Behind Pei Zhiyan followed his son, Pei Yu. Dressed in golden robes, he looked extremely noble. His gaze also fell on Song Ruotang. Song Wanying stepped forward and hooked her arm through his. "My lord Pei, why are you and your father free to visit today?"
Song Zhen and his wife bowed. Seeing that Pei Zhiyan had noticed Song Ruotang, he said apologetically, "My lord Pei, it's cold outside. Let's go inside."
Pei Zhiyan withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly.
Pei Yu followed behind his father. Looking down at Song Ruotang, who was lying on the ground in a sorry state, he thought she looked like a delicate flower in the cold wind, vulnerable yet beautiful, with a touch of charming allure...
Pei Yu felt a twinge of regret. Back then, he lost a bet to Song Wanying and was forced to approach Song Ruotang. It was just a game, and Song Ruotang was just a plaything. But this plaything was unexpectedly beautiful, which made him seriously consider taking her as a concubine.
It was a pity that Song Ruotang had refused.
Pei Yu withdrew his gaze, a look of smugness and contempt flashing in his eyes. Song Ruotang knew that he was mocking her for being ungrateful and ending up in such a miserable state.
But even if she had chosen Pei Yu, would her situation be any different?
Song Ruotang watched as the group entered the main hall. Her gaze fell on the tall and straight back of the man in black, and a determined light flashed in her eyes. Pei Yu, just wait...
It was not until the group had completely left that Song Ruotang straightened up. She pulled her clothes tighter and curved her lips slightly as she looked at the lights shining from the main hall.
As soon as Song Zhen sat down, he began to complain. "My lord Pei, you must be laughing at me. The girl you saw just now is my youngest daughter. She's a jinx and can't even handle the simplest of tasks, so she was punished."
Pei Zhiyan tapped his fingers on the table and said slowly, "Since it's a trivial matter, shouldn't you, as her father, be more understanding?"
"Ah, my lord Pei is right." Song Zhen quickly agreed. "My lord Pei, you've come to my humble abode regarding the matter of Aying and your eldest son, right?"
Pei Zhiyan nodded. After discussing the matter with Song Zhen, he suddenly said, "I have a friend who is looking to take a beautiful concubine. However, he's too busy to handle the matter himself. He's asked me several times. Just now, I noticed that your daughter is very beautiful. I wonder if you could do me a favor?"
"Concubine?" Song Zhen hesitated. Although he didn't like Song Ruotang, she was still a member of the Song family. Marrying her off as a concubine would damage the family's reputation.
"Although it's a bit low - key, since she's to be married to my friend, he will surely treat your family well." Pei Zhiyan knew what Song Zhen was thinking and said slowly.
"My lord Pei, I'm afraid..." Song Zhen was still hesitating when Song Wanying interrupted him. "Father, what's wrong with letting sister marry? Since it's my lord Pei's friend, he will surely treat sister well. And it will be good for our family, won't it?"
Song Zhen understood what Song Wanying meant. Indeed, as she said, Pei Zhiyan's friend must be a person of high status. If they could form a connection with such a person, it would be beneficial to him, and it would also give Pei Zhiyan face.
"For Ruotang to be a concubine to my lord Pei's friend is her good fortune." Song Zhen smiled.
Pei Zhiyan then stood up. "In that case, I'll inform my friend to come and pick her up tomorrow."
Song Wanying watched as Pei Zhiyan and his group left. A smile spread across her face. Song Ruotang would never be able to compare to her.
When Song Ruotang was informed that she was to be married, she wasn't surprised at all. She casually packed a few clothes, put on the wedding dress brought by the maid, and waited for the bridal sedan to come.
"My sister is getting married. I'm really happy for her." Song Wanying stepped into her room and covered her nose in disgust.
Song Ruotang turned around and looked at her calmly. "What are you doing here?"
Song Wanying smiled. "Naturally, I'm here to congratulate you. Marrying my lord Pei's friend as a concubine is your good fortune."
She looked at Song Ruotang, reached out and pinched her chin. Her expression changed, showing a hint of cruelty. "If you dare to reveal anything about your past with Yu Lang, I'll make sure you don't die a good death."
After warning Song Ruotang, Song Wanying shook her sleeve in disgust and walked away without looking back.
Song Ruotang didn't move. She just curved her lips slightly. The matter between Pei Yu and her?
She had been constantly abused by the people in the manor until she met Pei Yu. He passed by the manor while investigating a case and stopped the people from beating her.
For the first time, someone had reached out to her and told her not to be afraid.
He was like a dazzling light that suddenly broke through the darkness of Song Ruotang's teenage years, bringing her the only warmth in her life.
He pulled her out from under the sticks and forcibly squeezed into her heart. Song Ruotang, like a tiny and stubborn moth, had chased after this light without hesitation.
She had given her heart to Pei Yu, full of expectations for a beautiful future together.
Pei Yu had given her hope but then tore apart the lies he had fabricated with his own hands, leaving Song Ruotang in despair.
Song Ruotang still clearly remembered that when she thought Pei Yu had come to pick her up from the manor, he had told her that he was going to marry her sister.
She couldn't believe it and kept asking for confirmation. Pei Yu was no longer the gentle person he used to be but looked impatient.
He told her that his so - called rescue was just a bet with Song Wanying. He lost the bet, so he came to save her.
When Song Ruotang was deeply hurt, Pei Yu even shamelessly told her that although he couldn't marry her as his wife, he would still take her as a concubine, so that both sisters could be his.
Song Ruotang found the man she had once loved so disgusting. Pei Yu warned her not to be ungrateful, saying that being a concubine was already a great honor for her. With her status, she didn't deserve anything better. It was only because he had pleaded with Song Wanying that she got this chance.
Song Ruotang found it ironic. It turned out that all the good times before were just a falsehood fabricated by Pei Yu. She had been like a lovesick girl, full of this liar, not knowing that she was just a joke to them.
Thinking about herself back then, Song Ruotang found it laughable. She had already woken up when Pei Yu betrayed her.
Even if she had to be a concubine, she would never be Pei Yu's. She would never allow them to bully her again.
Even if she was a concubine, she would climb to the top step by step and get back all the humiliation she had suffered.
The show was just beginning...
"Miss, the bridal sedan is here." The maid's voice came from outside, emotionless. Song Ruotang pulled herself back to reality, stood up, and walked out.
How could she forget the Song family and Pei Yu?
There was no joyous celebration. A group of people carried the bridal sedan silently and stopped in front of a mansion.
The gatekeeper saw the solitary bridal sedan and immediately understood that the person his master had been expecting had arrived. He quickly opened the gate. "Take it easy, everyone."
Inside the sedan, Song Ruotang tightened her slender fingers slightly, wrinkling the corner of the satin wedding dress.
The bridal sedan swayed all the way and finally stopped.
A fair and slender hand reached in from outside. Pei Zhiyan's cold voice came into Song Ruotang's ears. "Come here."
She obediently placed her hand in his. Pei Zhiyan pulled her out of the sedan. A cold wind blew, making Song Ruotang shiver involuntarily. She tightened her grip on Pei Zhiyan's hand.
Pei Zhiyan didn't say a word. He just quickened his pace and led her into the house.
The house was filled with the warmth of charcoal fires, making one feel drowsy. Pei Zhiyan left after bringing her in.
Song Ruotang let out a breath. She recalled being punished by her parents after Pei Zhiyan sent her back to the Song family. The numb and stinging feeling in her knees from the freezing snow still lingered.
She gently rubbed her legs and sat on the bridal couch, waiting for Pei Zhiyan.