Chapter 5029: Self harm Editor: Misty Cloud Translations Watching Ke Meng leave, a complex expression flashed across Mrs. Song’s eyes. It wasn’t that she needed to guard against Ke Meng’s aloofness, but rather that the girl was born too beautiful. Now, being homeless, who could say if she might suddenly harbor some wicked thoughts? "Ah!" She sighed softly, turning back toward the courtyard with a hint of resignation. Ke Meng didn’t wander elsewhere but returned directly to her room in the courtyard. Sitting before the mirror, she gazed at her reflection, her eyes flickering slightly. One hand gently caressed her own face. "I used to think that as a woman, possessing such a beautiful face was a blessing. Yet, it was precisely this face that brought ruin upon my family, leading to the annihilation of our clan. Now, having narrowly escaped death, it feels like being reborn. But looking at this exquisite face again, I see it as the very root of all misfortune." She murmured to herself, recalling Lady Xuanyuan’s cold indifference and Lady Song’s distant detachment. She knew it was all because of this face. "Leaving the Song household, bearing such an exquisite beauty, I might one day attract another villain like Cheng Wanli. If that’s the case, perhaps it’s better to destroy it..." Her voice was eerily calm, almost as if she were speaking to herself. The hand that had been caressing her face now reached toward the dressing table, picking up a hairpin and slowly raising it toward her face. Her gaze remained fixed on the mirror. She gazed at her own flawless, exquisite beauty reflected back at her. Her hand trembled slightly. Pressing her lips together, she slowly closed her eyes. The hairpin pressed against her skin. Its icy touch sent an involuntary shiver through her. The next moment, she applied force, driving the pin into her flesh. It sliced downward, heavy and deliberate. Crimson blood dripped down the hairpin. As it cut, it left a deep, bloody gash on her face. The force was so great that the flesh was slightly torn and turned outward. Yet she bit her lip tightly, not even letting out a whimper. She swallowed the tears and the blood seeping from her bitten lip... Feng Jiu and the others, who had been out sightseeing, returned to the Song residence by evening. Dinner was set in the front courtyard. Lady Song, thinking they hadn’t all sat down for a proper meal together in a while, decided they should all dine together tonight. "Set all the tables properly. Move those flower arrangements over a bit to open up the space," Lady Song directed the servants as she arranged the scene. Then she remembered Ke Meng staying in the guest quarters. Considering her a guest of the mansion, it would be rather rude not to invite her over. She instructed the maid beside her, "Go invite Miss Ke to join us for dinner tonight!" "Yes, ma’am." The maid responded and headed toward the guest quarters. "Mother." Song Mi’er approached, observing the bustling activity. She smiled as she slipped her arm through her mother’s. "Who else are you inviting to dinner, Mother?" "Miss Ke Meng from the guest quarters," Mrs. Song replied. "Oh, is that the young lady we saved that night? Then I’ll go invite her! I haven’t met her yet anyway." She called out to the maid, "You don’t need to go. I’ll handle it." Releasing her hand, she headed toward the guest quarters. Seeing this, Madam Song shook her head helplessly and instructed the maid, "Go check if the dishes are ready. Have them brought up!" " She then instructed another maid, "Have you prepared the dessert I asked for?" While the front courtyard bustled with activity, Song Mi’er arrived at the guest quarters. Seeing the quiet courtyard with only two maids standing guard outside, she asked, "Is Miss Ke inside?"