After spending the day out, Song Yunzhao returned to the Song residence and suddenly remembered the gentleman with the folding fan whom she met at Sanyuan Tower. He had left quickly; by the time she came out, he was nowhere to be seen.
Hmm, a perfect bystander.
After washing up and changing into her regular clothes, she lay on the soft couch reading a book, pondering how to write her story. Once so ambitious, she now found herself unsure of how to begin.
In her world, conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law had always attracted attention and became hot topics. But in the past, filial piety is paramount, and even the most difficult mother-in-law must be respected. If she dared to write about a daughter-in-law battling an evil mother-in-law, the Xie family’s restaurant might get torn down.
Writing about secret meetings between scholars and young ladies made her feel uncomfortable; it didn’t align with her values.
Strange tales and supernatural stories are interesting, but there’s not much of an audience for them. How can they become popular? It’s a waste of time and doesn’t make money; doing unprofitable business is not an option.
Thinking this way, she suddenly fell silent. It seemed there was nothing worth writing about, which made her very melancholy.
Her first pot of gold might be doomed.
Indeed, does the supporting role not even the fate of making money?
“Miss.”
Hearing Jiang Xiang’s voice, Song Yunzhao snapped back to reality and looked at her, noticing her expression was somewhat peculiar—excited yet restrained.
Song Yunzhao immediately sat up straight, ready for some gossip!
“What happened?” Song Yunzhao asked with a smile, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Jiang Xiang lightly coughed and said, “Today, the Eldest Young Lady and Miss Yexi went to the Dingnan Mansion and just returned to the residence.”
“And then?”
“Miss Yexi’s eyes were red, it looked as if she had been crying. I hid in the shadow of the ornamental gate and saw that the First Miss’s eyes were filled with joy, so it seems her wishes have been fulfilled.”
By “wishes fulfilled,” she naturally meant the selection process.
Song Yunzhao smiled and said, “It has nothing to do with us. Just manage our own courtyard.”
Jiang Xiang immediately nodded in agreement and added, “Today, Hongying from the Eldest Young Lady’s courtyard came to inquire. I had one of our young maids fob her off. However, I heard Hongying mention in passing that the Eldest Young Lady seems to have a good relationship with Miss Chu from the Count Mansion. Miss Chu even gave her a gift.”
Chu Yuying gave Song Qinghan a gift?
Wasn’t that a joke?
It must be Song Qinghan making it up to save face.
Just as Song Yunzhao was about to speak, she heard Jiang Xiang say, “Today, the steward from Madam’s side also came over, asking the young maids about your whereabouts. Luo Momo found out and sent them away.”
“Miss, do you think Madam and the Eldest Young Lady are so concerned about your whereabouts because they have some plans?” Jiang Xiang was quite worried, knowing that even though the Master supported her Miss, Madam was still an elder.
Song Yunzhao smiled and said, “They just want to know what I was doing outside the residence, afraid that I’m interfering with Song Qinghan’s affairs.”
Jiang Xiang couldn’t help but complain, “Madam is really biased, but thankfully the Master can still uphold justice for you.”
Song Yunzhao remembered something and said to Jiang Xiang, “Don’t worry about these things. We just have one more day to relax before this house becomes lively again.”
Jiang Xiang didn’t quite understand, but seeing her lady picking up the book again, she didn’t dare to ask further.
Song Yunzhao’s thoughts weren’t on the book, but on the fact that the Dingnan Mansion had settled on Song Qinghan today. When the news of the court’s grand selection is announced tomorrow, it would be quite amusing.
The grievances and injustices suffered by Song Yexi today will all be thrown back in Song Qinghan’s face when the time comes. She was just waiting to see the expressions on Song Qinghan and her mother’s faces.
Before dinner, Madam Cai’s trusted servant, Zhao Momo, personally came over, smiling broadly, and said, “Madam invites the Third Young Lady to join her for dinner.”
Momo Zhao had served Cai Shi for decades and, seeing that the Third Young Lady didn’t even lift her eyebrows, knew she was likely to refuse. So she quickly added, “The Master and a few of the young masters will also be there. After I’ve finished inviting you, I’ll also invite the Second Young Lady.”
Song Yunzhao thought to herself that Cai Shi was really going out of her way to save face for Song Qinghan, and she sneered inwardly. But outwardly, she looked at Zhao Momo warmly and said, “In that case, I will come over in a while.”
Zhao Momo breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly stood up to take her leave, and Luo Momo escorted her out. When she returned, she looked at Song Yunzhao and asked, “Miss, are you really going?”
“My Father will be there, so I naturally have to make an appearance.”
Qian Cao and Jiang Xiang were helping the young lady find clothes, and Song Yunzhao said, “Don’t bother too much; it’s just a formality.”
Qian Cao’s eyes brightened, and she immediately said with a smile, “Miss is right. I think the blue outfit you wore the other day would be good.”
Since the master was going, wearing an old dress would remind him of how poorly Madam treated the young lady.
Just as Song Yunzhao was about to leave, Song Jinxuan arrived.
Upon seeing Song Yunzhao, Song Jinxuan said in surprise, “I thought you weren’t going, Third Sister.”
“Why wouldn’t I go?” Song Yunzhao adjusted her hair and noticed that Song Jinxuan didn’t look too happy. She knew why. If Song Qinghan was pleased, could Song Jinxuan be happy?
Song Jinxuan immediately followed Song Yunzhao as she walked out, lowering her voice, “Do you know why Madam is hosting a family banquet tonight? Probably not, right?” Without waiting for Song Yunzhao to ask, she continued, “Our good Eldest Sister has caught the eye of the Dingnan Mansion, and she’s going to be recommended.”
Song Qinghan’s rise in status meant that Concubine Che and her childrenhad to bow their heads, grudgingly accepting their inferior position, and this would likely continue for the rest of their lives, making them naturally unhappy.
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan and said, “Things are not final until the last moment. It’s just a recommendation.”
Although Song Jinxuan found this comforting, she felt a bit disheartened, “You’ve been recovering in the East Wing and might not know, but once the Count Mansion recommends someone, it’s practically settled.”
Song Yunzhao naturally couldn’t mention that things had changed. She slowly looked at Song Jinxuan and said, “Then we can only congratulate her.”
Song Jinxuan felt a sharp pain in her heart and said, “With your looks, if you were willing to go to enter the palace, what would become of her?”
Song Yunzhao didn’t respond to that. Instead, she asked, “How is Concubine Che recently?”
Hearing Song Yunzhao change the subject, Song Jinxuan responded weakly, “How could she be? I’ve heard that our Main Mother plans to take in another concubine for Father.”
Song Yunzhao paused; this wasn’t mentioned in the book. “Who did you hear this from?”
“Main Mother mentioned it to Father personally, and my mother overheard.”
Song Yunzhao’s gaze sharpened. Xie Linlang’s perception of Ji Yunting had changed, and now there was another event not in the book.
“What does Concubine Che plan to do?” Song Yunzhao asked calmly.
Since Song Jinxuan mentioned this to her, she must be seeking her help.
