Chapter 2: Internal Strife

Sang Hongyun glanced down at the red stain blooming on her chest and said, “Let’s return to the manor!”

So this was why Zhao Liran waited outside the city—for her to avoid what had taken place? So An Zichen could not wait any longer? Her grandfather’s death was not enough to break her spirit?

Lifting her clear, tranquil eyes, Sang Hongyun reined in her horse before the Sang estate.

“It’s the eldest miss!”

“The eldest miss has returned!”

The gatekeepers hurried out, tears streaming down their faces.

Looking out from the entrance, everything was a sea of white.

Soon, a crowd poured from the main doors. “The eldest miss is back!”

“Yun’er!”

“Mother!”

“Sister!”

“Little brother!”

Sang Yangshi threw her arms around Sang Hongyun, leaning her whole weight on her daughter’s shoulder.

Her brother, Sang Zhen, blinked back tears.

Sang Hongyun scanned the people behind her mother and frowned. “Where are the members of the second and third branches?”

Sang Yangshi replied, “They are busy with their own affairs and asked us to welcome you home first.”

Sang Hongyun asked, “Are they all so busy?”

Sang Zhen knew his sister was referring to the two cousins from the second branch and the cousins from the third.

“Let’s discuss it once we’re inside, sister.”

Turning her head, Sang Hongyun sneered inwardly. At such a time, the second and third branches were likely preoccupied with grandfather’s fortune, afraid the main branch might claim everything for themselves—too fearful to show themselves. But there was also her grandaunt, who was far from easy to deal with.

Upon entering the main hall, she found the entire second and third branches seated within, her grandaunt occupying the seat of honor, her face stormy as she glared at Sang Hongyun.

“So it’s you who returned? Where is your father? Doesn’t he know that with his father’s passing, he should lead the family in mourning? Is he planning to make us the laughingstock of every noble family in the capital?”

The four attendants behind Sang Hongyun were visibly angry.

Their mistress had traveled day and night, arriving in the capital only to witness that wretch betray her and cancel their engagement publicly, staining her reputation and spitting blood from the shock. She had barely set foot in her own home, not even tasted a cup of tea, and now faced reproach from her family. What’s more, it was not the main wife—their mistress’s own mother—presiding, but Grandfather’s concubine, Madam Feng. Had the household’s authority shifted?

Sang Hongyun wondered the same, her gaze lucid as she looked up at Madam Feng. “Grandaunt, please calm yourself. My father commands the troops guarding the northwest. It is his duty—he has already decreed that I, Hongyun, shall mourn in his stead. If you have any objections, let us discuss them after Grandfather’s funeral.”

Madam Feng was briefly at a loss for words. She glanced at her son, Sang Zhongli of the second branch, who signaled her with his eyes. She then said authoritatively, “Since your father cannot preside over the rites, your second uncle will do so. There is no need for you to act in his stead. You have just returned and are unfamiliar with everything—go and rest. Your third uncle is here as well; you need not concern yourself.”

Sang Hongyun’s lips curled with a cold smile. “Grandaunt, you do not have the final say here. With Grandfather gone, my mother and the main branch remain. Grandfather was the Imperial Commander of Shaanxi, granted the title Marquis of Ningguo by the Emperor himself. My father is the heir, and it is his duty to lead the family in mourning. In his absence, I shall take his place.”

Smack!

Madam Feng slammed her palm on the table. “You are a woman—how can you perform such duties? Even if your brother, Sang Zhen, were to do it, he is far too young for such responsibility. My decision stands; there is nothing more to discuss!”

Sang Hongyun stepped forward, her gaze gentle as she asked, “Grandaunt, who is keeping vigil before Grandfather’s coffin now?”

Madam Feng was caught off guard. Looking around, she realized that only the second and third branches were present, including all their children. Uneasy, she retorted, “There are people keeping vigil for your grandfather. Don’t concern yourself. Go and rest.”

Sang Hongyun regarded Madam Feng and the others coolly. So these were the descendants Grandfather had always been so proud of. Suddenly, she commanded, “Dress in mourning!”

The four women behind her stepped forward and began to remove Sang Hongyun’s armor before everyone.

Sweat beaded on Sang Hongyun’s brow as her attendants, uneasily glancing at her, undressed her piece by piece.

A soft rustling filled the air as all eyes focused on Sang Hongyun’s slender, delicate shoulders.

That armor weighed several dozen pounds, yet she had worn it all the way, day and night, to the capital. Tears welled in the eyes of Sang Yangshi and Sang Zhen.

Sang Yangshi’s gaze fell on the bloodstain on her daughter’s thigh, and she cried out, “You’re hurt!”

A flurry of white mourning garments fluttered through the air, settling over the white underclothes Sang Hongyun wore. As her attendants fastened the buttons, she replied, “Mother, it’s nothing.”

At last Sang Yangshi could not hold back her tears.

In the past, the Marquis of Ningguo alone had borne all the burdens of the family. Every member of the household depended on his protection and favor. Now her husband and daughter shed blood and risked their lives just to provide for these people, yet there was not a word of gratitude in return. Sang Yangshi’s heart ached beyond measure.

Sang Hongyun swiftly donned the mourning attire and hat. After tying a hemp cord at her waist, she turned to Madam Feng. “Grandaunt, I shall mourn in my father’s stead. Please lead the way.”

Madam Feng was incredulous. Sang Hongyun had just given her a public rebuke, stripping her of all dignity. “How dare you! Don’t think you can intimidate me with your father’s orders. I have lived longer than you’ve been alive—your insolence will not be tolerated!”

“Where is the steward?” Sang Hongyun asked, her disdainful eyes sweeping over Madam Feng and falling on the gathered servants.

The servants, stunned by her actions, looked at her as if they saw the late Marquis of Ningguo alive again—the true head of the Sang family, Sang Cheng.

With a thud, someone knelt. “Reporting to the eldest miss, the steward was sent to an estate outside the city by the old madam.”

Madam Feng’s eyes flashed with fury as she glared at the servant, who trembled and fell silent.

Sang Hongyun said, “Grandfather trusted the steward most. For you to send him away at such a time, grandaunt, would surely break Grandfather’s heart.”

— End of excerpt —