Chapter 3 : Paying the debt myself

Song Ying folded her hands over her abdomen and sat up straight. Unlike her humble demeanor earlier in the day, she had now made up her mind.

“Your daughter wouldn’t dare.”

Even without raising his voice, Song Jinzhuo’s imposing presence was enough to make Song Ying break out in a cold sweat.

“You truly have brought shame upon the Marquisate.”

That one sentence made Song Ying go pale and sink into silent despair.

“If you want to leave, then go. But think carefully, sometimes the less you understand, the less you’ll realize why people don’t want you.”

Song Ying thought to herself, ‘Wasn’t it me who didn’t want Yue Shaozhi in the first place?’

—

Back in her boudoir, Faer hugged her tightly and said, “Miss, I was so scared just now. I thought they were going to throw me into the little dark room.”

Song Ying tapped her forehead lightly. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. But I’ll need your help packing. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Leaving? To where?” The little maid slumped her shoulders. “Did the Marquis get mad and kick us out of the mansion?”

Song Ying decided to tease her. “Yes, and now we’ll have to live under a green lantern for the rest of our lives.”

“Huh?” The little girl’s face turned pale. “Green lantern? Miss, are you becoming a nun?”

Song Ying nodded. “Yes. And as my maid, you’ll have to follow me.”

Faer clutched her face in alarm. “But I haven’t even gotten married yet!”

“Then don’t get married.”

Seeing Song Ying laugh, Faer pouted. “Miss, you’re teasing me again.”

“Well, who told you to be so cute?”

Faer leaned over and said with determination, “Wherever you go, I’ll follow. But can we not go to a temple? I still want to eat meat.”

Song Ying agreed, smiling. “Okay, whatever you say.”

—

At dawn the next morning, outside the Marquis’s Mansion gates, Faer was directing the servants as they loaded the luggage onto the carriage.

Song Ruoer came over with a lunch box. “Sister, I made this myself. Eat some on the way if you get hungry.”

“Thanks.”

Song Ying signaled a servant to take the box. Just as she was about to turn away, Song Ruoer called again, “Sister.”

Song Ying turned her head. “Hmm?”

Song Ruoer pursed her lips, then stepped closer and whispered, “Sister, do you… blame me?”

The affair between her and Yue Shaozhi had eventually come to light. Although Song Ying had never questioned her, Song Ruoer knew her sister must resent her. But because of their father and Song Ying’s identity as the eldest daughter, she didn’t dare show it, nor could she.

Since they were young, the two sisters had always been compared. Song Ruoer had outshone Song Ying too many times. Although Song Ying always appeared calm and indifferent on the surface, Song Ruoer believed she must have been jealous deep down.

She hadn’t meant for things to turn out this way. She had just wanted to get along with her sister.

But as Song Ying looked into her eyes, she could read all those thoughts clearly and couldn’t help but feel that her sister was overly dramatic. Still, she didn’t bother explaining anything. Song Ruoer had already made up her mind about who she was.

But Ruoer was right about one thing, Song Ying did blame her.

If she and Yue Shaozhi had truly fallen for each other, why hadn’t she told her earlier? Or maybe the two of them were the same kind of people, ones who liked to do things in secret.

“I’ll leave Father in your care.”

Song Ruoer opened her mouth as if to speak, but Song Ying had already turned and stepped into the carriage without a backward glance. Her voice was cold.

“Let’s go.”

The driver raised his whip, and with the crack of leather, the horses took off, their hooves clattering as the carriage pulled away from the mansion.

Song Ruoer watched the departing convoy fade into the distance. She let out a quiet sigh, then turned and walked back into the house.

—

Inside the carriage, Faer peeked out, then quickly drew her head back. “Miss Song Ruoer has gone back inside.”

Song Ying lay on her side, lazily toying with the tassel hanging from her waist.

Faer glanced at the food box on the little table beside her, opened it out of curiosity, and exclaimed, “Wow! Miss Ruoer’s cooking is really good! And this one looks so cute and pretty too!”

Song Ying was absent-minded and drowsy. “Eat if you want.”

“Really?”

