Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly:
If the token cylinder had been fair, she would have no complaints. But it just had to be… Yes, truly an unfortunate fate to be saddled with such parents.
She closed her eyes, no longer willing to look at these hypocritical faces:
"If Mother came today to discuss fate with Yi Qiu, you may as well leave now. Yi Qiu has never believed in fate, only that human effort shapes outcomes."
Baimei immediately stepped forward, making a 'please leave' gesture with a firm attitude.
Only then did Song Shenshi truly panic, finally revealing her true purpose for coming:
"Yi Qiu, to be honest with you… Mother came this time indeed to ask you a favor. It's about what we discussed before, regarding your elder brother's official position…"
Song Yiqiu still didn't look at her, her tone flat and unemotional:
"It's already been arranged."
Hearing this, Song Shenshi immediately breathed a sigh of relief, a genuinely pleased smile appearing on her face.
Her anger today had nearly made her forget that her son's future was still in Song Yiqiu's hands. Fortunately, the girl didn't seem to hold a grudge… She quickly pressed her advantage:
"That's right! Mother was thinking you've been back home for some time now. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Song residence, you can't keep avoiding people forever."
"I've decided to host a flower-viewing tea party in your name. The invitations have already been sent out—it's in seven days."
"Looking at your condition… If it's inconvenient, you don't need to attend that day. Sang Yu can help receive guests on your behalf."
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly:
Here it comes. Hosting a tea party in her name, but she doesn't need to attend?
In her previous life, when she was confined for 'adultery,' Song Sangyu had replaced her exactly like this.
This time, they first used family discipline to beat her 'unable to get out of bed,' then employed the same tactic.
She nodded, her tone compliant:
"Everything shall be as Mother decides."
Song Shenshi beamed with pleasure, her objective achieved:
"Oh, that's more like it! If only you'd been this sensible earlier, Yi Qiu!"
Song Yiqiu then abruptly changed her tone, her gaze sharp:
"However, for such an important occasion where all the distinguished ladies of the capital will be attending, as the hostess, if I don't appear, it would likely be improper. It might also make people say the Song residence lacks etiquette. Therefore, I will definitely attend punctually that day."
Song Shenshi's smile instantly froze on her face:
"But your injuries…"
Song Yiqiu's tone was light:
"It's fine. I can manage."
Song Shenshi had no choice. With the invitations already sent, she couldn't forcibly stop her, so she could only remind her with contempt:
"In previous tea parties, all noble daughters in attendance were required to demonstrate their talents. Having been at the border for many years, you've probably… become rusty in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If you embarrass the Song residence then…"
Song Yiqiu smiled slightly, her tone sincere:
"Mother worries too much. Isn't there still Sang Yu sister? I'm just a rough person—I'm not afraid of losing face. If I can just highlight my sister's outstanding talents and thoughtful nature, then this elder sister's 'sincere intentions' won't have been in vain."
This hit exactly what Song Shenshi wanted to hear.
She immediately turned worry into joy, as if already seeing Song Sangyu shining brilliantly at the tea party while Song Yiqiu made a fool of herself as contrast. Her mood greatly improved:
"Good! Good! Come if you want to! It's getting late—Mother will take her leave now."
"Seeing Mother off."
Song Shenshi left satisfied, leaving only the master and two servants in the room.
As soon as the door closed, Baimei stamped her foot in anger:
"What's this! Asking for a favor yet striking so hard! I think she did it on purpose! Intentionally injured you to stop you from attending the tea party!"
Song Yiqiu looked at Baimei's fuming expression and laughed:
"Oh? Getting clever now?"
Baimei grew even angrier:
"Aren't they just eyeing your imminent peerage inheritance? Otherwise, who'd bother with a tea party hosted by a sixth-rank official's wife?"
From behind the bed curtain, Qingzhu's worried voice came:
"Miss, this is clearly a trap. Why are you still going?"
Song Yiqiu's eyes deepened as she held the golden wound ointment bottle:
"Avoiding problems won't solve anything. We need to muddy the waters… to see what monsters are hiding beneath."
…
Baimei stomped to the table and sat down heavily, her eyes lighting up at the sight of two bowls of crystal-clear blood bird's nest soup. She couldn't help smacking her lips:
"Wow! Is this the legendary blood bird's nest? We never even got to see such delicacies on the frontier. But I heard this stuff is made from some swiftlet's saliva? Tsk tsk, I really don't understand why these nobles in the capital enjoy drinking bird drool!"
Song Yiqiu lay prone on the couch, her back still burning with pain, showing no interest in the bird's nest as she said indifferently:
"If you like it, drink it. I have no appetite for this."
Hearing this, Baimei immediately grinned and picked up a bowl:
"Hey, I'm not usually tempted by ordinary things, but I really must taste what celestial flavor this 'bird saliva' has!"
She brought the bowl close, took a deep breath, and made to drink.
"Sister Baimei! Wait! Don't drink!"
Qingzhu, who had been lying on the inner couch, suddenly called out to stop her. Enduring the pain in her hips and legs, she stumbled over quickly, taking the bowl from Baimei's hands with a tense expression.
"What's wrong? Want some too? Just say so – there's still another bowl here."
Baimei looked confused.
Ignoring her, Qingzhu brought the bowl to her nose and sniffed lightly, her face immediately changing.
She quickly pulled out an ordinary silver hairpin from her hair, carefully inserted it into the thick bird's nest soup, and stirred slowly.
When she withdrew the hairpin, it remained perfectly clean without any blackening.
Seeing this, Baimei relaxed and laughed again:
"See! I told you, Qingzhu, aren't you being too nervous? Even if Madame is… she wouldn't be so obvious as to poison something she sent over in broad daylight, would she?"
As she spoke, she reached for the bowl again.
"Don't touch it!"
Qingzhu suddenly raised her hand, slapping away Baimei's approaching hand. The bird's nest soup fell to the ground, spilling everywhere.
"You!"
Baimei stared at the spilled "bird saliva," both distressed and angry,
"If you don't want to drink it, fine! I heard this stuff costs a fortune per ounce! You didn't have to spill it! What a waste!"
Qingzhu's face was grim as she pointed at the mess on the floor:
"This… this is poisoned!"
Song Yiqiu, who had been watching quietly, suddenly focused her gaze. Propping herself up, she took the silver hairpin from Qingzhu and examined it carefully – indeed, there was no change.
"The silver didn't change color, Qingzhu. Are you certain?"
Qingzhu nodded heavily, her tone absolutely certain:
"Miss, this isn't ordinary poison like arsenic. It's a… sinister drug that slowly erodes one's mind and causes hallucinations!"
"The dosage administered is extremely minute, undetectable in the short term. Initially, it only causes insomnia and restlessness. Over time, it leads to mental distraction and emotional instability, ultimately… complete collapse, manifesting as madness!"