Chapter 71 : Why Not Be Beautiful

The sky was overcast, and a strong wind suddenly blew in.

Faer walked in from outside, rubbing her face. “Miss, it’s so windy and so cold.”

Song Ying looked at the leaves being swept up by the wind outside and said, “Winter is coming.”

She walked over to the shelf, took the jade bowl containing the dirt stone, and carried it into the yard.

Faer, curious, asked, “Miss, what are you doing?”

Song Ying squatted down, dug a hole in the ground with a small shovel, and buried the jade bowl in it. “Trying to plant some winter grass.”

Faer was surprised. “Winter grass? Isn’t that only found in Yue? Can it even grow here?”

Song Ying replied, “I don’t know. It just suddenly came to mind, so I figured I’d give it a try. If it doesn’t work, then forget it. Go to the room and get the black cloth bag from the second cabinet.”

“Okay.”

Faer quickly brought out a cloth bag, which contained the leftover winter grass from before.

Song Ying took a pinch, rubbed it between her palms, and brushed off the dry outer leaves, leaving behind black seeds about the size of rice grains.

These were the winter grass seeds.

She scattered them into the jade bowl, then covered them with soil again.

Faer looked at it and asked, “That’s it?”

Song Ying replied, “Now we wait. If nothing sprouts after winter, then it’s a failure.”

Dayin was located in the central part of the continent, and even at its coldest in winter, it wasn’t as freezing as the snowy northern regions of Yue.

The day Song Ying saw the dirt stone, she had a sudden inspiration, what if she used the cold-conducting jade bowl, combined with the soil stone, and exposed it to the chill of winter to create a “mini cold zone” to try growing winter grass?

If it worked, it would be huge. It would mean an opportunity to make a fortune, and Song Ying would be the only one with the edge. If it failed, it wouldn’t matter much either. Yue also needed goods from Dayin, and trade between the two countries would resume soon.

After washing her hands, Song Ying glanced at the calendar on the table.

Since receiving Huo Zhen’s letter, there were twenty-eight days left until the “one month” he mentioned.

After tonight, only twenty-seven days would remain.

“Xiaomi will probably spend six or seven days at my uncle’s. I’m afraid Father will come to ask me to return home in the next few days.”

The wind picked up again.

The newly sprouted Ji Yuefang seedlings in the courtyard swayed wildly in the wind, but remained resilient and unbroken.

The transition from autumn to winter in Dayin was abrupt.

After just one night, her hands and feet already felt stiff.

Faer came running in. “Miss, the Marquis is here.”

Oh, so he actually came in person.

Song Ying changed into a dark blue winter dress, tied her hair into a simple bun, inserted a wooden hairpin, and dressed plainly to meet Song Jinzhuo.

Song Jinzhuo sat in the main seat, holding a teacup, gently stroking the smooth glaze with his fingertips.

His eagle-like eyes were half-closed, deep in thought.

Butler Hu Bo was waiting nearby. When he saw Song Ying come in, he bowed. “This old servant greets the young lady.”

Song Ying nodded to him and bowed to Song Jinzhuo. “Father.”

Song Jinzhuo seemed to be in a good mood. “Sit.”

Faer pulled out a chair for Song Ying. After she sat down, she and the housekeeper Hu Bo retreated outside.

Looking at her simple attire, Song Jinzhuo said with concern, “It’s winter now. Take care of yourself and don’t catch cold.”

“I will, Father.”

Song Jinzhuo asked, “Have you seen Huo Zhen?”

Song Ying: “Yes.”

It had been days since her return, and he was only now asking.

Song Jinzhuo: “I heard the caravan was attacked. Are you all right?”

Song Ying smiled. “I wasn’t injured.”

Song Jinzhuo nodded slightly. “Huo Zhen came to rescue you?”

Song Ying answered truthfully, “It was his deputy general. General Huo is stationed at the main camp.”

