TSNCWEM Chapter 38

Song Yunzhao went to the maid servants’ quarters and saw Jiang Xiang lying on the bed. Seeing her enter, she quickly sat up, covering her face with both hands. “Miss, why are you here? Don’t be frightened by my appearance. Please go back.”

Seeing Jiang Xiang’s red eyes, Song Yunzhao knew she had been crying. She said, “Take your hands down. Let me see your face.”

“It’s scary, miss. You shouldn’t look”, Jiang Xiang didn’t want to frighten her mistress and kept her face covered.

“Take your hands down.”

The servant, startled by the command, instinctively let go of her hands.

Song Yunzhao’s expression changed instantly when she saw Jiang Xiang’s face. Qian Cao had understated the severity; Jiang Xiang’s face was covered with dense small bumps.

She had eaten food with perilla before without any issues, so why was there a problem this time?

“Don’t scratch your face, even if it itches. The doctor will be here soon. If you can’t bear the itch, have a maid bring you some warm water to wash your face. It may look scary now, but once the doctor prescribes medicine, it will be fine,” Song Yunzhao advised, worried that scratching might leave scars.

If a girl has scars on her face, even if she is a close maid, her future marriage prospects would not be smooth.

Since Jiang Xiang suffered because of her, she naturally had to protect her.

Jiang Xiang nodded in agreement, and Song Yunzhao left with a serious expression, knowing that this couldn’t have just been an accident.

The First Madam arrived quickly, and Song Yunzhao stepped forward to greet her.

She supported Song Yunzhao and said, “Good child, I’ve already sent someone to fetch the doctor. Let your Aunt take a look. Is your face alright?”

Song Yunzhao’s eyes reddened, and she gently shook her head, “Aunt, fortunately, I wasn’t feeling well today and only took a sip. I thought the soup was a kind gesture from you, so I gave it to my maid. Who would have thought it would lead to such an issue?”

The First Madam carefully examined Song Yunzhao’s face, and seeing that it was only slightly red, she felt relieved. Angrily, she said, “Yunzhao, don’t worry. Aunt will definitely get to the bottom of this and give you an explanation.”

“I know you care for me, Aunt, and I trust you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have secretly informed you through Qian Cao.”

“Aunt knows you are a good child. Don’t worry. Luckily, you are fine. Otherwise, how would I dare face you?”

“Aunt, you are being too harsh on yourself. This is not your fault. You had the soup made for my well-being.”

Seeing that Song Yunzhao genuinely held no resentment, First Madam finally sighed with relief. She thought to herself that if anyone from the family were to enter the palace, Yunzhao was the most likely candidate. Naturally, she didn’t want to create any animosity with her. If this child succeeded in the future, they would rely on her support.

Thinking of this, the Madam was furious, but reassured Song Yunzhao with a few words before leaving.

Afterwards, Song Yunzhao instructed Qian Cao, “Close the courtyard gates. Tell anyone who comes that I’m not feeling well and won’t see anyone.”

“Yes,” Qian Cao quickly turned to give the orders, instructing the servants to close the gates and asked the young maids to be vigilant and listen for any commotion.

Song Yunzhao returned to the study and sat at her desk. The only person in the household hoping for her misfortune was Song Qinghan.

This incident was most likely her doing, but without evidence, it was not wise to make accusations. She could only hope that First Madam would investigate thoroughly.

At the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), Song Jinxuan came, but Qian Cao intercepted her and sent her back, following the young lady’s instructions. She was vague about what had happened, only letting it be known that something indeed went wrong in the courtyard.

On her way back, Song Jinxuan’s expression was heavy. Once inside her own courtyard, she had the door closed and whispered to Concubine Che, “Mother, do you think Yunzhao could really be in trouble?”

Concubine Che paused slightly, holding the needle, and said, “It’s hard to say when someone with a motive makes a move.”

Song Jinxuan’s expression turned grim. She gritted her teeth and said, “Mother, do you think this was done by them?”

Her eyes looked towards Song Qinghan’s courtyard.

Concubine Che shook her head. “Without evidence, you shouldn’t talk nonsense. If someone hears you, Madam won’t spare you.”

“What should we do then? Just watch?” Song Jinxuan frowned. After all, they were allies. How could they do nothing?

“Everything we do in the backyard is being watched by the main house. Get an inconspicuous maid to quietly pass a message to your brother, ask him to quickly inform the master.”

Song Jinxuan’s eyes lit up. “You’re right, I was being foolish. Bringing Father back is the best solution.”

On the other side, Song Yexi also came to visit Song Yunzhao. However, Song Yunzhao didn’t see her either and only exchanged a few words through the courtyard gate. After expressing her concern, Song Yexi left.

When Song Yexi left, she seemed furious, as if she had a serious quarrel with Song Yunzhao.

After another quarter of an hour, Han Xiao, who served Song Qinghan, came. The gatekeeper woman didn’t open the door and said, “Han Xiao, the Third Young Lady isn’t in a good mood and doesn’t want to see anyone right now. You should go back.”

Han Xiao replied gently, “First Miss heard that the Third Miss was unwell, so she sent me to visit her. I can’t go back without seeing her.”

