The words slipped out before Song Shenshi could stop them, startling even herself. She seemed to realize her blunder, but her arrogance prevented her from immediately backing down.
Song Yiqiu watched her quietly, observing the woman who had given birth to her yet never loved her.
So her suffering had been known to the family all along. They had simply chosen to turn a blind eye, and now even used it as ammunition to mock her.
The last remaining warmth in her heart extinguished completely.
Song Shenshi composed herself, attempting to paste a smile back on her face, though her tone remained stiff:
"Yi Qiu, Mother spoke too hastily. As the legitimate daughter of Song Jia, it's only natural for you to contribute to the family and consider your elder brother's future."
"Bird's nest soup, was it? Fine, tomorrow—no, right now—I'll have some sent to your kitchen. As long as you're willing to help your eldest brother…"
Song Yiqiu suddenly broke into a radiant smile.
She cut off her mother's words, responding crisply:
"Fine."
Song Shenshi stared blankly for a moment before delight washed over her:
"Really? You agree?"
Song Yiqiu stood up, adopting a posture of seeing guests out. Her tone was casual, but her eyes were deep as abysses:
"Yes. Rest assured, Mother. Tomorrow I'll go 'find' him."
The person she intended to find was certainly not the general from her previous life, but rather some truly suitable "amusement" for her dear eldest brother.
Satisfied, Song Shenshi retrieved the bowl of cold Tremella Soup, offered a few more insincere words of concern, and then gracefully departed.
The door closed, restoring silence to the room.
Song Yiqiu walked to the window, watching her mother's retreating figure until it disappeared, her gaze growing increasingly profound.
Song Tianhan often bullied the sons of concubines, relying on his status as the legitimate eldest son.
This was the perfect opportunity to get closer to Yun Yiniang through this.
…
The next morning.
As soon as Song Yiqiu stepped through the gate of Song Tianhan's Lanzhu Courtyard, a brightly feathered rooster came flapping and clawing straight toward her face.
Its sharp claws nearly grazed her cheek.
She swiftly sidestepped and retreated, her eyes turning cold as she surveyed the courtyard.
The yard was in utter chaos. Four or five young masters around Song Tianhan's age, all dressed in fine silks, stood in a circle. Each either held a brilliantly plumed rooster or cradled an exquisite cricket container, shouting and yelling with spit flying everywhere.
"Peck it! Yes! Right in the eye! Excellent! My 'Ever-Victorious General' is truly remarkable!"
Song Tianhan's face flushed with excitement as he waved his arms.
"Ah! Brother Han, your 'Black Whirlwind' is no good! Place your bets, quick!"
"Dammit, lost again! Song Three! Where the hell are you? Hurry up and catch that useless 'Good-for-nothing' for me!"
A foppish young man cursed toward the corner.
Song Yiqiu followed his gaze to a chaotic corner where chickens flapped and dogs jumped. A boy of about eleven or twelve, thin and frail, was clumsily chasing after an escaping rooster.
His clothes were clearly ill-fitting, stained with mud and chicken feathers. Fresh scratches and bruises marked his arms and legs.
This was Song Ziyu, the third young master born to Yun Yiniang. Biting his lip, he struggled to catch the chicken but appeared overwhelmed.
Just then, the young men noticed Song Yiqiu standing at the gate.
"Well now? Which family's young lady is this? Don't believe I've seen her before?"
A man who resembled Zhu Ganglie—oily-haired, powdered-faced, and swinging a folding fan—spoke with frivolous familiarity.
Another man sized up her plain yet resolute face and sneered:
"Brother Wang, your information is outdated! This is none other than the eldest legitimate daughter of the Song family who just returned after seven years at the border."
"Tsk tsk, wasn't she said to be weathered and coarse-looking from the frontier winds and sun? To my eyes, her appearance is even more delicate than your own sister!"
"What use is delicacy? I heard she's fierce—she knows how to kill! Hahaha!"
"Brother Tianhan, did your mother send your sister again to urge you to make something of yourself? Haha, if you ask me, this sister of yours is more capable than you—she even managed to secure an official post in the army. Now she's back to inherit the peerage and receive a title, while you're still here playing with fighting cocks!"
