Chapter 97
Storm

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence was busy making mooncakes and fruit, hanging lanterns, and changing silk decorations.

Song Wan, along with Heng Zhi and Heng Wu, was sitting in the room making flower lanterns. She saw the elegant lantern and wrote a few words on it. While she was busy, a young maid came in to report that Madam Song had arrived.

After having the items cleaned up, Song Wan went to the main hall of Lan Ting Courtyard.

Yesterday, Madam Song had sent a message, but Song Wan didn’t know why she would visit around this festive time, as the Song residence should also be busy.

After welcoming her in, Song Wan poured tea for her and sat obediently by her side.

Madam Song took a sip and sighed, “I didn’t want to come to see you, but the family has no other choice.”

She looked at Song Wan and said directly, “Do you know what your brother has done to get you out of the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence?”

Song Wan looked up at Madam Song.

“The marriage between our family and Duke Ying’s family has been settled. Your brother and the ninth young lady have exchanged betrothal gifts, and the marriage contract has been sent. Your father asked him to visit the Duke’s residence during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but he refused.”

Song Wan frowned but said nothing.

The Song family valued etiquette, and Duke Ying’s family was her brother’s in-laws. It was necessary to visit during the festival, especially since the marriage was settled. Not going would not only tarnish the Song family’s reputation but also insult Duke Ying’s family.

If that happened, the two families would become enemies instead of in-laws.

“You’ve known etiquette since you were young and should understand that this behavior is inappropriate.”

“Recently, your brother has been busy looking for a house in the capital, even defying your father. It makes me uneasy.”

“Your brother just joined the Ministry of Personnel. If people find out he’s defying his father for his sister, it will ruin not only your reputation but also his career.”

Madam Song took out a land deed and gently pushed it in front of Song Wan. “Your brother chose this house for you, near Zhizong Temple in the suburbs of the capital.”

“I asked around, and it’s a beautiful and peaceful place.”

“I know you and your brother have been close since childhood, and I know you won’t agree with his reckless actions.”

“It’s one thing to lose face within the family, but it’s another to disgrace us publicly. I don’t want you to be known as the married daughter who brought shame to her family.”

“Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of your child and your brother’s future children.”

“Don’t let your brother’s unborn child bear the name of an unfilial father. I guess you wouldn’t want that.”

“In a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. Your brother will also go to see the lanterns before entering the palace. If you see him, persuade him.”

After speaking, Madam Song stood up to leave, but Song Wan said, “Mother, you haven’t finished your tea. Why not sit a little longer?”

Knowing she had more to say, Madam Song sat down again.

“I know my brother’s character well. He would never defy our father. And he values his promises, so he wouldn’t back out of the marriage with Duke Ying’s family.”

Taking the land deed, Song Wan smiled gently. “It’s indeed a good place. My brother put a lot of thought into it.”

Carefully putting away the deed, Song Wan looked at Madam Song. “Mother, you are my father’s second wife. You came late and don’t know my brother’s character, which is understandable. But as a member of the Song family, it’s inappropriate to accuse him of defiance and recklessness.”

“Before outsiders can slander us, why give my brother the label of unfilial?”

“Why not mention that the family didn’t fulfill its promises to my brother?”

“If the family broke the agreement first, my brother’s actions are understandable.”

Madam Song frowned. “Are you saying you support your brother taking you away from the Marquis’s residence? Do you know that in the Song and Su families, no woman has ever been divorced or separated in a hundred years?”

Song Wan clenched her handkerchief and pressed her lips tightly. Seeing this, Madam Song softened her tone. “It’s common for a woman to face some difficulties in marriage. Even the noblest women have their moments of discontent.”

“You and the Marquis of Chengyang don’t have children yet. Once you have children, things will get better.”

Song Wan lowered her gaze, remaining silent.

“No woman in this world can have everything go her way. If every woman demanded to be taken back home by her father and brother over minor inconveniences, wouldn’t the world be in chaos?”

“Mother advises you to endure a little longer.”

“I understand.” Song Wan stood up and escorted her mother out of Lan Ting Courtyard.

Heng Zhi waited cautiously nearby, not daring to approach.

Heng Wu, being impatient, hurriedly asked, “Miss, are we just going to let this go?”

“Let it go?” Song Wan murmured, “In the past, I was always afraid of tarnishing the family’s reputation, so I endured everything and followed the rules. But now, my concern for this false reputation has caused my brother to be controlled.”

“As long as I stay in the Marquis’s residence, my brother will never be at ease and will always be controlled.”

“I can’t bear the thought of my brother being led by the nose for my safety and well-being.”

“I’ve upheld the family’s name and reputation, but in doing so, I’ve harmed my closest brother. What sense does that make?”

Song Wan picked up the land deed on the table and smiled lightly. “The family knows I value reputation and family, so they use it to control me. They also know my brother values loyalty and promises, so they use us to restrain each other. It’s a clever plan.”

She handed the land deed to Heng Zhi. “Find out where this place is.”

Heng Zhi took the deed and went out to inquire.

Most of her dowry had already been sent away from Lan Ting Courtyard. The only thing she couldn’t part with was her collection of books.

Looking at the study, Song Wan painfully packed away some rare books.

She felt sorry for the girls of the Song family, but her brother and aunt were more important than anything else in the world. If society couldn’t accept her, she would become a nun to give the Song family an explanation.

No matter what, she would never give anyone the chance to use her to manipulate her brother again.

Song Wan picked up her pen and calmly wrote on the flower lanterns, putting everything else out of her mind.

She finished making the flower lanterns and hung them all around Lan Ting Courtyard. Soon, it was the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Song Wan got up early and began preparing the clothes and accessories for the evening banquet. Since she had to go to the Dengtian Tower first to see the Third Prince light the lanterns and then attend the banquet in the palace, she prepared two sets of outfits.

“Miss, the clothes sent from the embroidery room have some loose threads.” Heng Wu brought the clothes over and found a small tear on the collar, unsure of what had caused it.

“See if it can be mended. If not, use the brocade dress with the floral pattern that Aunt sent earlier.”

“I’ll check.”

Just as Song Wan nodded, she suddenly felt a severe abdominal pain, which was unbearable. In a moment, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Full of worry, Heng Zhi hurriedly sent a young maid to fetch the physician.

“Young Madam must have eaten something inappropriate, causing this.”

The physician examined Song Wan’s food and pointed to one dish. “This is hellebore.”

“Hellebore is bitter and cold, and it’s toxic. Young Madam abdominal pain is due to consuming this.”

“Who would be so bold as to poison our young madam?”