Chapter 5: Attending

As the words fell, the vast room instantly fell into a silence so deep that one could hear a pin drop.

Song Qiao stared at Pei’er in disbelief, but Pei’er lowered her head, avoiding her gaze and instead looking earnestly at Mu Yi.

“Stay behind?” The man glanced at Song Qiao, who couldn’t even get off the bed, then looked back at Pei’er with a trace of amusement in his eyes. “You’ll serve her?”

He deliberately emphasized the word “serve.” Song Qiao saw Pei’er’s face flush, yet she still mustered all her strength to keep the guest, “The Young Mistress suffers from constant pain and sleepless nights. I beg Your Lordship’s compassion.”

Mu Yi responded leisurely, “And how should I show compassion?”

There were not many women in Mu Yi’s household, but he wasn’t naïve; he wouldn’t be swayed by petty attempts to win favor through self-pity.

Moreover, he was still newly wed to his childhood sweetheart.

Not wanting Pei’er to be put in a difficult position, Song Qiao hastened to speak before he could lose his temper, “My health is poor; I fear I cannot serve properly. Your Lordship and Madam Shen have just been married. It would be better to settle her elsewhere.”

Pei’er was stunned, clearly not understanding why Song Qiao was pushing her away.

Mu Yi raised an eyebrow, “Is that the truth?”

“If Your Lordship doubts me, I can swear an oath.” Yet Song Qiao’s resolve was unshakable.

Mu Yi curled his lips in a cold sneer and, with Pei’er seeing him off, left.

The lord’s favor rested with the new madam; coming all this way only to push her away, from now on, this delicate pavilion might as well be a cold palace.

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Song Qiao understood Pei’er’s intentions, but at this moment, she simply didn’t have the strength to deal with this young lord.

Something must have gone wrong with Song Yuan, forcing the Song family to abandon their original plan.

But as a result, everyone else got what they wanted.

Only she was left utterly used.

What was she to do in the days ahead?

Like a prisoner trapped in a deep, sunless well, Song Qiao felt helpless and afraid. The tangled emotions brought on a high fever.

Pei’er never left her side, tending to her until the fever broke, by which time it was the day Shen Ruoxi returned to her marital home.

Before dawn, preparations began in earnest, with a commotion even grander than that for the legitimate wife.

Even those who barely understood the situation couldn’t help but see where Mu Yi’s affections lay.

Seeing this, everyone began to take sides. The kitchen was so overwhelmed it didn’t even send morning meals. Pei’er had to beg the gatekeeper and go out herself to fetch food.

After she left, Song Qiao propped herself up and tried to walk.

At first unsteady, she stumbled twice before gradually finding her balance.

Her legs still lacked strength, and each step felt as if she were treading on cotton.

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Having finally left the bedroom, Song Qiao’s forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

But gazing upward at the sky in all directions, she refused to be discouraged. An urgent longing stirred within her—she wished she could sprout wings and fly free from this prison at once.

To be Song Yuan for a lifetime was utterly terrifying. Just the thought sent chills down her spine.

Gritting her teeth, Song Qiao forced herself to take step after step. As her footing steadied, a surge of joy rose in her heart, but before she could savor it, misfortune struck.

Her legs suddenly gave way again, and she lost control, collapsing toward the stone path beside her.

Closing her eyes, bracing for pain, she was surprised when none came.

From nowhere, strong arms appeared and caught her firmly.

Song Qiao paused, her heart still pounding, and opened her eyes in shock.

The one who held her was none other than the eldest son of the Mu household—Mu Yan, Mu Yi’s elder brother.