“Sister Xi, you know I have no real capabilities. I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person. Song Yunzhao must be blunt upfront—whether it’s Song Qinghan or Song Yexi, they’re not exactly half a pound versus eight ounces, but the difference is negligible.
As an innocent young lady, she had no desire to step into a muddy pit. Wouldn’t it be nicer to stay as an onlooker enjoying the drama?
Besides, her lack of favor in the third branch was no secret to Song Yexi. Coming to seek her out at this time likely didn’t stem from good intentions.
This time, without her, the unlucky one, she wanted to see whom Song Qinghan would scheme against next and whether Song Yexi could still watch from a safe distance, detached and unconcerned.
Upon hearing Song Yunzhao’s words, Song Yexi smiled faintly, showing no trace of displeasure. She lifted her teacup, took a sip, and then spoke unhurriedly, “I merely thought that since I’m unfamiliar with the Count’s Mansion, when the day comes to visit, I’d like to ask Sister Zhao to look out for me a little.”
Song Yunzhao feigned relief. “Such a small matter is nothing. Of course, that can be arranged. However, Sister Xi, this will be my first time at the Count’s Mansion too—I’ll be completely in the dark. If I make any mistakes, please bear with me.” (5,0);
Anyway, she had no intention of going. Agreeing verbally wouldn’t cost her anything.
Moreover, she felt Song Yexi’s words weren’t entirely truthful—likely, after being rebutted earlier, she had adjusted her request accordingly.
“We sisters should support each other; there’s no right or wrong between us,” Song Yexi said with a light smile.
Uncertain of Song Yexi’s intentions, Song Yunzhao decided to play dumb and went along with a cheerful facade.
After seeing Song Yexi off, Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue. In modern times, they’d just be a bunch of middle schoolers, yet everyone had eight hundred schemes up their sleeves. Time-traveling was tough to navigate.
Song Yunzhao had made up her mind but kept it to herself, carrying on as usual. Since they were to visit the Count’s Mansion as guests, Cai Shi had to go ahead to discuss arrangements with the Countess. Thus, First Madam took charge of having new clothes made and jewelry crafted for the young ladies of the house.
Song Yunzhao received two new outfits and a set of new jewelry. First Madam was far more generous than Cai Shi—the clothes were of fine fabric, and the jewelry followed the latest trends in Jing City, made with substantial materials. The pearl on the gold hairpin alone was as large as a thumbnail. She looked at it with delight; it was all potential money.
Who wouldn’t like money? (5,0);
But she already had the most beautiful face among the sisters. Now, with such striking clothes and exquisite jewelry added…
A tree that stands out in the forest will be battered by the wind. First Madam might not have had good intentions.
This was setting her up as a target.
“Put these away in the trunk,” Song Yunzhao said to Jiangxiang.
Noticing her young lady’s lack of enthusiasm, Jiangxiang said, “Miss, aren’t you happy? These clothes and jewelry are the finest. When you go to the Count’s Mansion, you’re sure to win the Countess’s favor.”
As long as the Countess liked her, her chances in the selection would improve. Wasn’t that a good thing?
As soon as Jiangxiang finished speaking, Qiancao happened to enter through the beaded curtain and snorted, “It seems you’re so happy you’ve lost your senses. Have you forgotten? Our Madam only has eyes for the Eldest Young Lady, and First Madam is wholly devoted to the Fifth Young Lady. How could our Young Lady standing out so brilliantly be a good thing?”
Jiangxiang was taken aback, then said angrily, “How could First Madam do this? It was our young lady who first passed her the message about this matter!”
Wasn’t this kicking down the bridge after crossing the river—sheer ingratitude?
Qiancao also wore a worried frown. Why did their young lady have it so hard? No one seemed to take her seriously. They wondered when the master would finally come to the capital. Once he arrived, their young lady’s days would surely improve.
