Blossom

Song Yichun's expression softened slightly, then stiffened as he sternly demanded, "Song Han, do you admit your wrongdoing?"

Song Han's eyes were wide with fury as he struggled violently, emitting muffled groans. His gaze toward Song Yichun was filled with resentment and defiance.

A tremor ran through Song Yichun's heart, and the image of Jiang Shi before her death suddenly flashed through his mind.

Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, he cleared his throat softly before raising his voice. "Bring in Miao Shi and that maidservant."

Zeng Wu hurried forward to lift the curtain of the side chamber, and Miao Ansu and Qi Xia entered.

Song Han stared at Qi Xia in shock, but she ignored him completely, following Miao Ansu to the center of the hall. There, she curtsied to the assembled masters and young masters.

Song Yichun asked, "Miao Shi, I ask you—what exactly happened when Liao Wang visited our home?"

Song Maochun and the others suddenly understood.

So that was it!

The ancestral hall had not been opened because Song Han had an improper relationship with his stepmother, but because he had colluded with Liao Wang. If Liao Wang were to fail, and Song Han were not expelled from the family, once the Emperor found out, the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion would be in grave danger!

Not only would they lose their backing, but they might even suffer the same fate as the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion—exiled and their property confiscated.

Song Han had to be cast out.

As Miao Shi spoke in a measured tone, Song Maochun and the others exchanged glances and reached a decision.

Song Qin, meanwhile, was overcome with shame.

How could he, as the eldest brother, have doubted his uncle's fairness in handling matters?

It seemed he was even less discerning than his younger brother, Song Duo.

He couldn't help but glance at Song Duo, who was listening intently as Miao Ansu recounted the events of that day:

"...In truth, Qi Xia had warned me, but I was too slow-witted to grasp the implications. I never imagined things would go this far, allowing Second Master to stray further and further until this grave mistake was made! In the end, it was all my fault. I beg Father-in-law to punish me."

As she spoke, she knelt.

Song Yichun was satisfied with her words and nodded slightly before turning his gaze to Qi Xia.

Qi Xia dropped to her knees beside Miao Ansu and said quietly, "Since being assigned to Second Master's quarters, I have always served him closely. Second Master was always... very affectionate toward the elder sisters in the Duke's household. At first, I didn't think much of it. Later, when Second Master was preparing for marriage, Duo Ruo became inexplicably upset, and Second Master began seeking her out frequently. I sensed something was amiss, but at the time, the household was preoccupied with the wedding arrangements, so I didn't pay special attention..."

Song Yichun felt his teeth ache at her words.

What did she mean by "Second Master was very affectionate toward the elder sisters in the Duke's household"? Did all the women in his quarters have improper relations with Song Han?

That Dou Shi—how had she instructed this maidservant to speak? Why was she spouting such nonsense?

Song Yichun felt as if a feather were tickling his throat and cleared his throat again before saying, "Enough. Everyone understands the situation now."

This was truly pulling up a radish only to bring along the mud!

To those who knew, Qi Xia's words were simply tactless. But to those who didn’t, it might seem as though Song Yichun was wearing a cuckold’s hat!

Song Maochun nearly burst out laughing but quickly lowered his head, pretending to sip tea to suppress his amusement.

Lu Chen and Lu Shi, however, exchanged mocking glances.

No wonder the Grand Princess favored Song Mo. Song Yichun couldn’t even frame someone properly—if the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion relied on him, they wouldn’t have many peaceful years left.

The two brothers also lowered their heads to drink their tea.Pinned down in the middle of the hall, Song Han was filled with grief and indignation.

How could this happen?

How could they frame him like this?

Committing adultery with a concubine—what a preposterous accusation they had concocted!

Du Ruo had her own maids attending to her, and Cassia Fragrance Courtyard was always bustling with people. She had never once stepped out of the courtyard. If he had indeed been involved with Du Ruo, how could they have hidden it from the maids, old women, pages, and wives in the courtyard?

Couldn’t they even bother to come up with a plausible lie?

Song Han turned his gaze toward the Song family members.

Each of them wore an expressionless face, as if they were utterly shocked by the accusation.

He then looked at the Lu family members.

Every one of them looked solemn, as though they had just heard the most disgraceful thing in the world.

Song Han wanted to laugh.

So this was what it meant to be falsely accused!

He widened his eyes and glared at Song Mo.

Song Mo remained calm, his demeanor as serene as if he were watching a play.

Now that he had finally crushed him underfoot, Song Mo must be overjoyed, right?

He thought back to that summer morning.

Sunlight had shone on his spotless white Hangzhou silk robes.

Li Dasheng had hoisted him onto his shoulders, while another guard stood in the street to stop a melon vendor for him.

Then, a young woman had suddenly appeared, smiling brightly at him and saying, "You must be the second young master of the Duke of Yingguo’s household, right? I am your birth mother!"

From that moment on, his world had been tainted as if splashed with a bottle of ink.

He had once thought of killing Li Tiaoniang, but his mother had doted on him like a precious jewel. The moment he left her sight, she would search for him everywhere, leaving him no opportunity to act. He had also considered marrying a girl from the Jiang Family—that way, he would become their son-in-law. As the saying went, a son-in-law was half a son, and he could rightfully be his mother’s child. But before he grew up, the Jiang Family had been purged. He had even entertained the idea of being Song Mo’s obedient and well-behaved younger brother forever. Yet, his mother had passed away, and Song Yichun, fearing Song Mo would seek revenge if he learned the truth, had tried to eliminate Song Mo. Not only had he failed, but he had also made Song Mo suspicious of their mother’s death...

