Cai Shi felt uneasy, but Song Yunzhao suddenly became energized. Afraid that Song Jinxuan beside her might notice something, she suppressed her excitement and put on a wooden face as she looked toward the door.
Jiang Shi indeed lived up to Song Yunzhao’s expectations. Upon entering, she directly addressed Third Madam Song: “I heard Third Sister-in-law is going to Jing City. Coincidentally, I’m also taking the children back to visit my parents. Why don’t we travel together?”
At this moment, Song Yunzhao could almost feel Cai Shi’s suffocating anger, though she couldn’t show it. Seeing Cai Shi unhappy made Yun Zhao happy.
With a mother like this, whoever gets stuck with her is unlucky.
“Sister-in-law, what made you suddenly decide to visit the capital? I never heard you mention it before,” Cai Shi slowly said after suppressing her irritation.
Jiang Shi still smiled cheerfully: “I haven’t been back these past few years, and my parents miss the children. When I heard Third Sister-in-law was going to the capital, I thought we might as well keep each other company.”
Cai Shi didn’t believe a single word. Jiang Shi was as cunning as a ghost – she must have gotten wind of the news and definitely wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity.
With this sticky plaster attached to her, and being her sister-in-law, Cai Shi found it difficult to refuse, especially since she was using visiting family as an excuse. Unless she gave up going to the capital altogether, which was impossible.
Jiang Shi’s eyes casually swept over Song Yunzhao’s exquisitely beautiful face. The girl appeared dull and wooden on the surface, but had secretly passed her information.
Since she owed Yun Zhao this favor, she naturally had to repay it.
It must be that Cai Shi didn’t want to bring Yun Zhao to the capital, while Yun Zhao wanted to go. In that case, she would help her out.
“Third Sister-in-law, speaking of which, our family has many members. With so many children going to the capital this time, we need to take good care of them along the way. I was thinking since the girls are all delicately raised, we should arrange an extra team of guards for the journey. What do you think?”
Cai Shi was startled and looked up at Jiang Shi: “Sister-in-law, are you planning to bring all your children?”
“It’s rare to visit the capital, and the children have all grown up. They should go see their elders,” Jiang Shi smiled even more amiably, but her words were as unyielding as tough meat: “Besides, Third Brother has obtained the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud. Your branch will eventually move the whole family to the capital. Taking this opportunity to bring the children might as well settle them directly in the capital to avoid back-and-forth troubles.”
Wow, well said. This completely had Cai Shi cornered.
Cai Shi’s expression turned quite unpleasant. Not wanting Jiang Shi to notice anything wrong, she could barely maintain her smile: “Sister-in-law, I need to discuss this with my husband. I can’t make decisions on my own.”
Cai Shi brought up the Third Master as her excuse.
Jiang Shi chuckled lightly: “Don’t worry about that. The Eldest Master will speak with Third Brother. Besides, with the Eldest Master being transferred to Yucheng as Deputy Salt Distribution Commissioner, the two brothers have official matters to discuss anyway. They’ll be delighted to know we’re going to the capital to fulfill our filial duties for them.”
Song Yunzhao: …
Jiang Shi’s words were utterly shameless. The elders of the Song Family had already passed away, yet she managed to frame visiting her in-laws to fulfill filial duties as something righteous and even elegant. Truly, those without shame are invincible. No wonder she was the one in the book who managed to forcibly cling to the Dingnan Earl Manor’s coattails.
Cai Shi naturally had no intention of complying, nor would she simply yield to Jiang Shi’s wishes. She took a sip of tea to suppress her inner restlessness, then looked up with a smile and said, “Sister-in-law makes a valid point. However, I was thinking that since my husband is taking up an official post in Jing City, I could bring Qinghan along first to settle the residence and pay respects to my parents. It would be a light trip, and the round journey would be quite quick. But if we bring so many people, the travel time would indeed be quite lengthy.”
“I’ve already considered that for you. Since Third Brother’s appointment is in Jing City, why not combine your move with this trip to the capital? It’ll save you the trouble of making multiple trips. If you’re worried Third Brother might object, leave it to me. With our parents gone, as the eldest sister-in-law, I stand in place of a mother. He will listen to me.”
Song Yunzhao was inwardly delighted. To deal with someone like Cai Shi, who prized face above all, it took someone like Jiang Shi—someone who could wield grand principles and had no qualms about throwing shame to the wind.
Cai Shi felt even more stifled. She racked her brains for a way to refuse, but before she could come up with anything, Jiang Shi added, “This time, the smooth appointments for my husband and Third Brother owe much to the planning of our elders in the capital. When we go to Jing City, we must certainly express our gratitude on behalf of our husbands.”
Jiang Shi glanced at Cai Shi’s barely suppressed anger, completely unfazed, and tacked on, “Besides, if I accompany you to Jing City, it will put both my husband and Third Brother at ease. Multiple benefits at once—let’s settle it like this.”
Cai Shi was so furious she nearly fainted on the spot. How could Jiang Shi utter such brazen words?
Clearly, she was trying to snatch a prize from the tiger’s mouth, yet she pretended to be the one laboring tirelessly—playing the good person inside and out!
Jiang Shi stood up directly, not giving Cai Shi any chance to rebut, and left just like that.
Once Jiang Shi was gone, Cai Shi could no longer contain her expression. Staring at Song Yunzhao’s stepmother-face and Song Jinxuan’s fox-like cunning simmering beneath the surface, her anger flared uncontrollably. Just as she was about to erupt, she felt her eldest daughter gently tug at her sleeve.
Cai Shi took a deep breath and said to the two of them, “It’s fine. You may go back now.”
Song Yunzhao turned and left without hesitation. The main show was over; who had the patience to endure Cai Shi’s sour looks?
Song Jinxuan wanted to stay, but seeing how swiftly Song Yunzhao departed, she had no choice but to follow, seething inside as if she could stab a voodoo doll repeatedly.
Song Qinghan dismissed everyone else in the room, then said softly, “Mother, Aunt came prepared. There’s no use getting angry.”
Listening to her eldest daughter, Cai Shi fumed, “Just listen to her words—as if she’s bestowing some great favor upon us! It’s utterly infuriating. But how did she get wind of this news?”
Song Qinghan replied, “Aunt’s father works in the Ministry of Rites. He would certainly have quick access to such information.”
Cai Shi thought it made sense, then sneered, “Fine, let her come to the capital with us. Madam Dingnanbo is your own maternal aunt. Even if your aunt forces her way to Jing City with us, would she have the audacity to tag along when we visit your aunt?”
“You’re right, my child, so please don’t be angry anymore.” Song Qinghan comforted softly, “Besides, Aunt doesn’t have a biological daughter of her own. When we arrive in Jing City, you can send me directly to live at Aunt’s house. This way, Aunt-in-law won’t have any opportunity.”
“My daughter makes a good point.” Cai Shi was overjoyed; she had been so angered that she hadn’t thought of such a simple solution. “Let’s do it that way. I’ll see what expression your Aunt-in-law will have on her face then.”
Song Qinghan smiled faintly and lowered her eyes slightly. As long as her mother agreed to let her stay at Dingnan Earl Manor, not only would the sisters from Aunt-in-law’s side have no chance, but her own sisters naturally wouldn’t have any opportunity either.
Yun Zhao’s face was simply too striking.
First time posting on Xiaoxiang, feeling quite nervous. Hope all you lovely readers will show your support. Grateful.