After the original host fell into the water, she fell seriously ill. Upon learning that her body had been seen naked and that she was to marry the good-for-nothing young master of the cousin family, her heart turned to ash.
If it weren't for Lu Zhu arriving in time, she would have already been strangled to death by a white silk ribbon. Duke Zhongyong told Song Yunqian that the original host had voluntarily broken off the engagement.
He naturally didn't believe it and wanted to find an opportunity to question the original host in person. Influenced by the education of the time, the original host, looking at Song Yunqian's sincere gaze, was overwhelmed with shame.
She didn't want to implicate Song Yunqian and taint his reputation, and she felt she was not worthy of him anymore, so she directly told Song Yunqian that she had willingly married.
Song Yunqian did not blame her, only regretting the twists of fate. He had longed for her for so many years, and just as he was about to marry her, such an incident occurred.
He drowned his sorrows in wine every day. After achieving fame, he chose to be an official in the provinces. The original host, who remained in the capital, never knew how he was until her death.
After marrying into the Li family, her mother-in-law was unkind and tormented her daily. Before dawn, she had to pay respects and learn the rules, and was often mocked and ridiculed.
Li Wei was tyrannical and unreasonable, indulging in debauchery outside all day, and directly misappropriating her dowry. Whenever she displeased him, she would be scolded, and sometimes beaten.
"Are you still thinking about your Young Master Song? Look at your pathetic state, are you worthy? That boy is also unlucky, the delicate Sister Yi doesn't fancy him, yet he fancied you, a dead fish."
The original host immediately understood the meaning behind his words, and Li Wei's fist fell again.
"Why are you staring with such wide eyes, scaring me to death? Even if you know, what does it matter? You are nothing but a slut now, a nobody without backing, still at my mercy to be molded as I please."
The original host was tormented for a night. The next day, unable to bear the humiliation, she hanged herself. She felt she should have died long ago, and living for another year was merely lingering on.
"Father, Mother, I'm coming to find you. It's daughter's fault, this world is too bitter, too bitter."
After her soul departed her body, she saw Li Wei cursing and looking utterly disgusted, her heart unmoved.
The Li family held a simple funeral and soon began arranging a new wife for Li Wei.
It turned out that it wasn't just the original host who had fallen for Song Yunqian that year, but also Duke Zhongyong's eldest legitimate daughter, Zhao Jingyi (fourth child).
She had hidden it very well, and had secretly interacted with Song Yunqian several times when he visited their mansion.
However, at that time, she was still young, and Song Yunqian did not suspect anything. He visited the Duke's mansion only to see his fiancée, so he naturally paid no attention to other women.
Zhao Jingyi fell deeper and deeper. She was Duke Zhongyong's only daughter, with three legitimate elder brothers above her.
She had been doted on since childhood and had only stumbled when it came to Song Yunqian. Unable to move that boulder, they had to target the original host.
Zhao Jingyi provided the idea, and the Duchess executed it. The family worked as one, and the plan was executed perfectly, with no loopholes discovered.
The only imperfection was the talkative Li Wei later on, but the original host, who knew the truth, had already passed away.
After Song Yunqian left the capital, Zhao Jingyi also gave up on him. However, she still held a deep resentment towards the original host, which was why the original host's life in the Li family was so miserable.
Zhao Jingyi eventually married the second son of the Dingnan Marquisate with a generous dowry, in a grand ceremony.
Later, the heir of the Dingnan Marquisate unexpectedly died of illness, and the second son inherited the marquis title. Zhao Jingyi became the Marchioness, enjoying wealth and prosperity for life.
The original host's wish was for Song Yunqian to have a peaceful life, to protect the family property left to her by her father and mother, and for those in the Zhao family who had harmed her to be punished.
Shui Wa: "What a pitiful child. If Duke Zhongyong wasn't her paternal uncle, she might have had a chance. Blood ties in ancient times can really be a pain."
"Why didn't you come earlier? If you had protected her parents, everything would have been fine."
"Life always has regrets. This was the earliest I could intervene. She also knew that we could only trace back to this point in time, which is why she didn't make any wishes concerning her parents."
"Then you really are..."
"What?"
"Useless."
"You're going too far! (｀へ´)"
The ten planks were finished over there. The three men dragged the unconscious Madam Zhou back to report. Jun Jiuli had her put back into her own carriage.
Lu Zhu: "Miss, when do we leave?"
"When it's dawn."
"Yes."
As day broke, a group of people, carrying a vast amount of property, headed towards the city, drawing much discussion from passersby.
"Whose caravan is this? It's so magnificent."