“The Chamber of Commerce was attacked, and reinforcements arrived in time… Have you thought about why?”

Song Ying calmly changed the subject: “The bandits were all from Xiyue.”

“Xiyue people?” Song Jinzhuo narrowed his eyes slightly. After a moment of silence, he gently placed the teacup on the table. “I see…”

“Now that Dayin and Xiyue are at odds, if Huo Zhen can take Longsai this time, it will be a great contribution.” He looked directly at Song Ying. “You…”

Song Ying said, “Huo Zhen will ask the emperor to grant us marriage.”

“A marriage of destiny?” Song Jinzhuo’s eyes flickered slightly but soon returned to calm, as though he was not entirely pleased with the answer.

He said quietly, “You are in a second marriage after all.”

Song Ying didn’t mind. “Huo Zhen wants me, not the Song family.”

Song Jinzhuo chuckled. “I taught you not to be too certain about anything. Wasn’t what you suffered at Yue Shaozhi’s hands enough of a lesson?”

Song Ying’s expression changed slightly. “I didn’t expect Yue Shaozhi to be so shallow and superficial.”

Song Jinzhuo picked up his teacup again, took a sip, and said, “Your sister’s strength lies in her looks. Her beauty helped you see through your own self-righteousness.”

Song Ying took a breath and exhaled softly. “Yes, I was self-righteous. Since Father cares so much, why not just have Ruoer seduce Huo Zhen and let me step aside? Or maybe Father has another daughter as beautiful as Song Ruoer for me to use?”

She looked down, eyes cold. “Your daughter was too blunt. Please forgive me, Father.”

“Hmph.” Song Jinzhuo said coldly, “Ruoer’s health hasn’t been good lately. As her sister, you should go visit her.”

Song Ying looked up, not angry, just curious. “Why?”

Song Jinzhuo stood and began walking out. “If you want to marry Huo Zhen, simply being the Song family’s eldest daughter isn’t enough. Huo Leiming wouldn’t be pleased with that.”

Song Ying: “Would he still dare to make things difficult for me even if I have an imperial marriage decree?”

Song Jinzhuo paused and looked back. “It’s still the little emperor who has the final say in Dayin.”

Seeing Song Ying frowning in thought, he added, “Your grandfather is looking forward to your marriage this time. I’m also looking forward to seeing you in the wedding dress your mother left behind.”

“Even if it’s a second marriage, why not make it more glorious than the first?”

—

Song Ying leaned her head against her right hand, drawing idle circles on the tea table with her left hand out of boredom.

The cold wind was howling outside again. Faer closed the window beside her and said, “Miss, don’t catch a cold.”

Song Ying sighed, half sprawled across the table. “Faer, I’m going to die.”

Faer was so frightened she hugged Song Ying and shook her hard. “Miss, what’s wrong with you? Please don’t die. What will happen to me if you die? What about everyone else? General Huo will be a widower before you even get married.”

Song Ying: “Don’t shake me. Just help me check something tomorrow.”

Faer let go. “What is it?”

Song Ying: “Go find out what’s going on with Song Ruoer and Song Shihe lately.”

Faer looked reluctant. “Why do you want to know about them?”

Song Ying: “Just go. I’ll ask Aunt Dong to roast some kidneys for you.”

Faer: “Alright, I’ll go first thing tomorrow morning.”

—

Song Ying had always been confident in Faer’s ability to handle tasks.

By lunchtime, Faer returned.

Song Ying, as usual, handed her a glass of water first, then pushed Aunt Dong’s freshly roasted kidneys toward her. “Eat and drink your fill first.”

After eating, Faer burped, rinsed her mouth, and then said, “I’m afraid Miss Ruoer’s pregnancy won’t be kept.”

Song Ying raised an eyebrow. “What about Song Shihe?”

Faer: “The young master was punished by the Marquis and made to kneel in the ancestral hall a few days ago. He’s been eating and sleeping in the study ever since. He is really lazy.”