Volume One, Chapter 11: The Greedy Sunset
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Song Ci and Third Uncle Song turned around, both wearing puzzled expressions.
“Song Ci, did you take your eldest sister’s bracelet? You heartless little wretch! Your eldest sister is such a good person, yet you still have the nerve to bully her. Hand it over at once.”
Song Rouxi looked at Song Ci with an embarrassed expression. “Third Sister, I don’t want to make things difficult for you either. It’s just that I really like that bracelet... If you’re willing, I can buy it from you. Name your price. No matter how much it is, I’ll agree.”
Song Rouxi had already thought everything through. Father and Grandmother would both take her side. If Song Ci refused, not only would she be scolded, but Third Uncle would be scolded as well. Unless she was stupid, she would obediently hand it over.
Song Ci smiled. “Since you like the bracelet so much, Elder Sister, I’ll charge you twenty taels.”
She was certain Song Rouxi did not have twenty taels. And even if she did, with the family currently trying to secure their eldest uncle’s position as an official in the capital, no one would be willing to spend that much on a bracelet.
“What? Twenty taels? Have you gone mad? You want twenty taels for a worthless bracelet?” Old Madam Song’s face twisted with fury.
Song Ci replied calmly, “Wasn’t it Elder Sister who said just now that she would agree to any price? The bracelet itself isn’t worth much, but I like it. If Elder Sister wants it, she can bring me twenty taels.”
Song Rouxi was dumbfounded. How dare Song Ci say such a thing in front of Father and Grandmother? Was she not afraid of angering Grandmother?
“Third Sister, we’re family...”
“Precisely because we’re family, I’m willing to sell it to you for only twenty taels. If we weren’t family, anyone who tried to take my beloved bracelet would have to answer for it.”
Old Madam Song was livid. She turned toward Third Uncle Song. “Look at the fine daughter you raised!”
Third Uncle Song was caught in a difficult position. Seeing his mother’s anger, he was just about to lower his head and reprimand his daughter when he noticed the tears shimmering in her eyes. His heart softened at once.
Forget it. If he had to be scolded, then so be it. His daughter loved the bracelet so much; he could not truly take it away from her. If he did, what kind of father would he be?
“Mother, it’s my fault. If you want to scold someone, scold me.” He lowered his head, looking as though he was prepared to accept any punishment.
Old Madam Song’s pointing hand trembled violently. “You... you...”
Song Rouxi was stunned as well. The scene before her felt completely unfamiliar. It should not have turned out this way. Song Ci should have swallowed her grievance in silence, while Third Uncle obediently followed Grandmother’s orders, handed over the bracelet, and apologized to her.
Eldest Uncle Song did feel sorry for his daughter, but creating such a commotion over a worthless bracelet was truly unnecessary. This was not the time to fall out with them.
“All right, all right. It’s only a bracelet. Rouxi, stop making a fuss.”
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Making a fuss? What had she done? The bracelet was clearly hers!
When Song Rouxi heard her father reprimand her, her eyes instantly reddened.
Eldest Uncle Song gently soothed her. “You’ve always been the most sensible child. I’ll buy you an even better one later.”
But she wanted this one!
Song Rouxi had always maintained the image of being dignified and well-behaved. Her heart ached bitterly, yet since her father had said this, she could not continue making trouble. From that moment on, however, she began to hate Song Ci.
Why couldn’t Song Ci simply obey?
As for Song Ci, she not only left herself, but also took the mutton with her. She did not leave behind any of the dishes bought from Drunken Moon Pavilion either. Her excuse was that Grandmother lacked neither food nor drink, and she had already been angry just now. If she saw the food Song Ci left behind and thought of her, would she not become even angrier?
Third Uncle Song thought his daughter’s reasoning made perfect sense.
Father and daughter happily made their way home.
By the time Old Madam Song discovered what had happened, they were long gone. She flew into another furious rage.
That evening, in the main branch’s quarters.
Li Yao sat in a cushioned chair, gently massaging her face with a jade roller as she stared coldly at Wanxia, who stood uneasily before her.
“Kneel.”
Wanxia’s knees gave way. “Eldest Madam, it truly wasn’t my fault. Those wretched people from the third branch refused to let me come and report to you...”
“And you still have the nerve to make excuses! You couldn’t even handle such a simple task properly. If I had known this would happen, why would I have sent you to the third branch in the first place? You should understand that after what you’ve done, not a single household will take you in as a servant.”
Li Yao calmly lifted her teacup.
Wanxia trembled from head to toe and fell prostrate on the floor. “Eldest Madam, please! Don’t drive me away. I promise I’ll do my duties properly. Please, you can ask me to do anything!”
“Get up. It’s not as though I’m going to eat you. Since I promised to conceal this for you, I won’t tell anyone. Go back and keep a close eye on the third branch. Report anything unusual to me. But if you make another mistake, I’ll sell you off and see whether anyone is willing to take in a maid who has committed such an offense...”
Wanxia emerged from the main branch’s quarters feeling chilled to the bone.
Her teeth chattered uncontrollably. If the Eldest Madam had not discovered what she had done back then, how could she have ended up in such a miserable position?
But ultimately, it was all the fault of the people in the third branch for refusing to obey! If they had simply remained ignorant and compliant, as they had before, none of this would have happened.
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Especially Song Ci. Lately, she had become slippery and difficult to handle. Wanxia could not explain why, but she always felt that something about Song Ci was strange, as though she was no longer under anyone’s control. Yet when she remembered how Song Ci had once obeyed without question and never uttered a word even after suffering losses, she reassured herself that there was no need to worry.
The entire third branch was full of muddleheaded cowards. How could they have suddenly changed? She was probably imagining things.
Then she remembered the mutton Song Ci had taken away, and her mouth began to water.
As the chief maid of the third branch, she would naturally receive her share. She had always been skilled at flattering Third Madam, who treated her like one of her own and set aside a portion of every good thing for her. The mutton would surely be no exception.
She hurried back to the third branch. When she saw the empty bowls covering the table, and Song Ci, her father, and Third Madam sitting together with full stomachs and speaking warmly to one another, she felt somewhat displeased. Then she thought that they had probably set aside a portion for her separately and decided to check the kitchen.
Just as she reached the kitchen door and was about to slip inside, she nearly collided with Wanxiang, who was coming out.
“Oh, Sister Wanxia, where are you rushing off to? Don’t tell me you’re in such a hurry to sneak a bite.”
Wanxia’s face flushed. “What nonsense are you spouting? Be careful, or I’ll tear that mouth of yours apart!”
“Oh, dear, Sister Wanxia is angry. I’m so frightened.”
Wanxiang dodged aside while continuing to tease her, infuriating Wanxia even further.
Remembering the mutton, Wanxia forced herself to swallow her anger and entered the kitchen to look.
The moment she saw what was inside, her temper flared.
Where was the mutton? Other than a collection of empty pots, bowls, and utensils, there was nothing at all!
Unwilling to believe it, she searched through the kitchen again. Only after confirming that there truly was no mutton did she shove open the door and storm out.
Wanxiang stood at the entrance, smiling sweetly.
Wanxia pointed at her and cursed, “You little minx! Did you eat the mutton?”
Wanxiang blinked innocently. “Sister Wanxia, one should speak with evidence.”
“Then why is there no mutton in the kitchen?” Wanxia demanded, hands on her hips, gnashing her teeth in fury.
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