“What do you mean by that?”

Song Yao’s face darkened, turning ashen as she stared at Song Nian.

After all, they were sisters from the same mother. Song Nian didn’t want her to remain immersed in unrealistic fantasies, nor to harbor resentment toward their father and mother because of these matters. After thinking it over, Song Nian said: “Just look at those women in the Eastern Palace, and you’ll understand.”

Song Yao was not a fool. She simply refused to believe she had never had a chance at becoming Empress. Now, with Song Nian’s prompting, she quickly understood the inner truth of the matter.

Her face pale, she said: “You mean eldest sister had an arrangement with the Crown Prince while still unmarried? That’s why the Crown Prince went to such great lengths to pave the way for her?”

“Perhaps eldest sister was already entangled with the Crown Prince back at the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate. That’s why she was so desperate to sever ties with the Marquis of Chengyang, even willing to die for it.”

The more she spoke, the heavier the hatred and unwillingness grew in Song Yao’s eyes. Song Nian lowered her gaze, secretly sighing that this second elder sister of hers was truly beyond saving.

“Does thinking this way make second elder sister feel more comfortable inside?”

“By placing these filthy and sordid labels on eldest sister, does it ease your heart?”

“Second elder sister defames eldest sister’s pure reputation and sullies her honor, all just to deceive yourself into thinking eldest sister is less noble than you, less pure than you. But second elder sister, you and I are both daughters of the Song family. Have you considered how the world will view the Song family after hearing such words?”

Previously, Song Nian had been unwilling to tell Song Yao about this matter precisely because she feared she would recklessly shout all sorts of nonsense.

Given the Crown Prince’s attitude toward eldest sister and the Song family’s current status, eldest sister wouldn’t suffer the slightest impact, but the two of them would have no good life left.

“Second elder sister clearly knows eldest sister would never do such things, yet you insist on saying so, insist on proving to the world that you have something superior to her.”

“Even if it means using such petty methods.”

Song Yao glared at Song Nian with resentment but couldn’t say a single word.

“If the two of them didn’t have an arrangement from the start, why would the Crown Prince choose eldest sister so early?”

Song Nian said: “Naturally because of Father and elder brother.”

“Everyone knows that when the Crown Prince first appeared in the capital, he already had connections with our Song estate. I imagine that before the Crown Prince returned to the capital, he made some kind of deal with elder brother. At that time, eldest sister had just left the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate. Father likely conceived the idea of sending eldest sister into the Eastern Palace right then and there.”

“Why? Why would Father rather choose someone who had been cast aside than choose you or me?”

Song Nian looked at Song Yao and said coolly: “The very fact that second elder sister is still asking ‘why’ even now is precisely why Father would never choose you to enter the palace.”

Song Yao was short-sighted, and the Crown Prince was more than ten years older than her. Apart from Song Wan, the Song family had no other suitable women.

“Eldest sister is intelligent. Once in the palace, she could quickly win the emperor’s heart. It was precisely seeing this that Father dared to go to Su River.”

“Eldest sister and elder brother are from the same mother and have always been close. Father once advocated for the Fifth Prince on behalf of the clan, fearing it would cause the Crown Prince to suspect the Song estate. That’s why Father had to step back and yield his position to elder brother.”

“Within ten years, elder brother will surely be among the first rank in court, and the Song family will ascend to even greater heights. All of this was calculated and foreseen by Father long ago.”

“So please, second elder sister, don’t speak such ridiculous words anymore.”

Song Nian was truly afraid.

No matter how Song Yao carried on at home, even if she spoke nonsense, it didn’t matter—the household managed servants strictly and no one would spread rumors outside. But she was truly afraid that Song Yao would become deranged and genuinely believe that the position of mother of the nation had been within her grasp.

If this became her inner demon and she continued spouting such things after going to the Qi family in the future, it would truly be the death of her.

“Elder sister, please think carefully about these matters.”

