After a day of fun and returning to Song Manor, Song Yunzhao suddenly remembered the young man with the folding fan at Sanyuan Restaurant. He had run off quite quickly later; by the time she came out, there wasn’t even a trace of him left.
Hmm, a qualified spectator indeed.
After washing up and changing into casual clothes, she lay down on the soft couch to read, her mind pondering how to write a storybook. She had been full of ambition earlier, but now that it was time to put pen to paper, she had no idea where to start.
In later generations, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts were always attention-grabbing hot topics, but that wouldn’t work here. The virtue of filial piety weighed heavily on everyone’s heads—no matter how difficult a mother-in-law was, she still had to be respected and served with filial devotion. If she dared to write about a daughter-in-law battling a wicked mother-in-law, the Xie Family’s restaurant would probably be torn down by outraged readers.
As for writing about scholars and young ladies having secret rendezvous, it made her teeth ache—it just didn’t align with her personal values.
Strange tales and supernatural stories were novel, but they didn’t have much of an audience. How could they become a hit? It would be a waste of time with no profit—a losing business not worth pursuing.
With these thoughts, she suddenly fell silent. It seemed there was nothing she could write, leaving her feeling quite melancholy.
Her first bucket of gold was likely doomed before it even began.
Was it truly fate for a cannon fodder character to lack the luck to make money?
“Miss.”
Hearing Jiangxiang’s voice, Song Yunzhao snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at her, noticing her expression was rather peculiar—a mix of excitement and suppressed emotion.
Song Yunzhao immediately sat up straight. Gossip had arrived!
“What is it?” Song Yunzhao asked with a smile, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Jiangxiang cleared her throat lightly. “Today, the Eldest Young Lady and Miss Xi from the East Courtyard went to the Count’s Mansion. They just returned.”
“And then?”
“Miss Xi’s eyes were red, as if she had been crying. I hid in the shadows near the Moon Gate and saw that the Eldest Young Lady had a look of joy in her eyes. It seems she must have achieved her wish.”
Achieving her wish, of course, referred to the matter of participating in the selection.
Song Yunzhao smiled. “It has nothing to do with us. Just make sure the people in our courtyard mind their own business.”
Jiangxiang nodded promptly in agreement and added, “Today, Hongying from the Eldest Young Lady’s courtyard came to snoop for information. I had the little maid from our courtyard send her away with some vague replies. However, I overheard Hongying mention casually that the Eldest Young Lady seems to be on good terms with Miss Chu from the Count’s Mansion. Miss Chu even sent gifts to the Eldest Young Lady.”
Chu Yuying sending gifts to Song Qinghan?
Wasn’t that a joke?
It must be Song Qinghan intentionally boasting to save face.
Just as Song Yunzhao was about to speak, she heard Jiangxiang continue, “Today, the stewardess from the Madam’s side also came by, asking the little maids about your whereabouts. After Mama Luo found out, she invited her away.”
“Miss, do you think the Madam and the Eldest Young Lady are so concerned about your movements because they have some scheme in mind?” Jiangxiang was quite worried. Although the Master supported her, the Madam was, after all, her elder.
Song Yunzhao smiled. “They’re just curious because I went out of the manor and want to know what I was up to. They’re afraid I might interfere with Song Qinghan’s plans.”
Jiangxiang couldn’t help but complain, “The Madam is truly biased. Fortunately, the Master can still uphold justice for you.”
Remembering something, Song Yunzhao looked at Jiangxiang and said, “Let’s not bother with these matters. We only have one more day of peace—after that, this household will be bustling with activity again.”
Jiangxiang didn’t understand why, but seeing her young lady pick up the book to read, she didn’t dare to ask further.
However, Song Yunzhao’s thoughts weren’t on the book. Instead, she was thinking about how the Count’s Mansion had settled on Song Qinghan today. When the news of the imperial selection being opened arrives tomorrow, that would be truly amusing. (5,0);
All the grievances and anger Song Yexi endured today would be thrown right back in Song Qinghan’s face on that day. She couldn’t wait to see what expressions Song Qinghan and her mother would wear.
Before dinner, Mama Zhao from Cai Shi’s side came personally, smiling broadly as she said, “Madam requests the Third Young Lady to join for dinner.”
Having served Cai Shi for decades, Mama Zhao noticed the Third Young Lady didn’t even lift her eyes and might refuse, so she quickly added, “The Master and several young masters will also be attending. After leaving here, this old servant must also invite the Second Young Lady.”
Song Yunzhao thought to herself that Cai Shi was really putting on airs for Song Qinghan. She sneered inwardly but maintained a calm expression as she spoke to Mama Zhao, “In that case, I’ll come over shortly.”
Mama Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly stood up to take her leave. Mama Luo saw her out, and upon returning, looked at her young lady and said, “Young Lady, are you really going?”
“Since Father is going, I naturally must make an appearance.”
Qiancao then brought Jiangxiang to find clothes for the young lady. Song Yunzhao watched and said, “No need to go through too much trouble. It’s just a formality.”
Qiancao’s eyes sparkled with understanding, and she immediately smiled and said, “Young Lady is right. This servant thinks the lake-blue outfit you wore the day before yesterday would be perfect.” (5,0);
Since the Master would be there, the young lady wearing old clothes would remind him of how poorly the Madam had treated her.
Timing it carefully, just as Song Yunzhao was preparing to leave, Song Jinxuan arrived.
Upon seeing Song Yunzhao, Song Jinxuan said in surprise, “I thought Third Sister wouldn’t be going.”
“Why wouldn’t I go?” Song Yunzhao adjusted her hair at the temple, noticing Song Jinxuan didn’t look too happy. She knew why—with Song Qinghan’s triumph, how could Song Jinxuan be pleased?
Seeing Song Yunzhao heading out, Song Jinxuan immediately followed, lowering her voice to say, “You probably don’t know why Madam is hosting a family dinner tonight, do you?” Without waiting for Song Yunzhao to ask, she continued on her own, “Our dear eldest sister has caught the eye of the Count’s Mansion, and they’re about to recommend her.”
With Song Qinghan gaining influence, Consort Che’s branch would have to swallow their pride and bow their heads, likely having to act subservient for the rest of their lives, which naturally made them unhappy.
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan and said, “Until the final moment, how can we easily draw conclusions? It’s just a recommendation for now.”
Though it sounded satisfying, Song Jinxuan felt somewhat dejected. “You’ve been recuperating in the east courtyard lately, so you might not know. Once the Count’s Mansion recommends someone, it’s basically settled.” (5,0);
Song Yunzhao naturally couldn’t mention that things might change, so she just looked at Song Jinxuan and slowly said, “Then we can only offer congratulations.”
Song Jinxuan felt so frustrated it hurt her insides. “With your looks, if you were willing to visit the Count’s Mansion, what chance would she have?”
Song Yunzhao didn’t respond to that and instead asked Song Jinxuan, “How has Consort Che been lately?”
Hearing Song Yunzhao change the subject, Song Jinxuan replied listlessly, “What else can she do?” Her tone then grew somber. “I’ve heard Mother plans to find Father another concubine.”
Song Yunzhao paused in her steps—this matter wasn’t in the book. “Who did you hear this from?”
“My mother and father said it themselves. My Consort Che happened to overhear it.”
Song Yunzhao’s gaze gradually sharpened. First, Xie Linlang’s impression of Ji Yunting had shifted, and now something that wasn’t in the book had emerged.
“What does Consort Che plan to do?” Song Yunzhao asked with a composed expression.
Since Song Jinxuan had brought this to her, she must have a request.
Today’s update is here. Sending kisses to all you cuties.