Song Yao smiled bitterly for a moment, then said something Hong Yu had not expected, “Thank you, Hong Yu!”
Hong Yu was taken aback, “Madam, why are you thanking me for no reason?”
Song Yao: “I’m thanking you for always staying by my side.”
Hong Yu was confused, “Madam, what’s wrong with you today?”
“First, you dealt with them, and now you’re thanking me—this really doesn’t seem like you.”
“Also, Madam, why did you slap yourself in the front hall earlier?”
“You hit yourself so hard that your face turned bright red.”
Song Yao’s bitter smile deepened, “That slap was meant to wake me up.”
“Now, I am completely awake.”
“From now on, I will no longer pour my heart and soul into this family of ungrateful wretches at the Marquis Manor.”
Hong Yu: “Madam, you should have done this long ago. I’ve always reminded you, but you were just too kind.”
“Miss Lingyue is clearly desperate to marry into the General’s Mansion. Just look at the pretentious airs she puts on.”
Hong Yu lowered her voice, “Madam, is it really because Old Madam forced you to drink the Sterility Potion that you can’t have children?”
Song Yao’s eyes brimmed with resentment, “Yes, it was her!”
Hong Yu was equally resentful, “Then it seems your marriage into the Marquis Manor was thoroughly calculated by the entire family. Madam, I support you in seeking a divorce. After the divorce, you can take your dowry and marry into the General’s Mansion with dignity…”
Song Yao covered her mouth, “What nonsense are you saying?”
Hong Yu dodged her hand, “Madam, I’m not talking nonsense. I think Madam Huagui’s suggestion today was excellent.”
“Since the whole family looks down on the marriage with the General’s Mansion, Madam, after you divorce the Marquis, you should marry into the General’s Mansion yourself.”
“Then, I’d like to see if they can still act so high and mighty.”
Song Yao couldn’t help but hold her forehead, “Stop saying such things. What if someone hears? How will I face others in the future?”
“Madam, I’m not speaking recklessly. These are my sincere words.” Hong Yu said, “Dingyuan Jiangjun is imposing and dignified. Although his appearance is somewhat weathered and not as handsome as the Marquis’s.”
“But what does a man need such good looks for? Dingyuan Jiangjun seems much more manly than the Marquis.”
“Anyway, you’re going to divorce the Marquis. After the divorce, you should really consider Dingyuan Jiangjun.”
Song Yao blushed with embarrassment and urgency, “Why are you getting more and more carried away? If you keep talking, I’ll really get angry!”
Hong Yu quickly stood up, “Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. I’ll clear away these leftovers.”
Although Hong Yu said she wouldn’t speak further, she continued while tidying up, “Madam, I’ve been with you since I was young.”
“I urge you to seriously consider this. Don’t miss out on a great marriage.”
Hong Yu gathered all the bowls and dishes, carried them, and withdrew.
Song Yao’s heart couldn’t help but flutter a few times after hearing Hong Yu’s words.
Marry Su Chuang?
She had never thought of marrying her senior brother.
Now, at this age, suddenly suggesting she marry Su Chuang?
Marry her own senior brother?
Song Yao stood up, walked to the dressing table, and sat down again.
Gazing at the person in the bronze mirror, her thoughts drifted back to that time.
Before becoming Han Qingfeng’s wife, her relationship with her senior brother had indeed been very good.
Since her engagement to Han Qingfeng, Su Chuang had suddenly vanished from her world.
She reunited with Su Chuang seven years later.
Su Chuang had been dispatched by the court to garrison Yunzhou, and it was then that they met again.
Recalling those past events, endless troubles still lingered, disturbing her heart.
…
Song Yao asked Su Chuang to help arrange an introduction to the master of Tianxiang Pavilion, and Su Chuang acted swiftly.
Today, Song Yao received a letter and prepared to go out.
Chunlan Xiu blocked her at the main gate. “Sister-in-law, heading out so early?”
Song Yao paused. “Eldest sister-in-law, do you need something?”
Chunlan Xiu smiled insincerely. “Sister-in-law, I do have something to discuss.”
“You see, Lingyue is still your daughter. I know what you said was just out of anger.”
“By now, your anger should have subsided.”
“As elders, you can’t truly keep holding a grudge against a child, can you?”
Song Yao raised an eyebrow slightly. “Sister-in-law, if you have something to say, say it quickly. Once you’re done, I need to tend to business at the shop.”
Chunlan Xiu: “Alright, alright. I know you’re busy, I won’t keep you long.”
“It’s like this: since Lingyue’s marriage arrangement with General Su has been called off, do you think you could…”
Before Chunlan Xiu could finish.
Song Yao said, “Sister-in-law, from now on, Lingyue will have you, her aunt, to worry about her. I’ll trouble you to take more responsibility.”
“That way, I won’t manage her too much and make her resent me.”
Chunlan Xiu’s expression changed: “Sister-in-law, how can you still be so petty with a child?”
“I’ve already spoken to Lingyue. She now agrees that her marriage will be decided by you. Do you think you could…”
Song Yao found it quite amusing: “She insisted on looking down on wealthy families and even said I, her mother, reek of money.”
“And now, after just a few words from you, she’s changed her mind?”
“If she’s truly changed, sister-in-law, you’re more suited to be her mother than I am. Why don’t you raise your own daughter yourself? I won’t meddle in matters between you two anymore.”
Chunlan Xiu looked embarrassed: “Sister-in-law, when have I ever wanted to take your child from you? How can you think of me that way?”
“The child is still young and doesn’t understand much. I’ve reasoned with her and appealed to her emotions.”
“She finally listened to me and agreed that her marriage will be decided by her parents from now on. She won’t defy you anymore.”
“Sister-in-law, don’t hold a grudge against the child anymore, and don’t say you won’t care for her again.”
“After all, she’s the daughter you raised with your own hands. There are no lasting grudges between mother and daughter, right?”
Song Yao had important matters to attend to today and no extra time to argue with Chunlan Xiu here.
“Sister-in-law, I really am very busy right now. There’s an urgent matter at the shop that I need to handle.”
“Can you wait until I’m done and come back before we discuss this?”
Song Yao tried to step aside to leave, but Chunlan Xiu still blocked her way. “Sister-in-law, I know you’re busy, but could you just agree first? If you don’t, I’ll always feel uneasy.”
Song Yao’s tone suddenly rose: “Which is more important right now: Han Lingyue’s marriage or the entire Marquis Manor having food to eat?”
“If I don’t go to the shop to handle the trouble, the Marquis Manor won’t even have food next month.”
“If you can go without eating for the next month, I can skip the shop and discuss Han Lingyue’s marriage with you right now!”
Chunlan Xiu was stunned by Song Yao’s outburst, frozen in place.
Hong Yu chimed in, “Madam, there’s an urgent matter at the shop that requires your immediate attention. Right now, nothing is more pressing than the business at the shop.”
Chunlan Xiu saw no hint of jest on the faces of the mistress and her maid before her.
She couldn’t help but ask, “What exactly has happened? Why are you so anxious?”
Song Yao retorted, “Do I owe you an explanation?”
Song Yao shot Chunlan Xiu a glaring look, then left with Hong Yu.
Chunlan Xiu was left even more stunned—this was the first time Song Yao had ever cast such a “poisonous gaze” her way.
Han Lingyue, who had been hiding nearby, hurried over. “Mother, did she agree to arrange another marriage proposal for me?”