Upon hearing this, Xie Linlang let out a light laugh tinged with subtle meaning before saying, “The Eldest Young Miss is indeed doted upon, but have you ever truly seen the Third Young Miss suffer any losses?”
Huazhi thought carefully after her mistress’s words and replied, “You’re right, Miss. Third Young Miss has indeed never suffered losses. However, though she doesn’t suffer losses, Third Madam refuses to subsidize her like she does for Eldest Young Miss. So are you planning to give silver to Third Young Miss?”
The smile on Xie Linlang’s face deepened.
As a merchant’s daughter, becoming an official wife in an official’s household was as difficult as climbing to heaven. Unless she became a stepwife – but as a young maiden in her prime, she had no desire to become someone’s stepmother.
Being a stepmother required either being bodhisattva-hearted and self-sacrificing, or being selfish and ruthless to secure one’s future. She neither wanted to be a bodhisattva nor a venomous woman, so she avoided the identity of stepwife at all costs.
Her aunt had been currying favor with First Madam and Third Madam everywhere for her sake, hoping to find her a good marriage. But how could it be that easy?
Her family also wanted to change their social status – they couldn’t remain merchants forever. Now that her several brothers were studying hard, she naturally wanted to contribute to the family. But what could a deeply sheltered young woman like her do? After much thought, the only way was to marry into a powerful family.
Becoming a principal wife was absolutely unthinkable, but since she had to become a concubine anyway, she naturally should choose a high-ranking family.
The wealthiest families in the entire realm were all in Jing City, so she absolutely had to go to Jing City.
As for why she chose to seek Third Young Miss’s help – firstly because Third Young Miss needed silver, and secondly… Everyone praised Eldest Young Miss’s gentle and dignified temperament, but if she were truly kind-hearted, why couldn’t she mediate before Third Madam regarding her own full sister being harshly treated?
This showed that this one was sweet-faced but bitter-hearted. With such a person, she feared that even after spending large amounts of silver, things ultimately wouldn’t succeed, only benefiting the other for nothing.
Instead, she observed that Third Young Miss handled matters quite methodically. Though Third Madam didn’t like her, apart from strictly following rules, she simply wouldn’t go begging before Third Madam.
Such a person had integrity, and people with integrity would surely have weight in their words. Even if the matter didn’t succeed, she could just consider the silver as pocket money for Third Young Miss.
Moreover, if this one matter didn’t work out, she could first establish goodwill – there might be other interactions in the future. In any case, she wouldn’t lose out.
On the other side, Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected the silver notes to amount to two thousand taels. This wasn’t just generous – it was outrageously extravagant. The Xie Family was indeed wealthy.
She was a conscientious person – having received such heavy payment, she naturally had to deliver.
Song Yunzhao’s beautiful eyes shifted slightly as a plan came to mind. She called Qiancao in and said, “Aren’t you quite close with Hanxiao? Pass a message to her.”
Qiancao quickly said, “Miss, even though Hanxiao is friendly with me, it’s only because she wants to gather information about our courtyard. I’ve never told her the truth.”
“I know you’re loyal. Tell her about Cousin’s visit to me, and say that Cousin and I had quite an unpleasant argument.”
Qiancao looked completely bewildered. “Miss, why would you want me to say that?”
“Just go ahead and do it. If Hanxiao asks why there was unpleasantness, tell her that Cousin came looking for me because she wanted to tag along to the capital, and I harshly mocked her until she left in anger.”
Qiancao: …
The young lady really doesn’t hesitate to tarnish her own reputation.
After Qiancao left, Song Yunzhao called Jiangxiang over. “Is it known outside that Second Aunt came to see First Madam and Mother?”
Jiangxiang thought for a moment before speaking. “They normally visit each other, but people might not know why Second Madam went this time.”
Song Yunzhao’s eyes curved into a smile. “We’re all good people—Second Aunt’s silver shouldn’t be spent without making any noise. Go spread the word that Second Madam gave generous gifts to First Madam and Mother to get Cousin Linlang included in the capital trip.”
