Song Qingming and Song Shenshi exchanged glances. Though feeling stifled, this seemed the best solution for now.
It would stabilize their son's focus on the imperial exams while avoiding immediately bringing the courtesan into the main residence, thus barely preserving their dignity.
"Enough! We'll do as Yi Qiu suggests!"
Song Qingming waved his hand wearily.
Ying'er secretly rejoiced – once inside the residence, she would find ways to climb step by step.
Song Sangyu's eyes shifted cunningly before she suddenly spoke:
"Father, Mother, while elder sister's proposal sounds reasonable, placing Miss Ying'er alone in that remote outer residence might be… rather inappropriate?"
"Sister Ying'er is now with child and requires careful attention. How could anywhere outside the residence compare to the convenience and security within?"
She then looked toward Song Yiqiu:
"In my opinion, the most tranquil and spacious place within the residence suitable for peaceful rest during pregnancy would be the main courtyard where elder sister currently resides – Phoenix Roost Pavilion!"
"I've heard elder sister's courtyard has few attendants yet ample space that mostly sits empty. Why not… temporarily have Sister Ying'er move into the side chamber of Phoenix Roost Pavilion?"
"With elder sister personally overseeing her care, it would surely be foolproof. This would also demonstrate sisterly affection – wouldn't that achieve two benefits at once?"
Song Yiqiu's eyes trembled.
Here it comes! Just like the previous life!
With honeyed words, Song Sangyu ultimately shifted the responsibility of caring for Ying'er onto her.
That White Lotus Ying'er then exploited her trust and sympathy, deliberately staged a fall, framed her for pushing, successfully elevated her status, while Third Brother consequently came to deeply resent her.
She must not repeat this tragedy!
Before Song Yiqiu could respond, Baimei exploded in anger, her face flushing red:
"Second Young Lady! What kind of suggestion is this? My young lady hasn't even married yet, and you want a pregnant woman moving into her courtyard… What would people say about my young lady's reputation if this got out? Who knows what misunderstandings might arise!"
Father Song Qingming also frowned, finding it inappropriate as it concerned the residence's reputation:
"Sang Yu, that's not properly considered. Yi Qiu remains unmarried. Having a pregnant woman in her courtyard indeed breaches propriety and could easily invite gossip."
Mother Song Shenshi looked indifferent, merely waving her hand impatiently:
"Just assign any available space! Side chamber or utility courtyard – I don't care as long as that seductress stays out of my sight! The very sight of her vexes me!"
Song Yiqiu collected herself and looked at Song Sangyu with a meaningful smile:
"Sang Yu sister seems quite eager to push Miss Ying'er into my courtyard… Could it be because you're overwhelmed with preparing for the tea party in three days, afraid you can't manage the additional burden, and thus want to dump this 'package' on me?"
Her tone was light as she feigned sudden understanding:
"Ah, of course. The tea party is crucially important. Only when you shine brilliantly among the guests, earning widespread praise, can our brothers secure better marriage prospects, correct? Naturally, you should prioritize the bigger picture."
Song Sangyu, her true intentions exposed, stammered in denial:
"You… you're talking nonsense! I purely have Sister Ying'er's best interests at heart!"
Ying'er, who had been quietly weeping, pricked up her ears at the key information.
Tea party? Arranging marriages for the brothers? Then what about her Hao Chu brother…?
Immediately anxious, she forgot to maintain her delicate facade. Lifting her tearful eyes, she glanced between Song Yiqiu and Song Sangyu before speaking timidly, yet her words carried subtle barbs:
"I… I've heard that Sister Sang Yu is the Madam's adopted daughter, of noble status, and the eldest young lady is the Madam's legitimate eldest daughter, even more precious and esteemed."
"With my humble status, I fear it would be inappropriate to reside in any young lady's courtyard, defiling the place… If… if there truly is nowhere else for me to go…"
She abruptly changed her tone:
"Then… perhaps I could stay temporarily in Sister Sang Yu's Lianqing Courtyard? I don't eat much and am very easy to serve, I definitely won't cause Sister too much trouble! Sister is kind-hearted and will surely take me in, right?"
Upon hearing this, Song Sangyu's face turned pale with anger, and she immediately refused:
"How could that be! I haven't even married yet! Having you… having you live in my courtyard, what would people think? What would become of my reputation?"
Baimei immediately sneered and retorted:
"Oh! So the Second Young Lady also knows that a pregnant woman shouldn't stay in an unmarried girl's courtyard? Then why were you so eager to push her into our young lady's courtyard earlier?"
Song Sangyu was left speechless, her face alternating between green and red. She quickly changed her approach, trying to recover:
"I… I didn't mean it that way! It's mainly because my Lianqing Courtyard is constantly filled with the sounds of qin, se, xiao, and drums, and I still need to practice dancing. It's very noisy. I'm afraid it might disturb Sister Ying'er and the child in her womb. If anything were to happen to the pregnancy, I couldn't bear the responsibility!"
Ying'er immediately responded in a soft, understanding tone:
"It's all right, Sister. Ying'er comes from… that kind of place, so I'm quite familiar with musical instruments and can even play a little. If Sister doesn't mind, Ying'er might even be able to exchange skills with you, which could help pass the time?"
"You!"
In this exchange, Song Sangyu was clearly at a disadvantage, like punching cotton, her intended words softly pushed back.
If she refused more forcefully, it would only make her seem harsh and petty, disregarding sisterly affection and her brother's offspring.
Song Shenshi had a splitting headache from their arguing. Already biased toward Song Sangyu, she grew impatient when she saw Ying'er seemingly targeting Sangyu's courtyard and abruptly interrupted:
"Enough of this nonsense!"
She pointed at Ying'er and declared authoritatively,
"You, do as Yi Qiu initially suggested—go settle in the western city villa first!"
Then, she turned her gaze to Song Yiqiu, with a commanding tone,
"Yi Qiu, you've been at the border for so long, surely you're better at caring for others than Sangyu. The matter of settling Ying'er is entrusted to you. Arrange maids and nannies for her, and ensure she gives birth safely! This will also help share your third brother's worries!"
Baimei grew anxious:
"Madam! This…"
"Silence!"
Song Shenshi sharply interrupted, rubbing her temples,
"All this noise is giving me a headache! It's settled! I still have to attend to the tea party matters and have no time to waste here with all of you!"
She then glared at Song Haochu, who wanted to say more:
"You! You wretched boy, get back to the academy immediately and study. If you don't achieve success in the Imperial Examination, don't come back to see me!"
Though resentful, Song Haochu didn't dare argue further seeing his mother's fury. He could only glance worriedly at Ying'er and wait for her by the door.
Baimei, fuming, wanted to argue more, but Song Yiqiu quietly tugged her sleeve, slightly shaking her head to stop her.
Confronting them head-on now would bring no benefit.
Seeing that Ying'er was ultimately assigned to Song Yiqiu's care, though she hadn't entered her own courtyard, Song Sangyu hadn't let Song Yiqiu completely off the hook either. She proudly lifted her chin and shot a glance at Song Yiqiu.
Song Yiqiu inwardly sneered repeatedly.
Care for her? Fine.
Since she had voluntarily delivered the chess piece into her hands, what reason was there not to use it?