TSNCWEM Chapter 31

Song Yunzhao dared not agree. Song Qinghan indeed could act and pretend, but in the book, she had no great future and couldn’t protect herself in the end. 

She didn’t expect her Father to say that, and her heart felt complicated. She indeed had a very biased mother, but she also had a Father who protected her, which balanced things out.

“Father, to be honest with you, Mother and Sister look down on me so much that I just want to prove to Mother that even if she doesn’t like me, I am still a good child. I am no worse than Big Sister, so I want to participate in the selection. Even if I fail, you mustn’t laugh at me.”

 

Third Master looked at his daughter, who was smiling, but the expression in her eyes was very firm.

He knew that his wife’s neglect had hurt the child’s heart.

As a father, although he protected his child, he couldn’t stay home all day doing nothing, and he couldn’t interfere too much in the backyard affairs. 

He knew the grievances his daughter suffered.

But he also had his own difficulties. He couldn’t really trample on his wife’s dignity for Yunzhao’s sake. If he disrespected the main wife, he would throw the entire household into chaos.

Third Master sighed. In the end, it was the child’s distress that made her want to prove herself.

“Zhao Zhao, Father hopes you will think about it seriously again…”

“Father, I have already made up my mind. I hope you can support me. If I do not get selected, please protect me and don’t let others ridicule me.”

She was certain she would not be selected, so she laid the groundwork now. With her Father backing her, even if she came back home after failing, Cai Shi couldn’t use it to belittle her every day.

Third Master rubbed his forehead.

She was already planning an escape route before even attempting the task at hand.

“If you’re determined to go, then go ahead,” Third Master sighed. They were all a handful.

“And what about Mother?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you, Father!” Song Yunzhao immediately beamed with a big smile.

Third Master saw the light in his daughter’s eyes and couldn’t say anything else. Because of her unwillingness to endure even a tiny bit of hardship, the keen-eyed palace selection matrons would likely dismiss her in the first round.

In the future, he should prepare some gifts so that the child wouldn’t be too heartbroken if she came back early. As a father, he had to coax her.

After talking with his daughter, since it was still early to get off work, Third Master returned to the office to continue working. When the time came, he went back to the teahouse to pick up his daughter and they returned home together.

As soon as Song Yunzhao entered the gate, she smiled at her Father and then dashed off.

Third Master couldn’t help but laugh and cry, heading alone towards the main courtyard. He hadn’t gone far when his attendant caught up, “Master, there is a letter from the First Master.”

Third Master turned back to the study to read the letter. After finishing it, his expression wasn’t very pleasant.

His eldest brother insisted that Yunzhao participate in the selection, and his reasoning was clear and understandable. He sighed, thankful that Yunzhao herself was willing to participate; otherwise, he wouldn’t have supported his brother’s pressure on his daughter.

However, thinking about his daughter’s words, he laughed. His brother would likely be disappointed since the girl herself expected to fail and return home.

Cai Shi was sulking because Song Yunzhao had slipped away. Hearing the maids outside greeting someone, she got up to greet, “Master, why have you come home so early today?”

Third Madam felt uneasy, but when she thought that her husband didn’t know about her schemes, she calmed down.

Third Master, being sly, did not reveal that he knew the truth. He simply said, “There is a letter from my elder brother. Besides Qinghan, both Yexi and Yunzhao must participate in the selection. You should prepare.

Cai Shi’s smile instantly froze, and she suppressed her inner anger before saying, “Master, having three children from our family participate is too conspicuous. If this spreads, it might harm your reputation. Since our household is divided, having one child from each branch participate would be just right.”

Third Master observed his wife’s rejection of their younger daughter and thought it was no wonder the child was upset. He calmly said, “This is the first legitimate selection since His Majesty ascended the throne. Many families in the capital with eligible girls will participate. According to your logic, doesn’t that mean they would all lose face?”

Cai Shi immediately responded, “That’s not what I meant. Besides, how is this the first time? Didn’t His Majesty hold a selection the year he ascended the throne? At that time, many daughters of high-ranking officials entered the palace.”

The late Noble Consort Chu was one of those who entered the palace then.

“How is that the same?” Third Master replied. “At that time, His Majesty had just ascended the throne and was still young. The court officials were forcing their daughters into the palace, and there was no widespread announcement. It wasn’t a proper selection.”

Cai Shi did not agree. If it wasn’t a proper selection, how did Noble Consort Chu still end up being conferred the title of Noble Consort? However, with her gone now, it wasn’t worth arguing with her husband over this.

“Master, you know Yunzhao’s temperament. She’s competitive, strong-willed, and doesn’t like to suffer losses. With such a personality, if she participates in the selection, I’m afraid she might stir up trouble. I think it’s better for her to stay at home.”

Hearing this, Third Master got angry, unable to hide his expression. “If you treated both children fairly, how could Yunzhao become so strong-willed? Besides, my Elder Brother has already decided on this matter. Just prepare well for it.”

 

Afraid that his wife might pull some tricks, Third Master added, “Tomorrow I will inform Sister-in-law and ask her to help as well.”

After saying this, Third Master turned and left, fearing that if he stayed any longer, he might have another argument with his wife.

After Third Master left, Cai Shi was so angry that she clutched her chest and leaned against the soft pillow.

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao returned to her courtyard. She finished reading the letter from earlier. A pseudonym? Wasn’t that just a pen name?

After some thought, she picked up the pen and wrote down the words “Wanderer Without Return.”

As someone who has traveled from another world and might never return, the term “Wanderer Without Return” truly fit her state of mind.

After finishing the reply, she looked at the 100 tael silver note on the table. She didn’t expect it to be so much; she thought it would be at most 20 or 30 taels.

She had someone quietly inquire about the market rates. Typically, for someone writing serialized stories, the fee was about this amount, particularly for the more outstanding ones in the field.

For those, whose writing wasn’t as remarkable, the fee would only be a few taels.

Was this price comparable to that at Sanyuan Building?

Song Yunzhao thought it was too much; the book hadn’t even become a hit yet, and the Xie family wasn’t afraid of losing their investment.

However, she was confident in herself. Any book that sparked controversy usually wouldn’t remain unnoticed.

She had confidence, but the Xie family might not, so the writing fee seemed a bit high.

She decided to write another book immediately. As long as the first book got on track, the subsequent ones would definitely be valuable. The Xie family wouldn’t suffer a loss by giving her such a high price.

Making money wasn’t easy; keeping up with social trends was time-consuming, laborious, and mentally exhausting.

She had just spread out a piece of paper for her next book and was about to start writing when Song Jinxuan arrived.

Song Yunzhao went to greet her guest, only to be startled by Song Jinxuan’s rosy face.

What was the happy occassion?