Song Yunzhao didn’t even need to act shocked; she was genuinely surprised. “Father?”
Lord Song sat on the stool by the bed and carefully inquired about Yunzhao’s condition. Luo Momo, Jiang Xiang, and Qian Cao answered each question in turn.
Luo Momo was deeply attached to the young lady, because she had raised her. When she saw the Master, she bit her lip, knelt down and started crying: “Master, you must stand up for the young lady. If she hadn’t dodged quickly that day, her face would have been scarred.”
“Scarred? How? Explain this matter clearly!” Lord Song was startled. How could such a thing happen?
He had received Concubine Che’s second letter, which informed him of Yunzhao’s illness. The letter didn’t explain much, but indicated that it was related to his wife. He knew that his main wife held a grudge against their youngest daughter and worried that Yunzhao might have been wronged. His concern drove him to travel overnight.
Qian Cao decided to add fuel to the fire and cried out: “The tea cup was so big, and Madam threw it at her. At that time, the young lady was weak from illness. Had she been a bit slower to dodge… I can’t even think about it. If her face were truly injured, what would become of her future?”
“My life may be lowly, but I dare not lie. Master, with all due respect, Madam’s only wish is for the Eldest Young Lady to enter the palace, but that doesn’t mean that she can ruin the Third Lady’s face for that!” Jiang Xiang`s face was full of tears “Madam was already angryy at that time, but the Eldest Miss kept fanned the flames. Knowing the Young Lady was ill, she still insisted that she had to go to the Count`s mansion. Wasn’t that asking for her life? Our young lady didn’t want to go, but Madam helped the Eldest Miss and tried to force her. Master, our Miss can’t even survive in this family anymore; please stand up for her.”
Lord Song’s face turned pale, then red, and then pale again. His hands clenched tightly into fists as he struggled to control his anger. He turned to look at his pale-faced, silent daughter and took a deep breath. Lowering his voice, he asked, “Zhao Zhao, what do you think?”
Song Yunzhao knew that her father was asking sincerely, but no one had told him how she had argued with Cai Shi. She knew that Third Madam would definitely complain about her later.
She lowered her eyes slightly, putting on a helpless expression. “I’ve gotten used to it over the years. I have no particular thoughts about it, just let it be. Besides, that day, I was so afraid that my face would be scarred that I argued with Mother. I am also partly to blame.”
As long as she remained under Cai Shi’s control, she would have to endure the grievances.
Did her Father not know this?
Of course he did.
But as the head of the household, he had his considerations, and by tradition, it was the Mother’s duty to discipline her daughter. So, she couldn’t directly ask to get freed from Cai Shi’s control.
She could only show weakness.
The weaker she appeared, the more guilt her father would feel. When he later faced Cai Shi and Song Qinghan, those two would undoubtedly complain about her in front of him, reigniting his suppressed anger.
What more could she ask for?”
Not to mention that the First Madam is watchful and opportunistic. If she decided to strike while the iron was hot, she might just get what she wanted.
But in case she had misjudged the situation, and her father couldn’t bring himself to set aside his pride as the patriarch, she still had a backup plan.
It’s just that it might damage their father-daughter relationship, and she didn’t want to take things that far.
Let’s see how her father would seek justice for her.
Lord Song patted his daughter’s hand and said, “You stay here at your Aunt’s place to recover. I’ve brought you some things, and I’ll have them sent over later.”
Song Yunzhao forced a weak smile and said softly, “Thank you, Father.”
Seeing his obedient daughter and her thin face, her pair of big eyes looking back at him, his heart ached. He had only been away for a few days and she already looked like this.
“Rest for now; Father will come to see you tomorrow again .”
“Father must have many things to attend to after just returning to the capital. My matters are not important; your matters are more crucial”, Song Yunzhao said with a big smile.
Lord Song felt even worse and instructed the servants to take good care of her before leaving.
As soon as he left, Song Yunzhao relaxed and said to Luo Momo and the others, “Jiang Xiang, Qian Cao, help Momo up. You were very bold today, but was it necessary?’
Luo Momo, supported by the two maids, said, “It’s all because I’m useless and couldn’t protect you, which caused you to suffer.”
Song Yunzhao smiled at her: “Momo, you raised me with great care. Without your care, I wouldn’t have grown up so well. I will always remember your kindness.”
When she got married in the future, she planned to take the servants with her so she could settle them down well in order to repay their care over the years.
“Oh, my dear, you shouldn’t say that. It’s our duty as your servants” Luo Momo said, happy to hear such words. Their Young Miss was indeed very kind-hearted.
Jiang Xiang brought a hot, wrung-out towel and said, “Miss, wipe your face.”
Song Yunzhao shook her head. “No rush.”
Qian Cao cleaned up everything and then laughed, “You must be confused. More people will surely come to see Miss soon.”
Jiang Xiang slapped her forehead and said, ‘You’re right.’ She quickly took the towel back.
Soon, a little maid came knocking. Luo Momo went out, and Jiang Xiang followed her out and quickly returned. “Miss, the master has sent a large chest for you.”
Before Song Yunzhao could answer, Luo Momo had two strong maids bring in the chest. Qian Cao handed some copper coins to the maids as a reward, and Jiang Xiang smiled as she opened the chest.
Song Yunzhao got up and walked to the chest. She reached in and took out a palm-sized box. Inside was a pair of pearl earrings. The pearls weren’t large, but their luster was good.
Next to it was a foot-long box. She picked it up, and it felt that it was quite heavy. When she opened it, she saw a pair of large jade ornaments. She was taken aback; she remembered casually mentioning them to her father once and didn’t expect him to remember and actually buy them for her.
Those items weren’t valuable, but they were a rare expression of familial affection for Song Yunzhao.
Her mood improved instantly. If her Father couldn’t help her escape Cai Shi’s control, she would reluctantly forgive him for the sake of these jade ornaments.
After all, she had gotten used to outsmarting the Third Madam. Besides, she wouldn’t have to endure her for much longer.
Most of the items on top were small trinkets, seemingly collected along the way. At the bottom of the chest stood a row of brocade boxes, and seeing the mark on them made Song Yunzhao’s heart skip a beat.
“Miss!” Qian Cao pointed at the brocade boxes. “These are… these are from Changsheng!”
Song Yunzhao looked at the dozen or so brocade boxes. Changsheng Baoji was the most famous and expensive jewelry store in Nanyu.
She had never seen something so extravagant in her life. This incident wasn’t a waste; the items more than made up for it.
If Song Qinghan found out, she might just die of anger!
