Chapter 3

After resting well, I changed clothes and took a group of servants to find Song Jinyu.

This time, I would take back everything that belonged to me.

The maid in green was with me again. Her name was Qingzhu, and she was the spy Song Jinyu had planted at my side. For the moment, however, I had no intention of touching her.

“Where are you going, miss? Why not take this servant with you?”

I glanced at her.

“To start a fight. Still want to come?”

Qingzhu froze, then followed anyway.

With my procession in tow, I swept into Song Jinyu’s courtyard. The maid at the gate said she had to announce me first. I sneered and kicked open the tightly shut doors.

Every servant there jumped in fright. They had probably never seen a young lady as overbearing as me.

Song Jinyu, who had been sitting inside, was startled as well. When she came out, her face was full of panic.

“What are you doing, little sister?”

“What am I doing? Throwing you out, of course!”

My smile was thoroughly malicious.

“Have you grown addicted to playing the Song family’s eldest daughter? This was my mother’s courtyard. Now that I’m back, it belongs to me. Go find somewhere else to live.”

Song Jinyu’s eyes reddened at once.

“Y-you’re driving me away?”

“Was I not obvious enough?”

I looked at her as though she were an idiot.

“I know you don’t like me, but I was only a swaddled infant back then. I was innocent. I was a victim too. Now that you are back, I won’t compete with you for anything, but…”

“Shut up!”

I cut her off.

“Song Jinyu, I see exactly what you are, more clearly than anyone else in this residence. A victim? How ridiculous! All these years, you lived in my mother’s courtyard, enjoyed wealth and honor, wore brocade, ate delicacies, and never knew a moment’s worry. Have you ever seen a victim live like that? Your birth mother stole my life. Without that, how would you differ from any maid in this courtyard? You wouldn’t even measure up to them. A daughter pays her mother’s debts. Why pretend to be innocent in front of me? Either get out on your own, or I’ll throw you out. Choose.”

Every word stabbed straight into Song Jinyu’s heart. The humiliation and misery on her face were a delight to behold.

“Why must you make it sound so ugly?”

Tears covered Song Jinyu’s cheeks. Any man would have wanted to cherish such a delicate beauty. Unfortunately for her, I was a vengeful ghost who had clawed her way out of hell.

“If you dislike me, little sister, you need only say so. But driving me out will not be so easy. Father is the master of this residence. As long as he doesn’t order me to leave, I never will!”

“You really are shameless. Are you truly stupid, or only pretending? After all the noise I’ve made, do you think Father knows nothing?”

I arched a brow and gave her a meaningful look.

“Song Jinyu, you were at least raised as a noble young lady. Preserve a shred of dignity for yourself. And stop calling me your little sister. My mother had only one daughter. She had nothing whatsoever to do with you.”

“I want to see Father. He won’t agree to this. You can’t simply drive me out!”

“Why can’t I? Don’t forget that I am the true daughter of the Song family.”

Song Jinyu seemed to realize no one was truly coming to save her. She took two deep breaths and met my eyes.

“Let me see Father one more time.”

I said nothing, merely watching her calmly.

Song Jinyu clenched her fists.

“All I ask is to see Father one more time. Please.”

I studied her for a while, then suddenly smiled with angelic kindness.

“Ten slaps, and I’ll let you see Father.”

Song Jinyu froze. Her already red eyes grew redder, hatred brimming in them until it nearly spilled over.

“Must you humiliate me like this?”

Humiliate her?

If this counted as humiliation, what did she call pouring scalding tea over my head in my last life under the pretense of teaching me etiquette?

“I’ve given you the chance. Take it or leave it.”

Song Jinyu gritted her teeth and raised her arm to strike her face. I stopped her and glanced at Qingzhu.

“You do it.”

Qingzhu was dumbfounded. Her gaze darted between Song Jinyu and me.

“Miss, I-I…”

“If you won’t hit her, you can take those ten slaps in her place. And you needn’t remain at my side afterward.”

The two of them must have thought me too stupid to notice. Right in front of me, Song Jinyu gave Qingzhu a tiny nod.

Qingzhu hesitated, walked up to Song Jinyu, raised her hand, and slapped her across the face.

For a time, the crisp sounds of smacking palms echoed through the small courtyard. They were music to my ears.

Perhaps afraid I would become suspicious, Qingzhu did not hold back. By the time she finished, the prints on Song Jinyu’s face were remarkably distinct. One could even make out Qingzhu’s long, slender fingers. It was quite artistic.

“I’ve taken the slaps. May I see Father now?”

“Wait.”

I blocked Song Jinyu’s way and had someone throw the clothes I had prepared at her feet.

“Which piece of clothing or jewelry on you doesn’t belong to the Song family? That kingfisher-feather hairpin on your head is one of my mother’s keepsakes, isn’t it? How shameless must you be to think you can walk away wearing it? Take everything off!”

All of it was worth a great deal of silver. How could I let her have it for nothing?

Song Jinyu was unwilling, but she knew better than to fight me over a moment’s pride. She drew a deep breath, picked up the clothes, and went into the inner room.

Once she had changed, we went together to Father’s study.

Before leaving, I specifically ordered the servants to deal with everything Song Jinyu had used. Other than my mother’s keepsakes, they were to sell whatever could be sold and burn whatever could not.

As for the courtyard, it was to be cleaned from top to bottom and fumigated with mugwort. Her lingering presence felt unlucky.

Song Jinyu naturally heard every word. Her face looked awful, but she said nothing more.

I had no interest in her reaction. I was far more curious about what she planned to tell Father.