Chapter 213 - Chapter 213: Greed
Chapter 213: Greed
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
She succeeded in this endeavor. After Yu Wan passed away, she consoled Song Yi as a true friend. She felt she didn’t require love, as long as Song Yi could marry her.
However, there was another obstacle—Yu Wan’s daughter, Song Fan.
Despite her existing reputation for poisoning, it was uncertain whether Song Yi would eventually forgive her. After all, she was his biological daughter, and he still held a tender heart.
Thus, Meng Yu encouraged Song Ting to send Song Fan away, suggesting that they should keep a close watch on her. In reality, after Song Fan left the house, the people assigned to monitor her had been bribed by her. Their primary role was to inform Song Ting regularly about Song Fan causing disturbances in the village.
Eventually, Song Yi was genuinely moved by her, agreeing to marry her as the mistress of the house. However, they established strict rules. Song Yi would provide Meng Yu with wealth and protection for herself and her daughter, but a real marriage between them was off the table. They would coexist as friends post-marriage.
Meng Yu readily agreed, but she underestimated her greed. Once she had what she desired and became the wife of a wealthy family, her cravings grew.
Upon knowing she couldn’t have another child from the Song family, she attempted to form alliances with her stepsons and contemplated eliminating them to secure the family’s fortune.
Among the four children, only Song Kai was easily manipulated. The others had their ideas. The eldest, Song Ting, held a respected position in the group, forcing her to abandon that particular idea.
Subsequently, Meng Yu devoted all her mind to her daughter, Song Yin, to attain enduring wealth through her marriage. As long as she could have a son-in-law with a high status and influence, she would continue to be a woman of secure social standing.
She emphasized the importance of marriage to Song Yin, stressing that love was of minimal significance. Her future husband had to be carefully selected.
Meng Yu had long set her sights on Song Fan’s fiancé, Fu Nian, who she believed was the future heir of the Fu Family. He was around the same age as Song Yin and exceptionally accomplished, making him the prime candidate for a son-in-law.
She dedicated herself to instructing Song Yin to learn everything that Fu Nian liked. Even if she lacked innate talent, she had to feign knowledge in everything he held dear and develop a good rapport with him. Through persistent efforts, Song Yin indeed found herself by Fu Nian’s side.
In reality, her choice of Fu Nian was also motivated by Meng Yu’s selfishness.
After having already acquired Yu Wan’s possessions, she was determined that Song Yin should wrest everything from Yu Wan’s daughter. It seemed this was about to occur.
Meng Yu still didn’t know what had transpired during her absence. She was merely delighted that the engagement between Song Fan and Fu Nian had been annulled. She believed that it wouldn’t be long before the engagement celebration between Song Yin and Fu Nian took place, and at that time, she would have nothing to worry about.
However, upon her return, she discovered that the poisoning scandal was about to come to light. Song Yin was delirious and spoke incoherently. Meng Yu summoned multiple doctors, but their efforts were in vain.
Meng Yu suspected Song Fan of causing Song Yin’s condition, yet she had no concrete evidence. As a precaution, she confined Song Yin to her room, preventing her from revealing any potentially incriminating information.
As she anxiously cared for her daughter, Song Chuan and Song Huai returned home, visibly fatigued. Upon entering, they inquired of a servant anxiously, “Is Eldest Miss at home?”
After receiving confirmation, they went to see Song Fan, leaving Meng Yu feeling disheartened. Although Song Yin’s condition was significantly worse, their primary concern remained with Song Fan.
Over the years, Meng Yu had instilled numerous negative perceptions about Song Fan in her children, but it appeared that their familial bond transcended those past conflicts.
When a knock came at the door, Song Fan assumed it was Song Ting or Song Kai looking for her. However, upon opening the door, she was surprised to find Song Chuan and Song Huai.
Despite having grown up since Song Fan’s departure, the two had aged very little. They could almost be recognized at first glance.
Song Fan couldn’t discern their intentions, so she allowed them in without speaking.
When Song Chuan and Song Huai saw her in this state, they were uncertain about what to say. The three of them sat together in silence.
Finally, Song Chuan broke the silence, asking, “How have you been all these years?”
Song Fan responded indifferently, “It’s been alright.” She couldn’t admit to having thrived, but she refrained from complaining as well. However, her response weighed heavily on Song Chuan’s heart.
Upon having gleaned information about Song Fan’s life, Song Chuan was aware that she hadn’t been living well. Still, she refrained from explaining further, as they were not particularly close..