Chapter 409 — Denial

Though her sister-in-law had not said so plainly, the meaning beneath her words was that all that had come to pass was her father's fault. She had scarcely dared believe it before, but now her father shied from her as from a ghost... her sister-in-law had not deceived her!

She understood — and still grief reddened the corners of her eyes, and she bowed her head.

Jiang Ling, who had been watching her all along, hurried forward to take her hand, and sighed quietly to herself.

Her uncle-by-marriage was just as her cousin's wife had said. His affection for the Jiang family was all on the surface; in his heart he did not care for them at all.

Well, so be it.

Let the Zhenguo estate of Ying keep to its broad highway and be the first house of the nobility; the Jiangs would keep to their own narrow bridge, and be plain country gentry who quarrelled with no one.

She comforted Jiang Yan in a low voice: "It's nothing. You look so much like our aunt that Lord Zhenguo must have been frightened."

Jiang Yan nodded, somewhat woodenly.

Then Song Han sprang out.

He seized hold of Song Cen, crying "Father!" at the top of his voice, and said urgently, "What's the matter with you? Your cousin is waiting to kowtow to you — don't frighten her out of her wits!"

Song Cen started, and came back to himself.

His gaze swept past Song Yan's expressionless face and settled slowly on Jiang Yan's.

The Jiang women had always been proud and confident. When had one ever cringed and shrunk as this one did?

And the age was wrong as well.

When she sat for that portrait, she had already given birth to Song Ke; the girl before him now was at most just past her coming of age.

Song Cen let out a long breath.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, settled himself in the armchair, and put on an arrogant look, the very picture of a majestic Lord Zhenguo, and berated Song Yan: "If they are womenfolk, hand them over to the Dou woman to receive. What sort of decency is this, bringing them before me? Get them out of here at once!"

Song Yan threw a glance at Chen He.

Chen He hurriedly led Jiang Ling and Jiang Yan away.

Seeing this, the servants in the room scurried out after them one by one, and the great hall was left with only Song Cen, Song Yan, Dou Yan, and Song Han.

Song Yan said with a smile: "Let Father know — this girl is no Jiang at all. Her surname is Li, her given name Yigui, and she is the daughter of Li Tiaoniang..."

Before his voice had died away, Song Cen's face was a mask of horror.

"Some days ago Li Liang came to me saying that Yigui was my sister and that I should bring her home. I knew Li Tiaoniang had once been your woman on the side, but you broke with her seventeen years ago — how is it I have sprouted a sister? And when I saw Yigui I was more puzzled still: how is it that Li Tiaoniang's child looks as though she were stamped from the same mould as my mother..."

"What manner of creature is this Li Liang?" Song Cen cut him off, hopping with fury. "He picks up some wench who bears a passing resemblance to your mother and you take her for your sister — have you a scrap of sense in that head of yours? And you brought the girl home! You may not fear mockery, but I do! Get her out of here at once!" He added, "Where is Li Liang? Hand him over to me. The charge of falsely claiming kinship with an official house is one he cannot escape! Years ago he extorted money from me, and for Li Tiaoniang's sake I let him off. I never thought he would nurse a thief's heart and find his way to you! Pay him no mind — just beat him to death with staves. As for the authorities, I will do the talking."

She had known it would be so, and yet, hearing Song Cen's words, Dou Yan could not help a stir of sorrow.

It was as well she had told Jiang Ling beforehand to take Jiang Yan away; otherwise, hearing this speech of Song Cen's, Jiang Yan would likely sooner have followed Li Liang than set foot in the Song house again.

*

Sisters, here is the second update of the day.

o(n_n)o~