Empress Lu seemed to realize that she had been too hasty in her anger earlier, so she softened her tone and said, “It’s not your fault in this matter. Who could have imagined that the woman who once clung to you so obsessively would go on a trip to the mountains and return completely changed? I had originally thought that Song Tangning marrying into the Lu family would be a good match, allowing us to use the Rong family’s connections to pave the way for you. But I never expected things to end up like this.”
It was as if she truly regretted that the two of them were not meant to be together. Empress Lu lowered her gaze to hide the dark expression in her eyes.
“Three days from now, there will be a small banquet to celebrate the sixth princess’s birthday. His Majesty has granted her permission to host a flower-viewing party, both to celebrate her birthday and to find a suitable husband. She will invite several young men and women from the capital to attend the banquet at the palace. I will summon Song Tangning to the palace that day for a proper discussion. If we can settle this matter, that would be ideal. If not, we will at least get her to let go and stop pursuing the issue, so as not to drag Zhen’er and the Lu family into this.”
“You and she have been engaged for many years, and no one can match the bond you share. Perhaps when she sees you, her heart will soften.”
Lu Zhiyear’s eyes flickered when he heard this. Would she really soften?
He felt uncertain. It was hard for him to believe that the cold and indifferent Song Tangning, who had stripped him of his dignity, would ever return to how things were between them before. But he couldn’t refuse the Empress’s request.
Lu Zhiyear lowered his gaze. “Yes.”
Old Madam Lu, seeing that the issue had been resolved and that the Empress had not blamed them, let out a heavy sigh of relief.
With her spirits lifted and her face regaining some color, she couldn’t help but sneer, “That Song Tangning seemed so meek and obedient, but who would’ve thought she had such a rebellious streak? It was her fortune that both Her Majesty and Sanlang thought highly of her, but she doesn’t appreciate it. Now she’s eager to break off the engagement. I’d like to see what kind of pitiful family she thinks she can marry into after losing Sanlang!”
First, she harmed her relatives and ruined the Song Duke's estate. Now, she’s making a big scene about breaking off the engagement, completely disregarding a woman’s honor.
Old Madam Lu didn’t think the Lu family had done anything wrong at all. She only felt that Song Tangning was being unreasonable, and that it was she who had made the Lu family look bad. But where could Song Tangning go that would be better than the Lu family?
Any woman cast aside by the Lu family—let’s see which family would dare to want her!
...
Meanwhile, at Jiyun Alley, Song Tangning was nestled in the room of Princess Cheng, teaching Song Ru how to write.
Lady Qin was sitting in the inner chamber, checking Princess Cheng’s pulse. The room was divided by a beaded curtain; the writing desk outside was positioned by the window, with a screen beside it. The two inside could see what was happening outside, but their conversation wouldn’t disturb the two who were busy outside.
Song Tangning’s hand hadn’t fully healed yet, so she couldn’t hold a brush. She had Hua Wu bring out one of her old practice calligraphy sheets for Song Ru to copy.
Song Ru had been staying at Jiyun Alley for two days. Although she was still very thin, her face had regained some color, her lips were no longer pale, and she sat at the desk in her pink dress, holding a brush and tracing the characters like a child.
“Sit up straight.”
Tangning suddenly tapped Song Ru gently, and when she quickly straightened her back in response, Tangning’s expression was more serious than usual.
“When practicing calligraphy, you must first steady your mind. You need to be calm and focused. Place both feet flat on the floor, keep your shoulders level and your back straight, and focus your gaze on the paper. Don’t grip the brush too tightly, and keep your wrist suspended in the air without resting it on the desk. Otherwise, your writing won’t have any liveliness.”
Song Ru adjusted her posture according to her older sister’s instructions, focusing like a diligent student.
Inside the chamber, Princess Cheng was chewing on a sour plum as she watched through the curtain. She scoffed, “That Song family really is a bunch of useless fools.”
Though the remark seemed out of place, Lady Qin understood its meaning.
The Song family truly was a disgrace.
In the capital, which noble family didn’t have at least one or two illegitimate daughters? Even if they weren’t raised as well as legitimate daughters, they were at least taught basic literacy and manners. Otherwise, they’d bring shame to the family when it came time for marriage negotiations.
But Song Ru was different. Despite being a daughter of the Song Duke’s family, she hadn’t even been taught the basic knowledge that girls from small families would know. Forget writing—she hadn’t even received any form of elementary education.
