TSNCWEM Chapter 28

Song Yunzhao became even more composed at such times. Even when Song Jinxuan came to stir things up, she responded firmly but not excessively.

Song Jinxuan was furious and went back to her courtyard to complain to Concubine Che, “I think Song Yunzhao is just foolish. She doesn’t know how to seize such a good opportunity. You’ll see, if Song Yunzhao doesn’t bring it up, Madam will definitely not let anyone else participate.”

Concubine Che, hearing her daughter’s words, put down her needlework and looked up with a smile, “No need to rush this matter. The First Madam and Song Yexi surely won’t give up so easily.”

Song Jinxuan frowned, “What does this have to do with the Main Branch? Besides, Song Yexi will definitely participate.”

“When the Count Mansion selected the Eldest Young Lady, Yexi returned in a bad mood. Something must have happened that we don’t know about. Just looking at the situation back then, we can be sure that Yexi did something wrong so she can’t be chosen. Now that the selection is open to everyone, the First Madam would not let the Eldest Miss have her way so easily. She would push the Third Young Lady to participate instead.”

Hearing this, Song Jinxuan understood and said, “But what benefit does it bring to the main branch for Yunzhao to participate?”

With Song Yunzhao’s beauty, even if the two branches of their family combined, they wouldn’t stand a chance…

Realizing this, Song Jinxuan’s eyes lit up. “Mother, you mean…”

Concubine Che continued her needlework and spoke softly, “Last year, while serving your father, I overheard him say that the First Master has put in a lot of effort for his career. Although we have people in the court, they are not high-ranking officials. Both your Father and his brother have real talent, but they face many obstacles in their path to promotion. Who can accept that?”

Having connections in the court certainly helped.

“So, even if your Father cares for the Third Young Lady, the First Master would likely still push for her participation in the selection.”

Song Jinxuan’s mouth twitched, “Does that mean the rest of us in the mansion will just be there for show?”

Thinking that if she were to participate, she would just be a foil, Song Jinxuan felt a bit upset.

Concubine Che nodded slightly, “So, the First Madam will probably let Yexi go through the motions to raise her reputation, so she can marry well in the future.” Concubine Che then looked at her daughter with a worried expression, “Mother knows you want to participate, but the palace won’t select two girls from the same branch.”

Song Jinxuan: …

In the end, she would still be at the bottom!

Song Jinxuan felt frustrated, pursed her lips, and said nothing.

Seeing her daughter like this, Concubine Che felt very distressed. Just because she was born to her, her daughter had suffered so much over the years.

“It’s all because of my incompetence that I’ve burdened you,” she said with a heavy heart.

Concubine Che wished she could swap faces with her daughter. Although she wasn’t as attractive as her, her daughter had inherited all the best features from both her and the Master.

Despite Concubine Che’s beauty, her daughter had taken after her father more, and was overshadowed by the Third Miss.

“Mother, what are you talking about?” Song Jinxuan quickly reassured her. “I’m just momentarily upset. Besides, I’d prefer Song Yunzhao to enter the palace over Song Qinghan.”

Concubine Che, hearing her daughter’s words, thoughtfully replied, “Let’s plan this further. Even if you don’t participate, let your Father know that you are stepping aside for the sake of the family.”

 

Only by making your Father feel guilty will he pay more attention to your marriage in the future.

Song Jinxuan didn’t know what Concubine Che was thinking, but she was pondering one thing. She looked at her mother with bright eyes, “You said that Song Boyue isn’t close to Third Sister and is partial to Song Qinghan. Among the siblings in our branch of the family, Song Yunzhao has no support at all. How could we let this be?”

Concubine Che, always quick-witted, immediately understood her daughter’s point, “You mean, you want to have your brother side with the Third Young Lady?”

Song Jinxuan nodded, “Yes.”

The mother and daughter pair exchanged a glance, and their hearts began to stir.

If Song Yunzhao successfully entered the palace as a consort, aligning with her would give them a strong backing within the Third Branch of the family. In turn, Song Yunzhao wouldn’t have to worry about being isolated in the palace.

Given Song Yunzhao’s strained relationship with Madam Cai and Song Qinghan, she likely wouldn’t spare any kindness for them.

Song Jinxuan couldn’t sit still; Song Yunzhao wasn’t someone easily flattered, and her heart was set like stone.

“Mother, I’m going to find my brother.”

“Wait a moment,” Concubine Che said, rising quickly. She went to her room and returned with a thick purse. “Take this to your brother and tell him to pay close attention to the news outside these days. Don’t worry about spending money; make sure it’s worth it.”

To show sincerity to the Third Young Lady, it’s not enough to just talk; one must show genuine effort.

Concubine Che had suffered a significant loss to Song Yunzhao before and was now cautious not to provoke her easily. Since she intended to ally with her, she had to be honest and sincere.

Song Jinxuan didn’t hesitate and took the money, leaving right away. Under Cai Shi’s control, they couldn’t gain any benefits, so they might as well take a bold step and fight for themselves.

Song Yunzhao had no idea that Song Jinxuan was about to bring her a big surprise. Meanwhile, she had just received a letter from Xie Linlang, informing her that the grand selection had been finalized, assuring her to be at ease. She also mentioned that she had prepared some things for Song Yunzhao and would send them to her soon.

 

Song Yunzhao didn’t expect Xie Linlang to be so attentive to her matters. After some thought, she picked up the pen she had put down.

Isn’t it just writing melodramatic storybooks?

She could do it.

Song Yunzhao began to stay behind closed doors, writing her storybook. To the people in the mansion, it seemed that the Third Young Lady had no interest in the selection.

Cai Shi and Song Qinghan didn’t return to the mansion until dark, and both had unpleasant expressions.

What was originally a done deal, was now much more complicated. Qinghan had to compete with many other young ladies. Forget about others, as long as Song Yunzhao stood out in their mansion, Song Qinghan knew she could never win.

“Mother…” Song Qinghan had spent the day sitting idly at the Count Mansion and was ridiculed by Chu Yuying. She was so frustrated that she wanted to cry but held it in, not wanting to be seen as a laughingstock.

 

Cai Shi was in a similarly bad mood. Recalling her sister’s words, her heart sank. Looking at her daughter, she said, “I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, only you from our branch will participate in the selection.”

Song Qinghan smiled, “I knew mother loves me the most.”

“Go back and rest early,” Madam Cai said, patting her daughter’s hand. She still had to wait for her husband to return and discuss the matter in detail.

As for preventing Song Yunzhao from participating, Cai Shi already had a plan.

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit.

Feng Yi held the memorial that Meng Jiuchang had presented. When he opened it, he was slightly surprised. He had thought that the girl had a fiery temper and was from a high-ranking family, but it turned out she was just the daughter of a sixth-ranking official. This was truly unexpected.

Her background was indeed a bit too low.