Song Chaoyu crouched down, watching Sixth Concubine's growing terror, which only made her calmer. "If Duke Anguo knew that the gift he sent caused unhappiness to the Song family, what do you think he would do? Would he hold the Song family accountable, or would he think that your gift was not suitable enough, not obedient or sensible enough?"
Sixth Concubine never expected that Song Chaoyu, merely a lady from the inner chambers, would understand such matters!
Song Chaoyu's eyes grew even more shallow and cold. "I think Duke Anguo, that old man, is probably not that foolish. He wouldn't fall out with the Song family over a gift like you. Moreover, you were in the wrong from the start. It would be more fitting for him to send another gift, rather than care whether you live or die!"
The last glimmer of hope in Sixth Concubine's eyes was finally extinguished at this moment.
"No... you can't! You can't do this!"
Seeing the servants bring over boards with long nails, Sixth Concubine's eyes filled with terror. "I am innocent! You can't frame me like this! I want to see the master, I want to see Duke Anguo!"
"Muzzle her, she's too noisy! If the neighbors hear, they'll think our Song Manor is poorly managed."
Song Chaoyu rose lightly and waved her hand to the maids beside her.
Someone stepped forward and tightly gagged Sixth Concubine's mouth.
The servants who brought the boards bowed respectfully to Song Chaoyu. "Fourth Miss, we heard on the way here. Indeed, many unclean items were found in Sixth Concubine's courtyard, and the evidence is all present. Grandma's silver nanny has informed us to let Fourth Miss know that you need not show Sixth Concubine any mercy."
Song Chaoyu understood Grandma's intention.
"Beat her," Song Chaoyu said nonchalantly. "Punish her according to the family laws and regulations. I will watch here, so you may proceed."
The family laws and regulations of the Song family dictated that anyone who tried to harm the life of Song Yuan, the master, would be met with "a life for a life."
The boards with long nails fell heavily onto Sixth Concubine's waist.
In just a few strikes, Sixth Concubine's waist became a bloody mess.
If these family punishments were delivered to the buttocks or thighs, at most, a leg bone would break, and with timely treatment, the person could survive.
But striking the waist was a death sentence. Even if one could withstand these boards and remain alive, they would not survive the next few days.
Evidently, Sixth Concubine couldn't even withstand these boards and remain alive!
After about twenty strokes, she stopped moving.
The servants stepped forward to check and then reported to Song Chaoyu, "Fourth Miss, she is no longer breathing."
Song Chaoyu nodded. "Please send for Grandma."
The servants knew that among the young ladies of the Song family, Fourth Miss was the most influential.
They hurried to invite Grandma over, and the First Madam followed behind Grandma.
The First Madam rarely saw Grandma inflict such severe punishment on anyone. She stepped forward in disbelief and kicked Sixth Concubine's body. Seeing her covered in blood, she couldn't help but exclaim, "She's really dead? Mother, she's truly dead?"
Grandma was not afraid of the corpse. She cast a cold glance at the First Madam. "She used such filthy things to harm your husband. If it hadn't been discovered early, who knows what might have happened. Her death is a good thing, isn't it?"
The First Madam still had some worries. "But if the master wakes up and asks—"
"You don't need to reply. I will explain it to him myself."
Grandma knew the First Madam's little thoughts. She waved her hand at Sixth Concubine's corpse. "Dispose of this body. Don't dirty the Song family's courtyard any further. None of you are to say anything more to the master. When he wakes up, I will naturally explain the situation to him."
She then glanced at the First Madam. "You just focus on handling Second Miss's wedding. However, in the future, for minor matters like selecting embroidered pouches, do not send people to notify me. I am old and cannot withstand such disturbances!"
The First Madam lowered her head, unsure if Grandma was scolding her again!
She was happy that she could deal with Sixth Concubine today. So, even though she was reprimanded by Grandma, she didn't feel as resentful as before. Instead, she nodded earnestly, "Mother is right."
Grandma nodded, then left with Song Chaoyu.
On the way back, she quietly said to Song Chaoyu, "I have sent the maidservant she left behind to the Crown Prince's manor. I will also tell your father about this matter later, but don't worry, it won't involve you. I also won't tell your father about Prince Chang's feelings for you."
Song Chaoyu truly couldn't understand how Grandma, such a perceptive person, could have given birth to such a muddled son as Song Yuan.
However, she didn't say much more and thanked Grandma.
—
Sixth Concubine's death was ultimately buried within the Song family and did not cause any ripples.
After Song Yuan woke up, Grandma closed the door and spoke with him for a while. Song Yuan did not pursue the matter further.
It was as if Sixth Concubine had never existed in the Song family.
With Sixth Concubine gone and Concubine Liu having emerged from her confinement, Song Yuan began to visit the Painting and Calligraphy Academy more often.
The coldness he had shown to the First Madam and Fourth Concubine before had also lessened considerably after Sixth Concubine's death.
Although the First Madam was unwilling, Grandma's intention was that after Prince Ning and Song Yanjiao's wedding, another concubine should still be taken into the household. However, this time Grandma entrusted the power of selecting candidates to the First Madam, stating that she should find someone with a clean background, who would not cause trouble.
Although the First Madam felt as if she had eaten a fly, she had no choice but to comply.
Without Second Concubine and Song Yanrou by her side, she always lacked support.
Time passed quickly, and as spring arrived, it was the day of Prince Ning and Song Yanjiao's wedding.
Since the New Year, Prince Ning had gained considerable favor with the Emperor and had received much praise.
Even the position of Prince Ning's mother, whom the Emperor had always disliked, was promoted from a mere "Pin" to "Guipin."
Although it was only a single-rank promotion, it signaled the trend to everyone in the court. They began to curry favor with Prince Ning, and by extension, with Song Yanjiao, who was about to become Prince Ning's consort.
Song Yanjiao was busy every day and had no time to attend to Song Chaoyu during this period, allowing Song Chaoyu and Concubine Liu to finally have a few days of peace.
Song Yanjiao and Prince Ning's wedding was set for the day of the Spring Equinox.
In the middle of the night, the Song family lit candles and lanterns. Everyone was busy preparing for Song Yanjiao's wedding.
Unlike the day Song Xiuxiu got married, Song Yanjiao was the legitimate daughter. Therefore, the only person accompanying her to the wedding was Song Jiayang, the eldest legitimate son of the Song family. Song Chaoyu, as a庶女 (concubine's daughter), did not need to be present.