Song Yao halted her steps. “If I don’t manage her affairs, isn’t there still you, her elder aunt?”
“Whether you manage them or not is the same, after all, she didn’t come from my flesh.”
“If I manage too much and it pains your heart as her elder aunt, what then? Lingyue should still trouble you, sister-in-law, to discipline and guide her more on my behalf.”
Chunlan Xiu schemed to continue speaking. Song Yao gave her no further chance to open her mouth, directly turning her head and walking away.
Hong Yu, waiting at the side, hurriedly followed her mistress’s departing steps.
Watching Song Yao and her maidservant walk into the distance until they disappeared outside the gate.
Han Zhi flared up at his sister, “I say, are you a pig-brained fool? Such a fine marriage alliance, and you stubbornly ruined it!”
“Originally, as long as you married over, when I later entered the military camp, I could still borrow some of the general’s manor’s influence. Now look, it’s all gone.”
Han Zhang also incessantly berated his once most beloved younger sister, “What were you doing today, saying all that nonsense in front of the matchmaker?”
“Your second brother says you’re pig-brained, and I see he’s not wrong at all. A perfectly good marriage alliance, and you stubbornly ruined it with that pig head of yours.”
Madam Jin also began reproaching her granddaughter, “You, you, what should I even say to you! Look at the mess you made today. It was already a cooked duck, and you stubbornly made it fly away again.”
Han Lingyue erupted, “You blame me? How could I have known this would be the outcome?”
“Clearly before, the more I disagreed, the more Song Yao would bring all the good things before me.”
“How could I have known such a mishap would occur today? You blaming me is utterly unreasonable.”
Han Zhi spoke bluntly, “Then what were you doing just now?”
“Song Yao had just entered, hadn’t even said a word yet, and you already put on airs.”
“Look at the scene you made, I was embarrassed for you.”
Recalling the earlier moment, Han Lingyue was indeed so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
The moment before, when she shed tears in front of Song Yao, it was indeed an act.
Now, with tears streaming uncontrollably, she was truly crying.
Crying, she said, “I thought when she returned, the matter would surely be settled. That’s why I acted that way.”
“Didn’t you and elder brother also firmly believe like me that Song Yao had settled the matter?”
“If not, why would both of you have Song Yao prepare my dowry? And you’re embarrassed for me? I should be embarrassed for you.”
Chunlan Xiu stopped her three children, “Enough, stop quarreling.”
“Now that things have come to this, your quarreling won’t solve the problem.”
Han Lingyue, eyes brimming with tears: “Mother, has my marriage with Young General Su really been called off just like that?”
Chunlan Xiu sighed heavily, “Judging by the current situation, your entry into the general’s manor might truly be hopeless.”
How could Han Lingyue be willing? The Dingyuan Jiangjun was the highest military affairs official in the Yunzhou region.
The Dingyuan Jiangjun commanded ten thousand troops, holding real authority over military affairs.
Although titled a general, to put it plainly, the Dingyuan Jiangjun was the local Huangdi of the Yunzhou region.
As long as she could marry into the Dingyuan General’s Manor, in the future, as the young mistress of the general’s manor, she could strut sideways across the Yunzhou region.
But now, such a fine marriage was just gone. Han Lingyue burned with anxiety.
She grabbed Chunlan Xiu’s arm, “Mother, I don’t want the marriage to be called off. Quickly think of a way for me.”
“As long as I can marry into the general’s manor, I will definitely make Young General Su call you mother-in-law.”
“If this marriage is called off, your future son-in-law will call someone else mother-in-law.”
Chunlan Xiu’s heartburn was no less severe than Han Lingyue’s.
But even if it burned her to death, what could she do?
Now, no matter what was said, it held no meaning anymore.
It was indeed Song Yao’s merit that the matchmaker had taken the initiative to come and propose.
The Song family had always favored Lingyue and showed no sign of unwillingness to proceed with this marriage.
Could it truly be because Lingyue had overacted today, causing such a good marriage to fall apart?
Before Chunlan Xiu could respond in time,
Han Lingyue kept shaking Chunlan Xiu’s arm, “Mother, think of a way quickly. I can’t bear to see such a good marriage fall into someone else’s hands.”
Not only was Han Lingyue unwilling, everyone in the hall felt the same.
Old Madam said, “What good does unwillingness do? Lingyue, this marriage is already called off. As a marquis’s daughter, you must not rush to disgrace yourself.”
“Lanxiu, go down and talk to Madam Song. Ask her if she can find another suitable family for Lingyue.”
“Although the general’s manor is good, since the marriage is already off, if we rush to pursue it again, we will only lose face.”
“Yunzhou has more than just the Dingyuan General’s Manor; there are other noble families. It wouldn’t be a disgrace for Lingyue to marry into another distinguished household in the future.”
Han Lingyue pouted, “Now, aside from the Dingyuan General’s Manor, the best alternative is the Yunzhou Prefect’s family.”
“But I’ve heard that Young General Su is skilled in martial arts, handsome, and adept in archery and horsemanship. Moreover, Dingyuan Jiangjun has only one son. Marrying anyone else is not as good as marrying Young General Su.”
Han Zhi said irritably, “Since you clearly know how excellent Young General Su is, why did you have to make such outrageous remarks in front of the matchmaker today?”
Chunlan Xiu stopped them, “Stop arguing! What’s the point of arguing now?”
“It’s already so late, and we haven’t had dinner yet. Aren’t any of you hungry?”
Reminded by Chunlan Xiu, everyone felt their stomachs growling.
Madam Jin sighed, “Let’s go, we’ll eat first. We can discuss matters further after we’re full.”
Han Lingyue’s heart felt as if scratched by a cat, and she had no appetite for food.
She was dragged by Chunlan Xiu to Songhe Hall for the meal.
The servants brought the dishes. Faced with a table full of sumptuous delicacies, the five of them ate without relish.
In contrast, Song Yao returned to her own room.
She felt that today’s meal tasted exceptionally delicious.
There were many maidservants attending in Song Yao’s room,
but only Hong Yu was Song Yao’s personal maid who had accompanied her as part of her dowry.
Song Yao pulled Hong Yu to sit down and join her for dinner.
So much had happened today, and she hadn’t had the chance to have a proper talk with Hong Yu.
After finishing her meal, Song Yao set down her chopsticks and watched Hong Yu eat.
Hong Yu noticed that her mistress had stopped eating and was quietly sitting there watching her.
Hong Yu paused, also setting down her chopsticks and bowl, “Madam, why are you looking at me?”
Song Yao smiled slightly, “It’s nothing. I’m already full, just resting for a while. Please continue.”
Hong Yu took out her handkerchief and dabbed the corners of her mouth, “I’m full too. I’ll clear away the dishes.”
Hong Yu stood up, ready to start working,
but was pulled back by Song Yao’s hand and sat back down in her original spot.
Hong Yu was puzzled, “Madam, what’s wrong?”
Song Yao sighed inwardly.
Previously, Hong Yu had always reminded her not to be too kind to the people of the Marquis Manor.
She had always believed that sincerity would inevitably be met with sincerity in return. Yet, who could have expected that after giving so much genuine care in her past life, what she received in return was being driven to her death by sheer anger.