Chapter 34: More Trouble Brewing

According to custom, one must enter the palace to express gratitude for gifts bestowed by the Empress. Mu Changxiao had sent word to Song Tang the previous evening, suggesting they wait until after their wedding to pay their respects together.

Song Tang remembered that in her previous life, the Empress had been imprisoned for treason and granted a silk cord for suicide on the very day of her incarceration. Now, there were still two or three years left before that rebellion would occur. Song Tang also recalled that after Mu Shu’an entered the palace, she had been constantly suppressed by the Empress and rarely managed to see the Emperor, eventually dying of sorrow.

However, Lady He felt that expressing gratitude could not be delayed; she insisted they must thank the Empress for her gifts immediately. Having taken it upon herself to submit the request, she dragged a reluctant Song Tang toward the palace, showing no intention of taking "no" for an answer. With the request already submitted, Song Tang had no choice but to change her clothes and accompany Lady He.

To her surprise, Lady He had brought Song Wei along as well. It was clear that Song Wei had put a great deal of effort into her appearance. She wore a begonia-red embroidered brocade jacket over a water-red pleated skirt, draped in a cloud-patterned shawl embroidered with phoenixes, and adorned her hair with a gold-threaded eight-treasure hairpin. It was obvious she intended to make a striking impression on the Empress.

Song Tang looked at Song Wei coldly; with such a flashy outfit, it would be hard for the Empress to ignore her. "Mother, the Empress did not bestow any gifts upon my cousin. By bringing her along, are you trying to embarrass the Empress?" Song Tang asked bluntly.

Lady He’s face stiffened. "What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I want to embarrass the Empress? I simply thought that since the Empress has never met Wei'er, this would be a good opportunity to let her see her."

Song Tang sneered inwardly. Who was Song Wei to warrant a special presentation to the Empress? The Empress surely had no desire to see her at all. Song Wei, for her part, behaved quite shrewdly; she did not say a word on the journey, merely clutching Lady He’s hand and sitting close to her, feigning a gentle and virtuous demeanor.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Song Tang, Lady He, and Song Wei were led to a side hall to wait. After about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the Empress’s head maid came to summon them.

Stepping into the main hall, they saw the Empress sitting high upon her throne, her expression unreadable. Song Tang’s only memory of the Empress was from when she was a child accompanying Lady He to the palace; back then, the Empress had been only seventeen or eighteen, beautiful and noble. Now, seeing her again, her appearance had hardly changed, though there was a newfound sense of authority in her brow.

Lady He hurriedly led Song Tang and Song Wei in kneeling to pay their respects. "Your subject, Lady He, brings her daughters, Song Tang and Song Wei, to kowtow and thank the Empress for her gracious gifts. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years!"

The Empress raised her hand slightly. "Rise. The Earl’s estate has always been loyal, and these gifts are well-deserved."

"We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace; we shall keep it in our hearts," Lady He said, rising slowly with a face full of humble smiles. Song Tang and Song Wei followed suit.

The Empress’s gaze swept over the two girls. "Which one is the eldest Miss Song?"

Song Tang raised her head slightly, her eyes clear. "Replying to Your Majesty, it is this subject, Song Tang."

"The eldest Miss Song is dignified and poised, worthy of the upbringing of the Earl’s estate. You must come to the palace to chat with me more often when you have time," the Empress said, her tone gentle but her eyes profound.

"Yes," Song Tang replied with a graceful bow.

Song Tang was dressed quite plainly today—her brocade jacket and skirt were moon-white, her hair was only lightly adorned, and her makeup was subtle—forming a sharp contrast with Song Wei’s ostentatious display. She had dressed this way precisely because of her memories from her previous life; she knew the Empress disliked those who were overly flamboyant, though Song Wei and Lady He clearly did not. While Lady He’s attire as a titled court lady was acceptable, Song Wei’s appearance was far too flashy.

The Empress turned to look at Song Wei, her brows slightly raised. "And this one, who has dressed with such great care, is the second Miss Song?"

Song Wei was overjoyed, assuming it was a compliment, and quickly curtsied. "It is I, Your Majesty. I am Song Wei, greetings to the Empress."

The Empress gave a soft, noncommittal "hmm" before turning back to Lady He. "The wedding is in three days, is it not?"

"Your Majesty is wise, it is indeed in three days," Lady He replied respectfully.

"Is everything prepared?" the Empress asked. Lady He answered quickly, "Yes, Your Majesty, everything is fully prepared."

The Empress nodded slightly. "That is good."

At that moment, the Empress’s maid, Nanny Liu, spoke up, "Your Majesty, the hour is late."

The Empress nodded, signaling that the three of them could withdraw. Song Tang, Lady He, and Song Wei bowed and took their leave. On the way out, Song Wei was visibly disappointed; she had expected the Empress to bestow some jewelry upon her, and having received nothing, she felt the trip had been in vain. Lady He had also expected the Empress to give Song Wei a hairpin or some pearls, and was surprised that the Empress had seemingly forgotten.

Just as the trio reached the palace gate, they saw Prince Heng walking out with a dark expression on his face. He swept a cold glance over them, his gaze lingering on Song Tang for a moment longer than necessary, before he flicked his sleeves, mounted his horse, and rode away.

Song Tang felt a tightening in her chest and a vague sense of unease. She did not know why Prince Heng had looked at her like that. One had to remember that it was Prince Heng who would eventually lead the rebellion! Prince Heng was the most supported by the old officials and their factions, and the current Emperor’s greatest headache was the influence of these very people.

Fortunately, Song Congzhi was not a man of great ambition and had always kept a low profile, never involving himself in court disputes. His two sons were neither scholars nor warriors, and had never been held in high regard by the Emperor. Although the Emperor did not value the Song family, he did not view them as a thorn in his side either. Thus, when Mu Changxiao proposed to marry the eldest daughter of the Song family, the Emperor had hesitated but ultimately granted his consent.

Back from the palace, Song Tang remained anxious. That look from Prince Heng had been truly peculiar; she could not shake the feeling that something was about to happen to her.

That evening, just as Song Tang finished her meal, Caidie mentioned that the third sister, Song Si, had come to visit. As soon as Song Si entered the room, Song Tang noticed her expression was quite poor.

"Third Sister, what is wrong? Why do you look so pale?" Song Tang asked softly.

Song Si whispered, "I am fine, Eldest Sister. I came tonight because there is something I wish to tell you."

"What is it? Is your mother ill again?" Song Tang asked with concern. Before the new year, she had sent a doctor to treat Song Si’s mother. However, Caidie had later reported that while the illness was not life-threatening, it had damaged her constitution and could not be cured, only managed.

"No, it is not my mother who is ill," Song Si shook her head. "It is... it is about Second Sister."

"Song Wei?" Song Tang frowned slightly. "What about her?"

Song Si gritted her teeth and said with some hesitation, "I do not know if it is true, but I accidentally overheard the gatekeeper mentioning that Second Sister has been giving them a lot of money."