After opening the brocade boxes one by one, Song Yunzhao and Luo Momo stared blankly.
Qian Cao quickly said: “Miss, these things ought to be for all the young ladies, right?”
There were three sets of jewelry. Qian Cao was right; Father must have brought back one set for each of his three daughters. Unexpectedly, all of them had ended up here with her.
Song Yunzhao chuckled softly, “Quickly put them away.”
Jiang Xiang immediately closed the chest, nudged the still-dazed Qian Cao, and the two of them started packing everything away discreetly.
Luo Momo looked worried: “Miss, should we return these items to the Master?”
Song Yunzhao shook her head, “No need.”
“But what if the he calms down and reconsiders this matter, would it be unfavorable for you?”
“Father always acts with discretion. Since he sent everything here, it’s naturally meant for me”, Song Yunzhao said, smiling at Luo Momo. “You don’t need to worry.”
Luo Momo sighed in relief, “As long as you have a plan, Miss.”
Song Yunzhao speculated that her Father was annoyed by Song Qinghan’s instigations and attempts to sow discord. That’s why he gave her all the items this time, to teach Song Qinghan a lesson.
Song Jinxuan was a victim, but still didn’t receive anything.
There must have been something in Concubine Che’s letters that had displeased her Father. She could only guess.
With a sly look, Song Yunzhao said to Luo Momo, “Find a clever little maid to go to the West Courtyard.”
Luo Momo nodded quickly, “Miss, rest assured, I will go right away.”
Song Yunzhao returned to bed, but Song Yexi arrived, so she had to get up again.
“Yunzhao, how are you feeling today?”
Song Yunzhao half sat up, leaning on a soft pillow, and looked at Song Yexi. “I’m feeling better today. Thank you for your concern, Cousin Yexi.”
Song Yexi noticed that Song Yunzhao’s complexion was even paler than the day before and asked worriedly, “Why do you look so pale? Is the medicine from the doctor not working? Shall I ask my mother to change the doctor?”
With the Third Master back, Song Yexi didn’t want him to think that they hadn’t taken good care of her.
“The prescription is effective. My headache has improved today. There’s no need to worry. It’s just that I suddenly saw my Father, so…”
Song Yexi smiled and sighed, “I know that you’ve been wronged, but now that Third Uncle is back, everything will be better. My mother has also gone to the West Courtyard; she will definitely seek justice for you this time. Rest assured.”
“How can I trouble Aunt for my sake?” Song Yunzhao looked guilty.
Song Yexi laughed, “My mother truly cares for you. She specifically asked me to come and keep you company before she left.”
Song Yunzhao thought that any help she received from the First Madam was only a way for her to pave the way for Song Yexi .
However, since she was being cared for by the main house, she naturally had to let them benefit from her name.
The two continued their conversation, but it was clear that Song Yexi was preoccupied with matters in the West Courtyard, and Song Yunzhao was also very concerned about her own matters.
Alas, the two of them weren’t even close enough to be considered fake friends; and neither wanted the other to see through their true intentions. They had to continue maintaining the facade of good sisters, which was exhausting.
Why didn’t people in ancient times live long?
Song Yunzhao finally understood it.
After she left, Song Yunzhao quickly called Luo Momo over and asked, “How are things?”
Luo Momo immediately replied, “Master questioned Madam, and she brought up the incident where you argued back. Fortunately, the First Madam was there, and they are still arguing. But just a moment ago, Concubine Che and Second Young Lady were also summoned.’
As soon as she finished speaking, Qian Cao hurried in and said, “Miss Yexi, Miss Rong, and Miss Hongjiao were also summoned to the West Courtyard.”
Song Yunzhao understood that they were investigating the situation at the Count’s mansion.
Leaning against the soft pillow, she pondered carefully. It turned out that the First Madam’s real move was this; seeking justice for her was just an appetizer, and the real blow would be the incident at the Count mansion.
Just as she was thinking about this, Jiang Xiang came in: “It was frightening, Miss. The First Madam is questioning Eldest Young Lady’s motives for insisting you go to the Count’s mansion. After all, there was such a big incident there”
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. She had originally wanted her Father to suspect that Cai Shi and her daughter had malicious intent.
But if she had said so herself, the evidence would be insufficient, and her position would be compromised.
Without an excellent opportunity, she couldn’t speak out.
She never expected the First Madam to seize on this point and press hard.
It was exactly what she wanted.
Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!
Seeing her Young Mistress’s eyes shine, Luo Momo suddenly asked, “Miss, do you also think that they originally wanted to set you up?”
Song Yunzhao looked at Luo Momo, “What do you think?”
Luo Momo’s face turned dark. The Third Young Lady was also the Mistress’s biological daughter. She couldn’t bear to think that the Madam would treat her own daughter like this.
Seeing her distressed face, Song Yunzhao sighed lightly, “Momo, why worry about these things? With you protecting me, I’ve had a pretty good life all these years.”
Luo Momo turned her back and dabbed away at her tears.
Qian Cao’s eyes also turned red. Jiang Xiang looked at them and immediately said, “Don’t be sad. If the First Madam can really produce evidence, our Miss’s days will be much better in the future.”
That being said, finding evidence was not easy.
Song Yunzhao knew that there wouldn’t be any evidence, because the incident happened at the Count’s mansion, and they wouldn’t seek verification there.
Having to swallow this grievance must have made her Father very angry.
With First Madam fanning the flames, Song Yunzhao speculated that the mother-daughter duo must be fuming.
“Xie Linlang has arrived”, a little maid announced from outside.
Everyone in the room quickly composed themselves. Qian Cao glanced at her Miss, then turned to welcome the guest.
Luo Momo and Jiang Xiang greeted and then retreated. Qian Cao served tea and stood guard outside the door.
Xie Linlang noticed the slight redness in Yunzhao’s eyes. After sitting down, she directly said, “Third Uncle wants to confine the Eldest Young Lady, saying that her conduct is bad and she has no sibling affection. Such a character, if selected by the palace, would inevitably cause trouble for the family.”
Song Yunzhao, surprised by Xie Linlang’s words, asked, “Did Father really say that? How did you find out?”
Xie Linlang coughed lightly, “I was worried that you wouldn’t get any news, so I had someone secretly listen in and came quickly to tell you in order to ease your mind.”
Song Yunzhao smiled, “I really have to thank you.”
Xie Linlang waved her hand dismissively, “No need for thanks between us, it’s what I should do. Yunzhao, do you think the Eldest Young Lady is really so ruthless? I didn’t see it before.”
Xie Linlang only thought that Song Qinghan was selfish, but never imagined she would be so cruel to her own sister.
Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang and asked, “What did the First Madam do?”
Whether this plan worked depended on the First Madam.
TLs note: Since Christmas is right around the corner, I will try to post more often!
