The Garden of Ease.
At Song Shihuan's insistence, the group arrived at Madam Ma's courtyard before the banquet had even begun.
The courtyard appeared grand from the outside, fully staffed with maids and elderly servants.
"Madam prefers tranquility and has long suffered from poor health, so the master specifically ordered that she be well cared for. The Garden of Ease was also named by the master himself," Concubine Feng explained, carrying herself with the air of the household's mistress.
"Imperial Physician Meng, go in and examine Madam Ma's pulse."
Imperial Physician Meng quickly entered the courtyard, while Ma Liang's expression remained unchanged.
When Imperial Physician Meng emerged, his face was far from reassuring.
"Your Highness, Your Grace, Madam Ma's pulse is weak and feeble, as if she has suffered from a congenital ailment since birth," he reported. Remembering Song Shihuan's earlier instructions, he added, "However, with nourishing treatments of rare medicines, recovery is not impossible."
"This... the Ma household cannot possibly afford such expensive medicines day after day," Concubine Feng exclaimed in shock. Even the officials behind her nodded subtly in agreement—such expenses were beyond even their means.
"My father has both silver and rare medicines," Song Shihuan said with a bright smile, turning to Song Yu. "In that case, Father, let us take Madam Ma to our residence and have the capital send the necessary medicines."
"Agreed."
Song Yu and Song Shihuan bypassed Ma Liang entirely and issued their orders. "Liuxi, after the banquet, escort Madam Ma back to our lodgings."
The Ma household was stunned. Ma Liang was the first to recover, bowing deeply to Song Yu. "Many thanks for Your Highness and Your Grace's kindness."
"Your wife once showed grace to the imperial family. It is only natural that we show concern."
With Madam Ma's situation hanging over them, the welcoming banquet proceeded in an oddly tense atmosphere.
Concubine Feng pushed her daughter forward. "Wen'er, go pour wine for the esteemed guests."
At the mention of Ma Wen'er, the room immediately filled with praises.
"Miss Ma's beauty is renowned throughout Ji'an Prefecture. Now that she is of marriageable age, Magistrate Ma, the suitors at your doorstep must be wearing out the threshold!"
Flattered by the compliments lavished on his proudest daughter, Ma Liang couldn't help but look pleased. Meanwhile, Ma Wen'er cast a glance in Song Yu's direction.
Her mother had told her that this Prince of Qin was currently the most favored imperial prince. Though older, his inner court was devoid of women—a rare and ideal match.
With this in mind, Ma Wen'er swayed gracefully toward Song Yu, her waist swaying with each step.
"Your Highness, allow this humble maiden to pour your wine."
Song Yu glanced up at her. "You are Concubine Feng's daughter?"
That single sentence shattered Ma Wen'er's composure.
"Ah, Magistrate Ma, does Madam Ma have no children of her own?" Ma Wen'er was left standing awkwardly, her eyes reddening.
"Your Highness, my wife's health is frail, and I dared not risk her life with childbirth," Ma Liang replied smoothly. "Wen'er is a filial child, as is her elder brother. They visit the Garden of Ease almost daily to attend to her."
"Magistrate Ma is truly a man of sentiment and righteousness."
Song Yu drained his cup in one gulp. A position gained through his wife's connections, a household managed by a concubine, children all born of concubines...
A shadow crossed Song Yu's eyes. He had read this exact scenario in operas at least ten times.
He would stake Shen Qingping's head on it—men like this were invariably scoundrels.
After the banquet, once Song Yu and his party had departed, Concubine Feng anxiously turned to Ma Liang. "Husband, what if Madam says something she shouldn't?"
"Do not worry. We hold a fatal secret over her—she wouldn't dare expose everything," Ma Liang replied, his earlier refinement replaced by cold ruthlessness. "This Prince of Qin is troublesome. Today, he even took the backroads into Ning'an County. I fear he may have noticed something."
"Then what should we...?" Concubine Feng was at a loss.
"Tomorrow, have the small roads repaired first. Wasting silver on those lowly wretches is a disgrace," Ma Liang spat bitterly.
......
Madam Ma was brought to Song Yu and Song Shihuan's temporary residence. Song Shihuan sat by the bed, taking Madam Ma's hand in hers.
Though pale, Madam Ma's eyes burned as she stared at Song Shihuan.
"Madam, do you know Ma Liang's true nature?"
Song Shihuan cut straight to the point. "Today, my father and I arrived via the muddy backroads and discovered that Yongning County has two faces—one shown to visiting dignitaries, the other hidden away in the villages."
"The full truth remains unclear to us for now."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, have you returned?" Madam Ma's voice was hoarse as she gazed at Song Shihuan, mistaking her for Empress Yuan.
Tears streamed down her face as she wept uncontrollably.
"I was a fool! I ignored your warnings and helped that heartless man secure his position!" Madam Ma suddenly knelt before Song Shihuan. "I failed you, Your Majesty! I brought suffering upon the common people of Yongning County!"
"Madam, I am Princess Fuan, not Empress Yuan."
Song Shihuan shook Madam Ma firmly. It took half an incense stick's time before clarity returned to Madam Ma's eyes.
"You... are Princess Fuan?"
"Yes, I am the daughter of the Prince of Qin."
At those words, Madam Ma burst into fresh tears. Empress Yuan's granddaughter—she looked so much like her.
"How much do you know about Ma Liang's deeds?"
Madam Ma let out a hollow laugh. Trapped in the Ma household for years, she had clung to hatred, waiting for this day.
She knew—this was Empress Yuan granting her a second chance from beyond.
"I know everything. I know he is a hypocrite who loathes being reminded that his position came through me. I know he pretends to be devoted while taking his childhood sweetheart, Concubine Feng, as his mistress. And I know... Yongning County's villages are left with only the elderly, women, and children—the men taken as laborers to build temples, fattening his coffers and polishing his reputation."
Song Shihuan was momentarily speechless.
"I... had a child. He was taken from me and sent to some unknown village." Madam Ma kowtowed desperately. "They threatened me—if I spoke out, they would kill my child."
"Please... save my child."
She had endured all these years out of fear for her child. But today, she was ready to gamble everything to secure a different future for them.
Song Shihuan gently helped Madam Ma up, her voice carrying an irresistible weight:
"Do you wish... to take revenge with your own hands?"
Madam Ma froze, then a resolve unlike anything before burned in her eyes:
"I do."
