Song Qinghan fell silent for a moment. So even her mother didn’t know.
Both mother and daughter felt rather awkward.
Cai Shi felt a headache coming on. Not wanting to lose face in front of her eldest daughter, she cleared her throat lightly and said, “It slipped my mind. Your father said Yun Zhao should go out to relax since she’s just recovered from a serious illness, so let her go.”
Song Qinghan naturally knew things weren’t as simple as her mother made them sound. She could see her mother was trying to cover up the truth. She already knew her younger sister would only come to pay respects to their mother on the first and fifteenth days of each month from now on. Father was truly too biased, trampling even their mother’s dignity underfoot.
Song Qinghan felt inexplicably irritable. Her pretty face darkened. After calming herself for a moment, she slowly said, “I originally thought of bringing Yun Zhao along to the Count’s Mansion today.”
Cai Shi frowned at this. “Why would you bring her? It’s getting late, you should prepare to go soon. And regarding Ye Xi… you should be careful yourself.”
Seeing her mother’s displeased expression, Song Qinghan didn’t press further. She nodded slightly, and as she rose to leave, she remarked as if in passing, “Aunt said if matters are settled today, the Count will submit memorials to the palace.”
Cai Shi was delighted to hear this. “You must perform well today and ensure the Count values you. Ye Xi is inferior to you in both looks and talent—she’s merely there as a foil, so don’t pay her too much mind.”
“I understand, Mother.” Song Qinghan stepped outside and walked slowly in the sunlight. She asked Hanxiao beside her, “Who did the Third Young Lady take with her when she went out?”
Hanxiao, having anticipated the question, had already made thorough inquiries. She promptly replied, “The master arranged for a guard to accompany the Third Young Lady up front, along with maids and matrons attending her. Quite the grand display.”
Song Qinghan pressed her lips together, exhaled slowly, and then walked away.
Meanwhile, upon receiving the news, Xie Linlang immediately reserved a table at Sanyuan Restaurant. Song Yunzhao met up with her there.
She not only saw Xie Linlang but also an unfamiliar young man whose features bore some resemblance to Xie Linlang. With his fine brows and handsome eyes, he carried a hint of a smile even when silent, his gaze bright and penetrating. Song Yunzhao guessed his identity.
Xie Linlang was very happy to see Song Yunzhao. After greeting her, she pointed to the person beside her and said, “This is my second brother, Xie Jinshu. He just arrived in Jing City and insisted on escorting me here, afraid I might get lost.”
The Xie Family was quite a prominent merchant household—how could she possibly get lost? What would be the use of all the attendants then?
Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Jinshu.
Xie Jinshu immediately stepped forward. “Greetings, Third Young Lady. My younger sister has repeatedly mentioned how you’ve looked after her. Both my elder brother and I are deeply grateful.”
Song Yunzhao smiled understandingly—he was here to express thanks. “Third Young Master Xie, you’re too kind.”
Xie Jinshu had long heard from his sister that the Third Young Lady was as beautiful as a celestial being. Now, seeing her clear, elegant brows and eyes, layered with captivating charm, and especially those distinct, bright pupils shining brilliantly, even he—usually thick-skinned—felt somewhat unsettled under such a gaze.
Xie Jinshu’s embarrassment came and went quickly. He promptly had the waiter serve tea and pastries, all signature dishes of Sanyuan Restaurant, and the atmosphere soon became lively.
Xie Linlang ignored her second brother and sat down with Yun Zhao at the table by the window. She said softly, “I asked my elder brother to inquire, and he said there would be changes today, but the outcome is still uncertain. Yun Zhao, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang, “Thank you for keeping this in mind. I have an idea of the situation.”
Xie Linlang didn’t bring it up again and instead talked about matters in the mansion. “I left in a hurry that day and didn’t know what happened afterward. But since you were able to come out today, the result must have been to your liking.”
Song Yunzhao smiled, “Fortunately, my father stood up for me, giving me a chance to catch my breath.”
“Third Master is a good father,” Xie Linlang immediately praised. “Will you be able to go out often from now on?”
“Not exactly, but it’s still better than before,” Song Yunzhao replied.
Xie Linlang comforted her, “The beginning is always the hardest. Things will only get better from here.”
Song Yunzhao nodded. The tea she sipped was astringent but left a sweet aftertaste. Outside, the streets were bustling with people rushing about for their livelihoods. As a young lady living in luxury, what right did she have to complain about her life not being comfortable enough?
She was not the kind to be hypocritical.
Seeing that Yun Zhao showed no signs of resentment or dissatisfaction, Xie Linlang couldn’t help but admire her. If it were her, she wouldn’t have been so calm. With a playful glint in her eyes, she said, “I heard that Eldest Miss and Miss Ye Xi are going to the Count’s Mansion today.”
Song Yunzhao turned her head and met Xie Linlang’s teasing smile, immediately understanding what she found amusing.
If Song Qinghan was taking Song Yexi to Dingnan Earl Manor, it was likely to finalize their participation in the selection. If the matter was settled today, then in a day or two, news would spread in the court that His Majesty had relented and agreed to hold the selection… Wouldn’t that make Song Qinghan, who had been jumping around anxiously these past few days, look like a joke?
The two of them locked eyes and burst into laughter simultaneously.
At that moment, a burst of gongs and drums sounded from downstairs, followed by the plucking of several zither strings. The elegant and pleasant sound drew everyone’s attention.
Xie Linlang immediately said to Yun Zhao, “It’s time for the storytelling. The manager of Sanyuan Restaurant is quite talented—he found a Cultivated Talent from who knows where to write Storybooks, and they’ve become quite popular. People come in droves every day to listen, making the restaurant’s business even more booming.”
Song Yunzhao hadn’t paid much attention before, but now, hearing Xie Linlang’s words, she glanced around and saw that almost every floor was packed with people, the noise overwhelming.
Song Yunzhao was momentarily stunned. The book had never mentioned anything about storytelling. Then again, the plot revolved entirely around the female lead, who didn’t care about such things, so why would the book mention them?
But she was very interested.
In life, who could do without money? She was a worldly person and couldn’t do without it either.
Just as Song Yunzhao was contemplating whether she should write a Storybook to ride the trend and earn some extra cash, she suddenly heard a loud commotion from downstairs, followed by a sharp shout, “Ji Yunting, I advise you not to meddle in others’ affairs! Out of respect for your father, I’ll let you off this once. Now step aside!”
Ji Yunting?
Ji Yunting!
Song Yunzhao immediately looked at Xie Linlang. Oh ho! This was the eldest son of the Prime Minister’s family, who in the book took Xie Linlang as his concubine—the white moonlight in the female lead’s heart!
What a divine scene to witness drama unfold—a limited edition moment she absolutely couldn’t miss.
Just as she was about to lean forward to look, a dark shadow suddenly shot toward her. Before she could figure out what was happening, Xie Jinshu instantly appeared in front of her. With a loud “bang,” the sound of shattered porcelain hitting the ground echoed.
Song Yunzhao instinctively touched her face. If Xie Jinshu hadn’t blocked it, her head would have been smashed open today!
Why?
Just because she was a cannon-fodder female supporting character, could disaster really fall from the sky like this?
Song Yunzhao rolled up her sleeves!
Today’s update is complete. Mwah, mwah, dear readers.