“Second Sister, what good fortune have you encountered?” Song Yunzhao teased with a smile.
Song Jinxuan, looking mysterious, handed her a piece of paper, “Take a look at this.”
Puzzled, she took the paper and glanced at it, startling immediately, “Where did you get this?”
Song Jinxuan exclaimed, “Oh dear, you didn’t even offer me a cup of tea, and you expect me to tell you everything? You sure think highly of yourself.”
Song Yunzhao: …
“Qian Cao, serve tea to Second Sister,” Song Yunzhao called out, thinking that being the second child in the family really suited Song Jinxuan.
Qian Cao smiled and brought the tea, followed by Jiang Xiang, who was carrying two plates of snacks. They also gently asked the attendants to leave, giving the sisters some privacy to talk.
Song Jinxuan sighed, “Your attendants are becoming more and more capable.”
Song Yunzhao glanced at Song Jinxuan and flicked the paper she was holding.
Jinxuan, slightly annoyed, said, “Second Brother worked hard to get this list of candidates for the selection. I can’t say it’s 100% accurate, but it’s at least 80% correct. So, how about it? Isn’t your sister good to you?”
Song Boming?
She was quite surprised. Previously, Concubine Che and her daughter had protected Song Boming tightly, as if she were a bully who could eat him alive.
“Second Sister, don’t say such nice things. This is the grand selection; you are supposed to participate too, right? This list is probably something Second Brother got for you, and you’re trying to sell it to me.”
She wasn’t falling for it; Concubine Che and her children were quite scheming.
“I am not participating.”
Song Yunzhao paused as she was holding her tea. Not participating?
This shouldn’t be happening.
In the book, Song Jinxuan participated in the selection!
She looked at Song Jinxuan suspiciously.
“Is Third Sister very surprised?”
“It is indeed a bit surprising.” Song Yunzhao set down her tea cup and stared at Song Jinxuan, thinking slowly before speaking, “Second Sister, you didn’t come to me just for this list, did you? Let’s speak frankly. After all, our relationship isn’t exactly friendly.”
Song Jinxuan looked at Song Yunzhao with a sigh, “Even if what you’re saying is true, can’t you be a bit more tactful?”
“Tactful? I would have been devoured by Concubine Che a long time ago if I were tactful. Let’s skip the nonsense.”
Song Jinxuan’s face turned red, then white, then black, and finally, she slammed the table angrily, “Give it a rest. Who’s devouring whom? My mother at most just spoke ill of you in front of the Madam, but she almost lost her life because of you once.”
“Spoke ill? You say that so lightly. Try having those subtle attacks aimed at you.”
Song Jinxuan raised her hands in surrender, “Alright, dear sister, it’s my fault. I admit my mistake. I repent, okay?”
“No.”
Song Jinxuan: …
“Fine, I’ll tell you the truth.”
“Why endure scolding? You should have said it earlier. Given our relationship, there’s no need to beat around the bush. Let’s be direct. What do you all want to do?”
Song Jinxuan was so exasperated by Song Yunzhao that she had no patience left. This girl was like a devil star, born to clog people’s throats.
“When I said I’m not participating, I meant it.”
“Reason?”
“What other reason do I need? With your face out there, I’d just be an accessory. Do you think I don’t care about my dignity?”
“Just for that?” Song Yunzhao didn’t believe it. In the book, Song Jinxuan wasn’t afraid of her face, “Tell the truth.”
“This is the truth!” Song Jinxuan said through gritted teeth, “Song Qinghan has Madam’s support, you have Father’s support, and I’m stuck in the middle, unloved by either side. If I participate, wouldn’t I just be an accessory to you two? You might not care, but I still care about my dignity.”
Song Yunzhao’s eyes had a strange look as she stared at Song Jinxuan. At most, only fifty percent of what she said was true.
Under her gaze, Song Jinxuan didn’t even have the strength to grit her teeth.
“Alright, alright, I admit I’m scared of you. But there is indeed another reason. This list is a gesture of goodwill from my brother and me. We are pledging our loyalty to you. What do you think?”
“Loyalty?” Song Yunzhao was genuinely surprised. “Why would you pledge loyalty to me? Are you betting that I will be selected and enter the palace? You might be disappointed. There are plenty of candidates in the capital with both a better family background and greater beauty. What am I compared to them?”
Song Jinxuan fell silent, having never seen anyone so self-deprecating.
“You are right. You might get selected, or you might not. We are not betting solely on your chance of entering the palace. If you can’t get selected, then Song Qinghan has even less of a chance.”
Song Yunzhao thought to herself that might not be the case. In the book, Song Qinghan did enter the palace using her and Song Jinxuan’s reputations.
“For the sake of our future, we are willing to join forces with you, Third Sister.”
Hearing this, Song Yunzhao started to understand. Song Jinxuan, being a concubine’s daughter, had her marriage controlled by the Madam, and Song Boming’s future was uncertain. Even if Concubine Che was favored, she had no say in such important matters.
Although she was not liked by Cai Shi, her Father cherished her, and as she was a legitimate daughter, her status was clearer.
However, her disadvantages were also obvious. Her younger brother was not close to her; Cai Shi and Song Qinghan were hostile towards her. If she could join forces with Song Jinxuan and her brother, it would be like having her own eyes in the outer courtyard, making things much easier to manage.
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan with a complex expression, not expecting her to have such determination.
Indeed, the original character in the book was brainless, so Song Jinxuan naturally wouldn’t pledge loyalty. For Concubine Che and Song Boming, she would participate in the selection despite knowing the slim chances, trying seize even the slightest opportunity.
But she was different; Song Jinxuan and her brother could see the benefits of an alliance with her.
To put it bluntly, her charisma (or just sheer determination) won them over!
Song Jinxuan was actually very nervous. She feared that the stubborn mule, Song Yunzhao, wouldn’t agree. Her palms were sweating, but she held her ground without showing weakness.
Song Yunzhao had a nasty temper; if she knew that Song Jinxuan was anxious, who knows how she would tease and manipulate her.
Song Yunzhao noticed the look on Song Jinxuan’s face. She was not really a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, so she naturally saw the nervousness in her eyes. Thinking about it, this matter wasn’t impossible. After all, she wasn’t going to be selected, and joining forces with Song Jinxuan and her brother could indeed strengthen her position against Cai Shi.
After all, Concubine Che was a powerful weapon, and if used well, she could have unexpected benefits.
“Fine.” Song Yunzhao agreed readily.
Song Jinxuan sighed in relief, and her smile became more genuine. “From now on, I will support you, Third Sister.”
Song Yunzhao nodded, “Of course.”
“By the way, I have some news for you. Madam doesn’t plan to let you participate in the selection. She wants to use the old lady of the Cai family in order to take you to the temple under the guise of praying for blessings. You should be careful. You haven’t met the old lady from the Cai family, but she is formidable. My mother suffered a great loss at her hands back then and almost lost her life. Don’t take her lightly.”
