Her thoughts shifting, she looked at Xie Linlang beside her and said, “Cousin, let’s go settle Third Sister. Third Sister is truly pitiful.”
She was determined to make this matter a solid fact. When Father returned, she could explain everything in detail – if the legal mother could be so harsh to her own daughter, let alone a concubine-born child like herself.
With proper planning, perhaps she could ride on Song Yunzhao’s fortune to break free from the legal mother’s control as well.
Do it!
Must succeed in this major task!
Song Jinxuan’s thoughts were quite beautiful, but Xie Linlang softly reminded her, “Second Young Lady, you still need to go to the Count’s Mansion.”
Song Jinxuan’s face instantly fell. Oh right, she had been too absorbed in watching the commotion and temporarily forgot. She couldn’t delay this important matter – what a pity, truly regrettable that she couldn’t add fuel to the fire.
On the other side, Cai Shi was so angered by First Madam that her mind went blank. First Madam paid no attention at all, clearly assigning tasks: summon a Director for Song Yunzhao, have Jiangxiang and Qiancao quickly go serve her, and prepare a carriage for the trip to the Count’s Mansion. After roughly assigning the major tasks, First Madam had her own steward Mama Luo warn all the servants who witnessed today’s scene, leaving her behind to handle the aftermath.
Those born into servitude with their contracts in hand needed no worry, but those temporarily purchased required proper handling – find a matchmaker to sell them to remote areas far from Jing City, so today’s scandal wouldn’t spread and disgrace the Song Family.
Having managed household affairs for years, First Madam handled these matters within a quarter hour. Turning to Third Madam with a smile, she said, “Third Sister-in-law, we can’t delay any longer or we’ll breach etiquette. Let’s hurry and go.”
Cai Shi felt utterly stifled, unable to even force a smile when looking at First Madam.
These were matters of their third branch – why should an aunt from another branch interfere? Yet First Madam used her husband to pressure her, and she truly felt somewhat intimidated.
“How troublesome for Eldest Sister-in-law,” Cai Shi said coldly, taking her eldest daughter’s arm as she walked out.
First Madam didn’t mind, immediately leaving with the other young ladies.
Before leaving, Song Jinxuan glanced at Xie Linlang, but Xie Linlang completely ignored her gaze, pretending not to notice.
After everyone left, the mansion instantly quieted down. Xie Linlang immediately went to the eastern courtyard to visit Song Yunzhao.
The Director had just finished taking Yun Zhao’s pulse and prescribed medicine. Jiangxiang gave the prescription to a servant boy to fetch the medicine, while Qiancao, red-eyed, poured a cup of water for the young lady to moisten her mouth.
Mama Luo used scattered silver to handle matters with people from First Madam’s courtyard, since they would be staying here for some days.
When Xie Linlang arrived, she saw Song Yunzhao’s pale little face, long hair draped over her shoulders, eyes red – all her usual lively and spirited demeanor gone. This small, huddled figure truly looked heartbreaking.
“Yun Zhao, how are you feeling now?” Xie Linlang asked with great concern. Having developed a fever and caused such a scene, her body was probably quite weak. “What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone buy it for you.”
Song Yunzhao was indeed feeling terrible at the moment. Although she had transmigrated over a decade ago, she had rarely experienced the original host’s emotions during these years. But today, she felt them.
It was a very strange sensation, as if her emotions had been stripped away from her body. The original host’s grievances, helplessness, stubbornness, and suffocation… made her empathize deeply, wishing she could pin Cai Shi and Song Qinghan to the ground and give them a thorough beating.
Her own nature was to fight fire with fire—when confronted, she’d retaliate without hesitation. For the sake of lying low and biding her time, she had suppressed herself for over a decade. Now, swayed by these emotions, the day’s events escalating to this point was unexpected yet made perfect sense.
Song Yunzhao now felt she could control her emotions again. She smiled at Xie Linlang and said, “Linlang, please sit.”
Xie Linlang sat on the brocade stool by the bed. “You really gave me a fright today.”
“I had to fight for myself.”
Hearing this, Xie Linlang felt even more indignant on Song Yunzhao’s behalf. She said softly, “Don’t be afraid. Everything will be fine once Third Master returns.”
Song Yunzhao nodded. “I know. Even though Father dotes on me, after causing such a scene today, I’ll inevitably be punished. However, it might not be entirely a bad thing.”
Xie Linlang’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she immediately nodded in agreement. “Exactly! After darkness comes dawn—perhaps you can seize this chance to gain your freedom.”
“Great minds think alike.”
The two exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but laugh.
Hearing the laughter from the room, Jiangxiang and the others breathed a slight sigh of relief. They hadn’t expected the young mistress’s cousin to be so capable, cheering her up so quickly.
Xie Linlang had indeed sent someone to buy three or four light dishes suitable for a patient from an outside restaurant. Though the flavors were mild, they were quite tasty.
In better spirits now and with an empty stomach after all the commotion, Song Yunzhao ate with great satisfaction.
After the meal, Xie Linlang said, “I should head back. Judging by the time, First Madam and the others should be returning from the Count’s Mansion soon. Do be careful.”
Song Yunzhao understood her concern and nodded slightly. “I know what to do. Thank you for the delicious meal today.”
“Delicious meal? I like that phrase!” Xie Linlang left cheerfully.
Song Yunzhao closed her eyes to rest, mulling over the day’s events. Since she hadn’t gone to the Count’s Mansion, she wondered who would become the target of Song Qinghan’s schemes. However, the others’ looks might not necessarily provoke Chu Yuying’s displeasure, so the conspiracy from the book might not even unfold.
If it didn’t, that would be for the best.
But Song Qinghan was no saint—she might not be willing to let things go.
As Song Yunzhao mulled it over, she fell into a deep sleep. Contrary to Xie Linlang’s assumption that First Madam and the others would return soon, it was only after night had fully fallen that they finally came back.
First Madam returned to the eastern compound with a grim expression. Only after entering did she remember that Song Yunzhao was staying in the east wing, so she summoned Mama Luo to inquire.
“How is your Third Young Lady doing?”
Noting First Madam’s displeased demeanor—likely due to some incident at the Count’s Mansion—Mama Luo responded with even greater caution and respect, “The young lady took her medicine and has been sleeping. She hasn’t woken up yet. The Director’s medicine did reduce her fever somewhat.”
First Madam gave a slight nod. “Take good care of your young lady. Report to me once she wakes up.”
Mama Luo promptly agreed. Seeing that First Madam had nothing more to say, she bowed and withdrew.
As soon as she reached the doorway, she saw Fifth Young Lady storming in by lifting the curtain. She quickly stepped aside and slowed her pace. Soon, she heard Fifth Young Lady’s voice: “Mother, are we just going to let today’s matter end like this?”
“What more do you want? Fortunately, nothing major happened, or none of you would have escaped blame.”
First Madam’s voice was laced with suppressed anger, and Mama Luo heard it clearly, her heart tightening with apprehension.
“Mother, it was clearly Song Qinghan who stirred up trouble. Why don’t you believe me?”
By now, Mama Luo had reached the corridor and dared not linger any longer. She hurried down the steps and left.
But her heart burned with anxiety—something major must have happened today at the Count’s Mansion.
Changing direction, she did not return to the eastern wing but instead crossed the eastern courtyard and headed straight for the western courtyard.
Happy New Year, my dear little cuties.