with sending Song Wan back to the marquis manor, but today what Song Wan said had indeed made her take it to heart.

She had shared a bed with Song Lan’an for many years—she understood all too well what kind of person he was.

This man had a cold heart and cold emotions. In his heart, there was only the imperial court, the nation, and the Song clan. She had never understood his actions or thoughts. But Song Wan was like her birth mother—she must see everything clearly and plainly. That’s why today she had truly committed a grave error.

“This son will move out of the manor tomorrow, which will also make it convenient to look after Wan’er nearby. Father, please rest early. This son takes his leave.”

Song Fu turned and left. Madam Song hurriedly followed.

“Enough.”

Song Lan’an’s tone was indifferent, yet it instantly made Madam Song stop in her tracks.

“In a few days, it will be Guanyin’s birthday. You will help the household copy one hundred sutras to donate to the temple—consider it praying for blessings for the several children in the manor.”

After saying this, Song Lan’an turned and left.

Madam Song bit her lip, wanting to cry but having no tears, her heart filled with ten thousand regrets.

She hated that she wasn’t as clever as Song Wan’s birth mother, who knew how to look ten steps ahead when taking one step. She also resented that Song Lan’an never told her anything about any matter.

He had calculations in his heart regarding Song Wan, arrangements for Yao’er and Nian’er, but never once told her. Even if he occasionally came on a whim to speak a few words with her, they were mostly perfunctory words.

Madam Song’s eyes burned hot, the bitterness in her heart something she didn’t know with whom she could share.

Song Fu left Song Lan’an’s courtyard and saw two young ladies with similar features waiting for him at the entrance.

The older one wore a palace brocade cloud-patterned embroidered dress. Her appearance was beautiful, but at this moment her eyes contained both tears and resentment as she stared unblinkingly at Song Fu.

The younger one’s expression was calmer, her face not yet shed of its childishness bearing some resemblance to Song Wan as a child.

Seeing Song Fu come out, the younger one said, “Elder Brother, have you considered how outsiders will gossip about Mother if you move out of the manor? Elder Brother only values eldest sister, but have you thought about your two other sisters?”

“Second Sister’s coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. If at this time Mother gains the reputation of being a vicious stepmother, how will you have Second Sister face others? Nian’er earnestly requests that Elder Brother stay in the manor a while longer—would it be acceptable to show us some pity?”

Song Yao’s eyes were blood-red, tears in her eyes that she forcefully held back from falling. “What’s the use of saying such things? All these years, Elder Brother’s heart has only held eldest sister. Has he ever thought about us two? Just ask him—does he know our birthdays? Does he know what we like?”

“His heart only treats eldest sister as his sister. Is there any place in his heart for us sisters?”

Song Fu looked at Song Nian and said indifferently, “The cause planted today was not sown by me. You two seeking to blame me is truly inappropriate.”

Song Nian said, “Nian’er is not seeking to blame you. Nian’er is only asking Elder Brother to show more pity—is even this not acceptable?”

“A person’s nobility lies not in being without fault, but in being able to correct their faults. To knowingly err again and again, and after each error to seek others’ pity and forgiveness—this is not the conduct of an honorable person.”

“I don’t ask that those who err can sincerely and earnestly apologize and make amends, but at the very least, you two shouldn’t and cannot so easily open your mouths to say words like ‘asking your elder brother to show pity.'”

“First, it damages a daughter’s dignity. Second, if I were to agree, where would that leave Wan’er?”

“I know you two are naturally intelligent, but if you truly possessed great wisdom, you should watch over Mother and have her commit fewer acts that pain our loved ones and please our enemies.”

“The night wind is cold. You two should quickly return to your courtyard.”

After Song Fu finished speaking, he had the two sisters’ nannies escort them back.

Song Yao watched Song Fu’s retreating back and instantly shed a string of teardrops. “Why are you talking to him about pity? When has he ever shown us pity?”

“In his heart, there’s only that full-blooded sister from the same mother. How would he care whether we live or die? Mother merely felt sorry for me losing a good marriage prospect because of eldest sister, but didn’t he also ruin Mother’s reputation because he felt sorry for eldest sister? He says Mother is wrong, but is he any better?”

“He can guard and protect eldest sister, so why can’t Mother make plans for us?”

“He only thinks about his own legitimate sister from the same mother, yet he won’t allow us to seek our own way out?”

“Second Sister, speak less nonsense. You and I are both legitimate daughters of the Song Manor. What do you mean by ‘seeking our own way out’? If the etiquette nanny hears this, she’ll punish you with copying books again.”

After Song Nian finished speaking, she pulled Song Yao toward her own courtyard.

Though she was naturally intelligent, she was still young after all. Encountering such matters, she didn’t know how to handle them for the moment.

She naturally knew that words about seeking pity were unseemly, but the matter had already occurred. Her elder brother was wholeheartedly venting anger on eldest sister’s behalf—what could she do? What she could do was nothing more than using the fastest method to stop Elder Brother from moving out of the manor.

Song Nian sighed softly, only feeling that she still wasn’t clever enough. She decided that in the future she would read more books like eldest sister.

The three siblings each returned to their rooms. Song Fu summoned a young servant at his side and told him to find a larger residence tomorrow, whether inside or outside the city.

If it were any other time, he absolutely couldn’t possibly move out of the manor. Now, acting under the Crown Prince’s name made things much more convenient.

After silently feeling grateful in his heart for the grace of the Crown Prince he had never met, Song Fu finally bathed and retired.

When this news was transmitted to Shen Qianyu’s ears through Dong Chang’s hidden lookouts, he immediately exclaimed that this wouldn’t do.

“If Song Fu buys a residence, how will I see Miss Song in the future?”

He was a eunuch—such words could fool sheltered young ladies from the inner quarters who hadn’t seen many men, but of course couldn’t deceive Song Fu.

He still wanted to learn more from Song Wan. If at this time Song Wan returned to the inner quarters and they severed this mentor-disciple relationship, it would truly be a pity.

Shen Qianyu looked at Wan Xiao and said, “Have people watch Song Fu. Wherever he tries to buy a residence, make sure to have people sabotage it for him.”