“Mm. All yours.”

Faer, already used to being spoiled by Song Ying, didn’t hesitate. She picked up a piece of pastry, tasted it, and licked her lips. “It’s really delicious, Miss. Do you want to try some too?”

Song Ying said casually, “It’s poisoned.”

“Ah?!” Faer immediately tossed the pastry away, panicking over what to do about the piece she had already swallowed.

Just as she was about to stick her fingers down her throat, Song Ying burst out laughing.

The little maid realized she’d been tricked again. “Miss! You’re teasing me again!”

Song Ying looked at the exquisite pastries and took a bite herself. They were indeed delicious but not to her taste.

—

Life in the mountain house was peaceful but dull. Song Ying suddenly had an idea. She asked someone to find a patch of empty land, and under the guidance of Nanny Zhang, reclaimed it and began planting Chinese cabbage.

“Miss, I’m back!”

Song Ying patted the dirt off her skirt and stood up. When she looked up, her eyes twitched slightly. She pointed behind Faer and asked, “Did you pick this man up off the mountain?”

The man looked to be in his twenties, tall and broad, with a rugged face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a slightly lifted corner of his mouth that gave him a polite but slightly roguish air.

Faer explained, “He got lost and was thirsty, so he asked for some water. I brought him back.”

‘Good girl. So carefree as always.’

Song Ying signaled Nanny Zhang to hand the man a kettle of water.

The man didn’t say much. He took the kettle and chugged it down in one go, shocking Song Ying, Faer, and the nanny.

“Thank you.” His voice was low and rough. Song Ying took back the kettle and shook it, completely empty. He really had been thirsty.

But when the man showed no intention of leaving, Song Ying raised an eyebrow and asked, “Still not done drinking?”

The man smiled, his gaze soft as he bowed politely. “My name is Huo Zhen. Pleased to meet you, Miss Song.”

“You’ve met me before?” Song Ying was curious. His name and behavior didn’t quite match his rugged appearance.

Huo Zhen nodded, placing one hand behind his back and the other over his abdomen, striking a rather proud pose.

“Five years ago, in front of the Long’an Ju Pawnshop, you gave a meat bun to a beggar. That beggar was me.” As he spoke, the warmth in Huo Zhen’s eyes deepened.

Song Ying looked more confused. She had always had a soft spot for the pitiful, she had fed cats, dogs, birds, and even people. But once the moment passed, she forgot all about them.

This was the first time someone had come back to repay her.

So she stepped forward and held out her hand. “A meat bun costs two coins. After all these years, you should be able to pay me back an ounce of silver, right?”

Huo Zhen shook his head. “I don’t have money. Can I repay you with myself?”

Nanny Zhang’s eyes widened. ‘So he’s a scoundrel!’ She was about to summon the guards to kick him out, but Faer’s eyes lit up excitedly. “Miss, this man wants to repay you with his own body!”

Song Ying held her forehead. ‘This girl’s mouth always moves faster than her brain. How do you even scold that?’

“Mister Huo, please don’t joke like that. I’m not good with jokes.”

But Huo Zhen took a few steps forward and stopped just a pace away. “I brought a dowry.”

Nanny Zhang gasped. She was about to shout when Faer blurted out, “Miss! He wants to marry into the family!”

Song Ying turned and said to Nanny Zhang, “Take her away.”

“Yes, Miss!” Nanny Zhang grabbed Faer by the collar and dragged her off.

Faer looked confused. ‘Did I say something wrong again?’

Song Ying looked at the man standing before her. Though his clothes were refined, his face held none of the gentleness that might be expected. His wolfish eyes seemed to say: ‘If you dare to refuse, I’ll eat you alive.’

For her own safety, Song Ying forced a smile and said, “Give me two days to think it over?”

Huo Zhen’s eyes lit up with joy, clearly believing she had agreed. “Alright!”

Song Ying personally saw him off. Only after his figure had completely disappeared down the mountain path did she rush back inside and shout, “Pack up! We’re leaving today!”

Faer was baffled. “Why? Don’t you want your future husband anymore?”

‘This girl…’