Chapter 4: The Situation in the Dead of Night

Aunt Qin’s breath grew heavier upon hearing the words “imperial decree.” She had dreamed of possessing such a status. If she were granted the identity of a concubine with an imperial decree, few in the entire household would dare show her any disrespect.

Yet...

She harbored some doubts. “Would Princess Anning truly help me obtain an imperial decree?”

Song Shilan could not guarantee it, yet she wisely kept this to herself.

She continued to entice, “Aunt, just think about it. Princess Anning despises Song Shiwei so much. If we help her get rid of Song Shiwei, she would surely be pleased.”

“Then, if we make a reasonable request, Princess Anning would definitely agree.”

Qin Aunt was no fool. She had climbed her way up by becoming a concubine through her aunt and wielded influence within the Song household for years. Her shrewdness was evident.

After hearing this, she fell silent. Though the matter seemed simple, there were too many uncertainties and risks. One wrong move could lead to disaster.

Seeing this, Song Shilan grew anxious. “Aunt, can you continue to endure this exile?”

“We’ve only been on the road for a day, and it’s already like this.”

“If we keep going, not only might we die, but our reputation and honor will be lost as well.”

At these words, Qin Aunt’s heart trembled as she glanced fearfully at the nearby officers. Finally, she made up her mind. “Alright, I’ll try.”

“I can’t promise success,” Song Shilan said, her relief palpable as she smiled broadly. “But I believe in you.”

With that step taken, she could proceed to arrange Song Shiwei’s downfall.

Only once Song Shiwei was dead could she become the legitimate daughter of the Song family and truly ascend to the position of Empress.

Qin Aunt gave her a long, deep look and simply hummed in acknowledgment without another word.

Song Shilan, caught up in her own excitement, failed to notice the subtle change in Qin Aunt.

Their exchange did not go unnoticed by Song Mingting and the others.

Each of them harbored different thoughts.

Song Mingting’s gaze darkened as he stared at Qin Aunt and Song Shilan, plotting how to deal with the mother and daughter during the exile journey.

He had been schemed against and harmed by them time and again since childhood. He had even almost been cast out of the family by the Grand Madam for causing tears to her cherished Song Shilan.

“Second Brother, don’t act rashly,” whispered the third brother, Song Mingyu. “If those two turn the tables on you, you’ll be in trouble.”

Every family member had been victimized by Qin Aunt and Song Shilan, who had also caused the deaths of many concubines’ children and servants.

Song Mingting withdrew his gaze and cast a cold glance at Song Mingyu. “We’re on the road to exile. Who would know, right?”

Song Mingyu shrank back and smiled ingratiatingly. “Second Brother, how would I tell them? I’d rather see them suffer.”

“Enough!” the eldest brother, Song Mingxuan, scolded. “We are family. On this exile journey, we must support each other.”

Song Mingting sneered. “Big Brother, you treat them as family, but they don’t necessarily see you the same way.”

“Have you forgotten why you didn’t take the imperial examination? Why you never entered officialdom? It’s because those two ruined your reputation.”

Qin Aunt, unable to bear a son, sought to raise a child from one of the concubines.

But as a concubine herself, she could not raise a son and thus sought to destroy her father’s three sons.

The eldest brother’s ruined reputation was the reason he missed out on the examinations and an official career.

Song Mingxuan fell silent, clenching his hands tightly.

Song Mingyu tugged at the second brother’s sleeve, signaling him to stop—the pain was too deep for their eldest brother.

Song Mingting said no more but did not abandon his plan to deal with Qin Aunt and Song Shilan. This mother and daughter were a scourge and must be eliminated swiftly.

“Second Brother, is something wrong?” Song Shiwei approached with a water pouch and a bowl.

Song Mingting immediately smiled brightly and waved his hand. “Nothing, just a bit tired.”

“Shiwei, why don’t you rest a bit?”

Song Shiwei poured a bowl of water and handed it to him. “I brought water for you; the officers arranged it.”

“We’ve been walking all day; you need to drink more water.”

None suspected a thing and all except Qin Aunt and Song Shilan drank deeply.

“Sister, you...” Song Shilan’s words caught in her throat when she met Song Shiwei’s icy, piercing gaze.

Since the exile began, Song Shiwei had become frighteningly cold.

Without sparing her another glance, Song Shiwei calmly returned to her parents’ side, speaking softly.

This scene nearly made Song Shilan grind her teeth. Even when the grandmother was alive, their father had never treated her kindly and often scolded her.

But it didn’t matter. Soon, she would prove to her father that she was the most outstanding and exceptional child in the family.

That night.

The darkness was thick as ink. Apart from the occasional chirping of insects, there was absolute silence, as if even their breaths had vanished.

After a whole day’s journey, Song Mingting and the others had fallen into a deep sleep.

Only Song Fu and Song Shiwei remained awake, alert to their surroundings.

They both knew well that many dangers could arise on the road to exile and so remained vigilant.

Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded.

Song Shiwei’s eyes snapped open, but she made no move.

Her hands slowly clenched as she pricked up her ears, trying to identify the source.

She heard the rustling of paper being unfolded.

Paper?

She pondered but could not understand why paper would be involved. Her heart leapt.

Judging by the sounds and movements, it was likely not a family member.

An officer?

If it was an officer, things were far from simple.

As she contemplated this, a faint, strange scent wafted to her.

It was like floral fragrance mixed with the smell of fabric, impossible to precisely identify.

This scent set her heart racing. Could it be some sort of narcotic?

She had heard that during exile, some officers might attempt to abuse the women.

Was one trying to take advantage of them under cover of night?

At the thought, she quietly pulled out a packet of poison from her secret medicine pouch, ready to throw it if necessary.

As the footsteps drew closer, her heart sank further. This was coming straight for her.

She did not act rashly, maintaining the appearance of sleep, though her grip on the poison tightened.

If this officer tried anything, she would not let him escape.

When the footsteps reached her side, Song Shiwei remained motionless.

She stiffened her body, suppressing any impulse to act prematurely. She had to catch the officer red-handed before making a move.

Otherwise, the one who would suffer would be herself.