Song Qin was momentarily stunned before realizing who the woman was referring to as "Miss Ru." His face immediately lit up with a smile: "You're one of Ah Ru's people? How is Ah Ru? I knew she was a good child, still remembering her father at a time like this..."
Xi Chun smiled: "Miss Ru naturally remembers you."
Song Qin's smile grew even brighter, but it froze on his face in the next instant.
"Miss Ru said that although you haven't fulfilled your responsibilities as a father all these years, she still carries your blood. Even though it was you who, in a drunken stupor, forced yourself on her mother and was seen committing such a beastly act, ruining your official reputation, yet you blamed her mother for seducing you. Though you are shameless and without honor, she cannot follow your example."
Song Qin's face turned red: "What nonsense are you spouting? That little beast, tell her to come see me!"
How dare that little wretch speak of him like this?!
Xi Chun said calmly: "Miss Ru has no time to see you."
Ignoring Song Qin's anger, she took out a few banknotes: "Miss Ru has lived in the Song family for many years, barely surviving under their care. Now that Third Master Song is leaving the capital, she naturally wants to see you off."
Song Qin's anger paused when he saw the banknotes: "At least she has some conscience!"
He reached out to grab the banknotes, but Xi Chun dodged him. Song Qin was furious: "What do you mean by this?"
Xi Chun looked at him: "Third Master Song, don't be impatient. Once I finish speaking, the banknotes will naturally be yours."
"Miss Ru has been in the Song family for fourteen years. Her expenses are all accounted for. She has had fewer than ten new outfits made, each costing you ten taels of silver. She had two meals a day, often without meat, and sometimes the kitchen forgot, leaving her with only one meal every two days. During festivals, she could eat some leftovers from the main family, and occasionally during family celebrations, she could have a full meal. I'll calculate this as twenty taels of silver per year, which should be more than enough."
"Besides this, Miss Ru has never received a monthly allowance from the Song family. Over fourteen years, she received rewards from the old lady four times, from the Third Madam twice, a jade ring from the eldest young master, and a hairpin from a visiting relative. Adding these up..."
Xi Chun calculated: "Let's round it up to thirty taels of silver. Including the previous expenses for food and clothing, and the old clothes Miss Ru picked up, I'll give you a round figure of four hundred taels of silver."
She handed the banknotes forward.
"These four hundred taels of silver are for Miss Ru's expenses over the years and also to sever her ties with the Song family. From now on, she is no longer a daughter of the Song family and has no relation to you."
Xi Chun's words were like slaps to Song Qin's face.
The city gate was bustling with people coming and going, and the earlier commotion caused by the old lady had already drawn attention. Now, Xi Chun's unabashed words made the onlookers look at the Song family with shock.
The "Miss Ru" the woman mentioned was likely a daughter of the Song family, which was originally a duke's household, right?
A daughter of a duke's household, for fourteen years, wore hand-me-downs, often went hungry, and never received a monthly allowance, with a total of less than thirty taels of silver?
Song Qin's face turned pale under the scrutiny of the crowd. The gazes felt like they were peeling off his skin. He was furious: "That ungrateful wretch, I am her father!"
"From today onwards, you are not."
Xi Chun held the banknotes: "Miss Ru will now be a member of the Tang family in Jiyun Lane and has no further ties with the Song family. If you don't want this silver, I will donate it to a charity on your behalf, to accumulate some virtue for your Song family..."
Before she could finish, Song Qin lunged to grab the banknotes.
But Xi Chun quickly stepped back. Seeing Song Qin's glare, she took out a document and handed it to him: "It seems Third Master Song wants the silver. Then please sign this severance letter and press your fingerprint."
Song Qin's expression changed: "Severance letter?"
Xi Chun smiled: "What? Third Master Song only wants the silver but still wants to cling to Miss Ru? Haven't you always despised her and refused to acknowledge her as a daughter of the Song family? Now that you can have your wish, isn't it perfect?"
Seeing Song Qin's hesitation, Xi Chun sneered: "Or has Third Master Song suddenly become affectionate? Whether you sign or not doesn't matter. You'll be far from the capital, and it won't affect Miss Ru. But this silver won't be yours..."
Song Qin panicked. He had no feelings for Song Ru, and he knew nothing about the place he was being exiled to. Having some silver would at least give him some peace of mind.
Besides, Song Ru was far away in the capital. Even if he held onto his identity as her father, he couldn't do anything to her.
Song Qin resolutely said: "I'll sign! That ungrateful wretch is just as lowly as her mother!"
He snatched the severance letter from Xi Chun, bit his finger to sign it, and pressed his fingerprint before throwing it back to her. Xi Chun didn't say anything more, just carefully put away the letter and tossed the banknotes to Song Qin, who gleefully stuffed them into his sleeve.
Seeing this, Xi Chun coldly walked over to the guards and said: "My lady and the Superintendent pity Miss Ru and don't want her to be burdened with such a shameless father. That's why they spent some silver to sever their ties."
"I've delayed you gentlemen. This bit of silver is a token of my lady's appreciation, please have some tea."
The guards had already guessed who this maid served when they heard "Tang family in Jiyun Lane." They initially thought the Lady of Yiyang County had softened towards the Song family and considered showing some leniency on the road. But hearing Xi Chun's words filled with disdain, they quickly changed their attitude.
The leader waved his hand: "You're too kind, miss. It's not yet time to leave the capital, so there's no delay."
But Xi Chun still handed over the silver.
The man smiled sheepishly: "Then thank the Lady for her generosity."
Xi Chun smiled: "I won't keep you any longer."
"Take care, miss."
After Xi Chun left, the guards immediately changed their demeanor. The leader looked at Song Qin, who was happily storing away the banknotes, with a greedy glint in his eye.
If the Song family still had connections in the capital, it would be one thing. But they had offended the Superintendent and the Lady of Yiyang County, and it seemed Song Jinxiu wouldn't be able to rise again.
This silver...
He glanced at Song Qin. This man was just a member of the third branch of the Song family. As long as they didn't touch Song Hong and his mother, whom the Superintendent wanted, it wouldn't matter if something happened to Song Qin.
He quickly made up his mind and cracked his whip on the ground.
"Alright, it's getting late. What are you all standing around for? Pack up and let's move out!"
The Song family members were startled. Song Qin hurriedly hid the banknotes, while Madam Song shouldered her bundle.
The guards stepped forward, reattached the wooden cangues, mounted their horses, and tugged at the ropes binding the Song family.
"Let's go!"
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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