Song Yunzhao returned to her own courtyard, completely ignoring Song Jinxuan’s frequent glances and hesitant expression. She shook her off and went straight back to her quarters. Once inside, she said to Mama Luo, “Start packing the trunks.”
Mama Luo gently placed the teacup she was holding in front of her young lady and spoke with a grave expression, “Young lady, with such a major event happening, we must make preparations in advance.”
“No need to worry, Mama. Just follow whatever instructions the manor gives,” Song Yunzhao replied with a faint smile.
Hearing her young lady’s words, Mama Luo sighed inwardly. There was no helping the aloof temperament the young lady had developed.
Song Yunzhao casually picked up a book, but her mind was elsewhere. In the original story, the main character had thought the same way—that she needed to plan for herself—but ended up recklessly digging her own grave until she finally met her demise.
There were countless paths to success, so why squeeze onto a single log bridge?
One misstep could lead to a fall with nothing left but bones.
Naturally, Song Yunzhao also intended to participate in the selection. In the book, Song Qinghan was deeply wary of the original character’s beauty and deliberately set a trap to humiliate her at Dingnan Earl Manor. Then, she played the good person by pleading on her behalf, allowing the original character to join her in the selection.
However, during the palace selection, Song Qinghan ruthlessly destroyed both the original character’s reputation and face. After leaving the palace, Cai Shi, feeling that she had shamed the Song Family, hastily arranged a marriage for her. The original character, unable to bear such humiliation, hanged herself.
Meanwhile, Song Qinghan successfully remained in the palace, rivaling the female lead and enjoying several years of glory, completely indifferent to the original character’s fate.
To her, the original character was merely a stepping stone.
Since Song Yunzhao was here now, she had no intention of becoming Song Qinghan’s stepping stone. Moreover, to secure a good marriage and live a carefree life in the future, participating in the selection was essential.
After all, in the original book, even those young ladies who failed the palace selection were granted marriages by the Emperor.
An imperial marriage was the best chance to escape Cai Shi’s control over her marital fate.
As for Song Qinghan, if she dared to scheme against her again—hmph—she would let her reap what she sowed.
Besides, both Dingnan Earl Manor and the Song Family currently believed that only their own children would be sent to the palace to claim the top spot. Little did they know that in a few days, court officials would petition the Emperor to select more beauties to ease his mind, and the Emperor would agree.
That would be truly amusing.
When Third Master Song returned to the manor that evening, he had barely settled in before being summoned by Master Song next door. By the next morning, Song Yunzhao received the news that the two families would travel to the capital together.
It was hardly surprising.
As for the second branch, they were originally born of a concubine. Although Second Master Song had studied, he failed to attain an official rank. Later, he married the daughter of a cloth merchant from Xuanzhou and devoted himself entirely to business. Thus, the second branch remained in their hometown.
“Young lady, I heard that this morning, Second Madam went to see Madam and reportedly offered a considerable amount of silver,” Jiangxiang whispered softly.
Qiancao entered with the trunk inventory list and added, “Second Madam also visited First Madam. Although the second branch has substantial wealth, Second Master holds no official position. In the future, when the young masters of the second branch take the imperial examinations, they will still rely on the Master and Third Master. What’s a little silver compared to that?”
Song Yunzhao listened to her two maids’ chatter and suddenly recalled another detail from the book: Second Madam had only given birth to two sons, and even Second Master’s concubine Zhu Yiniang had failed to bear a daughter, instead adding another illegitimate son for Second Uncle.
Therefore, Second Madam had brought her niece Xie Linlang to raise by her side. This one was no easy character either. Later, Second Madam spent a large sum of silver to secure First Madam’s favor, sending Xie Linlang to Jing City to arrange a respectable marriage. Not long after joining First Madam’s household, she managed to attach herself to the legitimate eldest son of the Prime Minister’s Manor. Unfortunately, her background limited her to becoming merely a concubine.
(5,0);
Quite the capable one.
