Xie Linlang noticed Yun Zhao wasn’t continuing their previous conversation and understood she must be feeling uncomfortable, completely unwilling to mention Song Qinghan. Not wanting to be bothersome, she changed the subject.
After thinking for a moment, she said to Yun Zhao, “We don’t know exactly what happened that day, but several young ladies from the main branch witnessed Second Young Lady being frightened and nearly falling into the pond. Now Third Madam insists that First Madam is deliberately framing her because of the Imperial Concubine Candidate selection quota. First Madam naturally refuses to let it go, saying if Third Madam remains stubborn, she’ll disregard face and go to the Count’s Mansion to verify the truth.”
Song Yunzhao understood that because the two branches were competing for interests, the witnesses could be suspected of fabrication. Cai Shi was seizing this point to try to turn the situation around.
Xie Linlang looked at Yun Zhao, momentarily unsure how to comfort her. As a merchant’s daughter, she really couldn’t help in such matters.
Song Yunzhao didn’t notice Xie Linlang’s expression, only thinking that Cai Shi was desperately trying to protect Song Qinghan. There absolutely couldn’t be any mistakes in the selection process – if Song Qinghan was confined, she would miss the opportunity. So Cai Shi could only drag First Madam into the muddy waters with her.
Cai Shi was really going all out for Song Qinghan.
“Yun Zhao, don’t be sad,” Xie Linlang hurriedly comforted when she saw the sarcastic expression on Yun Zhao’s face.
Song Yunzhao looked up and met Xie Linlang’s concerned gaze, smiling at her. “I’m used to it already, I don’t feel sad at all.”
Xie Linlang thought Song Yunzhao was putting on a brave face but didn’t expose her, instead going along with it. “Right, there’s nothing to be sad about. You’ll be able to go out when Third Master returns, won’t you? I’ll take you out to have fun then – there are many interesting places in Jing City.”
Although Song Yunzhao knew the plot from the book, as her actions differed from the original protagonist, the storyline had already deviated in some aspects. Therefore, she couldn’t completely follow the book’s plot in her actions.
She didn’t truly want to enter the palace as a concubine – she only wanted to borrow Your Majesty’s hand to arrange a marriage, to prevent Cai Shi from controlling her marital affairs in the name of being her mother.
She remembered that in the book, Your Majesty arranged marriages for the eliminated Imperial Concubine Candidates, with most matches being in Jing City. So familiarizing herself with the city and scouting locations was important for future convenience.
“Then I’ll be counting on your kindness,” Song Yunzhao readily agreed.
Xie Linlang liked Yunzhao’s straightforwardness and said quietly, “I heard from my maid that First Madam accused Third Madam of being too biased in front of Third Master, suggesting you should live long-term in the main branch.”
Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered – this wouldn’t do. Her aunt was much more difficult to deal with than Cai Shi. Living under her watch would mean having to be constantly careful, making everything harder to accomplish.
“I don’t have that intention. If I were to live long-term in the east courtyard, it wouldn’t be good for father’s reputation either,” Song Yunzhao sighed.
Xie Linlang naturally couldn’t comment on the Song Family’s internal affairs and smiled, “I just mentioned it so you’d be aware.”
“I understand. Thank you for the information today.”
Xie Linlang couldn’t stay long and got up to leave. Before going, she said to Yun Zhao, “The mansion has been rather unsettled these past few days. My elder brother plans to take me out to stay elsewhere for a few days.”
After Xie Linlang left, Song Yunzhao felt quite envious.
The Song Family had internal affairs to handle, and the Xie Family, fearing that Xie Linlang’s presence might make the Songs uncomfortable, simply took her away for a short stay. By the time she returned, the Song Family’s matters had already been resolved.
This not only preserved the Song Family’s dignity but also spared Xie Linlang from an awkward situation.
Song Yunzhao thought of her own younger brother, Song Boyue. It wasn’t that Song Boyue was a bad brother, but he was closer to Cai Shi and Song Qinghan and somewhat ignored her instead.
