Volume One, Chapter Six: Three Thousand Taels, Part Two

"Yes, and she even took Big Sister's bracelet," Song Ying chimed in, pouting to lend support.

Grandmother Song turned her gaze toward Song Ruxi, her tone softening. "Ruxi, what is this about your Third Sister asking you for a bracelet?"

Song Ruxi twisted her handkerchief, her voice fragile. "Grandmother, please do not blame my sister. She... she must have meant no harm."

"What 'no harm'? She’s just bullying you because you’re kind-hearted, Big Sister. I can’t stand how shallow and petty she is..."

"Insolent!" Grandmother Song glared fiercely at Song the Third. "Is this the fine daughter you’ve raised? Capable of such base behavior, actually daring to snatch things from her own sister!"

Song the Third was choked by the scolding, his tone habitually softening. "Mother, Xiao Ci is a good child; there must be another reason for this... The urgent matter is to provide the money to save her. The doctor said if this illness isn’t treated, she will lose her life... and I have only this one daughter..."

"A misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? I think she’s lost her mind! What is her status compared to Ruxi’s? How dare she reach out and demand Ruxi’s things? Besides, as the Eldest Brother just said, the family’s finances are tight." Grandmother Song scolded furiously. "Three thousand taels is not a small sum. If it’s all spent on Song Ci’s treatment, how are we supposed to live? You have Song Lan as well! He is your son, your hope for the future."

Just as Song the Third was about to plead further, a soft voice reached them from the doorway. "Father... cough, cough, cough..."

Song the Third turned to see his daughter. She was dressed in thin, worn clothing, her face deathly pale as she clutched the doorframe, coughing incessantly. With a heart full of anguish, he hurried forward to support her. "Xiao Ci, are you alright? Why have you come here?"

"Daughter... daughter was afraid Father would be put in a difficult position." Supported by him, Song Ci walked inside. All eyes shifted from Song the Third to her.

Song Ci was naturally frail, and at this moment, she truly looked sickly and wilted.

Song the Eldest, initially suspicious, felt his doubts waver upon seeing her state. Yet, what was a mere girl compared to his own prospects and the future of the Song family?

"Grandmother." Song Ci knelt down beside Song the Third. "All faults are mine; I beg you, please do not blame my father..."

"If your body wasn't so useless, constantly falling ill, would your father be scolded because of you?" Grandmother Old Madame Song let out a cold snort. "It would be one thing to hide away and be an embarrassment, but to cause a scene here? Do you want to make the entire Song family a laughingstock in front of distinguished guests?"

The old woman’s words were sharp and venomous, and the room fell into a sudden silence. Hearing such callous, biting remarks, a cold glint flashed in the depths of Song Ci's eyes.

She swept her gaze around the room, looking at the people she had called "family" in her past life. It felt both familiar and ridiculous. Grandmother Song was still the same as in her previous life: the first and second branches were treasures, while her own third branch was nothing but a weed—an eyesore not worth a second glance.

What kind of grandmother would hear that her own granddaughter was dying and respond with such cold malice? It was as if only the first and second sons were truly hers, and the third branch had been picked up off the street.

The coldness in her eyes vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Moments later, her expressive eyes filled with tears, as if she were frightened by the scolding, her hands and feet trembling in confusion.

"Granddaughter knows that Grandmother has always been generous to everyone. Just the other day, when Big Sister wanted a new dress, I heard it cost a full hundred taels, and Grandmother gave it without a second thought, saying how beautiful Big Sister looked in it... cough, cough, cough..."

As she finished, she tugged at her sleeve with an air of unease, "accidentally" revealing the frayed, worn-out fabric at her cuff.

The contrast between the two was stark and tragic. On one side stood the radiant, finely dressed Song Ruxi; on the other, the frail Song Ci, so thin she seemed ready to collapse at a breath of wind, wearing rags. The visual evidence left Grandmother Song momentarily speechless.

She was filled with resentment and felt thoroughly displeased. In her heart, she cursed Song Ci—how dare she compare herself to Song Ruxi? Was she worthy? She wasn't even fit to tie Ruxi's shoes! And she actually had the nerve to ask for money! She didn't even look at what kind of worthless creature she was.

Song Ci watched the shifting expressions on the old woman's face and felt a surge of satisfaction. In her past life, if things had reached this point, she would have been too ashamed to ask for another cent. But she was different now. What belonged to her, she would not yield a single bit to this pack of wolves.

She continued, "Father is so worried about me that he cannot settle his mind to go out and conduct business. Wouldn't that delay the family's... Granddaughter is also thinking of the Eldest and Second Uncles..."

Song Ci knew that her father’s intelligence and business acumen were highly valued by the family. For years, as the Eldest and Second Uncles focused on their imperial examinations, the family’s livelihood had rested entirely on her father’s shoulders. Every bite of food and every luxury they enjoyed was paid for by his labor. They would not easily abandon such a useful chess piece before their goals were achieved.

Sure enough, as soon as they realized Song the Third might not be able to go out and earn money for them, the expressions of those in the other branches shifted. Three thousand taels was a large sum, but given Song the Third’s capability, he could earn it back in a few trips.

"Mother, Xiao Ci is ill. She is a daughter of the Song family; how can we, as elders, sit by and ignore it?" Song the Eldest spoke up. It wasn't just for Song Ci’s sake; he had noticed that Zhang Baiwan held a favorable impression of the Third Brother. His family must have powerful backing to have established such a foothold and wealth in the capital. If he could use this opportunity to curry favor, perhaps he could secure an official position in the city.

Grandmother Song was unhappy. The three thousand taels in her pocket hadn't even warmed up yet—why should she hand it over? Had the Eldest gone mad today?

"No!" Grandmother Song’s hands, hanging at her sides, clenched into tight fists. Why should this wretch use the Song family’s money?

Song the Eldest’s face darkened. "Mother, Xiao Ci is ill. You don't want the Third to be too distracted to go out and trade, do you?"

As expected, a son knows his mother best. Song the Eldest's words left Grandmother Song with no room to argue. She could only hand over the money with a huff of indignation.

"Useless thing, wasting so much money every day. Truly a little ingrate. Not half as filial as Ruxi..." she muttered, continuing her tirade.

As Song Ci was helped away, her eyes narrowed. *Just wait,* she thought. *I will make sure to be very "filial" to this family.*

On the way back, Song the Third sighed. "I made your grandmother angry today. Tomorrow, I will go and offer a proper apology."

Song Ci looked at her father. "Father, Big Sister spends a hundred taels on a single dress, yet when I am ill, Grandmother is unwilling to provide money. Does Grandmother love the Eldest Uncle's family more than ours...?"

Her voice was filled with innocent confusion, sounding exactly like the words of a girl who had been truly wronged.