The next day.
Song Yanqing, as usual, went to the Imperial Palace early in the morning.
After Song Yanqing left, Ming Yufang also went out.
She brought many gifts to Xie Ruotong’s General Mansion.
It had been planned for two days that she would co today to propose marriage.
Ming Yufang thought that although Song Yanqing was now disfigured and without any official position, he was still soone close to the emperor, and Xie Ruotong, being so old and divorced, would find it difficult to remarry. If their Song Family lowered themselves to bring Xie Ruotong back, it shouldn’t be an issue.
With this confidence, she arrived at the General Mansion.
Xie Ruotong had just finished her martial arts practice and was preparing to freshen up and et the prospective matches arranged by the emperor.
She was seeing two people a day.
She had already t with four.
She truly didn’t know how many more the emperor had in store for her, all of them high-ranking officials and nobles, all younger than her.
After all, anyone older than her would likely already be married.
And she was well aware that those arranged for the etings were also coerced by the emperor’s authority and afraid to refuse, in fact, they all feared she might take a liking to them.
For soone as old as she was, who was divorced and unable to bear children, no one was willing to sincerely marry her.
Of course, she hadn’t thought of marrying anyone.
It was just a matter of dealing with the emperor.
Xie Ruotong sat at the dressing table, decorating herself, when she heard a servant co in to announce, "General, Madam Song requests to see you."
"Madam Song?" Xie Ruotong frowned.
"It’s Song the Scholar’s mother, Madam Ming," the servant explained.
Xie Ruotong’s expression darkened slightly.
She did not want to see Song Yanqing, nor any of the Song Family.
Those sufferings at the Song Family back then... were more than enough.
"Just say I’m busy and send her away," Xie Ruotong said coldly.
"Yes."
Not long after.
There was a commotion outside the courtyard.
The servant hurried in, "Madam Song insists on seeing you. This servant dares not stop her for fear of injuring her, which would make it difficult for the General to explain to the Song Family."
Xie Ruotong was clearly sowhat impatient.
After a mont of hesitation, she said, "Let her wait in the main hall, I’ll go over in a mont."
She knew very well Ming Yufang’s character.
If she didn’t see her today, she would keep coming back.
Might as well, deal with her directly.
Also, she wanted to see what purpose Ming Yufang had co for?!
After finishing her dressing.
She went to the main hall.
Ming Yufang, after sitting and waiting for a while, saw Xie Ruotong approaching and appeared very enthusiastic, "Ruotong, we haven’t seen each other for years, you look more beautiful, and your complexion is even better."
Saying this, she reached out to take Xie Ruotong’s hand.
Xie Ruotong easily avoided her.
Ming Yufang felt a bit awkward.
"Madam Song, please sit." Xie Ruotong paid no mind to Ming Yufang’s feelings and sat directly in the host’s seat, instructing Ming Yufang to take the guest seat.
Ming Yufang bit her lip and sat on the chair beside.
"May I know what brings Madam Song personally to my humble abode?" Xie Ruotong asked nonchalantly, sipping her tea.
"Ah," Ming Yufang sighed.
She seed quite sentintal.
Xie Ruotong acted as if she didn’t notice, continuing to drink her tea.
"Thinking back to the matter with Xie Ruilin back then, I regret it deeply now. If it weren’t for Xie Ruilin’s cunning thods, I wouldn’t have wronged you, causing you to leave the Song Family in anger, and even the child in your belly..."
"Madam Song, please get to the point," Xie Ruotong said impatiently.
She was as cold and indifferent to Ming Yufang.
Ming Yufang paused, no longer making further introductions, and said, "Since Ruotong is so straightforward, I won’t beat around the bush. Yanqing has remained unmarried all these years, not taking any concubines, not even a maid, because he has been waiting for Ruotong. Ruotong has also remained single these years, perhaps not having t the right person. Five years ago, it was indeed our Song Family’s fault, I co here to apologize, and if Ruotong returns to our Song Family, I promise I will treat you as I did before, without holding grudges."
Without holding grudges, treating you as before?!
Xie Ruotong just smiled faintly.
Whether it was sarcastic or not, it was hard to tell.
"I ca today to propose marriage, hoping you would return to our Song Family," Ming Yufang finished, signaling to her servant, "Bring out the bridal gifts I prepared today."
Before the servant could retrieve them.
Xie Ruotong directly refused, "No need, Madam Song. I will not reunite with Song Yanqing, nor return to your Song Family. These bridal gifts should be kept for Song Yanqing to wed soone else."
Ming Yufang was taken aback.
She hadn’t expected Xie Ruotong to refuse.
With Xie Ruotong’s current reputation, even as a Great General, no one would be willing to marry her.
And she lowered herself to propose in-person, only to be flatly declined by Xie Ruotong.
Was Xie Ruotong too conceited?
"See the guest out." Xie Ruotong felt she had made things clear and did not wish to waste any more ti.
"Ruotong, you better think this through," Ming Yufang regained her senses, her tone growing harsher.
"I’ve thought it through quite clearly."
"You should understand that with your current standing, if you miss out on Song Yanqing, no one else will want to marry you!" Ming Yufang said with anger, "You better not regret it."
"Don’t worry, I won’t regret it."
"Xie Ruotong," Ming Yufang’s face was extrely displeased seeing Xie Ruotong’s indifference, "What exactly do you want? I’ve already lowered myself, yet you’re still putting on airs! Just tell directly, what will it take for you to agree to marry Song Yanqing? Should I apologize to you? I admit we treated you harshly back then. However you wish to retaliate against now, I’m willing to accept, but there’s no need to direct this hatred towards Yanqing."
"Madam Song, you overestimate. Xie Ruotong said calmly, "After leaving the Song Family, the Song Family beca the past for , always in the past. Therefore, there is no need for Madam Song to co and apologize. I am unconcerned with everything that happened, nor do I seek forgiveness, the only thing I will do is forget!"
"Don’t, you’re being shaless," Ming Yufang couldn’t help but erupt.
"That line is for Madam Song as well! Now I can still speak and see you out with decorum, but if Madam Song doesn’t leave, I’ll have no choice but to forcibly evict you."
"You!" Ming Yufang burned with anger.
Never thought Xie Ruotong would be so difficult.
In the past she hadn’t thought Xie Ruotong was this assertive, only that she excelled in martial arts.
Now just because she beca a General, she thought she was extraordinary.
"Please, Madam Song!"
"I’ll be direct, Xie Ruotong." Ming Yufang evidently wasn’t giving up, "Song Yanqing feels indebted to you, refusing to marry anyone else. And as long as he remains unmarried the Song Family cannot continue its lineage, I cannot let the Song Family’s bloodline end this way. So if you are willing to remarry Song Yanqing and extend our Song Family, whatever conditions you have, I will agree!"
So that’s it.
She thought, how could Ming Yufang suddenly be so kind to her?
Ming Yufang must have hated her back then, when she caused Xie Ruilin’s "miscarriage."
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