Chapter Four: Someone Has My Back

Song An and Song Chao also walked over at this moment. Song An spoke first, “Song Tang, today is Wei’er’s coming-of-age ceremony. Can’t you behave yourself?”

“That’s right, Song Tang. It’s just a bracelet. Mother already said she’d buy you one later. Stop making a scene—everyone’s watching,” Song Chao chimed in.

Song Tang’s anger flared instantly—how could she possibly tolerate this any longer?

“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, just because today is Song Wei’s coming-of-age, does that mean I can’t seek justice for myself? This bracelet is a keepsake from Grandmother, specifically entrusted to me. Why should it be secretly given to Song Wei?”

As the legitimate eldest brother, Song An thought Song Tang’s words were getting more and more out of line. He reproached her, “Song Tang, what do you mean by that? What do you mean by ‘secretly’? Everything in this household belongs to Father and Mother. What’s wrong with Mother giving the bracelet to Wei’er?”

A cold laugh escaped Song Tang. “I’m Song Tang, and she’s ‘Wei’er’? The double standard couldn’t be clearer. Ever since she came to our family, you’ve all favored her. Song Wei is nothing more than an adopted daughter…”

Before she could finish, a sharp sting exploded on her right cheek—someone had slapped her.

Looking up, Song Tang saw that it was her own father, Song Congzhi, who had struck her.

“Father, you hit me?” Her voice trembled—she had never expected her father to strike her in public for Song Wei’s sake.

Song Congzhi’s face was clouded with rage as he barked, “Song Tang, what nonsense are you making now? Today is Wei’er’s big day, and here you are causing a scandal and disgracing the Song family!”

Song Wei bit her lip hard, a storm raging in her heart.

Madam He favored Song Wei only because Song Wei was her sister’s daughter.

The two brothers liked Song Wei because she played the sweet, delicate younger sister, sometimes even a bit coquettish.

What Song Tang truly couldn’t fathom was why Song Congzhi would go so far to defend Song Wei. What was really going on in this family?

“I’m making a scene? I’m disgracing the Song family? Fine! Since you all blame me, let’s all lose face together then.”

She strode up to Song Wei. “Are you satisfied now?”

Before the words had faded, she raised her hand and slapped Song Wei hard.

If the law forbade her from striking Song Congzhi, then she could at least hit the one who started it all—Song Wei.

Song Wei stood frozen, stunned by the unexpected blow. Disbelief flickered in her eyes, but inside she was secretly delighted.

Madam He hurried forward to shield Song Wei, glaring at Song Tang with a shrill voice. “Song Tang, what do you think you’re doing? Whose face are you slapping? Do you even see me as your mother?”

“Mother? You only have Song Wei in your heart. When have you ever treated me as a daughter?” Song Tang’s voice was icy and hard.

Had this happened in her previous life, she would have been heartbroken. But now, her heart was already riddled with wounds—she felt nothing anymore.

Song Wei clutched her stinging cheek, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Father, Mother, I’m fine. Don’t blame Sister—it’s all my fault. I don’t want the bracelet anymore.”

“You don’t want it? Was it ever yours to give up? Grandmother left it for me! What right do you have to refuse it?” Song Tang snatched the bracelet from Song Wei’s hand.

As she fastened it onto her own wrist, her sneer deepened. “You play the innocent, but when you asked Mother for it, did you remember it was left to me by Grandmother?”

Mu Ziyu, as Song Tang’s betrothed in name, saw that so many guests were present and felt he should intervene. Striding over, he addressed Song Tang, “Song Tang, today is Song Wei’s coming-of-age. With so many guests here, can’t you rein in your temper and stop being so willful?”

Hearing Mu Ziyu’s words only infuriated Song Tang further. What nonsense! If you can’t say anything decent, just stay silent.

She fixed Mu Ziyu with a cold stare. “Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Are you saying I’m throwing a tantrum on purpose?”

“I didn’t say you were throwing a tantrum on purpose.” Mu Ziyu was a little taken aback. Song Tang was like a firecracker today, exploding in front of everyone—he almost regretted not bringing his mother, Madam Sun, with him.

Song Tang sneered, “Mu Ziyu, as my fiancé, do you really not know what this bracelet means to me? Not only do you fail to stand up for me, but you side with outsiders instead. Quite something, aren’t you?”

Mu Ziyu was momentarily speechless—he really hadn’t considered Song Tang’s feelings.

He had once liked Song Tang, but her temper had grown more erratic and unpredictable. He often saw her scolding Song Wei over trivial matters, leaving Song Wei sobbing prettily in the corner...

“Song Tang, Song Wei is already giving the bracelet back. Why not let things go?”

“Oh, just shut up. You love playing the gallant hero, don’t you?” Song Tang was about to say more when Song Congzhi’s furious roar interrupted her.

“Enough! This ends now. Song Tang, go to your room and reflect on your behavior!” Song Congzhi thundered at her.

Song Tang straightened her back and retorted boldly, “Why should I go to my room and reflect?”

“Song Tang, what kind of attitude is this? You dare to talk back to your father? You’re becoming more outrageous by the day!” Madam He couldn’t help but scold her.

“Mother’s right, Song Tang is out of line. Apologize to Father now.”

“Yes, apologize, Song Tang!” Song An and Song Chao echoed.

Looking at these so-called family members, Song Tang felt nothing but a chill in her heart. “I did nothing wrong! Why should I apologize?”

Song Congzhi glared at her furiously, his voice grating through clenched teeth. “Song Tang, just look at yourself right now—where is there any trace of a true lady in you?”

Unafraid, Song Tang met his gaze. “Father, what did I do wrong? All I did was try to seek justice for myself after being wronged. Is that so wrong?”

“You… you…” Song Congzhi’s face turned ashen with rage, his finger trembling as he pointed at her, about to strike again.

But after a moment, Song Tang didn’t feel the blow land. She opened her eyes to see that Song Congzhi’s hand was being held tightly by another.

She thought it was Mu Ziyu, but when she looked up, it was actually Marquis Mu Changxiao who had restrained Song Congzhi’s hand.

“Master Song, that’s enough. Let it end here.” Mu Changxiao’s voice was icy, so cold that Song Congzhi shuddered.

Mu Changxiao had spent years on the battlefield, earning countless military honors. Even the emperor held him in high regard. Song Congzhi dared not protest.

“Marquis Mu, my daughter is truly a bit unruly. I’m afraid I’ve made a spectacle of myself before you. Please forgive me,” Song Congzhi said awkwardly, withdrawing his hand.

Mu Changxiao’s voice was even colder now, tinged with anger. “Song Tang is unruly? I don’t see how. Everyone here witnessed what just happened—she only wanted to reclaim her own property. What did she do wrong?”