The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 88 - Pleading for Mercy

Though the decision to return to the capital was made on short notice, all the proper protocols were still followed. Since they would be bringing Song Linlang's memorial tablet, Third Master Song had made a special trip to the temple in advance to ask a master to select an auspicious date, ultimately deciding on a departure in early December.

On the day of departure, Qingzhou had clear weather once again. The sun hung low on the treetops, spilling light over the ground with a chilly breeze, adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter day.

Old Lady Song held Xiang Mingzi's hand and gently pulled her into her embrace. "Mingzi, before she passed, your mother's greatest wish was to see you return to the Song family. Now, Grandmother is taking you home."

She brushed her chin against Xiang Mingzi's soft, fragrant hair, lightly patting her back. "From now on, you have no connection to the Xiang family. Don't be afraid."

Xiang Mingzi sensed that Zimei and Zilan must have told Old Lady Song about her recurring nightmares. Feeling a mix of bitterness and sadness, she hesitated for a long moment before looking up from her grandmother's embrace. "But, Grandmother, after all, my surname is still Xiang..."

She had seen young women dependent on their maternal relatives, who, once they wore out their welcome, had to live cautiously under the thumb of their aunts...

This was exactly what Song Linlang feared, which is why she had worked so tirelessly for over ten years to personally raise her daughter, to ensure she would have a secure place to call home. Yet, in the end, when she could no longer hold on, she had no choice but to turn to her family for help.

Old Lady Song wasn't angry. She hugged her with a laugh. "Your aunts are not such harsh people. You can set your heart at ease. And as long as your grandfather and I are here, you won't suffer the slightest grievance."

No matter what, life in the Song family couldn't possibly be worse than in the Xiang family. Remembering her mother's instructions and hopes, and recalling Old Lady Song's care and affection over the past days, Xiang Mingzi held back her tears and nodded.

The convoy stalled when they reached Zhengyang Street. Old Lady Song glanced at Xiang Mingzi, who was half-asleep in her lap, and asked Nanny Qin through the curtain, "What's happening outside?"

It wasn't a holiday—why was the road blocked?

Nanny Qin's slightly amused tone came through the curtain, catching Xiang Mingzi's attention. "Old Lady, it's because Prefect Xiang is also being escorted to the capital for trial today. Quite a crowd has gathered to watch, so the road is blocked."

Old Lady Song frowned with mild distaste. Out of consideration for Xiang Mingzi, she refrained from making any harsh remarks, though she felt uncomfortable. She instructed Nanny Qin, "Have Third Master see if we can move ahead. If it's too congested, we'll take another route."

Unexpectedly, despite changing the date, they ended up departing on the same day as Xiang Yunchang. Old Lady Song felt as if she'd swallowed a fly.

Meanwhile, Xiang Yunchang, catching sight of the carriage bearing the Marquis of Changning's insignia, was overcome with emotion. Eyes wide, he waved desperately at Third Master Song, tears welling up.

But Third Master Song looked straight ahead, passing him without so much as a sideways glance. He then turned his horse to go speak with Old Lady Song.

One of the officers escorting Xiang Yunchang sneered, looking at him with a mix of ridicule and disdain, and his words made Xiang Yunchang feel utterly humiliated: "What's this, Master Xiang? Hoping to get a greeting from your former mother-in-law?"

The lead constable, who had a more serious demeanor, cast a stern look at the officer who had mocked Xiang Yunchang, then glanced at the imposing convoy of the Marquis of Changning's family. He refrained from making any further remarks and, seeing that the crowd had mostly cleared, instructed the men to proceed.

Noticing Xiang Yunchang still calling out in desperation, the constable looked back at the Song family, who ignored him completely, and kindly advised Xiang Yunchang, "Best give up, Master Xiang. They lost a daughter because of you; they probably wish you were dead and won't be helping you."

But it hadn't always been this way!

In the past, the Song family had treated him with great respect. Old Master and Old Lady Song had regarded him nearly as a son, showing him warmth and care, and the brothers of the Song family had called him brother...

How had things come to this?

It was all his mother's fault, Lady Xiang! Ever since Song Linlang married into the Xiang family, she'd been resentful and envious, whispering unpleasant things in his ear. Over time, he'd been influenced.

And it was also Concubine Bai's fault. Outwardly she seemed gentle and considerate, but beneath that facade lay a heart full of malice, even foolishly dreaming that once he divorced Song Linlang, she could take her place as the main wife. How delusional!

The most infuriating of all was that shaman, claiming Xiang Mingzi was the reincarnation of a jinx, when in truth, he had conspired with Concubine Bai...

All these people—they were the real culprits who forced him from a court official's status to that of a prisoner!

No, no, there was also Song Linlang.

Tears slipped down Xiang Yunchang's face as he sat there, stunned, unable to understand how Song Linlang could be so heartless. His mother had mentioned during a prison visit that Song Linlang's entire dowry, along with the shops and lands she managed, had been reclaimed by the Song family—even the holdings in distant village, which they'd already contacted the Xiang clan leader to repossess.

After all their years together, she had no hesitation using her powerful family connections to crush him at his lowest...

But resentment and complaints would change nothing now. His days in prison had finally taught him one thing—under a roof, one has to bow.

"A gentleman knows when to bend and when to stand tall," he told himself, trying to find some comfort in this thought. Searching his clothes, he found a gemstone that Song Linlang had once embedded in his belt. When the constable went into the tavern to get a drink, Xiang Yunchang slipped the gem into the hands of the officer who had taunted him earlier. Awkward and ashamed, he stammered out a request for him to relay a message to the Song family convoy. "Sir... could you please... relay a message for me? Just ask if they'd allow us to travel together..."

It was a desperate attempt.

The officer looked at him with surprise, then glanced at the Song convoy already some distance away. He found it amusing, yet the gemstone in his hand sparkled brightly—clearly, it was no ordinary gem...

The officer clenched the gemstone tightly in his palm, slipping it discreetly into his sleeve pocket. His expression softened, losing some of its previous mockery. "All right, I'll swallow my pride and try this on your behalf, Master Xiang. But let me be clear: anyone can see the current stance of the Marquis's family... I can't guarantee any success."

Xiang Yunchang breathed a sigh of relief and awkwardly managed a gesture of thanks from inside his cage. "Understood, understood. Please don't worry, sir. No matter how much my mother-in-law despises me, I am still the biological father of her granddaughter. Please, give it a try."