“Ah?” Jiangxiang was first startled, then anxious. “Young lady, how can such words be spread? If Madam finds out, it’ll be disastrous.”
“What are you afraid of? There are so many maids and matrons in Madam’s courtyard—there must be a few gossipy ones.”
Was the young lady planning to… borrow whose knife to kill whom again?
But this idea wasn’t bad. Those little minxes in Madam’s courtyard, seeing that Madam dislikes Third Young Lady, often made things difficult for them—they deserved to learn a lesson.
There was another point Song Yunzhao didn’t mention: both sides had taken the money but might not actually help. They would think the other side just wanted the silver without doing the work, deliberately leaking information to force the other to act.
First Madam and Cai Shi were both very self-interested people. To make Xie Linlang’s matter succeed, just let them tear at each other.
Meanwhile, Song Qinghan learned from Hanxiao about Xie Linlang visiting Song Yunzhao. Naturally, she didn’t want Xie Linlang getting close to her younger sister—after all, the Xie Family was wealthy, and if they became friendly with Song Yunzhao, it wouldn’t benefit her either.
Since she couldn’t let Song Yunzhao benefit, she thought she might as well accomplish this herself to win over Xie Linlang, who might become her ally in the future.
But when she went to persuade her mother, she found the whole mansion already knew about Second Aunt spending money on the first and third branches for Xie Linlang’s sake.
Cai Shi angrily slapped the table. Seeing her eldest daughter enter, her temper still hadn’t cooled. “It must be your First Aunt’s doing! She wants the silver but won’t lift a finger—what wishful thinking!”
Song Qinghan had her own plans. She comforted softly, “Mother, maintaining good relations with Second Aunt is beneficial too. Think about it—the Xie Family are major wealthy figures in Xuanzhou. We’ll have many expenses when we return to the capital.”
Third Madam’s brow remained furrowed, unable to swallow her anger. “The Xie Family’s money is still their money. If we need funds, we can just ask your Second Uncle. As a concubine-born son, hasn’t his current wealth all come from his official brothers?”
“You’re not wrong, but if we ask Second Uncle, First Aunt will be watching closely. However, with the Xie Family, First Aunt can’t interfere,” Song Qinghan said with a smile.
Cai Shi remained silent in thought.
Song Qinghan lowered her gaze slightly, then slowly spoke. “Today I heard that Cousin Linlang went to see Third Sister, but Third Sister mocked her harshly and drove her away. Although the Xie Family are merchants, they’re still Second Aunt’s maternal family—we shouldn’t go too far.”
“There was such a thing?” Cai Shi’s brow tightened further.
“My third sister is still a bit young, Mother, please don’t be angry. I’ll talk to her later.”
“She’s only one year younger than you.” The more Cai Shi thought about it, the angrier she became. This daughter truly seemed destined to clash with her from birth.
Back when she and Consort Che were pregnant around the same time, she had hoped to give birth to a son to suppress Consort Che. When Consort Che first gave birth to Song Jinxuan, she thought her good fortune had arrived. Little did she expect that when her turn came, she also delivered a girl. Remembering Consort Che’s smug face, she simply couldn’t look at this daughter without feeling displeased.
If she had been a son, how could Consort Che be so arrogant?
“Go to your second aunt’s place for me and tell her to let Xie Linlang come along to the capital.” Cai Shi said with a cold expression. Since her daughter wanted to interact with the Xie Family, she as the mother would give her this chance to bestow favor.
Song Qinghan breathed a sigh of relief. “Mother is so kind. Second Aunt and Cousin will surely be very happy.” She paused here, then asked as if casually, “After we arrive in the capital, where will Cousin stay?”
She didn’t want another person living under her nose. Since Song Yunzhao and Xie Linlang didn’t get along, it would be better to put them together. Let them keep each other in check while she could focus entirely on the selection process.
Today’s update complete. Mwah.