In truth, he had wanted to be a good son to his mother!

In truth, he had wanted to be a good brother to Song Mo!

But Heaven had denied him this chance, letting Song Yichun ruin everything!

Song Han let out a furious roar, his eyes bloodshot.

Song Yichun—Song Yichun! It was all his fault!

If not for him, how would Song Han have ever met Liao Wang, let alone entertained the thought of befriending him?

If not for him, how would Song Han have ever tried to frame Song Mo, only to be outmaneuvered instead?

If not for him, how would Song Han have risked himself by leading Liao Wang’s men to capture Dou Zhao and her companions, only to give Song Mo the leverage to destroy him?

He had caused so much trouble, yet he refused to help him. Now, he had even convened the ancestral hall to expel Song Han from the Song family, to ruin his reputation, to leave him with nowhere to go, to drive him to his death...

Song Han glared at Song Yichun.

Song Yichun was righteously listing all his supposed wrongdoings.

A fire erupted in Song Han’s heart.

He let out a hoarse scream at Song Yichun.

But his screams came out as muffled sobs.

Song Han struggled desperately.

Suddenly, the force restraining him vanished, and he broke free from their grasp, stumbling forward before collapsing to the ground.

The sudden turn of events startled everyone in the room. Miao Ansu and Qi Xia even shrieked and hid behind Song Mo.The man holding Song Han was stunned by the scene before him. He didn’t know why his elbow suddenly went numb, and his hand lost all strength...

“Duke!” he cried in panic, trying to explain to Song Yichun. But his hand had already regained its strength as if nothing had happened. Suppressing his confusion, he strode forward to seize Song Han again.

However, Song Han lunged at Song Yichun like a tiger breaking free from its cage, his expression twisted with fury.

Song Yichun was horrified, frozen in place as he watched Song Han charge at him and clamp his hands around his throat.

“I’ll make you pay for spouting nonsense! I’ll make you pay for twisting the truth!” Song Han muttered, his gaze vacant.

A cold smirk curled at the corner of Song Mo’s lips.

Dogs biting dogs—what did it have to do with him?

The Lu family members watched the spectacle from the sidelines.

Song Maochun wanted to step in and separate the two, but seeing Song Mo and the Lu family remain unmoved, he hesitated for a moment before turning his face away.

Song Fengchun and Song Tongchun, who always followed Song Maochun’s lead, also sat firmly in their seats.

Song Qin and the other juniors had no say in the matter and could only watch.

Zeng Wu had long since slipped away unnoticed.

The entire room watched helplessly as Song Han choked Song Yichun until his face turned purple and his tongue protruded.

Only when the guards who had been restraining Song Han earlier realized that this could turn fatal did they steel themselves and intervene.

Yet, despite his frail appearance, Song Han now possessed the strength of an ox. No matter how hard they pulled, they couldn’t pry him away.

One guard tried to bend Song Han’s fingers.

Pain forced Song Han to loosen one hand.

The guards sighed in relief.

But Song Han’s eyes burned with madness as he sank his teeth into Song Yichun’s throat.

“Aiyo!” Song Yichun cried out, his face turning deathly pale.

“Second Master, let go!” The guards panicked, circling frantically—some pulling at Song Han, others slapping his head, and one even tickling him. But Song Han, as if possessed, refused to release his grip.

Blood trickled from the corner of Song Han’s mouth, staining his robes.

Only then did Lu Chen’s expression shift slightly. Exchanging a glance with his cousin Lu Shi, he stood and shouted, “Stop! Song Han, release him at once! Do you mean to kill your own father?”

Song Han ignored him, his eyes wild like a beast’s.

Song Maochun and the others shuddered, sensing that things had spiraled out of control.

The three brothers exchanged looks before Song Maochun grabbed a teapot and smashed it against Song Han’s head.

Song Han’s eyes glazed over, and moments later, he collapsed limply to the ground.

Song Yichun clutched his throat, unable to speak as blood gushed between his fingers.

“Uncle! Uncle!” Song Qin sobbed, pressing his own robe against Song Yichun’s wound. Song Maochun, pale-faced, bellowed, “Fetch a doctor, now!” Lu Chen and his brother approached solemnly, and the room descended into chaos.

Only Song Mo remained seated, his expression icy, while behind him, Miao Ansu and Qi Xia trembled uncontrollably.

No one paid any attention to Song Han.

Blood slowly seeped from his head, forming a dark stain on the stone floor.

Huang Qing, the Duke of Yingguo’s chief steward, rushed in with a crowd of servants. Some carried door planks, others shouted for the doctor, and in the commotion, they hastily lifted Song Yichun away.Song Yichun clutched his throat in agony. As he was lifted up, the corner of his eye caught sight of Song Mo standing quietly in the distance, watching this life's events with detached indifference.

For some reason, his mind flashed back fifteen years.

He had been deceived by the Earl of Guang'en. At the time, Jiang Shi, heavily pregnant, instead of staying home quietly to rest as she should have, had gone running to Jiang Meisun. Not only had Jiang Meisun refused to help him, but he had even reported the matter to Father. To make matters worse, Jiang Shi had put on a show of pleading for leniency on his behalf, which only resulted in Father scolding him again and stripping him of his household management authority...