Chapter 810: Chapter 810: Karma
When it became known that the young Prince of the Wang Family discovered the scandal of Xia Wang-shi, Song Ci knew this woman would not survive, but didnât expect it to be so quick.
The next day, she learned that Xia Wang-shi was gone, losing her life with the reputation of a grief-stricken, loyal widow. She drank a cup of poisoned wine, discovered dead only when her close maidâs calls received no response.
"A loyal widow, what a complete reputation for chastity and integrity. Xia-shi surely had the heart for it," Song Ci said to Nanny. "With such a reputation, at least her daughter will not worry about marriage in the future."
Ancients valued chastity and integrity; a motherâs reputation directly impacted her daughter. If a mother was staunch, her daughter wouldnât be much worse, and those families that valued rules and ethics would likely appreciate such a daughter-in-law.
Nanny nodded: "No matter what, with her death, all the sordid things will be buried with her. This matter is probably settled."
When a person dies, like a lamp extinguished, all grudges and affections disperse too. With the person gone, it all fades away.
"Do you think it was Clan Leader Xin Wang who acted, or her mother-in-law?" Song Ci was somewhat curious.
"How could Xin Wang not inform Xia Wang-shiâs mother-in-law, since it was her own daughter-in-law? This old servant thinks, that decision was likely made by the mother-in-law."
Even a clay figure has three parts of nature; knowing her daughter-in-law had an affair at her sonâs funeral, how could the mother-in-law let it go easily? She probably wished to grind her bones to dust with hatred.
"Indeed, Xia Wang-shi really did something inhumane."
...
Xia-shiâs funeral was quickly held. About ten days later, Song Lingzhao was invited to a banquet at Yinyue Building.
Seeing Xia Qie, Song Lingzhao paused at the door: "Why is it you?"
Xia Qie said: "If I personally sent the invitation, you probably wouldnât have come. I had to rely on that kid Liang Lixin, since I heard you two are quite close."
"Whatâs the matter? How are you able to go out?" Song Lingzhao glanced at the guards and servants inside the side room, thinking there must be both open and hidden followers.
Xia Qie pointed at them, pouting: "Wait in the hallway. The young prince and Brother Xiao Song have some words to exchange. No eavesdropping allowed! Anyone who dares to tattle, I will cut off his ear when I return."
The crowd bowed and exited.
Song Lingzhao looked at the little tyrant Xia Qie and said: "Youâre acting like a tyrant, be careful they resent you. In a real danger, see how theyâll protect you. Theyâll surely be slackers."
As Grandmother put it, theyâre disengaged.
"Whatever, if I canât live, neither can they," Xia Qie said.
Song Lingzhao: "..."
I have nothing to say.
Xia Qie pushed over a cup of tea and said: "Did you hear about my auntâs incident?"
Song Lingzhao nodded: "I heard she died for her husband."
Xia Qie sneered: "Dying for her husband sounds better. It was done by my grandmother, who put the poison in her medicine. Oh, she died because I exposed the affair to my grandfather, who found out by that night and went to my grandmother. The next day, my aunt was gone."
Song Lingzhao was not surprised because he had already known from Song Ci that once it was exposed, her death was inevitable, just a matter of who would do it.
As expected, she died so quickly.
You reap what you sow; itâs all karma.
But this person doesnât evoke pity; itâs her daughter who is pitied, with both parents gone, only an elderly grandmother at home; her future is likely to be harsh.
Song Lingzhao said: "Your cousin has no mother because of you, so as her brother, you should protect her more. Itâs quite pitiable."