Song Qingying’s eyes flickered: "Mother, what are you talking about? I truly don’t understand. Ru’er is my biological sister. How could I possibly harm her!"

Madam Wei sneered: "When getting the medicine, I had the maid ask the doctor."

"The condition is caused only by contact with a certain type of grass with hairs. If touched accidentally, it will cause red spots and itching on the contact area."

"That type of grass can only grow in the fields or be sold in pharmacies."

"I had someone check your records of leaving the mansion. Yesterday, when you went out, you didn’t go to the academy to study but went onto Heir Ming Yang’s boat, didn’t you?"

"Not only that, you also went to the pharmacy."

Seeing the affair exposed, Song Qingying hurriedly knelt down, looking pitiful with tears ready to fall.

"Mother, please forgive me. I hid the fact that I went onto Heir Ming Yang’s boat for the sake of my sister."

Madam Wei sat in the chair, her chest heaving in anger, her tone stern: "For her sake? You almost caused her to be disfigured!"

"You know full well that we are a thorn in the Emperor’s side, always wanting to be removed."

"We urgently need to form an alliance with stable forces to protect the entire Duke Mansion."

"Your sister has always had a deep relationship with Heir Ming Yang, yet you set your sights on Heir Ming Yang, harming your own family. Such behavior is unconscionable!"

Song Qingying’s tears flowed like rain.

"Mother, I also like Heir Ming Yang. Three years ago, at the lantern festival, he clearly chose my lantern, but my sister seized the opportunity and claimed it first."

"All these years, I’ve always considered that Ru’er is my sister and haven’t told the truth to the Heir."

"I also know the family is under pressure and wish to share the burden for father, so I took such a desperate measure to secretly interact with the Heir."

"Mother, you might consider whether my sister’s temperament can truly marry into Prince Li Zheng Mansion?"

These words indeed made Madam Wei silent.

Prince Li Zheng has extensive connections in the court, with strong backing.

He was also the late Empress’s mentor.

Thus, over the years, despite the Emperor purging dissent, he refrained from acting against Prince Li Zheng out of respect for the late Empress.

Although Madam Wei is a illegitimate daughter of Prince Li Zheng, he has many children and doesn’t pay much attention to her.

Moreover, the Princess Consort has always disliked concubine daughters.

Since Madam Wei married Duke Huan, they seldom inquire further.

Even though Duke Huan is now being troubled by the Emperor, Madam Wei doesn’t dare seek help from her maternal family.

She knows Prince Li Zheng wouldn’t easily intervene.

Therefore, she planned for her daughter to marry her own nephew.

Marriages between cousins are not uncommon in Qin Kingdom.

But the Princess Li Zheng is not easily fooled.

Madam Wei knows her own daughter, Song Qingrui’s temperament—spoiled and high-handed, often unwilling to let matters rest when she has the upper hand.

If she displeases the Princess Consort, no effort will get her through the mansion gates!

Song Qingying realized she had persuaded her mother.

She choked with emotion: "The Emperor has betrothed Heir Ming Yang to Yan Country’s Princess Dewan, who is said to have a fiery temperament."

"If my sister goes there, won’t she be bullied? That’s why I wanted to contact the Heir first. If I could marry into the mansion, my sister would have an easier time when she arrives."

"Moreover, Mother, Ru’er and I are both your daughters. Does it matter who marries the Heir?"

Madam Wei pressed her eyebrows in distress.

Though the words are logical, Song Qingrui is undeniably more beautiful than Song Qingying.

Men, don’t they all prefer beauty?

However, when it comes to strategy, Song Qingying surpasses Song Qingrui greatly.

After fierce internal struggle, Madam Wei spoke coldly: "From now on, this matter is forbidden. Remember, your sister is your kin. No matter what you seek, you must not harm her."

"At Heir Ming Yang’s birthday banquet, you and Ru’er shall attend together. But remember, you and Ru’er are sisters. If the Heir prefers Ru’er, you must not contend with her."

Upon hearing this, Song Qingying was overjoyed.

Originally, the Song Family intended only to send Song Qingrui, but now she also had the opportunity.

Had she known it would be this easy, she wouldn’t have resorted to using medicine.

"Thank you, Mother. I will remember, rest assured."

She will certainly surpass Song Qingrui!