These taunts were uttered without the slightest restraint, and Song Tianhan's face instantly turned extremely unpleasant. He slammed the cricket container in his hand heavily onto the stone table and glared at Song Yiqiu with irritation:
"Song Yiqiu! What are you doing in my shabby courtyard? Trying to annoy me? Did Mother send you again to nag me about official matters? I'm telling you, give up on that idea right now!"
"Those vulgar affairs are beneath me! The Song family has vast wealth and estates—do we lack my meager salary? Why don't you go bother Second Brother, Third Brother, or Fourth Brother? Why must you fixate on me?"
Not a trace of anger showed on Song Yiqiu's face as she merely offered a polite slight bow:
"Elder Brother, you misunderstand. How could I come to bother you with such tedious matters? I came today because I have tremendously good news to share with you."
Song Tianhan eyed her suspiciously from head to toe:
"Good news? What good news could you possibly have? If you were even half as well-behaved and sensible as Sang Yu, knowing how to please me, I'd have much less to worry about!"
As he spoke, he shot another displeased glare at Song Ziyu, who had just caught a chicken and was standing timidly to the side,
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and put that 'Good-for-nothing' back in its cage! All thumbs and no skill!"
Song Ziyu trembled with fear and hastily ran off clutching the chicken.
Song Yiqiu observed all this calmly, her smile unwavering, but she raised her voice slightly to ensure the eavesdropping young masters could hear:
"I've heard that a new 'Dousheng Manor' has opened in the southern part of the city, gathering the most handsome fighting cocks from across the land. They say each one is exceptionally divine and fiercely brave. Looking at the ones in your courtyard, Elder Brother…"
Her gaze swept lightly over the roosters as she gently shook her head,
"Even combined, they probably can't compare to the most ordinary one from that place."
A young master immediately scoffed:
"Pah! And here I thought it was some exclusive news. Who doesn't know about Dousheng Manor? The problem is that place is all about prestige over price—the threshold is sky-high. Without connections, you couldn't get in even holding a fortune, let alone acquire a good cock from inside."
"Miss Song, your news isn't as substantial as the Second Young Miss's. Just the other day, Miss Sang Yu gave Brother Tianhan two top-grade Green Hemp Head crickets!"
Song Yiqiu feigned surprise, lightly covering her mouth:
"So Elder Brother is only interested in crickets and has no interest in top-grade fighting cocks worth a fortune? Ah, what a pity…"
She sighed and turned as if to leave,
"I was just about to say that the chief steward of Dousheng Manor happens to be the relative by marriage of a deputy general from my army. It shouldn't be too difficult for me to go pick out a cock. Since Elder Brother isn't interested, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait!"
Song Tianhan rushed forward in one swift step to grab her, his face instantly breaking into an eager smile as his tone softened considerably.
"Good sister! Are you serious? You can really get Dousheng Manor's fighting cocks? As many as we want?"
Song Yiqiu smiled sweetly, though her eyes remained cold:
"Of course. But…"
She lowered her voice, her gaze turning sly, "Big brother must promise to do everything as I say, especially not telling mother. Otherwise, if word gets out, don't even think about one cock – not even a hundred or a thousand would be possible to obtain."
While Song Tianhan was still hesitating, his ne'er-do-well friends nearby couldn't contain themselves and began egging him on:
"Brother Tianhan! What are you waiting for!"
"Exactly! Such a great opportunity! Hurry and agree!"
"Would your own sister deceive you? Quickly say yes!"
Urged on by the crowd, Song Tianhan immediately cast his mother's warnings and doubts to the wind, gritting his teeth:
"Fine! I agree! But if you dare trick me, I'll never forgive you!"
Song Yiqiu nodded confidently, pointing at Song Ziyu who was shrinking in the corner:
"I'm taking him with me."
Song Tianhan frowned:
"What do you want that useless brat for?"
Song Yiqiu's smile didn't reach her eyes:
"Does big brother not trust me? Then let's forget about the fighting cocks, lest mother finds out and blames me."
Song Tianhan, already immersed in the joy of soon obtaining premium fighting cocks, couldn't bear to hear this. He waved his hand impatiently:
"Whatever, whatever! Take him, take him! He's just an eyesore here anyway!"
Song Ziyu cautiously ran over, his dirty little hands hesitating for a moment before gently taking Song Yiqiu's outstretched hand.
Song Yiqiu turned around, her smile instantly vanishing.
She tightened her grip around his cold little hand, crouched down and said gently:
"Let's go find your mother, alright?"