"Eldest Young Lady, this is my youngest daughter, Song Yi'an."
Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise quickly crossed Song Mingsi's eyes.
Song Yi'an?
How could someone who had never appeared in her memories possibly appear in the Capital City?
She did not reveal the slightest ripple of emotion on her face, her gaze sweeping over Song Yi'an's face, which bore a seven-part resemblance to Madam Gu.
"So it is Second Uncle's daughter. Grandfather and Grandmother will surely be delighted now."
...
The Song Family was a prestigious and influential clan in the Capital. Prime Minister Song held the rank of Prime Minister; he was both a founding official and a teacher to the Emperor, wielding great power in the imperial court.
Prime Minister Song had only one wife, Old Madam Song, throughout his life and never took a concubine. The Old Madam bore him two sons and one daughter.
They were the eldest son, Song Zhiyu; the second son, Song Zhiwen; and the eldest daughter, Song Zhimu.
The eldest son, Song Zhiyu, currently served as the fifth-rank Vice Minister of Personnel. He had one wife and one concubine. His legal wife, Madam Xu, had one son and one daughter, Song Zeyue and Song Mingsi.
The concubine, Madam Chu, gave birth to a son named Song Xin.
The second son, Song Zhiwen, passed away at a young age, leaving behind one son and one daughter, Song Yili and Song Yi'an.
The eldest daughter, Song Zhimu, married the third-place scholar Xu Tingfeng, but they had no offspring to this day.
In their daily lives, everyone was busy with their own affairs, making it difficult for them to meet.
Therefore, Old Madam Song established an unwritten rule: every half month, the family would gather together for dinner.
Today was that day.
The Song Family also had another unwritten rule: one must never mention two people in front of Prime Minister Song. One was his second son, Song Zhiwen, and the other was his wife, Gu Yanran.
Except for Old Madam Song, no one dared to mention these two names.
As twilight deepened, inside Juhe Hall.
Old Madam Song picked up her teacup, took a slow sip, and then raised her eyes to look at Nanny Zhou.
"It is getting late. Why haven't Mingsi and Yili returned from the private school yet?"
Nanny Zhou bowed and replied, "Old Madam, do not worry. The servant sent to fetch them brought back word that the private school teacher kept them to test their essays, so they will likely be half an hour later than usual."
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Song frowned: "Yili just recovered from a cold the day before yesterday. Can his body handle such exhaustion?"
Before she could finish speaking, Prime Minister Song, who was sitting at the head of the table, set his scroll down on the table with a soft "clack."
"What is there to handle? I am an old man, and don't I still go to court before dawn?" His voice was deep and thick, carrying the authority of one who had long held a high position.
There was a sting in his words, and everyone in the hall could hear it. Prime Minister Song did not like that grandson who had just returned; the boy's features were too much like his late father's, and every time he looked at him, it felt like digging up old accounts.
Fortunately, his personality was the complete opposite; he was a steady child and had not inherited his father's restless spirit.
The First Madam, Madam Xu, wiped the hands of her young son beside her with a handkerchief, her smile gentle and proper as she looked up.
"Father is in good health, which is a blessing for our family. Mother, do not worry too much about Yili. With Mingsi there to look after him, nothing will go wrong."
Old Madam Song nodded and said nothing more, simply placing her teacup back on the table.
Before long, footsteps were heard in the corridor outside. Nanny Zhou listened intently and smiled, "They must be back."
Old Madam Song's brows instantly relaxed.
The first to enter was Song Mingsi, who bowed properly to Prime Minister Song and the Old Madam: "Granddaughter pays her respects to Grandfather and Grandmother."
Prime Minister Song and the Old Madam both nodded slightly.
Regarding this eldest granddaughter, Prime Minister Song favored her from the bottom of his heart. Since childhood, she had shown unusual intelligence; she was sensible and thoughtful, never requiring him to worry.
Following behind was Song Yili. He seemed particularly spirited today, his eyes clear and bright, his cheeks flushed with a rare, healthy glow. Even his voice when bowing was lighter and more cheerful than usual: "Grandson pays his respects to Grandfather, Grandmother, and Eldest Aunt."
Seeing him in such high spirits, the smile in the Old Madam's eyes became more genuine, and she responded happily, "Good, good."
Following behind them was Madam Gu. As soon as she appeared, the hall suddenly fell silent.
A cold snort escaped Prime Minister Song's nose, and no one in the hall dared to make a sound.
Under the table, Old Madam Song gave his outer thigh a warning pinch.
After all, this was Yili's biological mother. To embarrass her now would make it impossible for the child to hold his head high in this manor in the future.
Stung by the pinch, Prime Minister Song swallowed the cold words that had reached his lips.
"Mother, why aren't you moving?"
As he spoke, a small figure of about seven years old peeked out from behind Madam Gu.
Although she was dressed in a boy's outfit, her fair, jade-like face was embedded with a pair of large, watery eyes. With red lips and white teeth, anyone could see at a glance that she was an exquisitely carved jade little girl.
Her hand was held tightly by Madam Gu. She did not seem afraid of strangers, her dark, round eyes curiously scanning her surroundings.
Old Madam Song's heart skipped a beat, and a thought flashed through her mind: could this be...
Prime Minister Song's gaze darkened, his eyes filled with inquiry.
Madam Xu remained silent, waiting to observe from the side.
The most shocked of all was Nanny Zhou, who stood behind the Old Madam.
This girl actually survived and returned.
The smile on Old Madam Song's face faded: "Madam Gu, who is this little child?"
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and Madam Gu's hand holding her daughter's tightened involuntarily.
Madam Gu lowered her eyes and led her daughter forward: "Replying to the Old Madam, this is Yi'an, Zhiwen's youngest daughter." She paused, gently nudged her daughter, and said softly, "Yi'an, quickly pay your respects to your Grandfather and Grandmother."
At the head of the table, Old Madam Song observed closely and found that the child was not intimidated under the gaze of everyone; instead, she looked straight back.
As Old Madam Song watched, she suddenly smiled, a flash of realization crossing her eyes.
This girl was truly Zhiwen's youngest daughter. This expression, the spirit faintly revealed, was exactly like Zhiwen in his childhood—fearless of everything.
As soon as Song Yi'an entered, she sensed that the atmosphere in the room was wrong, and it seemed to be entirely because of her mother.
She suppressed the doubts in her heart and obediently bowed: "Yi'an pays her respects to Grandfather and Grandmother." After speaking, she also curtsied.
Her curtsy was awkward, revealing a sense of unrefined, rustic upbringing.
Madam Xu curled her lips, her eyes showing a trace of disdain. Looking at her own daughter, who was elegant and well-mannered, she felt even better.
Old Madam Song acted as if she hadn't seen the improper etiquette and beckoned to Song Yi'an, her tone gentle: "Good child, come to Grandmother's side and let me take a good look at you."
Song Yi'an was just about to walk over to the Old Madam.
Madam Xu's young son, Song Zeyue, suddenly jumped off his chair, rushed over, and pushed Song Yi'an down.
He then pointed at Song Yi'an and Madam Gu, shouting, "This is not my family! She is just a wild girl, a mongrel. Her mother is a courtesan; she is not fit to enter the Song Manor."
After finishing, he turned and begged Old Madam Song: "Grandmother, isn't it enough to have me and my sister with you? Quickly drive them away; she will make me lose face in front of my friends."
Ever since Nanny Zhou brought Song Yili and Madam Gu back to the Song Manor, he had been mocked and ostracized by his playmates.
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