Song Yunzhao didn’t have to feign her shock—she was truly stunned. "Father?"

Third Master Song sat on the stool by her bed and carefully inquired about Yun Zhao’s condition. Mrs. Luo, Jiangxiang, and Qiancao answered his questions one by one.

Mrs. Luo was a clever woman. Having raised her young mistress, their bond ran exceptionally deep. Upon seeing the Third Master, she gritted her teeth, dropped to her knees, and cried, "Third Master, you must seek justice for our mistress! If she hadn’t dodged quickly that day, her face would have been scarred."

"Thrown? Scarred? What happened? Speak clearly!" Third Master Song was aghast. ’How could something like this have happened?’

He had received a second letter from Aunt Che informing him that Yun Zhao was ill. Aunt Che hadn’t gone into detail, but he gathered it had something to do with his wife. He knew his wife held a grudge against his younger daughter and feared she was being truly wronged. Though he had been two days from the capital, his anxiety had compelled him to travel through the night to rush back.

Qiancao, who had long been simmering with indignation, now threw all caution to the wind. "It was such a large teacup!" she cried. "The Madam just lifted her hand and threw it. Our mistress was ill and had no strength then. If she’d dodged even a fraction of a second slower... I dare not even think about it. If her face had been scarred, what would have become of her?"

"My life may be lowly, but I wouldn’t dare lie," Jiangxiang said, her face streaked with tears. "Master, if you’ll permit my impertinence, the Madam is completely consumed with getting the Eldest Miss into the selection. But she can’t ruin the Third Miss’s face over it! The Madam was already in a rage, and the Eldest Miss just stood by, fanning the flames. She knew our mistress was ill but still insisted she go to the Uncle Mansion—that’s practically a death sentence! Our mistress didn’t want to go, and the Madam helped the Eldest Miss to pressure her. Master, our mistress can’t survive like this! Please, you must help her!"

Third Master Song’s face paled, flushed with anger, then paled again. His hands clenched into tight fists as he struggled to suppress his fury. Turning to his deathly pale, silent daughter, he took a deep breath and softened his voice. "Zhaozhao, what do you think?"

’I know Father’s question is sincere,’ Song Yunzhao thought. ’But my attendants didn’t mention how I talked back and argued with Mrs. Cai. Mrs. Cai will definitely bring that up later.’

She lowered her gaze, putting on a helpless expression. "I’ve grown used to it over the years. I have no particular thoughts on the matter. Let’s just leave it at that. Besides, I was so terrified of having my face ruined that day that I spoke back to Mother. I suppose I’m also at fault."

’As long as I live under Mrs. Cai’s authority, I’ll have to endure this injustice.’

’Does Father truly not know this?’

’He knows.’

’It’s just that as the head of the family, he has his own considerations. And by all rights, a mother disciplining her daughter is perfectly normal. That’s why I can’t be the one to suggest being removed from Mrs. Cai’s control.’

’My only option is to appear weak.’

’The weaker I seem, the guiltier Father will feel. Later, when he sees Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan, all that mother-daughter duo has to do is complain about me or say one bad thing, and it will be enough to ignite the fury he’s currently suppressing.’

’Will I even need to ask for anything then?’

’And that’s not even mentioning my Eldest Aunt, who’s watching like a tiger from the sidelines. If she plays her part and hits them while they’re down, what I want might just fall right into my lap.’

’Of course, if I’ve misjudged the situation, and Father can’t set aside his pride as the patriarch to protect Mrs. Cai’s dignity as the lady of the house, well, I have other plans in reserve.’

’It’s just that those plans would be too damaging to my relationship with my father, and I don’t want to push things that far.’

’For now, let’s just see how this convenient father of mine plans to get me justice.’

Third Master Song patted his daughter’s hand. "You just focus on getting well here at your Eldest Aunt’s place. I’ve brought some things for you; I’ll have someone send them over in a bit."

Song Yunzhao managed a weak smile and said in a faint voice, "Thank you, Father."

Seeing his daughter’s obedient demeanor and her gaunt face, which made her large eyes seem even more prominent, his heart ached. ’She’s only been out of my sight for a few days, and my perfectly healthy daughter has become like this.’

"You get some rest. I’ll come see you again tomorrow."

"You must be busy, having just returned to the capital, Father. My health isn’t a pressing matter; your affairs are more important," Song Yunzhao said, offering a wide smile.

This only made Third Master Song feel worse. He ordered the servants to take good care of her, then turned and left.

The moment he left, Song Yunzhao relaxed. Looking at Mrs. Luo and her maids, she said, "Jiangxiang, Qiancao, quickly help Mrs. Luo up. All of you were far too bold today. There was no need for that."

Mrs. Luo rose to her feet with the help of the two maids. "It is all because this old servant is useless," she said. "I failed to protect you, and that is why you have suffered."

Song Yunzhao smiled at Mrs. Luo. "Mama, you watched me grow up. How could I have turned out so well without your meticulous care? I will always remember your kindness."

’When I get married, I must take Mrs. Luo, Qiancao, and Jiangxiang with me. I have to make sure they are well-settled to repay them for their many years of devoted care.’

"Oh, my dear mistress, you mustn’t say that. It is what we servants are supposed to do." Mrs. Luo was pleased. ’Our mistress is truly a kind-hearted person,’ she thought.

Jiangxiang brought over a cloth soaked in hot water and wrung dry. "Mistress, please wipe your face."

Song Yunzhao shook her head. "Not yet."

Qiancao, having finished tidying up, turned and smiled. "You’re being silly. Someone else is sure to visit the mistress in a little while."

Jiangxiang slapped her forehead. "You’re right." She quickly took the cloth back.

Sure enough, a young maid soon knocked on the door. Mrs. Luo went out, and Jiangxiang followed, returning just a moment later. "Mistress, the Master sent people to deliver a large chest. They say it’s for you."

Before Song Yunzhao could say a word, Mrs. Luo had two sturdy serving women carry the chest inside. Qiancao rewarded them with a handful of copper coins while Jiangxiang was already opening the chest with a smile.

Song Yunzhao rose and walked over to the chest. She picked up a palm-sized box and opened it to find a pair of pearl earrings. The pearls weren’t large, but they had a fine luster.

Next to it was a box about a foot long. It felt quite heavy as she picked it up. When she opened it, she found a pair of Big A Fu dolls. Her expression faltered for a moment. ’I remember mentioning these to Father once, just in passing,’ she thought. ’I can’t believe he actually remembered and bought them for me.’

The dolls weren’t valuable, but for Song Yunzhao, they were a rare warmth—a taste of the familial love she had seldom experienced in this world.

Her mood lifted instantly. ’If Father can’t help me escape Mrs. Cai’s control,’ she thought, ’I suppose I can forgive him, just for the sake of these Big A Fu dolls.’

’In any case, I’m already used to these battles of wits with Mrs. Cai. And I won’t have to put up with her sour face for much longer anyway.’

The top layer consisted mostly of small trinkets he had likely collected on his travels. At the very bottom of the chest, however, was a full row of brocade boxes. Song Yunzhao’s heart leaped when she saw the mark stamped on them.

"Mistress!" Qiancao pointed at the boxes. "That’s... that’s the Changsheng mark!"

Song Yunzhao stared at the dozen or so brocade boxes of varying sizes. Changsheng Treasure Record was the most famous and most expensive jeweler in all of Nanyu.

’I’ve never been this rich or extravagant in my entire life. This whole ordeal wasn’t for nothing. These things alone make it all worth it.’

’If Song Qinghan finds out about this, she’ll probably die of pure rage!’