As for Song Boming, who was born to Consort Che, he naturally sided with Consort Che and Song Jinxuan.
In this entire family, she only had a somewhat reliable father to rely on—none of her siblings were dependable.
The original host in the book had a sharp personality for a reason. Fortunately, after transmigrating, she shamelessly worked to gain her father’s favor. After more than a decade of persistence, she had finally achieved some results.
That night was destined to be restless. Although Song Yunzhao, who was recuperating, remained undisturbed, her mind was preoccupied, and she slept poorly.
Truthfully, she really wanted to witness the situation firsthand, but her father was determined to protect her and didn’t want her to be hurt by her birth mother’s indifference. So, she had no choice but to suppress her curiosity and continue recuperating.
Early the next morning, she first received news that Xie Linlang had been taken away by the Xie Family for a short stay. Shortly after, Mama Luo came to report that her father had sent someone to the Dingnan Earl Manor.
Song Yunzhao frowned.
Was he really going to escalate the matter?
If things spiraled out of control, she feared the Dingnan Earl would grow weary of the Song Family. If her candidacy for the Imperial Harem Draft fell through, the aftermath would be troublesome.
Although His Majesty would still hold the Imperial Harem Draft, if the Dingnan Earl spoke ill of the Song Family in front of His Majesty, her hopes for an arranged marriage would likely vanish.
If she had known it would come to this, she would have toned down her confrontation with Cai Shi.
But there were no second chances in life. All she could do now was hope that her aunt, who didn’t particularly like her, would step up and handle the situation.
It wasn’t until the afternoon that Jiangxiang hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered. She quickly approached her young lady and whispered, “Miss, Madam Dingnanbo has suppressed the matter. Her stewardess personally came by, and the master did not pursue it further.”
Song Yunzhao breathed a sigh of relief, but then it occurred to her that Madam Dingnanbo had intervened not for her sake but for Song Qinghan’s. A mocking smile tugged at her lips.
Still, the outcome was what she had hoped for.
As dusk approached, Third Master Song came in person.
Song Yunzhao immediately perked up, her eyes shining with anticipation. Her obedient demeanor only deepened Third Master Song’s guilt.
“Zhaozhao, come with your father back to the West Courtyard. It’s not right to keep troubling your aunt here,” Third Master Song said gently to his daughter.
“Alright,” Song Yunzhao nodded happily. “I’ll do as you say, Father.” She then instructed Mama Luo and the others to pack her belongings before turning to her father again. “Father, I’ll go bid farewell to Aunt first.”
“No need. Your aunt and your mother are discussing matters and haven’t returned yet. Come with me first.”
Song Yunzhao didn’t ask what they were discussing—she already had an idea. She draped the pongee cloak Qiancao handed her over her shoulders and followed her father out.
Mama Luo led a few maids ahead to tidy up the West Courtyard, while Qiancao and Jiangxiang followed at a distance.
Third Master Song looked at his daughter’s frail appearance and sighed inwardly. After some thought, he slowly began, “Since you’ve moved back to the west courtyard, I’ve already spoken with your mother. From now on, your daily expenses will come directly from my account. Your health isn’t the best, so you need proper care. Your mother understands this and only requires you to pay respects on the first and fifteenth of each month.”
Huh?
Song Yunzhao nearly jumped for joy on the spot. What an incredible father he was!
So reliable.
All that talk about Cai Shi understanding her—Father was actually worried that Cai Shi would continue to make things difficult for her. Yet, he couldn’t let a young lady live in the front courtyard, so he had to create a safe distance between her and Cai Shi in this manner.
For the sake of her reputation and to preserve Cai Shi’s dignity, he even had to maintain the facade of a loving mother and a filial daughter.
Ah, her father really went through a lot for her.
Song Yunzhao’s eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. She looked at her father and tentatively asked, “Father, then can I go out and stroll around like I did back in Nanyu?”
How could she scout locations without going out? And how could she plan her escape route without scouting? So she absolutely had to secure her dear father’s permission.