Song Ruotang smiled and wiped the dirt off the wine jar. Only then did she carefully unseal it. A fragrance of osmanthus mingling with the scent of wine wafted out.
Xiaoxi couldn't help but take a sniff. "This is the most fragrant osmanthus wine I've ever smelled. Master used to love osmanthus wine too, but the wine he brought back never had such a mellow fragrance."
Song Ruotang's eyes flickered slightly. "Master likes osmanthus wine too?"
"Yes." Xiaoxi nodded. "Most of the time, it was osmanthus wine he drank."
Saying this, Xiaoxi seemed to remember something. "Master went on an inspection today. He should be back soon. He'll surely be happy when he sees this osmanthus wine."
Song Ruotang smiled. She originally intended to give it to Pei Zhiyan to drink. So, hearing Xiaoxi's words, she said, "Warm up this wine. When Master comes back, he can drink it to warm himself up."
"I'll go right away." Xiaoxi happily hugged the wine jar and trotted off.
As it got to afternoon, the snow lessened a bit. Song Ruotang still waited for Pei Zhiyan at the usual place, but he didn't return. Xiaoxi tiptoed slightly and looked around, but didn't see his figure.
"It's strange. Master usually comes back early from inspections." Xiaoxi murmured doubtfully.
Song Ruotang pursed her lips and turned to look at Xiaoxi. "Does Master take many people with him when he goes on inspections?"
"They're all Master's subordinates." Xiaoxi explained. "Maybe the snow was a bit heavy today, so they were delayed on the way back."
Saying this, Xiaoxi seemed to suddenly remember something and continued, "There's a wintersweet garden on the outskirts of the capital. Master goes there every year. Maybe he's there."
Song Ruotang nodded. After waiting for a while, Xiaoxi had other things to do, leaving Song Ruotang alone in front of the corridor watching the snow.
She lowered her eyes and looked at the wine warming on the stove. Finally, she asked someone to bring a wine bag, carefully filled the wine into it, and then took a carriage out.
If Pei Zhiyan had gone to the plum garden, he might just be short of some wine. If she met him on the way, it could be considered as her going to pick him up.
It was still early, but due to the snow and the overcast sky, it was rather dim.
As soon as Song Ruotang left the house, the Song Mansion received the news. At this time, Song Wanying was being carried to see Song Zhen, whose back had been scalded.
Nie Rong was crying beside him with a handkerchief in her hand. Song Zhen was already annoyed, and Song Wanying still pricked at his sore spot. "Father, why did you end up like this when you went to ask Song Ruotang for silver?"
"Don't mention it!" Song Zhen said angrily. "That little bastard dared to refuse me. Moreover, she even injured me and didn't give me a single cent. How could I have given birth to such a wretch!"
The angrier Song Zhen got, the more excited he became. When he got excited, he moved his back wound, which made him gasp in pain. With cold sweat all over his head, he cursed, "Why doesn't she just die!"
Song Wanying nodded in deep agreement. "That's right. As soon as we're involved with her, nothing good happens. This bad luck star should just die!"
"We were too soft - hearted back then." Song Zhen squinted his eyes. "We should have strangled her as soon as she was born. Otherwise, we wouldn't be suffering like this because of her now."
Saying this, Song Zhen gave Nie Rong a cold look. "It's all because you, this woman, were reluctant. Now she's causing us so much trouble!"
Nie Rong didn't dare to say a word when scolded. She really had no excuse. If she had known this earlier, she would definitely not have let this bad luck star live. Now she was causing chaos in the family.
Just as Song Zhen and Song Wanying were scolding Nie Rong, someone walked in from outside and interrupted them. "Master, Miss, Song Ruotang has gone out."
Hearing this, Song Zhen snorted. "What use is it telling me? I don't even want to hear her name now..."
"Father." Song Wanying interrupted him, signaling the messenger to go out with her eyes. Then she looked at Song Zhen. "Song Ruotang went out alone. Isn't this a good opportunity for us?"
Song Zhen immediately understood. A glint of light flashed in his eyes. He squinted slightly and slowly said, "You mean..."
Song Wanying nodded. "Let's go all the way. Our chance has come."
Song Zhen thought for a while. Song Wanying was a bit impatient. "Father, what are you still hesitating about? Look at our family. It's been ruined by that bad luck star. Do you still want to live such a hard life?"
These words touched Song Zhen. Finally, he made up his mind. "You're right." He reached under his pillow and took out a token, handing it to Song Wanying. "I'm not convenient. You arrange this matter."
Watching Song Wanying take the token, he warned uneasily, "Make sure to arrange it carefully. Don't make any more mistakes."
The tearing pain on his buttocks hadn't subsided yet, so Song Wanying didn't dare to be careless. She nodded seriously. "Father, don't worry. I'll be careful."
That token was the order for the death - squads trained by Song Zhen. This time, he was really determined to kill Song Ruotang...
Song Ruotang's carriage was heading towards the outskirts of the capital. She tilted her head and slightly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. She saw the forest getting denser outside. The pine trees were all covered with snow, presenting a criss - cross of cyan and white.
Due to the snow, the carriage was moving rather slowly. Looking at these sceneries, Song Ruotang remembered the scene when she was called back to the Song Mansion not long ago.
At that time, she was wearing a patched autumn clothes. When the east wind blew, the thin clothes clung to her bony body like a thin bamboo pole floating in the wind.
She packed several jars of the wine she brewed in a bamboo basket, tied a rope to it, and dragged it back to the Song Mansion on foot, relying on the slippery power of the snow.
The snow was deeper and the wind was stronger than it was now.
Thinking of that day, Song Ruotang unconsciously hugged the wine bag in her arms tightly, trying to warm herself with it.
As the forest got denser, the carriage moved even more slowly. Originally, there was only the sound of the carriage wheels rolling on the snow, but then a rush of footsteps came from afar. Suddenly, the carriage shook violently with a thud.
Song Ruotang was caught off - guard and was thrown against the carriage wall, hitting her shoulder. The intense pain made her frown instantly.
Before she could think, the attacker was ruthless. There was a tearing sound of cloth from outside. Song Ruotang only heard the coachman grunt. He couldn't even cry out, and then there was the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.
The coachman was killed.
Then a blood - stained sword tip lifted the carriage curtain. The thick blood dripped down in strings. Through the blood, Song Ruotang saw a ferocious face.
She had never seen this face before, but she knew the person was dangerous.
"So it's you." The man seemed to be a bit stunned too. After seeing Song Ruotang huddled in the carriage, he showed a smile. He neatly got into the carriage, grabbed Song Ruotang's lapel, and lifted her out of the carriage like a chick.
"Big brother, are you mistaken? I don't seem to have met you before." Song Ruotang tried to calm herself down and said calmly to the man.
Hearing this, the man sneered. "You don't recognize me, but I recognize you, Pei Zhiyan's little concubine."