Before long, the curtain to the back hall was abruptly swept aside.
A man dressed in a flamboyant crimson brocade robe strode in with large steps.
His collar was casually undone, revealing a well-built chest adorned with several fierce scars.
His unbound black hair fell loosely about his shoulders, and he carried the scent of alcohol all over.
His narrow, peach-blossom eyes were slightly narrowed, as if still hazy from a hangover, but they lit up with sudden delight upon seeing Song Yiqiu.
"General Song?"
"What a rare guest! A rare guest indeed! I never thought someone of your stature would truly condescend to visit my humble abode? When did you return to the capital? Why didn’t you inform me in advance?"
He laughed and stepped forward, instinctively reaching out for a hug.
Seeing this flamboyant man attempt to approach her mistress, Qingzhu, though frightened, mustered her courage and stepped forward, shielding Song Yiqiu.
Baimei, unceremoniously, slapped away his outstretched hand and said disdainfully:
"Zhang Heze, after all these years, you’re still the same! Living quite comfortably, aren’t you?"
Zhang Heze wasn’t angered; instead, he smiled playfully, his gaze shifting between Baimei and Qingzhu:
"Oh, Deputy General Bai is here too? You two girls, why are you still so unlovable?"
His eyes finally settled on Qingzhu, who stood shielding the front, and with interest, he extended two fingers and provocatively lifted her chin,
"Hmm? This little beauty looks unfamiliar. Quite bold, and rather pleasing to the eye…"
Qingzhu’s face flushed instantly, a mix of embarrassment and fear leaving her at a loss.
Song Yiqiu finally spoke, massaging her temples:
"Zhang Heze, stop fooling around. I’m here on serious business."
Only then did Zhang Heze withdraw his hand, looking bored:
"Oh? There’s a time when the great General Song actively seeks help? Speak, if it’s within my power, I won’t hesitate."
Song Yiqiu got straight to the point:
"I heard you’ve recently acquired a batch of purebred fighting cocks from the Western Regions? Exceptionally combative?"
Zhang Heze raised an eyebrow, giving an exaggerated thumbs-up with a roguish air:
"Oh, you’re quite well-informed, General Song! Freshly arrived goods, truly one-in-a-hundred fighting cocks, far more ferocious than our local ones."
"But… these are just toys for those idle, bored noble youths. Why are you asking about them?"
Song Yiqiu gave him a disdainful once-over, particularly focusing on his flashy red robe and undone collar:
"Look at yourself in this state, and you still have the nerve to call others noble youths?"
Zhang Heze laughed heartily, unoffended.
Song Yiqiu lowered her voice and laid out her plan in full.
Zhang Heze’s eyes gleamed as he listened, and in the end, he slapped his thigh heartily:
"Done! Such a small matter, leave it to me! General Song is still General Song after all—strategic and brilliant, and utterly ruthless when it comes to scheming against your own brother!"
His tone was teasing, then he feigned regret with a sigh,
"Ah, I wonder which young master will be fortunate enough to marry a lady as… clever and formidable as General Song?"
Baimei immediately shook her fist at him, baring her teeth:
"Don’t even dream about it! You are absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not an option for my lady!"
Zhang Heze dramatically clutched his chest:
"Deputy General Bai, your words truly wound my heart."
…
After bidding farewell to Zhang Heze, Song Yiqiu led the two of them out.
Her gaze inadvertently drifted toward a noisy card table in the corner, where her fourth brother Song Yutang was gambling with a flushed face and flying spittle, clearly having lost a considerable amount again.
Song Yiqiu's good mood vanished instantly.
In her past life, this fourth brother had repeatedly stolen money from the family to gamble. After losing everything, he would come crying to beg her. Soft-hearted, she would give him her hard-earned monthly allowance saved through frugal living in the military camp, and even some of her jewelry.
And what was the result? He immediately turned around to bribe Song Sangyu, asking her to help cover it up.
When the truth finally came out, he unhesitatingly shifted all the blame onto her, accusing her of instigation and seduction, which led to her being severely punished by their mother…
"Young mistress, young mistress? What are you looking at?"
Qingzhu, noticing she had stopped, asked softly.
Song Yiqiu snorted coldly and withdrew her gaze:
"Nothing, just a bunch of desperate gamblers."
After saying this, she turned and left without a hint of nostalgia.
Just as they stepped out of Dousheng Manor's main gate, Crown Prince Xiao Yongjing, leaning against the railing of a private room on the second floor, watched the scene below with keen interest.
A friend beside him handed over a wine cup:
"Your Highness, what are you looking at? Come and drink!"
The Crown Prince took the cup, but his eyes still followed that direction as he murmured to himself:
"That little wolf… has she set her sights on another unlucky soul? Interesting, this is getting more and more intriguing."
…
Song Yiqiu took the two maids back to the Song residence by carriage. As they passed by Feizhi Pavilion, the capital's largest cosmetics and jewelry store, Qingzhu couldn't resist lifting the curtain, her eyes filled with longing:
"Young mistress, it's Feizhi Pavilion… I've heard the most fashionable and exquisite hair ornaments and cosmetics in the capital all come from here. I… I've never been inside before."
Baimei curled her lips, looking entirely uninterested:
"What's so appealing about those jingly-jangly things that feel greasy on the face? Are there any 'Blade Pavilions' or 'Weapon Shops' in the capital? I'd rather visit those."
Hearing this, Qingzhu lowered her head dejectedly:
"Alright then…"
Noticing her disappointment, Song Yiqiu smiled and said:
"Since we're already out, let's go take a look."
Qingzhu's eyes instantly lit up, disbelief written all over her face:
"R-really, young mistress? Is it really alright?"
Song Yiqiu patted her head:
"Why not? Your young mistress just received a 'compensation for shock'—a full thousand taels—and was wondering where to spend it. It's perfect to get you both some decent jewelry and outfits, so people won't think I mistreat you when we go out in the future."
Although Baimei muttered, "Such girly things," she was nonetheless pulled eagerly into the shop by Qingzhu.
Watching the two of them, a rare, relaxed smile appeared on Song Yiqiu's face.
The interior of Feizhi Pavilion was larger than expected. Not only did it sell a variety of cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry, but it also displayed exquisite embroidery, qin instruments, scholar's treasures, and even featured calligraphy and paintings by renowned artists. It resembled more of an upscale cultural exchange venue for women.
The customers coming and going were all dressed elegantly, either wealthy or noble.
Song Yiqiu was in the jewelry section, holding an exquisitely crafted gold-powdered hibiscus hairpin, trying to place it on Baimei's head as the latter dodged frantically, causing Baimei to yelp in protest.
Suddenly, a sharp quarrel from the second floor shattered the refined atmosphere of the pavilion.
"You wretched woman! Who do you think you're talking to? Know your place!"
Song Yiqiu frowned. Not wanting to stir up trouble, she prepared to leave with the two maids.
The next moment, a voice she knew all too well rang out:
"Princess Xingrong, please don't be angry, please don't stoop to her level. She's my half-sister from a concubine, lacked proper upbringing since childhood, and her lack of manners in offending you is… is somewhat inevitable."
It was Song Sangyu!
Song Yiqiu's footsteps halted.
It seemed this matter couldn't be left unaddressed.