Song Yue counted the indentured servant contracts—not a single one was missing.
She picked up Yundong’s contract and handed it over. Yundong stared in shock: “Miss?”
“Anyone who remains loyal to their master will not be treated unfairly.” Song Yue pressed the contract into her hand, then turned her gaze to Nanny Zhang: “Where are the contracts for your family members?”
Nanny Zhang’s heart skipped a beat: “Some are with the Grand Madam, others with the Duke.”
Song Yue personally retrieved the contracts for Nanny Zhang’s entire family, young and old, and clenched them in her hand. With a faint, ambiguous smile, she looked at Nanny Zhang: “Remember this: if you are loyal, no one will dare to mistreat you. But if you are disloyal, Mama Wang serves as an example.”
The sinister smile sent shivers down Nanny Zhang’s spine, leaving no room for disloyalty. She knelt on the ground: “Miss, there is something this old servant must report to you. In fact, the food you ate the day before yesterday was drugged.”
It seemed threats had a significant effect.
Song Yue said, “I know. It was just Lingyun Grass, which disrupts the pulse and makes people mistakenly think one is pregnant.”
Upon hearing this, Nanny Zhang was instantly shocked, a cold sweat breaking out on her back. She looked at Song Yue as if she had seen a ghost—the Third Miss knew everything!
“This old servant… this old servant deserves death.”
“What’s past is past. I can let it go, but from today onward, you must be loyal.” Song Yue said.
Nanny Zhang swore she would never betray her.
Song Yue had no intention of letting the Lingyun Grass matter rest. Her eyes flickered slightly, a smile playing at the corners of her lips: “Nanny Zhang, in the coming days, if Yuan-shi asks you anything, answer as you always have. Don’t let her notice anything amiss, understand?”
Nanny Zhang, shrewd as she was, immediately grasped the meaning: “Yes.”
The estate remained calm for two days.
Yuehua Pavilion was also tidied up again, its interior exquisitely decorated—clearly a great deal of effort had been put into it.
She asked: “Nanny, do you know where my mother’s dowry is?”
She had already checked the small storeroom—it had long been emptied.
There were only three possibilities: either the Grand Madam had taken it, or the Duke of Jing and Yuan Fuling had seized it. It was unlikely that Yuan Fuling had taken everything.
“Replying to Third Miss, most of the dowry is locked away in Ninghui Hall. A small portion was given to the Madam for expenses, especially the shops outside—all were handed over to the Madam. Every year, the Madam sends some dividends to honor the Grand Madam.”
So that was it!
Yuan Fuling had risen from concubine to wife and had no wealth of her own.
Judging by Yuan Fuling and Song Yao’s attire, it was clear they had secretly withheld her mother’s dowry.
She would make sure the mother and daughter returned every bit they had taken!
The night was clear and bright.
Footsteps sounded from the roof eaves, and Ling lowered his voice: “Miss, the Eighth Prince is here.”
Song Yue frowned. Why was the Eighth Prince visiting so late?
Though puzzled, she still allowed him in.
Zhao Zhiyan cleared his throat and said, “The guards around you are quite diligent.”
“Thank you for the praise, Bahuang Shu. May I ask why you are visiting so late at night?” Song Yue asked.
She didn’t believe anyone could be that idle.
Zhao Zhiyan curled his fist and pressed it to his lips, his gentle gaze fixed on her: “A few days ago, my Imperial Brother summoned you. What exactly did you say?”
Hmm?
Even Zhao Zhiyan was being this nosy?
“Since that day, Imperial Brother suddenly stopped conscripting troops. He even reduced some soldiers and allocated a considerable amount of silver to the military.”
Since the Emperor of Beichu ascended the throne, anyone who obstructed conscription was severely punished.
Over the past two years, hundreds of thousands of soldiers had been conscripted, yet he had abruptly abandoned conscription and even released some of the troops.
The sudden turn of events was truly unexpected.
After much thought, he could only guess it was Song Yue: “Did you tell the Emperor that your mother has left Nanjiang?”
“No.” Song Yue shook her head, answering truthfully: “I only said that if the Emperor continues to conscript soldiers, the people will suffer greatly. Once war breaks out, Nanjiang will surely blame my mother and kill her in retaliation.”
Zhao Zhiyan suddenly understood—why hadn’t he thought of persuading someone this way?
He looked at Song Yue with a bit more admiration: “There’s one more thing—how did you know your mother is still alive?”
At that time, Song Yue was only three months old, and very few people knew the details.
Song Yue answered without hesitation: “My mother appeared to me in a dream.”
Zhao Zhiyan didn’t believe a single word of this. Seeing that she was unwilling to say more, he didn’t press further. He was aware of what had happened at the Duke of Jing’s Mansion these past few days and secretly admired Song Yue for her cleverness and sharpness.
Like a little hedgehog.
Zhao Zhiyan suddenly felt this was her way of protecting herself. He sighed softly and said gently, “It must not be easy at such a young age. Since it was your mother’s request, I will protect you to some extent. If you need anything…”
“Imperial Uncle, I’d like to borrow some money.”
Before he could finish, Song Yue immediately interrupted, staring at him with sincere eyes and holding up three fingers. Zhao Zhiyan’s eyelids twitched: “Thirty thousand taels?”
Song Yue nodded obediently, feeling anxious inside—what if Zhao Zhiyan refused?
“Fine!”
Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhiyan agreed straightforwardly, then turned and disappeared into the night.
Song Yue also breathed a sigh of relief. Without money to rely on in the mansion, she would find it difficult to move forward, and those below might not carry out tasks for her.
…
Night deepened.
In the neighboring Qionghua Courtyard.
A dark figure quietly entered. A maid curtsied to the newcomer: “Eldest Young Master.”
Song Yao looked up in surprise, then flusteredly turned her back, picking up a handkerchief to pretend to wipe away tears. Song Hengchuan hurried over anxiously: “Yao Yao, what’s wrong?”
“N-nothing.” Song Yao turned around, her red and swollen eyes betraying her emotions. She choked back a sob: “Big brother, why have you come?”
Song Hengchuan had been punished with kneeling for two days, leaving his knees sore and swollen. But as soon as he heard that Yuehua Pavilion had been vacated and that Song Yue had been causing trouble these past two days, he immediately came to visit Song Yao.
Seeing Song Yao’s red eyes, Song Hengchuan wished he could tear the culprit to pieces!
“She never should have come back!”
“Big brother, don’t say that. She is also a daughter of the Duke’s Mansion. Having been raised outside for over ten years is already unfair to her. As her elder sister, what does it matter if I give way…” After Song Yao finished speaking, the maid immediately added: “Miss, you are just too kind-hearted, which is why you get bullied. Third Miss, relying on her trip to the palace, came back and forced the Duke to order that you are not allowed to approach the Prince of Zhennan’s Son even half a step. You and the Prince’s Son grew up together—Third Miss simply can’t stand to see you happy, so she snatches everything from you. Over this matter, you’ve already cried for a whole day and night.”
“Qing He, be quiet!” Song Yao lightly scolded.
Qing He fell silent.
Song Hengchuan was taken aback, then clenched his fists tightly as he realized: “How despicable! She is so ungrateful. Yao Yao, don’t worry—what belongs to you will never be taken by her.”
“Big brother?”
“Don’t worry about anything. In my heart, you are the most noble young lady of the Duke of Jing’s Mansion.” After comforting her, Song Hengchuan stood up and left.
Song Yao watched his retreating figure, a trace of mockery curling at the corner of her lips.