She had wanted to have Yin Su see the guest out, but seeing Song Yao standing there in a daze, Song Nian thought better of it. Taking Yin Su with her, she left the room and strolled through the estate’s garden.

She didn’t know whether Song Yao had figured it out. By the time Song Nian returned to her room, she was already gone.

As she took out Ming Shiqi’s letter, Song Nian let out a long sigh.

She very much hoped Song Yao could use this to settle her heart and properly become a wife of the Qi family.

The next day, the confused nonsense Song Yao had been shouting reached Ming Xiang’s ears. Upon hearing it, Ming Xiang wearily pinched the bridge of her nose.

“In the past, I only thought Song Yao was rather spoiled by Madam and had developed some arrogant and domineering tendencies, but I never imagined she was rotten to the core.”

“To be capable of slandering her own elder sister and throwing dirty water on her own siblings—it seems this rottenness also comes with a good measure of stupidity.”

Hearing this, Nanny Song didn’t speak, feeling quite ashamed.

Although Ming Xiang was now the mistress of the Song estate, Song Yao had after all been born and raised in the Song estate from childhood. For her to say such things today was not only chilling but also brought disgrace to the Song family.

“Thank goodness Song Nian has a clear head on her shoulders.”

Having said this, Ming Xiang pursed her lips and sighed again.

When she first married into the Song estate, she had been single-mindedly determined to be a good sister-in-law and treat Song Yao and Song Nian well. She had even gone so far as to arrange a marriage for her younger brother in the family.

Now she felt deeply relieved in hindsight.

Fortunately, Song Nian hadn’t disappointed her. Her temperament was steady and her mind reasonably clear. If she hadn’t noticed in time and had betrothed Song Yao to someone in her family, they probably wouldn’t even be able to enter the Ming family’s gates in the future.

“Forget it, don’t worry about her. Are the preparations for entering the palace all ready?”

“Everything is prepared. We’re just waiting for Master and Madam to depart.”

Ming Xiang nodded, changed her clothing and makeup, and entered the palace with Song Fu.

As they were still in the period of national mourning, everyone entering the palace for the banquet could only wear plain colors and could not drink wine or make merry. But as they were all family members merely gathering together, no one minded these restrictions.

Song Wan arrived early at Changxin Palace to keep Song Yuning company. After Shen Qianyu, Song Fu, and Shen Qianbai finished morning court, they also came directly to Changxin Palace.

Ming Xiang sat beside Song Wan. Though she hadn’t spent much time with Song Yuning, she was extremely fond of this aunt.

Years ago, when she had just become engaged to Song Fu, Ming Xiang had been quite timid due to her speech impediment. It was Concubine Yun’s gentle words of comfort that gave her some courage.

Now, knowing that Concubine Yun was going to Nanqing, she couldn’t help feeling sad and sorrowful.

Nanqing was too far away. Such a distant place over mountains and rivers—once someone went there, they would be difficult to see again in this lifetime.

Everyone at the table knew of this matter, and thus the entire banquet was permeated with an air of parting sorrow. It wasn’t until the sky had grown late and Song Fu and Ming Xiang had to leave the palace that Song Yuning finally said: “I’ve decided to depart tomorrow. You needn’t see me off.”

“Aunt.”

Ming Xiang exclaimed in surprise, but Song Yuning grasped her hand and smiled: “Your aunt doesn’t like facing such occasions. If you youngsters start crying, you’ll surely make me shed tears too.”

“Your aunt doesn’t want you to see her looking so weak. Let’s consider today as having seen me off.”

Hearing this, Song Wan’s eyes suddenly reddened.

She and Song Yuning shared the closest bond—even Song Fu was somewhat less dear. Though she had long known her aunt would leave sooner or later, at this moment she suddenly felt unable to bear it.

Both young women’s eyes reddened. Though Song Fu also felt sorrow, he was not as distressed as Song Wan and Ming Xiang.

Watching Song Wan forcibly hold back her tears yet not daring to let them fall, Shen Qianyu felt as if his heart was being twisted and crushed into pieces that could never be put back together.