April, when grasses grow and orioles fly, when bees and butterflies dance chaotically.

Song Rong was locked in a modestly sized bamboo cage, her face pale and expressionless.

The bamboo cage was suspended over the surface of the water. She stared dazedly at the ripples on the pond, her hair stuck to her face, and she seemed oblivious to it all.

The cacophonous slander continued to reach her ears: “What a shameless woman, seducing Second Master!”

“This woman ought to be sunk in the pond!” The voice was laced with intense hatred.

At the forefront of this crowd stood a middle-aged woman bedecked with gold and silver hairpins. Her face was cold, devoid of any expression. Beside her was a young man, fair-skinned and adorned with jade. He had a decent appearance, but the slightly upturned tips of his brows gave off a frivolous air.

Song Rong simply sat still as a puppet, seemingly oblivious to her predicament.

“Song's family has arrived!” Someone in the crowd of onlookers hollered.

Upon hearing this, Song Rong showed a reaction. She peered out through the gaps in the cage.

A group of people were escorting an elderly man. The elder wore a plum-colored robe decorated with pear blossom motif, and a black jade crown on his head, giving off a dignified presence.

He didn't seem to notice Song Rong in the cage, but instead greeted a woman respectfully: “Lady Chu, it’s old Sang's failure to educate her properly. I'm here to make amends.”

Lady Chu gave a cursory glance to the newcomer and said coldly: “Elder Song, I have always held your honorable Song family in high esteem. I never would have thought, that a daughter of your household could commit such a shameful act!”

This Elder Song was not Song Rong’s father, but her uncle, named Song Dai.

His face reddened at Lady Chu's words, and he forced out a somewhat stiff smile to hide his embarrassment. Looking at Song Rong, there was no emotion in his eyes as he said, “I leave her fate to you.”

This was exactly what Lady Chu was waiting for. Since Elder Song had said as much, how could she allow Song Rong to live?

Madam Chu slammed her sleeve and said with a stern voice, "Then I'll make the decision to drown this disgrace in the water, I wonder, does Old Master Song have objections?"

Song Dai hurriedly replied, "Even if Madam Chu doesn't say so, I would have done the same! Since she committed such a thing, her existence simply tarnishes both our families' honor!"

Upon hearing this, Song Rong slightly moved her mouth and spoke softly, "I don't."

This response was neutral and emphasized her factual standpoint. She wasn't pleading for mercy, as she knew well enough that even if she were to, Song Dai wouldn't stand up for her.

Song Dai looked at Song Rong and sternly said, "Song Rong! I have raised you for so many years, taught you diligently, and married you off to Chu mansion right after your hairpin ceremony, fulfilling my duty as your elder. I never expected that you wouldn't be grateful, but rather cause such foolish trouble, tarnishing our names and betraying my high hopes for you!”

At this moment, along with Madam Chu's angry voice, there was a command - “Release!”

“Creee.” The sound of rope and bamboo cage rubbing together echoed continuously as the cage was slowly lowered into the water, she was being drowned!

The water in March, chilling and clear, touched her skin. She involuntarily shivered. Water slowly entered her mouth and nostrils, infiltrating her heart and lungs.

She originally thought death was painful, but at this moment, her mind was unexpectedly clear.

Song Rong lifted her head for one last look at Song Dai, whose face was filled with anger, and a mocking smile appeared on her face.

He praised himself so righteously! Raised her? Took good care of her? He was merely hoping she could be sold at a good price later on! As for the kindness of upbringing, how does it compare to murdering her father?

In the beginning, she couldn't understand these things. Dazedly she was married off, and lived in Chu mansion in a similar state. But now, things were clear.

Her father, such a scholarly man with no desire for personal gain, how could he possibly be selling illegal salt? If it wasn't for this, her father wouldn't have been beheaded in public!

She will never forget that day, her father's blood splattering high, his head rolling off the execution platform. His last gaze was at her, still gentle and loving.

Song Dai's scheming was intense! He let her father become the scapegoat, gained merit by providing evidence, and even earned a good reputation as someone who put justice before familial loyalty! Furthermore, by looking after her mother and siblings, he was praised by everyone!

Her father passed away when she was just ten years old, her mother hanged herself while keeping vigil on her father's spirit, and her younger brother, who was two years her junior, also did not survive past the age of ten.

She made it out alive, and when she was thirteen, she had her hair pinned up in the style of an adult woman, and was betrothed to the genius, the eldest son of the Chu family.

Since his youth, the eldest son of the Chu family was renowned and revered in the city of Gusu. However, wise beyond his years, he suffered from ill health since childhood. When he was eighteen, he married Song Rong so as to cause a diversion of good luck and joy by marrying.

No sooner had the wedding procession entered the house than he expired, and Song Rong found herself transitioned from maiden to widow.

She had hoped that Song Dai, a man of influence, would take her back, yet he instead arranged for a memorial arch in honour of female virtue to be placed by the government at the entrance of his home, as a token of the chastity of the daughters of the Song family!

With that, she bloomed alone in the gloomy Chu Mansion, like a delicate flower, assuming she would peacefully spend her life in solitude. However, three years later, the second son of the Chu family forcefully barged into her courtyard and tried to have his way with her!

She resisted…but the outcome was not respect from others but instead, accusations of seducing the second son of the Chu family.

The present Madam Chu attained her position through the support of a concubine, and the second son of the Chu family was her own. She resented not only the second son but Madam Chu as well!

Though the second son had a frivolous personality, without the instigation of the old Madam Chu, he wouldn't have dared to act so recklessly.

After many years, the Chu Mansion grew tired of accommodating her, this unwelcome bystander. A few days ago, Old Madam Chu came to claim her dowry to cover the deficit in the Chu household. She resisted, but considering the “grave crime” she has now committed, presumably, the dowry would all go to the Chu’s, right? Not to mention, the Chu household can still claim a certain sum of silver from Song Dai.

In the water, she let out a desolate smile, looking at those she resented through the water surface, committing their faces to her memory, engraved on her heart so she’d never forget, even at death's doorstep!

In this life, she felt like a mere puppet at the mercy of others, exploited to her last usefulness. If given a chance to do it all again, she wouldn’t allow herself to be manipulated and carved up like a helpless fish on a chopping board.

In this life, she had been conditioned to be virtuous, demure and somewhat timid. Now, she realized that in this ruthless household, being virtuous was the worst thing.

If there was another life...if there was...