Chapter 26: A Played-Out Trick

Mu Changxiao waved his hand slightly. "Song Tang is the lady of my heart. This betrothal gift is a token of my sincerity, as well as a gesture of respect for Magistrate Song and Madame He."

Mu Changxiao had once saved a wealthy merchant from the south. The merchant, having no heirs, bequeathed his vast fortune to Mu Changxiao upon his death. It was because of this legacy that Mu Changxiao could prepare such a lavish betrothal gift without drawing from the official accounts of the Mu estate. While the fact that Mu Changxiao possessed this private inheritance was well-known throughout the capital, Song Congzhi had not expected him to offer so much for the betrothal, which only deepened his satisfaction with the match.

Just then, a maid hurried in and whispered something into Madame He’s ear. Upon hearing this, a flicker of panic crossed Madame He’s brow. She rose quickly and offered an apologetic smile to Mu Changxiao. "Marquis, please excuse me for a moment; I have a matter that requires my attention."

With that, she exchanged a meaningful look with Song Congzhi and hurried away. Though Song Congzhi felt a surge of confusion, he maintained his composure and outward courtesy. Mu Changxiao’s gaze, meanwhile, drifted calmly toward the courtyard outside.

Song Tang had dressed beautifully, intending to see Mu Changxiao shortly, but as soon as she stepped out of her courtyard, she saw Song Wei approaching. Song Wei rarely visited her, knowing well that Song Tang never gave her a pleasant look, and having been warned by Madame He to avoid such unpleasantness. Given that today was the day of the betrothal, Song Wei’s sudden appearance was surely a sign of trouble. Song Tang’s internal alarms went off, and Caidie hurriedly whispered to Zishuang, warning her that the woman approaching was Song Wei, who was always at odds with their mistress.

Song Wei was seething with jealousy. She had originally been on her way to the temple to burn incense, but having forgotten the protective amulet she had sought for Mu Ziyu, she had turned back halfway to retrieve it. Upon arriving at the gates, she had seen Mu Changxiao being ushered into the Song residence by a crowd. When she asked around, she learned to her horror that Mu Changxiao was there to betroth Song Tang! Why had no one told her? Had Madame He deliberately sent her away to the temple? No wonder Song Congzhi had been so unusually kind to Song Tang during the New Year’s Eve banquet. The entire Song family had clearly conspired to keep her in the dark.

As the jealousy and hatred boiled over, Song Wei made a silent vow: she would stop this marriage at all costs. If she couldn't, she would at least make Song Tang’s life miserable.

Song Wei suppressed her rage and forced a smile. She walked up to Song Tang and reached for her hand, but Zishuang stepped forward to block her. Seeing this, Song Wei’s smile grew even more strained. She spoke with feigned intimacy: "Sister, I haven't seen this maid before."

In truth, Song Wei had heard from Qiuling that Song Tang had brought back a new, very ordinary-looking maid. Glancing at Zishuang, Song Wei noted that she was indeed quite plain—at best, delicate—though she seemed very protective of her mistress.

Song Tang remained expressionless. "Since when have you taken such an interest in my maids?"

"No, no, Sister, you misunderstand. I was just asking out of curiosity," Song Wei said, her eyes flickering. She continued, "You look stunning today, Sister. With the Marquis here to present the betrothal gifts, such a major event—why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you for what? What could you do? What do you *want* to do?" Song Tang retorted with three sharp questions.

Stung by the harshness of the words, Song Wei faltered, her eyes reddening. "I was only showing concern for you, Sister. Why must you speak to me like that? If I had known earlier, I would have naturally prepared a gift to congratulate you and the Marquis."

"No need. I don't care for your sentiments," Song Tang said, casting her a cold glance before turning to leave.

"Sister," Song Wei choked out, "are you trying to force me to my death?"

Song Tang paused and looked back coldly. Song Wei dropped to her knees. "If you have such misunderstandings about me, Sister, I will kneel here until you forgive me." Her voice was filled with sorrow, and tears streamed down her face.

"What are you doing?" Song Tang frowned.

"I will not rise until you forgive me, Sister," Song Wei sobbed, looking utterly pitiful.

Song Tang felt a wave of annoyance. She knew Song Wei was doing this on purpose; if she didn't offer her a way out, the situation would likely spiral. However, she had no intention of indulging her today. "Kneel if you like. You will have plenty more opportunities to kneel to me in the future." With that, Song Tang turned and walked away.

Song Wei stood frozen. She hadn't expected Song Tang to say something like that. She couldn't let this go; she would never allow Song Tang to marry into a position of seniority over her. Clutching her fists, she signaled to her maid and stood up. She lunged forward, grabbing Song Tang’s sleeve, and raised her voice: "Sister, why do you hate me so? What have I done wrong!"

Seeing Song Tang’s sleeve being gripped, Zishuang stepped in and forcibly pulled Song Wei’s hand away. In that instant, Song Wei used the momentum to throw herself to the ground.

"Help! The eldest young lady has pushed our mistress! Someone, come quickly!" At the cry, maids and servants swarmed the area.

Song Wei’s maid, Yuanguo—who had been chosen by Song Wei’s aunt and had served her faithfully since childhood—did not move to help her mistress, but instead continued to scream: "Help! The eldest young lady has pushed our mistress!"

"Mistress, I didn't push her! She fell on purpose!" Zishuang hurriedly explained. She was speechless; she hadn't used any real force, merely enough to pry Song Wei’s hand away. It was impossible for that to have knocked her down.

Song Tang nodded slightly, signaling Zishuang to stay silent. She wanted to see what kind of performance Song Wei was putting on. As the crowd grew, Song Wei’s wailing became increasingly shrill. Finally, Madame He rushed over.

"Song Tang, what is the meaning of this? Wei'er is your younger sister, how could you push her!"

Seeing Madame He level accusations without asking a single question, Song Tang let out a cold laugh. "Mother, don't you think you should ask what happened before you start blaming me?"

"What is there to ask? With so many eyes watching, are you suggesting everyone is framing you?" Madame He snapped, rushing to defend her "poor" Wei'er.

Song Tang remained impassive. "Who saw me push her? Step forward!"

The servants looked at one another, none daring to speak up. They hadn't seen anything; they had only come because of Yuanguo’s shouting.

"You!" Song Tang pointed at a servant at random.

The servant trembled and said, "I... I didn't see it. I only came when I heard the shouting."

"Shouting? Whose shouting?" Song Tang asked coldly. Since Song Wei had decided to play this game, she would use this very moment to slap her across the face.