Chapter 127: Chapter 123: Song Yun’s Fate

When Song Yun knelt outside the Imperial Palace with Song Runzhi, she was deeply reluctant.

She didn’t understand why her father was treating her this way. She had only taken a few poems from others, so why bother to trace it now that the person was dead?

“Father, I want to go back,” Song Yun said as she tried to stand up.

Although she always appeared fragile, only she knew she hated her mother, and despised her father even more.

One was low-born, a merchant’s daughter, the other was ridiculously foolish, giving up the title of Duke just to save a woman.

She, Song Yun, even if it meant death, would prefer it over lying here like a maggot to be humiliated!

“Stay put!” How could Song Runzhi allow Song Yun to leave when the Emperor had personally sent a message asking him to bring Song Yun?

No matter how much he loved Song Yun and her mother, the trouble they caused this time was too great, and with his current status, he couldn’t protect them!

Song Runzhi looked at Song Yun, unaware of the impending danger, and sighed heavily. How did he raise his daughter to be this reckless and shameless!

“Hold the young lady down, she must kneel here until summoned by the Emperor!”

The servants, upon receiving the order, immediately rushed forward and pushed Song Yun, who had just gotten up, back down.

“Let go, I don’t want to kneel here. Father, let me go back, or I’ll smash my head here!”

“Then go ahead and smash your head.”

“What?” Song Yun was incredulous.

“If you really care about the Song Family, then beg forgiveness with your life at the front of this palace,” Song Runzhi closed his eyes, unwilling to look at the daughter he once was so proud of.

As much pride as he had had for Song Yun before, he now felt that much pain, and also for Yin Ling, the one he loved the most.

If what they did had not been discovered, or even, if it hadn’t been discovered by the Emperor, he could have found a way to cover for them, but…

“Father! I am your daughter, how can you do this to me!!”

“Do you even know what you have done?! Ask your conscience what kind of person you really are!”

Since Song Yun was born, Song Runzhi had never scolded her like this. Furthermore, although there were no commoners in front of the palace, there were palace attendants and nobility coming and going. Song Runzhi scolded her loudly, intending to humiliate her publicly.

Song Yun could not tolerate losing face, even if the other person was her father.

“Father, I am the adopted daughter of the Prince Rong Mansion. When you discipline me, shouldn’t you also consider the face of the Prince Rong Mansion a little?”

Song Yun considered herself noble because of her association with the Prince Rong Mansion. Over the years, many legitimate sons and daughters of prestigious families had tried to curry favor with her, yet she forgot her original standing.

And this one sentence made Song Runzhi completely lose hope.

His daughter was never what he thought she was.

“The Prince Rong Mansion severed all ties with you the day you offended the Princess.”

“What? That’s impossible!” Song Yun couldn’t believe it. Shen Ming clearly loved her! After all these years of effort, she was sure Shen Ming loved her!

Since he loved her, how could he not care about her? She only stole a poem, even if the other party was a princess. Was it this serious…

“The Emperor’s decree, summon the attendant and her daughter to an audience!”

Song Runzhi, looking down, complied, but only he knew his true feelings.

From a grand Duke to a lowly Third Rank idle position, perhaps this was his punishment for favoring a concubine and neglecting his wife.

On the way to the Imperial Study Room, Song Yun was still unwilling to give up. She murmured quietly beside Song Runzhi, “Father, you are lying to me, aren’t you? You’re angry because of what I said just now? I didn’t mean it, your daughter was just too upset to talk properly, wasn’t it you who scolded so loudly outside the palace…”

“Inside the Imperial Palace, please hold your tongue, Miss Song.”

The speaker was the head eunuch beside the Emperor. Usually, he didn’t involve himself in matters, but when he did, it was always serious.

Song Runzhi recognized this trusted aide of the Emperor. Song Yun didn’t, but it didn’t stop her from assessing his status.

Realizing this was someone she couldn’t afford to offend, she kept quiet, but Song Runzhi’s words lingered in her mind.

Her mother had told her that this matter wasn’t a big deal. Stealing poems could be excused as a momentary lapse of judgment, and with a sincere confession, her father would surely protect her.

Even if that day most attendees were friends with the Prince Rong Mansion, as long as Shen Ming protected her, even if she didn’t confess, who would say anything?

She could even insist she didn’t steal the poem and spread rumors of being framed, turning herself into a victim.

So Song Yun wasn’t worried at all, she was even dreaming of becoming a princess.

Until she stepped into the Imperial Study Room, knelt before the Emperor and Empress, and heard the eunuch beside them recite her sins in a sharp voice, she finally panicked.

Killed many to steal poems? Why was this exposed? Her mother never told her!

That person never left any traces, she trusted him. Those who knew the truth were all dead, and she didn’t care where the Emperor heard the rumors, but he shouldn’t have found any evidence.

This was a test.

“Criminal Song Yun, do you plead guilty!”

Song Yun calmed herself and cried injustice, “This minister’s daughter pleads not guilty!”

Shen Jingxian was already infuriated just looking at this woman and didn’t want to waste words, she took the list of Song Yun’s crimes written by Bai Lun from the eunuch’s hand and lightly threw it at Song Yun’s face.

“Stop barking, I’m tired of listening. See for yourself.”

The Emperor, taking note, glanced disapprovingly at Shen Jingxian, “Yi Fen! As a Princess, you must uphold propriety!”

“But I want to say it～”

The eternally doting father Emperor was charmed by his ultimate father’s girl, and he cleared his throat, pretending to be serious, “Hmm…”

He reluctantly let her be.

“Father Emperor, as your daughter sees it, the evidence is conclusive, there’s no need for further trial. Just change Song Yun’s surname and send her to Sister Song Yan.”

Shen Jingxian felt she truly embodied the bratty princess vibe now.

The Emperor nodded, but still sought Song Runzhi’s opinion on the side, “Runzhi, I intend to change Song Yun’s surname to Du, bestow her upon Song Yan, and make her a slave for life. Do you have any objections?”

Song Yun’s eyes widened, given to Song Yan… as a slave? This was deliberate, it was intentional! How could they be so vicious!!

She was a woman destined to be a princess, how could she be a slave and still become a princess?

“Father…” Song Yun wanted Song Runzhi to plead for her, but not only did he not intend to, he even bowed his head and thanked for the grace.

“Your Majesty and Princess are benevolent.”

“Since Runzhi has no objections, Fude, take someone to send Song… Du Yun to Song Yan’s side.”

Shen Jingxian started to stifle her laughter at the name Du Yun, trying really hard not to laugh.

How did she never notice the Emperor was such a genius at naming before?

“No! No! I won’t go!! Father! Father, say something!! Yun’er doesn’t want to be a slave!! No!!!”

Song Yun cried miserably, but her voice faded away, leaving only Song Runzhi’s sobs.

Shen Jingxian couldn’t help but wonder if Sister Song Yan were here today, would Mr. Song shed tears?

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