It was fortunate that the Song Duke’s family had fallen. Otherwise, with Song Ru’s sickly and illiterate state, anyone who saw her would mock the entire Song family. They’d be utterly humiliated.
Song Ru was following Tangning’s instructions, tracing simple strokes. After a short while, her forehead was dotted with sweat.
Tangning said, “That’s enough for today. Your body is still weak, and writing too much will exhaust you.”
“I’m fine.”
Song Ru, clutching her brush, quickly refused. Her back ached from sitting up straight, but her heart was filled with joy. No one had ever been as patient with her as her older sister. In a small voice, she said, “Sister, I can keep writing for a little longer.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
“I can!”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, far more lively than she had been before.
Tangning could only give in. “Alright, write a little longer. But if you feel tired, stop immediately.”
Song Ru nodded eagerly. “Okay!”
Watching the young girl return to her practice, Tangning finally stood up and walked quietly into the inner chamber. Princess Cheng smiled as she saw her enter, saying, “I never knew you had a knack for teaching. You seem quite the natural.”
Tangning, a little embarrassed by the remark, smiled. She didn’t consider herself particularly skilled at teaching. It was just that she had learned so much over the years.
When her grandfather was still alive, she often stayed at the Rong family’s estate. Though he doted on her, he had been very strict about her studies. After he passed away, she worked hard to impress Lu Zhiyear, wanting to become the perfect match that Old Madam Lu had deemed worthy of the Lu family.
Though she couldn’t claim mastery over every art, she was proficient in many—whether it was calligraphy, music, or painting. She even knew how to brew tea and make perfumes. Much of it she had learned from her grandfather’s books or had practiced endlessly for Lu Zhiyear.
While she had no talent for the schemes and intrigues of the inner court, in matters of culture, she was no less accomplished than anyone else.
Madam Qin, who was nearby, smiled and said, “If Miss Song has some free time in the future, she could open a school to teach and educate.”
Song Tangning was momentarily taken aback by her words. “Open a school?”
“Yes, running a school is not something that only men can do. There are plenty of wise young women born with talent.”
Madam Qin sighed as if lost in thought. “In my years of wandering, I've taken on a few disciples. I've also met exceptionally gifted and intelligent young women. Unfortunately, due to their family background, they never had the chance to learn. Even if they wanted to study medicine, they face numerous obstacles.”
“Actually, many places have women’s academies, but what is taught there mostly consists of feminine virtues and moral codes. If there were a school that could enlighten young women, teaching them to read and understand the world, giving them the same opportunities as men to earn a living, then perhaps in a few years, there would be many female doctors like me springing up like bamboo shoots after the rain. How could it be like now, where outsiders regard me as a rarity?”
There have always been many noble ladies among the powerful, and some esteemed women do not wish their private matters to be known by men. Therefore, every time Madam Qin entered the capital, she was in high demand, and even with a busy schedule, it was hard to keep up.
She had considered taking on some female apprentices, but to study medicine, one must at least know how to read prescriptions. The daughters of ordinary families often have no opportunities for education, while some literate daughters of high-status families look down on the practice of medicine as a lowly profession and refuse to engage in it. Consequently, despite her lack of selfishness over the years, she had yet to find a suitable disciple; among those who studied medicine with her, the number of young women was barely half.
The Princess of Cheng sighed, “People have prejudices against women; how can they allow women to study?”
Madam Qin replied, “That may not be the case. While the nobility might look down on it, there are still many ordinary families that love their daughters. If there were such a place, people would surely come.”
The two seemed to be engaging in idle chit-chat, with Madam Qin mainly expressing her feelings. However, Song Tangning felt as if she had been touched by something and became somewhat lost in thought.
Having lived once again, she had been contemplating how to seek revenge. With the Song family gone, the engagement with the Lu family would surely be canceled. Yet, sometimes in the dead of night, she felt an unusual emptiness, wondering if her second chance was only meant for this.
Madam Qin's words were like a clearing mist, dispelling her confusion and leaving her feeling more lucid.
Tangning tilted her head to look outside at Song Ru, who was diligently practicing calligraphy with a serious expression. A small thought began to emerge in her mind, but before she could contemplate it further, she heard the entrance of Mama Jiang from outside.
“Your Highness, miss, someone from the palace has arrived.”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 182 here
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