Listening to her two maids venting grievances on her behalf, Song Yunzhao felt quite pleased. In her over ten years since transmigrating, she hadn’t accomplished much else, but at least she had nurtured a few loyal followers. That counted as a success in her book.
As dusk fell, Mama Luo came in to report, “Young lady, the madam and Eldest Young Lady have returned. They just entered the second gate when First Madam’s steward mama came to pay respects.”
Song Yunzhao nodded slightly and said to Mama Luo, “No need to inquire further. The matter should be settled already.”
Mama Luo felt both happy and worried. She sighed and said, “Young lady, you must be cautious and careful when you go to the Count’s Mansion. Especially be wary of Eldest Young Lady. That Miss Chu Yuying from the Count’s Mansion is no easy opponent either. With your exceptional beauty, you mustn’t let your guard down. In these noble households, all sorts of vile schemes exist.”
Song Yunzhao nodded in agreement—Mama Luo was absolutely right.
Song Qinghan had deliberately praised her before Chu Yuying, saying she was as beautiful as a fairy, erudite and talented, the most outstanding among the sisters in their family, and would surely take first place if she participated in the selection.
Thus, Chu Yuying had taken a dislike to her even before meeting her. She deliberately found a young man from a prominent family who had a dissolute character. When Song Yunzhao went to the Count’s Mansion for a banquet, this man bumped into her, and just as they tumbled together, Chu Yuying arrived with her entourage. Not only did she catch them in the act, but she also maliciously slandered Song Yunzhao, claiming she had shamelessly seduced the man.
The man’s family was influential—the Song Family couldn’t afford to provoke them. Moreover, since Chu Yuying was the one to step forward, the Countess couldn’t intervene to mediate. So Chu Yuying had calculated that the original host would suffer this great loss.
Who would have thought the original host had a fiery temper? She had always opposed Cai Shi and Song Qinghan at home. Now, having suffered such a great injustice and knowing her future might be ruined, she decided she had nothing left to lose. Not only did she kick the man who bumped into her several times in fury, nearly beating him into a eunuch, but she also pounced on Chu Yuying and beat her up.
It was precisely because the original host went on such a crazy rampage to vent her anger that people began to believe she might have been wronged. At that point, Song Qinghan stepped forward to speak up for the original host, putting on a show of deep sisterly affection that made Chu Yuying appear malicious and vicious in contrast.
In this incident, the original host had her reputation ruined, Chu Yuying lost face, but Song Qinghan reaped all the benefits.
Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao chuckled. This time, she wouldn’t go to the Count’s Mansion—she’d like to see how Song Qinghan would handle the situation.
Sure enough, before long, a message came from the main courtyard: they were going to visit the Count’s Mansion tomorrow and she should prepare early.
Around midnight, Song Yunzhao quietly got up and opened the window. She sat by the window for half an hour, letting the cool breeze blow on her. The mid-spring night still carried a bit of chill.
She only wanted a minor cold, not to gift herself a severe flu package, so estimating that she might develop a slight fever by morning, she immediately closed the window and went back to bed.
The next morning, Song Yunzhao indeed had flushed cheeks and a feverish forehead. Mama Luo was so frightened that she immediately ran to the main courtyard to ask Cai Shi to summon a Director.
Cai Shi was busy with matters concerning the Count’s Mansion, her mouth nearly parched from issuing one instruction after another. Just then, Song Yunzhao added to her troubles, so her tone was naturally unpleasant as she immediately reprimanded Mama Luo.
Mama Luo hurriedly pleaded for forgiveness, begging Cai Shi to first summon a Director to the mansion to examine the illness.
With a dark expression, Cai Shi sent someone to fetch the Director. Fearing that Song Yunzhao might be up to some mischief, she decided to go and see for herself. Coincidentally, Song Qinghan had received the news and arrived, so the mother and daughter went together.
Little did they know that as soon as they stepped into the courtyard, First Madam arrived with Song Yexi, followed by Song Jinxuan, who was peeking around rather furtively.