When Song Qingchao woke, her eyes opened to a sky of blood red.
She thought she had returned to the day the encampments burned.
Only when her younger brother's stern face appeared within her vision did she realize that rebirth was not a dream.
"Eldest Sister, you're awake."
Song Qingchao let out a soft hum. She intended to smile and say she was fine, but tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Rest a while longer."
"No need."
Song Qingchao took the hand Song Qingmu offered, trying to stand.
As expected of someone who had long been involved in official matters, the whip strokes from the gaunt man were all about skin deep and not bone-jarring.
They looked fierce, but not life-threatening.
She had recovered considerably, and her bracelet had regained its jade green luster.
She had collected quite a few delicacies on her journey from the city to its outskirts, and half of her silver had been spent.
Fortunately, time was still within the spatial artifact, so even freshly baked buns would not spoil when she took them out now; they would even emit steam.
The more she stored, the greater the energy her body consumed. She never thought these things would cause her to faint.
If only she could meet that person again.
She looked ahead, frowning, "Why is it so noisy up ahead?"
"It's Xiao Cui."
Song Qingchao patted Song Qingmu's hand, "Mm, don't use this hand anymore if it's injured."
"Alright."
Song Qingmu agreed without the slightest hesitation, which relieved Song Qingchao greatly.
She wanted to go find Xiao Cui.
A Zhu had indeed come.
She knew very well that the person who forced her mother to her death was not the gaunt man; he was merely an executor, not the mastermind.
Furthermore, behind the gaunt man, there were definitely not just one group of people.
One group wanted her to live, another wanted her dead, and a third wanted her to live a life worse than death.
In her past life, someone had wanted her brother's hands. Therefore, in this life, her brother's hands could not be healed.
She helped the gaunt man complete his task while also preserving herself.
Only if they were miserable enough would those people let them be.
As Song Qingchao took two steps, she heard chatter from behind her, along with the sound of a horsewhip being flailed wildly. Without even thinking, she knew the arrival must be the most esteemed Grand Princess of Da Yuan, her confidante, Li Yanzhu.
She gripped Song Qingmu's wrist and turned back abruptly.
She saw the person dressed in a goose-yellow robe with a round collar, the lapels of her robe fluttering unrestrainedly in the wind.
How long had it been since she last saw A Zhu in such a carefree and wild manner?
If not for her in her previous life, she likely wouldn't have ended up being married off to the northwest and died miserably in bed.
They were all beasts!
The horse, kicking up dust, galloped to her. The beautiful young man atop it agilely dismounted, still holding a young man in white.
"Chao Chao!"
Song Qingchao's grip on Song Qingmu's wrist tightened again.
She had a thousand words she wanted to say to Li Yanzhu, wanting to pour out all her grievances and sorrow to her, but she couldn't.
"How are you?"
Li Yanzhu dismounted and went straight for Song Qingchao. If not for her concern for Song Qingchao's delicate health, she would have rushed forward and knocked her over.
Song Qingchao, however, was not as agitated as Li Yanzhu.
Her steps retreated backward, and she bit her lip, remaining silent. Her eyes, red-rimmed, watched Li Yanzhu struggle with the guards, loudly demanding to see her.
The gaunt man walked out, his expression grim, "Who is making such a ruckus here!"
He slammed his whip onto the ground, sending muddy water splashing onto her face. "Are just anyone now allowed to stop imperial escorts? In the capital, how can you people be so audacious? Arrest them!"
"Hey, you!" Li Yanzhu shrieked, flailing her arms. "I am..."
"I advise you to let her go." Song Qingchao wiped her face, sighing helplessly, "She is the Grand Princess."
"Just because you say so?"
The gaunt man snorted, "Stuff his mouth."
"Hey," Song Qingchao frowned, turning to the gaunt man with a serious expression, "You will regret this."
The gaunt man scoffed, "Don't say that."
With his hands behind his back, he asked, "May I ask, Miss, what are you trying to achieve with this repeated disturbance? Threatening me with the Grand Princess time and time again will not make this business last."
"She really is," Song Qingchao indifferently picked at her nails, "Doesn't everyone know the Grand Princess is arrogant and overbearing? Now that you've offended her, can your master protect you?"
The gaunt man sneered, his whip trembling, "Then can the Grand Princess protect you?"
Upon hearing this, Song Qingchao seemed to have heard a joke, her eyes curving into crescents. "How could she not protect me?"
Song Qingmu also spoke then, pointing at the bound person, "She really is the Grand Princess."
The smile on the gaunt man's lips faltered slightly.
At this moment, Xiao Cui also pushed through the crowd and rushed in, immediately kneeling on the ground. "Princess, your subordinate arrived late."
The gaunt man could no longer smile. His expression changed drastically as he knelt down with a thud. "Your subordinate had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg the Princess for forgiveness!"
Following suit, the siblings, along with a vast crowd, knelt on the ground and shouted, "Long live the Princess."
Li Yanzhu, however, paid no mind to these people. She quickly untied the ropes, removed the gag from Song Qingchao's mouth, and threw a token at the gaunt man's face. "Open your dog eyes and see!"
Even with Song Qingchao's head bowed in a kneeling posture, she could imagine A Zhu's imperious demeanor.
"Chao Chao, get up quickly. Why are you kneeling? Your health is not good."
"Princess, this humble sinner dares not."
Li Yanzhu stood stunned. The tear-filled eyes finally began to rain.
She bit her lip, unable to believe it. "I'm sorry, I came too late."
"Your Highness acting like this is a great insult to this humble girl." Song Qingchao slowly raised her head, her clear eyes filled with bloodshot veins. "My father's whereabouts are unknown, and my mother's remains are nowhere to be found. I am afraid I can no longer associate with the Princess."
"It's not like that, Chao Chao, listen to my explanation..."
Li Yanzhu's complexion changed from red to pale. She had expected Chao Chao to blame her, to resent her, but she never expected such coldness.
That gaze was so icy it could freeze a person to death.
If she hadn't noticed Chao Chao's little finger moving rhythmically, she would have truly believed her.
"Explanation? What explanation? Did you listen to my father's explanation?" Song Qingchao suddenly prostrated herself. "I implore the Princess to spare this humble girl. For all that has happened, Chao Chao is filled with gratitude."
Li Yanzhu looked down, remaining silent.
Only when Xiao Cui softly called her did she snap back to reality.
She tilted her head and gave a sinister smile, softly repeating the words "filled with gratitude," then stuck out her foot and lifted Song Qingchao's chin. "So, this is how your Song family shows gratitude? Harboring a traitor, how dare you!"
"Please, Princess, investigate!" Song Qingchao's voice trembled, but her face was etched with stubbornness. "My Song family has never betrayed loyalty or filial piety."
"Loyalty and filial piety?" Li Yanzhu fiercely kicked Song Qingchao away and turned her back, unable to bear watching. "I find it laughable."
The moment she closed her eyes, tears uncontrollably streamed down. "How I treated you like a sister for so many years."
"A sister?" Song Qingchao also laughed hysterically. "This humble girl was merely a plaything for the Princess, summoned and dismissed at will."
"Is that so?" Li Yanzhu wiped away her tears cruelly, turned around, squatted down, and grabbed Song Qingchao's face, revealing the hideous, blackened wound. "Look, why did such a beautiful face get injured like this?"