Chapter 11 : Compensation

Zhou had laid out everything that had happened. Song Ying turned to Song Ruoer and said, “Ruoer, if you have anything to say, please feel free to speak.”

Song Ruoer glanced at her mother, then stood up and walked over, affectionately taking Song Ying’s hand. “I just want to have a private conversation with you.”

Song Ying stood as well. “Alright.”

The two sisters headed to the pavilion by the pond in the mansion, where the servants had already set out snacks and pastries.

Seated across from each other, Song Ruoer said, “Sister, I won’t beat around the bush why is Princess Ziyang targeting you?”

Song Ying smiled and took a graceful sip of tea. “How can you tell she’s targeting me?”

Song Ruoer looked at her with concern. “Sister, you don’t need to be afraid. Shaozhi told me there’s bad blood between you two. You’re my sister, how could I let others bully you?”

Faer turned her head and pouted. ‘It was you who bullied the young lady.’

Song Ying gently placed the teacup on the table. “I didn’t expect the Regent to tell you about my matters. Ruoer, aren’t you angry?”

Song Ruoer paused, lowered her eyes to hide her embarrassment, and said, “I asked Shaozhi myself… I really want to help you, sister.”

“Help me? In what way?”

Song Ruoer replied, “Sister, don’t you want to teach her a lesson? Just say the word, and I—”

Song Ying burst out laughing, interrupting her. “Thank you for your concern, Princess. But I have no conflict with Her Highness. In the beginning, wasn’t it just Li Xingrou and I who were competing?”

Indeed, Princess Ziyang had merely taken the lead, giving those who disliked Song Ying an excuse to stir up trouble on their own.

But—

Song Ruoer frowned slightly, her gaze dropped, and her lips pouted as if she had been wronged. Her nose twitched. “I know no matter what I say or do now, Sister won’t appreciate it… but I really want you to be well…”

A tear slipped down the corner of her eye. Her delicate features looked pitifully sweet.

Song Ying sighed softly. She, too, was someone who struggled to resist beauty, it was all because her sister was so pretty.

Just as she was about to comfort her, Yu Liang suddenly arrived.

“Princess, Guard Yu is here.”

Song Ruoer didn’t even have time to wipe her tears before Yu Liang saw her crying the moment he entered.

“Princess?”

Song Ruoer quickly dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief and forced a smile. “It’s nothing, the wind just blew something into my eye. Why are you here, Guard Yu?”

Yu Liang said, “His Highness sent me to escort you back.”

Song Ruoer nodded and turned to Song Ying. “Sister, I meant every word just now. I truly want to make it up to you…”

Song Ying replied, “No need. Just go back, don’t keep the prince waiting too long.”

Song Ruoer left with Yu Liang.

When Song Ying turned around, she saw her maid pouting. Song Ying chuckled. “Who made my little maid angry?”

Faer helped her up and walked her back slowly. “Miss, Miss Ruoer wasn’t sincere with her words.”

“Oh? I thought she was quite sincere. You heard her, she’s even willing to stand up for me and deal with the princess.”

Faer shook her head. “No, Miss Ruoer said it was for you, but who knows if she’s trying to stir up trouble instead? She’s just being ungrateful after taking the upper hand.”

Song Ying was amused. “And who told you that?”

Faer. “Aunt Dong.”

Aunt Dong was a cook from Han’s dowry, responsible for Song Ying’s meals.

Song Ying said, “From now on, you can listen to Aunt Dong but don’t go around spreading what she says.”

Faer nodded, “Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll only tell you.”

Song Ying shook her head in helpless amusement.

Meanwhile, on the other side, as soon as Song Ruoer entered the carriage, Yue Shaozhi lifted her by the waist and sat her on his lap.

Song Ruoer asked in surprise, “Why is my husband here?”

Yue Shaozhi replied, “Nothing urgent. I just came to take you home.”

Song Ruoer felt a rush of warmth in her heart. “Thank you, my husband.”

Yue Shaozhi knocked on the wall of the carriage, and it began to roll slowly forward.

“In the future, if you miss your family, just ask them to come to you. You don’t need to run around by yourself.”

Song Ruoer lowered her eyes and said softly, “I’m afraid my sister won’t agree…”

Yue Shaozhi frowned. “You want Song Ying to accompany you?”

“My husband, although my sister and I are not born of the same mother, she has always treated me well. This time, it’s me who has let her down…”

Yue Shaozhi gently covered her mouth. “This has nothing to do with you. I have no feelings for her. You’re not allowed to care about it.”

“I’m the one who’s wronged my sister…” As she spoke, Song Ruoer’s eyes turned red again.

Yue Shaozhi was a little upset but still coaxed her patiently. “Don’t cry. If you cry again, I won’t be able to stop myself from bullying you more.”

Song Ruoer immediately stopped talking. “Husband, you…”

“That’s better. Don’t worry about Song Ying anymore. The most important thing now is to think about me, understand?”

Looking into his affectionate eyes, Song Ruoer blushed and nodded slightly. “Yes, husband. I really like you.”

“I like you too…”

After spending some time with Song Ruoer, Yue Shaozhi had to return to his work.

In the study, Yu Liang reported, “When I left, the princess was crying.”

“Song Ying bullied her?” Yue Shaozhi asked.

Yu Liang replied, “Not exactly. Before the princess left, she said she wanted to make amends with Miss Song Ying, but Song Ying refused.”

Yue Shaozhi stared into a corner and asked, “What did Song Ying say?”

Yu Liang answered, “Miss Song Ying said there was no need to make amends.”

Yue Shaozhi nodded. “Song Ying’s only virtue is that she’s sensible. In the future, if the princess wants to see someone, just have that person brought to her directly. Don’t let her go walking around.”

Yu Liang. “Yes.”

—

Song Ying’s rejection of Song Ruoer’s “good intentions” eventually reached Song Jinzhuo’s ears.

This time, instead of summoning Song Ying to his study, he personally came to her courtyard.

“Ruoer wanted to make amends. Why didn’t you accept it?”

Song Ying poured tea for her father before sitting down. “I was the one who initiated the divorce, to help her and Yue Shaozhi be together. She owes me nothing.”

Song Jinzhuo nodded approvingly. “You’re very sensible.”

Song Ying had heard the word “sensible” too many times.

He had promised her to Yue Shaozhi because she was sensible, she wouldn’t cause trouble.

“Did Father come just for this matter?”

Song Jinzhuo spoke frankly, “Your mother is worried you’ll come to hate Ruoer.”

“Does Father think that way too?”

Song Jinzhuo shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

After all, he had raised this daughter he knew her best.

Seeing that he was almost done with his tea, Song Ying poured him another cup. “Come to think of it, father hasn’t visited in a long time.”

Since Zhou entered the household, Song Jinzhuo had only come to see her a handful of times.

Without her mother, what she had wanted most was for her father to be by her side. But that was just a childish fantasy, his heart belonged only to Zhou and her daughter.

From her early days of jealousy, crying, and making a fuss that only led others to dislike and ridicule her, Song Ying had gradually learned to stay calm, to hide her emotions, and to eventually let them go.

Because even if she did express them, no one cared.

Why make herself suffer? Better to live quietly and not let anyone disturb her peace.

“Father, I want to move out.”

This time was different from before, she truly meant it.

Song Jinzhuo paused mid-sip. He continued drinking before looking up at Song Ying across from him.

“So, you still care about Ruoer taking Yue Shaozhi?”