Volume One, Chapter Four: Traps Ahead, Tricks Behind

She could never forget that bracelet, not even in death.

Song Rouxi took a step back, covering her wrist. “What’s wrong with you, little sister? You promised to give it to me. Why are you going back on your word now? I really like this bracelet.”

Her face was full of reluctance, her brows tightly knit as if she had suffered a great injustice. Her soft pink lips drooped slightly.

Just like in the previous life, Song Rouxi was a master at playing the pitiful and fragile role. Whenever something didn’t go her way, she put on this expression, making it seem as if you were the biggest sinner.

“Song Ci, once you’ve given it, how can you take it back? Such petty behavior, asking the eldest sister for a mere bracelet—how cheap. Eldest sister has been so good to you, always sharing delicious food and fun things, yet you’re so shameless.”

Song Ying shot a disdainful glance at Song Ci, her face full of contempt.

Song Rouxi softly scolded, “Second sister, don’t speak like that.”

Song Ying was displeased. “Eldest sister, look at her—arguing over a single bracelet, it hardly seems like she considers you a sister.”

This time, Song Rouxi remained silent, her face filled with sorrow as she looked hurt by Song Ci.

Song Ci said calmly, “This bracelet was a birthday gift from my father. I was young and foolish back then. When my sister said she liked it, I gave it to her. Now, I want it back.”

Wanxiang stepped forward, adding fuel to the fire, “My lady treasures this bracelet most of all. Even during her illness, she’s been thinking of it. With this bracelet, perhaps my lady’s recovery will be quicker.”

Giving something? It was more like outright robbery. Whenever Song Rouxi liked something, if she didn’t want to give it, the third branch family would be scolded harshly.

Now that things had come to this, Song Rouxi lowered her eyes to look at her wrist. The bracelet was made from some unknown material, adorned with a few small green stones.

It looked nice, but wasn’t particularly rare.

Just as she was about to take it off, a strong sense of resistance welled up within her, as if telling her that this bracelet was extremely important.

Seeing her hesitate, Song Ci quickly cleared her throat a few times, her pale cheeks flushing with a slight blush. “It’s not a precious item. Eldest sister has always been kind to us; surely she wouldn’t be so unwilling to return it.”

Her gaze was clear, causing Song Rouxi to furrow her brows.

Before Song Rouxi could respond, Song Ying, growing impatient, stepped forward and pushed her. “It’s just a broken bracelet, not some precious treasure. Eldest sister, just give it back to her. Look at how petty she is—really makes one lose respect.”

Song Ci stumbled from the push, but Wanxiang caught her before she fell.

Her coughing worsened, her eyes watery and brimming with tears, stubbornly fixed on Song Rouxi.

“Fine... all right...” Song Rouxi reluctantly removed the bracelet, clutching it tightly in her hand.

She held it so firmly that Song Ci had to tug it out with effort, gripping it in her own hand. “Since that’s the case, I won’t bother eldest sister anymore. I’m still ill, so I’ll go rest.”

“Go quickly,” Song Ying glared at her and hurried her away.

With the bracelet in hand, Song Ci turned a corner. Though she had looked weak and about to faint just moments before, she suddenly seemed much better.

She studied the bracelet carefully. The birthday gift story was just an excuse. She vaguely remembered that this bracelet had been with her since childhood, though she had forgotten its origin.

In the previous life, it was this very bracelet that helped Song Rouxi gain the ruthless Pei Ji’s favor and become the crown princess. When her eldest uncle got into trouble and nearly lost his life several times, it was Pei Ji who saved him.

The secret all lay in this bracelet.

Unable to piece it together for now, Song Ci let the matter rest and focused on more pressing matters.

When the time was right, she walked toward the main gate of the Song residence and saw her father approaching, dusty and tired but still spirited. A pang of sorrow struck her heart. Just as she wanted to call out, a figure passed by beside him.

“Second brother.”

“Third brother, you’ve worked hard. You’ve been away on business for over a month. Mother, eldest brother, and I have all been very worried.”

Song Erbo looked at his younger brother with concern.

Song Father was moved but dodged the hand extended to him. “I just got back and haven’t had time to change. Don’t soil your robe, Second Brother.”

Hearing this, Song Erbo quickly withdrew his hand, eyeing his brother’s soiled robe with disdain. “Then third brother, you’d better change your clothes first. Mother and eldest brother are waiting for you in the main hall. Our family should have a proper reunion.”

“Of course. But, Second Brother, I didn’t come back alone—I brought someone with me...”

Song Father recounted the rescue and the visitor’s background. Upon learning this person was a well-known benefactor in the capital, Song Erbo’s eyes lit up with joy as he clapped Song Father firmly on the shoulder. “Third Brother, saving someone is commendable. Are they resting well? Should we call a doctor?”

Song Father nearly stumbled from the pat but steadied himself. “I’ve already sent for a doctor. The guest is resting in the guest room.”

“Good, good, good,” Song Erbo said three times, smiling. “Go change your clothes first. The guest has me and eldest brother to attend to. A visitor from afar is a guest and should be treated well.”

Song Father was pleased by his brother’s kindness but worried about his wife and daughters. He hurried toward the third branch.

From afar, Song Ci watched the scene and sighed. It seemed she could no longer avoid this confrontation, but she still had a plan.

“Wanxiang, have you taken care of everything I asked?”

Wanxiang nodded. “Miss, I’ve done as you instructed.”

The two returned inside and lay down. No sooner had they settled than Song Father rushed in, heading straight for his daughter’s bedside, his voice tender. “Xiao Ci, Father’s back. Did you miss me?”

Song Ci seemed to awaken, her lashes fluttering as she struggled to open her eyes. Tears shimmered within them as she threw herself into her father’s arms, her voice trembling. “Father, I missed you so much. You’ve finally come back...”

Her father was well now—so different from the man she remembered. Younger, taller. Before she died, he had been hunched and gaunt, his robes hanging loosely on a face full of lines, looking more like a man in his sixties than under forty.

He gazed at his daughter with tenderness. She had grown thin; the once chubby cheeks were now palm-sized, her pointed chin pale and bloodless. Her large eyes stood out even more against her frailty.

He gently brushed the tears from her eyes, thinking her moved from their long separation. “I heard you were ill. How did it get so bad?”