Song Yunzhao’s eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. She beckoned to Qiancao, “Go make a trip to Second Aunt’s place…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Mama Luo lifted the curtain and entered, “Miss, the cousin from the second branch has arrived. Would you like to receive her?”
Like receiving a pillow when drowsy—a most welcome arrival.
“Please show her in,” Song Yunzhao said with a smile.
To use a modern analogy, Xie Linlang was like a pure, flawless white flower—delicate and pitiable, with a willowy grace. Her enchanting eyes and arched willow-leaf eyebrows made her quite the lethal weapon.
“Third Young Miss, I hope my sudden visit hasn’t disturbed you?”
Song Yunzhao looked up at Xie Linlang, who wore a light green dress with gold and silver thread embroidery along the hem, shimmering beautifully as she moved.
“You’re too kind, Miss Xie. I’m delighted you’ve come to chat with me. Please, have a seat.”
Although Xie Linlang was Second Madam’s niece, her lowly origins meant that even while raised by Second Madam, she never presumptuously ranked herself among the other second-branch daughters. Thus, she always maintained polite forms of address.
(5,0);
Xie Linlang offered a gentle smile before sitting down. She took a gold-cornered openwork brocade box from her maid and placed it on the table. “I’ve just received news that Third Young Miss will be accompanying the elders to Jing City. With this departure, who knows when we might meet again? I’ve prepared a small gift for your journey, something to help pass the time.”
Her words were impeccably gracious, pleasing to the ear.
However, her visit did surprise Song Yunzhao. Logically, the most influential in the third branch was Song Qinghan. If Xie Linlang had any requests, she should have approached her instead.
Moreover, this incident didn’t occur in the original book. How interesting things had become.
It seemed that although the major plotlines remained unchanged after her transmigration, small details had indeed shifted. Her long period of cautious maneuvering hadn’t been in vain.
After the maid served tea, Song Yunzhao said to Jiangxiang, “Don’t just stand there. Take Huazhi for some tea and rest. I’d like to speak privately with Cousin.”
Jiangxiang cheerfully pulled Huazhi outside. Huazhi glanced at her mistress before following.
Observing this, Song Yunzhao nodded inwardly. Cousin knew how to manage subordinates—her people were well-trained and understood propriety.
(5,0);
“Please speak frankly, Miss Xie. We’ve never been particularly close, so your special visit today must mean you have important matters to discuss.”
Song Yunzhao’s bluntness startled Xie Linlang, whose eyes flickered before she pressed her lips together and softly said, “I’ve long yearned to see Jing City but never had the chance to witness the imperial capital’s majesty. If I could have the opportunity to enter the capital, it would fulfill my deepest wish.”
Song Yunzhao chuckled lightly, “For such an important matter, I’m afraid Miss Xie has come to the wrong person. I doubt I can be of much help.”
Xie Linlang revealed a radiant smile, “Regardless of the outcome, Linlang will be deeply grateful. Moreover, in Linlang’s heart, Third Young Miss is gentle and kind-hearted, and will surely do her utmost.” As she spoke, she pushed forward the gift she had brought.
Song Yunzhao reached out to open the brocade box, giving it a brief glance. Inside was a thick stack of hundred-tael silver notes, estimated to be at least a thousand taels in total. Resting atop the silver notes was a gold hairpin inlaid with a ruby that sparkled brilliantly, as thick as a thumb. Truly befitting someone from a wealthy merchant family—her generosity was indeed lavish.
Closing the box, Song Yunzhao looked up at Xie Linlang and said, “Since Miss Xie is so sincere, Yun Zhao will naturally do her best.”
Excellent, excellent. You provide the money, I provide the effort—each gains what they need, and everyone is happy.
As an unfavored legitimate daughter, aside from her monthly allowance, she rarely had any other sources of income. In truth, she was quite short on funds.
For this trip to the capital, money was indeed a valuable thing—it would serve a great purpose.
On the way back, Huazhi couldn’t resist asking, “Miss, Third Young Miss is unfavored. Isn’t giving her silver like throwing money into the water? Shouldn’t we have sought out Eldest Young Miss instead?”