The gatekeeper woman smirked and replied in a sarcastic tone, “Han Xiao, don’t put me in a difficult position. If I let you in and the Third Young Lady gets upset, I won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Han Xiao was displeased upon hearing this. How dare a mere gatekeeper woman speak to her in such a manner? She said, “The Eldest Young Lady is concerned about her sister’s health. If I can’t even deliver her regards, I won’t be able to report back. If the Elderly Young lady questions me, I’ll have to tell the truth.”

The gatekeeper woman’s mouth twitched. Using the First Miss to pressure her, a lowly servant? Remembering Qian Cao’s instructions, she replied firmly, “Han Xiao, you truly have a way with words. Both Miss Yexi and the Second Young Lady came, but our Miss didn’t see them either. They didn’t say anything, yet here you are with an attitude bigger than both of them. I, an old servant, am truly terrified. You fear failing to report back; I fear failing to do my duty.”

Han Xiao’s expression soured at the gatekeeper’s sarcastic words. The message was clear: How could Han Xiao, a servant, even dare to compare herself to Miss Yexi and the Second Young Lady?

Realizing that she wouldn’t be let in, she left with a scowl on her face.

The gatekeeper woman, listening to the fading footsteps, spat out a “pah”. What a thing, relying on others’ power to act arrogant.

Qian Cao, coming out just then, heard the “pah” and, holding back her laughter, praised the gatekeeper, “Well done. I’ll make sure to mention this to the Young Lady for you.”

The maid, upon hearing this, smiled broadly and said, “I wouldn’t dare claim credit for such a small matter. Miss treats us servants so well; it’s the least we can do.”

Hearing this through the window, Song Yunzhao felt quite pleased.

In this world, there were despicable people like Song Qinghan, but there were also those with kind hearts.

The entire household was on edge. Qian Cao mentioned that the people from the kitchen were tied up by the First Madam, who said that if they didn’t confess, they would all be sold off. There was quite a commotion over there.

Song Yunzhao frowned.

Qian Cao, standing by, said, “Miss, are you feeling sorry for them? There’s no other way. If the Eldest Young Lady did arrange this, she must have made sure to cover her tracks. How can the First Madam easily find out who did it? You know, all the servants in the household have complex relationships. When something happens, they all cover for each other.”

Song Yunzhao understood.

People didn’t want to get involved and offend anyone, so they kept their distance.

When it didn’t concern their own interests, anyone could remain calm. But when it involved their own future, interests, life, and safety?

That was a different story.

First Madam didn’t care if you were the person who did it; if the incident happened in the main kitchen and you can’t prove your innocence, then you’re an accomplice.

This collective punishment method used by First Madam was quite powerful.

Song Yunzhao learned another trick.

Song Yunzhao continued writing her script in the study. The selection was only a few days away, so there was no time to dwell on this matter. Having seen numerous internet exposes and real-life stories, it wasn’t difficult for her to extract material for her script. However, she had a strong sense of values and wanted to write something that aligned with her beliefs while being acceptable to people of this era, which required careful consideration.

Alas, she was making things difficult for herself.

Feeling frustrated with her writing, Song Yunzhao’s mood soured.

At that moment, Qian Cao came in and reported, “Miss, Dou Momo from Madam’s side has come.”

Song Yunzhao, knowing exactly why she had come for, said, “Tell her I’m not feeling well and can’t go anywhere. If Cai Shi insists on forcing me to go, I’ll have to seek my Father.”

What did Third Madam want from her?

It was surely to force her to downplay the matter.

The First Madam’s show of force must have scared Song Qinghan, so she sought Cai Shi’s support.

“I’ll go right away,” Qian Cao said, turning to leave. She didn’t want the young lady to meet the Madam, as she would only end up being pressured and made to suffer under the guise of seniority.

Dou Momo’s face turned sour after hearing Qian Cao’s words. With a sarcastic tone, she said, “The Third Young Lady is becoming more and more distinguished, not even considering the lady of the house.”

Qian Cao’s face darkened at Dou Momo’s words. She looked at her, no longer as fearful as before. “Our Young Lady is unwell. I suppose Madam doesn’t know this, or else she would only feel sorry for her. How is it that in Dou Momo’s words, our Miss has become someone who lacks filial piety? When the Master returns to the house, I will make sure to ask him if our Young Lady is really such a person.”

Dou Momo, hearing Qian Cao’s response and realizing she dared to bring up the Master to pressure her, didn’t dare to push back. Since arriving in the capital, the Master had been even more protective of the Third Young Lady than in Nanyu.

“Alright, Qian Cao, I’ll be sure to report exactly what you said to Madam. Do you think the Master can protect the Third Young Lady and also protect a mere maid like you?” Dou Momo threw this sentence before turning and leaving.

Qian Cao and Jiang Xiang were not young anymore. When it was time for them to get married, their marriage prospects would be in Cai Shi’s hands.

Dou Momo spat inwardly and thought to herself, “Just wait.”

Song Yunzhao, feeling upset, stepped out to get some fresh air under the eaves and heard Dou Momo threatening Qian Cao. She was livid.

Just as she was about to have Dou Momo brought back, she heard her Father’s voice, “What an insolent servant! Someone, drag her away and slap her!”

Third Master stood there with a stern face. He knew his wife wasn’t kind to Yunzhao, but he never expected one of her maids to threaten Yunzhao’s own maid like this.

Did she even consider Yunzhao as her master?