Volume One, Chapter Three: Reclaiming the Bracelet

Wanxia wore a troubled expression. "This... this... what am I to do if the Old Madam blames me later? Third Madam, please look..."

Qiao Xianglan was inherently gentle and kind-hearted, and upon hearing this, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. "Why don't I go later? The Old Madam is not feeling well and needs someone to attend to her medicine. My sister-in-law and second sister-in-law rarely help out, so it is inevitable that they don't do things well..."

"Not feeling well?" It was clearly just a way to wear people down.

In the Old Madam's chambers, there were so many servants who were never put to use. Every time Mother went, she had to stand for a day and a night to wait on her, either feeding her medicine or meals, and even massaging her legs and hands. Every time she returned, she would be so exhausted that she would fall ill for two days.

"Mother, don't go. Please don't go." Tears welled up in Song Ci’s eyes. "I am not feeling well either. Let the eldest aunt and second aunt go serve her instead..."

Qiao Xianglan was in a difficult spot. "But..."

She knew her mother-in-law's temperament all too well; she would surely lash out later. But when she met her daughter's gaze, she found herself unable to say anything. Her daughter had always been the most obedient, and if she was being persistent today, she must truly be unwell.

She sighed and turned her apologetic gaze toward Wanxia. "Wanxia, I must trouble you to go back and say that I cannot come today. If the Old Madam scolds you, please bear with it. I have a new hairpin on my table that would look lovely on you; go try it on later."

Seeing there was no other way, and thinking of the compensation, Wanxia stomped her feet and stormed out in a huff.

Once she had left, Song Ci wiped away her tears. "Mother, don't you think Sister Wanxia is acting strangely?"

Qiao Xianglan patted her daughter's back. "What is strange about her?"

"She is from our Third Branch, yet she seems to favor the First and Second Branches in everything she says..."

Qiao Xianglan laughed. "You are overthinking it, child. Wanxia is a good girl. She was just afraid that I would be given a hard time by the Old Madam."

Indeed! Her mother remained as gentle and kind as she remembered—only seeing the good in others and never dwelling on their faults. But the more she was like this, the easier it was for others to take advantage of her. Her nature was not something that could be changed overnight, but she would have to take it slowly.

Recalling what she knew, she turned to ask Qiao Xianglan, "Mother, where is Father?"

"Are you missing your father?" Qiao Xianglan smiled tenderly at the mention of her husband. "He is likely on his way back. By now, he should have reached Mount Maying."

Song Ci knew then that she had truly returned to her fifteenth year.

***

Her father, a traveling merchant, was passing through Mount Maying on his way home when he encountered a landslide. He rescued a man, who turned out to be a famous wealthy merchant from the capital. To repay the debt of gratitude, the man gave the Song family three thousand taels of silver.

But no sooner had that money reached their hands than the First Branch snatched it away. Relying on those funds, the First Branch greased the wheels of power in the capital, eventually securing a minor official position for the eldest uncle, who had passed the *Tong Jinshi* examination. That was the foundation that allowed them to stir up trouble and rise to power later on.

She made up her mind. Looking at the sky, it was currently noon. According to her father’s later account, the landslide occurred at dusk—during the hour of the Rooster (5:00 PM to 7:00 PM).

Since she knew the exact time, she would not let the First Branch take that money, no matter what. It had to remain with the Third Branch.

"Mother, I feel a bit better now, but I still have no strength. I want to sleep a little longer. When Father returns tonight, we will be a family reunited, and I want to eat your signature dish."

She hugged Qiao Xianglan’s arm and acted spoiled. Qiao Xianglan had no resistance against her daughter and surrendered instantly. "Alright, if you like it, Mother will go make it."

She rose and headed toward the Third Branch’s kitchen. Her mother’s signature dish required two or three hours of simmering—plenty of time for her to sneak out and return without being discovered.

Once her mother left, she called for Wanxiang. "Come, accompany me to the First Branch."

Wanxiang was a maid who had grown up alongside Song Ci and was the most loyal.

"Miss, why are we going to the First Branch? They will just give you grief again, and you aren't feeling well. You should rest more," Wanxiang said disapprovingly.

"Wanxiang, I suddenly remembered something. I vaguely recall giving something to Eldest Sister, but I regret it now and want it back. Come with me."

Wanxiang was puzzled for a moment before saying, "Could it be that bracelet of yours, Miss? The Eldest Miss liked it when she saw it and kept badgering you for it, so you gave it to her."

It was indeed that very bracelet. She remembered well that the bracelet had been a significant help to Song Rouxi. If not for that bracelet, she wouldn't have been able to get close to the Crown Prince so easily and ascend to the throne as Empress.

She struggled to her feet. Wanxiang hurriedly draped a cloak over her and tightened the collar. She said calmly, "Let's go."

The First Branch's courtyard was quite a distance from the Third Branch. The short walk felt as if it separated the two branches into different worlds. The Third Branch’s house was remote and cramped, and because it hadn't been renovated for a long time, it looked rather dilapidated.

When the rainy season arrived, the corridors would leak, and the connecting walls would become soaked, cold, and damp.

However, the First Branch before her was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, including rare species that were clearly meticulously cultivated. The paint on the house stood in stark contrast to the mottled walls of the Third Branch. Everything before her was a blunt reminder of just how unfair the situation was.

Song Ci took a deep breath, her eyes turning cold.

Though they were all of the Song family, the First Branch acted like the true masters, while the Third Branch, despite being family, was effectively there to do the labor. The money they earned was enjoyed by the First Branch, and even the people of the Third Branch had to sacrifice their own futures for the sake of the First.

"Miss, isn't that the Third Miss?" spoke Yunxi, Song Rouxi’s maid.

"Oh, it is Third Sister." Song Rouxi, who was leaning against a pavilion, rested her chin on her hand and waved at Song Ci with a smile. "Third Sister, what brings you here?"

The Second Miss beside her curled her lips. "Why is it her? How unlucky."

"Second Sister, Third Sister is our sister. Do not be so rude, or be careful, or Second Uncle will scold you later."

Song Ying lifted her chin arrogantly, though she ultimately said nothing more.

Song Ci walked up to them and smiled. "Eldest Sister, Second Sister."

Song Rouxi looked her over with a pained expression. "I heard you were ill. Are you feeling better? Why didn't you stay in bed and rest? Third Aunt will be worried sick again."

Seeing her look of feigned concern, as if she truly considered her a sister, Song Ci felt a wave of nausea. She longed to tear off her mask right then and there, but remembering her purpose for coming, she suppressed her anger and spoke.

"Eldest Sister, I have a small matter to discuss with you."

Song Rouxi was taken aback. "With me?"

Song Ci smiled, appearing pure and harmless. "Yes. Eldest Sister, do you remember that bracelet you took from me?" Her eyes scanned the jade-green glimmer on Song Rouxi’s wrist. "Yes, that is the one."