Song Yiqiu's fingers tightly gripped the silver hairpin:
"Qingzhu, how can you be certain?"
Qingzhu whispered:
"When the old mistress was alive, she cherished you deeply and feared you might fall victim to schemes in the future. She secretly taught me some basic medical knowledge. Medicine and poison are two sides of the same coin, so I have… some understanding of these underhanded methods. They…"
She choked up,
"They later tried to use similar drugs on me too, which became one of the main reasons I decided to start feigning madness… Only by truly 'going mad' could I make them lower their guard."
Baimei gasped in shock, her face filled with retrospective fear:
"Heavens… this… this is too vicious! Even a vicious tiger wouldn't eat its own cubs, yet she actually treated… treated the eldest young mistress this way…"
As she spoke, she instinctively glanced at Song Yiqiu, worried she might not be able to bear it.
However, Song Yiqiu's face showed none of the expected grief.
She merely let out a faint, cold laugh, "So that's how it is…"
She murmured to herself, her gaze sweeping over the stain on the ground,
"Making my serious injury difficult to heal was the first step. If I managed to attend despite that, this bowl of 'tonic' would be the second step…"
"Making me 'accidentally' lose my mind during the tea party, humiliate myself in public, even descend into complete madness… Mother has truly made 'comprehensive' preparations for me."
Baimei sighed, "Young mistress, perhaps we should go out less from now on. In this situation, it feels like dangers lurk everywhere."
Song Yiqiu nodded thoughtfully. It would be just right to use her recovery as an excuse to observe their next moves.
For the next three days, the Song residence seemed to split into two different worlds.
The Lianqing Courtyard where Song Sangyu lived saw a constant stream of visitors, bustling with activity.
The most famous musicians and dancers from the capital were hired at great expense to perform in the courtyard, with the sounds of strings and pipes continuing throughout the day.
Masters from the renowned clothing workshop Longsha Pavilion came and went busily, taking Song Sangyu's measurements and rushing to create luxurious garments.
Exquisite hair ornaments, cosmetics, and powders flowed in like water. The grand spectacle was such that those unaware might think the Song family's second young mistress was preparing for her wedding.
In stark contrast stood Song Yiqiu's main courtyard, so quiet you could catch sparrows at the gate.
Mother Song Shenshi's intentions were crystal clear – she not only wanted to use this tea party to find marriage prospects for her sons, but also to promote Song Sangyu with all her might, even though she was already stringing along the heir of the Count's household as a backup.
Baimei practiced swordplay in the courtyard with vigorous energy, her sword aura sending fallen leaves swirling as if venting her discontent.
Song Yiqiu walked out carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea, her tone calm:
"Baimei, take a break."
She poured a cup of water and handed it over.
Baimei took it and drank it in one gulp, then pointed angrily toward Lianqing Courtyard:
"Listen to that, young mistress! They've been making this racket for three days now! Anyone who didn't know better would think Song Sangyu was the legitimate young mistress who fought bloodily on the border for seven years and returned with glory! Even brides don't get this kind of pomp!"
Song Yiqiu merely smiled faintly, completely unbothered:
"If she wants to make a scene, let her."
Baimei protested on her behalf:
"Isn't this too excessive? Musicians, dancers, showing off all her accomplishments in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Is she going to a tea party or taking the imperial exams to become a top scholar or courtesan? She's completely focused on stealing the spotlight!"
Song Yiqiu was amused by her comparison:
"Such a sharp tongue you have."
Baimei suddenly remembered something and said seriously:
"By the way, Miss, both the eldest and second young masters came looking for you these past few days, saying they had important matters to discuss. I turned them away using your incomplete recovery as an excuse. And… Yun Yiniang also came several times, lingering outside the courtyard for a long while but ultimately never entering."
The smile faded from Song Yiqiu's face as she nodded:
"You handled it well."
Baimei frowned with confusion:
"Don't you find it strange, Miss? They all specifically chose to come see you right before this tea gathering. Truly, no one visits the temple without a cause."
A knowing glint flashed in Song Yiqiu's eyes:
"Hmm… then let those who are truly 'in need' wait a little longer. Any movements from Third Brother and Fourth Brother?"
Baimei pursed her lips:
"Third Young Master is said to be buried in his studies at the academy. Fourth Young Master did return once to ask for tuition money, but nothing beyond that."
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly: She wasn't certain about Third Brother being at the academy, but Fourth Brother… nine times out of ten was still gambling day and night at Dousheng Manor.
Just then, an extremely faint 'crack' sound came from beyond the courtyard wall, as if someone had accidentally stepped on a dry branch.
Song Yiqiu's expression instantly turned alert. She exchanged a meaningful glance with Baimei without moving a muscle.
Understanding immediately, Baimei lightly tapped her toes against the stone table and soared over the wall as swiftly as a swallow.
A short, startled cry was heard from outside, and soon Baimei leaped back into the courtyard, dragging a plainly dressed woman in gray clothes.
"Who are you? What are you doing sneaking around and eavesdropping outside the young mistress's courtyard! …Yun Yiniang?"
Baimei released her grip in surprise.
Yun Yiniang remained dressed in simple gray garments, her hair neatly coiled, but her face appeared more haggard than when last seen.
She clutched tightly a familiar pouch – the same one Song Yiqiu had previously given to Song Sanchun.
As soon as Yun Yiniang saw Song Yiqiu, her eyes immediately fixed on the faint bloodstains seeping through the clothing on her back. Her eyes reddened instantly, voice choked with emotion:
"Young Mistress, I heard… the Madam used family discipline on you? And beat you severely… It's all that wretched Chun'er's fault. If not for her, you wouldn't have…"
Her voice full of guilt, she couldn't continue.
Though deeper suspicions arose in Song Yiqiu's heart, she showed nothing on her face, speaking mildly:
"Just minor injuries, nothing serious. Please come inside to talk, Yiniang."
Once inside the room, Yun Yiniang pushed the heavy pouch toward Song Yiqiu, her tone earnest:
"Young Mistress, this money… we cannot accept it. You've only just returned home and need funds for everything. This is too valuable…"
Song Yiqiu gently pushed the pouch back:
"You misunderstand, Yiniang. This is payment for the painting I bought from Sanchun. I've already received the painting, so the transaction is complete. There's no reason to return the money."
Yun Yiniang's eyes reddened further as she insisted urgently:
"How could that painting be worth so much silver? Young Mistress, you're clearly…"
Her words trailed off as her gaze suddenly caught sight of the corner, where Qingzhu was foolishly lying on the ground counting ants. She momentarily froze, complex emotions flooding her eyes.
Noting her reaction, Song Yiqiu smiled slightly and smoothly continued:
"Speaking of which, I should thank you for your advice last time, Yiniang. Otherwise, this little maid might truly not have returned."
Yun Yiniang withdrew her gaze and slowly shook her head, as if having resolved herself.
She stopped refusing the pouch and instead carefully retrieved from her bosom a faded gray handkerchief. Unfolding it layer by layer, she revealed a jade pendant inside.
The jade pendant had a lustrous texture, made of fine jadeite, but the most peculiar feature was a naturally embedded crimson thread resembling a blood vessel running through its center.
Along the edge of the pendant were carved archaic seal-style characters representing the Eight Characters of Birth, with an ancient and unique design that was undoubtedly extraordinary.
The moment Song Yiqiu saw the jade pendant, her face filled with astonishment.
This was… Grandmother Shen Zhaohua's personal jade pendant!
She would never mistake it!