As expected, the imperial court was in an uproar the next day.
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Song Lianhe. Since she had already transmigrated into this book, she might as well just close her doors and live her own quiet life.
So long as she was left alone.
After two days of peace, she received some news: Prince Ling was to lead an expedition to quell a rebellion.
"Oh."
That was her only reaction upon hearing the news.
Shuang Ye stared at her, stunned. "Second Miss, we're talking about Prince Ling! He's your fiancé!"
"Isn't he all hot and heavy with my dear older sister? Who cares where he goes? What has it got to do with me?"
Song Lianhe was doodling on a piece of paper spread out before her.
"Second Miss, you mustn't say things like that! If the master were to find out..."
The young maid didn't even get to finish her sentence before Song Xingfeng entered with a group of men.
Shuang Ye immediately fell silent. Though terrified, she still moved to stand protectively in front of her lady.
'Ever since she caused that scene at the Eldest Miss's birthday banquet, her lady had truly changed. The fierce, hostile air about her was gone, and she had become much more approachable.'
'Especially after hearing that Shuang Ye had a brother suffering from a serious illness. Without a second thought, she'd pulled a silver note from a cash box buried deep in her trunk. Without even checking the amount, she had shoved it into her hands.'
Holding the silver note, Shuang Ye had been at a loss for how to express her gratitude. Finally, with a THUD, she had dropped to her knees and kowtowed three times. "My life is yours from now on, my lady!" she had declared.
"No, no, don't think like that! Your life is your own. Instead of handing it over to someone else, you're better off investing in your own security and peace of mind..."
'Even though she hadn't understood what her lady was talking about, she knew one thing for certain: the lady she served now would never, ever harm her!'
She shielded her lady and bowed to Song Xingfeng. "Master."
Song Xingfeng's gaze passed over her, landing coldly on his second daughter.
This was the first time the father and daughter had come face-to-face since the birthday banquet.
'Song Lianhe really didn't like him. He was just like her father from her original world, who had abandoned her after marrying a stepmother. She had struggled, working her way through college, and had finally found some success selling insurance. But then he had shown up with his son, shamelessly asking her for money to buy the son a marital home!'
The mere thought of it made her sick to her stomach, and by extension, she couldn't muster a pleasant expression for Song Xingfeng either.
"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Song. What brings you all the way to my secluded little courtyard?"
A muscle in Song Xingfeng's cheek twitched. "You have completely lost all sense of propriety!"
Song Lianhe scoffed. "Speaking of which, I am a County Princess, personally ennobled by the Holy Emperor. My rank is Standard Second-Grade, the same as yours, the esteemed National Guardian General. So what 'propriety' are you talking about between us?"
"Insolence!" As one of the Military Generals with a rigid and direct personality, how could Song Xingfeng tolerate such blatant disrespect from his own daughter?
"I am your father!"
"Father?" Song Lianhe laughed again. "A 'father' in name only, you mean?"
"You—"
Both father and daughter had explosive tempers. The adjutant behind Song Xingfeng quickly stepped forward and reminded him in a low voice, "Prince Ling is about to depart."
Only then did Song Xingfeng suppress his anger. He gave a cold order to Shuang Ye, "Get your lady ready at once."
Song Lianhe frowned. "For what?"
"To see Prince Ling off."
She didn't even raise an eyelid. "Not going."
"Enough of this nonsense!"
When it came to important matters, Song Xingfeng was not one for indecisiveness. If she wouldn't go, he would force her!
Moments later, Song Lianhe's screams echoed through the manor. "I said I'm not going! Let whoever wants to go, go!"
"It's not up to you!"
Song Xingfeng shoved her into the carriage just as someone came running out from the gate.
"Father!"
It was Song Xilan. "Father, are you going to see Prince Ling off? I'd like to go too..."
Song Xingfeng's expression was grim. "You may not!"
But to everyone's surprise, Song Lianhe threw open the carriage curtain. "Who says she can't? Get in!"
Song Xilan was taken aback. 'Why is she helping me?' she wondered, completely baffled.
But there was no time to ponder any potential schemes. She lifted her skirts and climbed aboard the carriage.
Song Xingfeng was furious, but he couldn't afford to make a scene outside the manor gates. With a dark expression, he mounted his horse, and his men followed suit, galloping toward the city gate.
Inside the carriage, Song Lianhe leaned against the window. Her head was turned, but she knew the woman across from her was studying her.
'She really doesn't need to be so suspicious of my motives. After all, she and Zhou Junlin are the main characters of this story!'
'Having already weighed the pros and cons, I'm not stupid enough to fight against 'fate'.'
'I'd rather use that time to plan my career!'