Song Yao wanted to meet the owner of Tianxiang Pavilion, which was not difficult to arrange.
All it required was for Su Chuang to make the arrangements, and Song Yao could meet with the owner of Tianxiang Pavilion.
Since it was already late in the day, there was certainly no extra time to make further arrangements.
Song Yao temporarily bid farewell to Su Chuang and boarded the carriage back to the Yunzhou Marquis Manor.
The sun had set, and the sky gradually darkened.
Song Yao finally returned home.
Marquis Manor.
In the main hall!
The entire family was waiting for Song Yao’s good news.
As Song Yao stepped into the main hall, everyone’s eyes lit up.
Chunlan Xiu was the first to greet the returnee, “Sister-in-law, you’ve worked hard. How did it go? When will the General’s Manor come again to deliver the betrothal gifts?”
Han Lingyue was certain that Song Yao’s trip would secure her marriage once more, so she began her performance again.
Before Song Yao could answer Chunlan Xiu’s question,
Han Lingyue, sitting on a stool with an air of arrogance, said, “Mother, even if you’ve begged for this marriage again and forced me to marry into it, I won’t live peacefully with that young General Su.”
“I know what I want, and I will never willingly become a pawn in your hands. You might as well give up on this idea.”
Chunlan Xiu eagerly played along with her daughter: “Lingyue, how can you speak to your mother like that?”
“If you continue to be so disrespectful to your mother, your aunt will have to teach you a lesson.”
After “scolding” Han Lingyue,
Chunlan Xiu hurriedly took Song Yao’s hand and said apologetically, “Sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. She’s just a child.”
“Since the General’s Manor will come again, do you think we should start preparing Lingyue’s dowry?”
Han Zhang interjected, addressing Song Yao, “Mother, for little sister’s wedding, you should give Lingyue all ten shops under your name.”
“And as for gold, silver, silk, and other things, you must prepare them abundantly for little sister. If you don’t give these things to little sister, I won’t acknowledge you as my mother.”
Han Zhi followed his brother’s words, “Yes, yes, we only have one sister. Mother, you must prepare Lingyue’s dowry abundantly.”
Old Madam Jin was also certain that as long as Song Yao made a trip to the General’s Manor, her granddaughter’s marriage would be set in stone.
The old lady chanted a Buddhist prayer, “Amitabha… worldly fame and fortune are but fleeting clouds.”
“Second daughter-in-law, since you’ve begged for this marriage for Lingyue again, let it be so.”
“As for the dowry… you decide what to prepare for the child. I won’t interfere, after all, you are the mistress of the Marquis Manor.”
Hearing her two sons, daughter, and the old madam speak like this,
Chunlan Xiu was also convinced from the bottom of her heart that this marriage was surely secured.
Chunlan Xiu asked Song Yao again, “Sister-in-law, when will the General’s Manor come again? What do you think we should prepare in advance?”
Song Yao did not answer. Instead, she turned and sat on a nearby stool, only telling Hong Yu to bring her a cup of tea.
Hong Yu quickly brought the tea her mistress wanted.
Song Yao’s calm and composed demeanor only made Han Lingyue more convinced
that Song Yao had indeed begged for this excellent marriage to be restored to her.
Han Lingyue’s voice took on a tearful tone, “Mother! Grandmother, my brothers, and Aunt all think I’m being unreasonable. Do you think so too?”
“You’ve raised me for so long. You should understand my feelings better than anyone.”
“Why did you secure this marriage for me again? You truly reek of money and are utterly vulgar.”
Han Lingyue’s demeanor made it seem as though Song Yao had a knife to her throat, ready to sell her off to the General’s Manor.
Looking at the expressions of this entire family, Song Yao felt nothing but disgust!
Han Lingyue did not wait for Song Yao’s response.
She continued, “How can you still sit here drinking tea? You’ve already sold me off, yet you have the nerve to drink tea?”
Everyone was certain that the marriage arrangement had been finalized.
Thus, no one stopped Han Lingyue from directing her accusations at Song Yao.
Song Yao subtly observed the faces of the entire family.
With a thud, she placed the teacup she was holding heavily back onto the side table.
She retorted irritably, “I spoke so much at the General’s Manor that my tongue is practically parched. Can’t I have a sip of tea now to soothe my throat?”
Upon hearing this, Han Zhang and Han Zhi were inwardly overjoyed.
Song Yao had talked until her mouth was dry!
It seemed Song Yao had indeed managed to secure the marriage with the General’s Manor for their younger sister once again.
For once, Han Zhang did not contradict Song Yao.
He approached and, surprisingly, began advising his sister, “Lingyue, Mother has truly worn herself out for your marriage. You shouldn’t blame her like this.”
“Elder Brother…” Han Lingyue started to say something.
Han Zhang waved his hand at her, signaling her to say no more.
He then turned to Song Yao, “Mother, Little Sister is about to marry into the General’s Manor and become the young mistress.”
“The prestige of the General’s Manor’s young mistress must not fall short of others.”
“I think… not only should you give Lingyue ten shops, along with gold, silver, and silks,”
“You should also give her some land. With a sufficient dowry, Lingyue won’t be looked down upon by her in-laws after she marries.”
Song Yao asked Han Zhang, “Are you saying that all the dowry your sister takes when she marries should come from me?”
Han Zhang replied, “You are our mother. If you don’t provide it, who else will?”
Han Zhi also stepped forward, “That’s right. These things mean nothing to you. Giving a little to Little Sister won’t cost you much.”
Song Yao raised her hand and rubbed her temple.
In her previous life, when Han Lingyue married, the dowry she took to the General’s Manor had indeed been prepared entirely by Song Yao herself. The Marquis Manor hadn’t contributed a single coin.
Back then, the dowry Han Lingyue took away was what Song Yao, the vile, money-grubbing mother, had forced upon her.
In that past life, Song Yao had truly treated Han Lingyue as her own daughter.
Now, having been reborn and seeing the true nature of this family clearly,
Song Yao wished she could slap her past self.
Acting on this thought, Song Yao indeed gave herself a hard slap.
This slap truly caught that family of ungrateful wretches off guard.
Han Zhang and Han Zhi were stunned.
Han Lingyue’s tears immediately stopped flowing.
Her mother-in-law, Madam Jin, was also taken aback by Song Yao’s action.
Even Chunlan Xiu couldn’t figure out why Song Yao had slapped herself!
Song Yao’s slap today was meant to strike down the foolish self from her previous life.
However, this slap she gave herself was overinterpreted by that family.
Han Lingyue spoke first, “Mother, do you think slapping yourself in front of me will make me yield to you?”
“Since you’ve managed to secure the marriage for me again, I can reluctantly agree to marry over.”
“But after I marry, don’t expect me to ever call you ‘Mother’ again.”
“I don’t have a mother like you, who sells her daughter for personal gain.” Han Lingyue’s words were resolute.
Han Zhang, following Han Lingyue’s resolute words, also began to put on airs toward Song Yao, “Mother, why are you slapping yourself?”
“Aren’t you making things difficult for Lingyue?”
“If you want Lingyue to forgive you, then on top of the original dowry, give her an additional portion.”