After boarding the carriage bound for Jing City, Xie Linlang looked at Song Yunzhao and sincerely expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Third Miss.”
Song Yunzhao chuckled lightly, “I took your money to solve your troubles.”
Xie Linlang pursed her lips and smiled, “Third Miss, do you know why I rode in your carriage today?”
“Could it be that someone wanted to see us quarrel?”
Xie Linlang laughed even more happily. Third Miss was truly a straightforward and interesting person.
She briefly recounted Song Qinghan’s visit to the second branch, especially how Song Qinghan had hinted to her aunt that Song Yunzhao had bullied her. Just thinking about it was amusing.
Song Yunzhao clicked her tongue and looked at Xie Linlang, “Then I’ll have to ask for your guidance from now on, Cousin.”
“If you ever run short of silver, just come to me. I’ll make sure you have enough.”
Song Yunzhao: …
Alright then. After all, both of them had their own needs and complemented each other well.
The journey from Nanyu to Jing City usually took seven days, but because of the selection process, they traveled almost nonstop and arrived in Jing City in just four days. (5,0);
When they caught sight of Jing City’s tall, majestic city gates, Song Yunzhao could no longer hide her sickly pallor. Although the Song Family’s carriage was thoughtfully and comfortably arranged, its shock absorption system was truly lacking. Sitting for such a long time—who could endure it?
Moreover, her carriage was a downgraded version, which made it all the more frustrating.
The Song Family also owned a residence in Jing City. After the old master passed away, no one in the family had held an official post in the capital, so the residence had remained vacant.
Now that both branches of the Song Family were returning, they had sent word ahead to have the residence cleaned and tidied. Thus, upon their arrival, they could move in directly.
The Song Family had only one residence in Jing City, so both branches had to live together. The main branch occupied the eastern courtyard, while the third branch took the western courtyard.
The third branch had quite a few members. Since the third master was being transferred, the third madam had Consort Feng and Consort Qin stay behind in Nanyu to serve him, planning to accompany him to the capital later for his appointment. However, she had Consort Che come to the capital first.
The third madam occupied the main room of the western courtyard. The front courtyard housed Song Boyue and Song Boming, while the rear courtyard had Song Qinghan living in the largest courtyard aside from the main one. Song Jinxuan, being a concubine-born daughter, was given the smallest courtyard.
Song Yunzhao’s courtyard was larger than Song Jinxuan’s but smaller than Song Qinghan’s. However, she had to share it with Xie Linlang. To outsiders, it seemed Third Miss had less freedom than Second Miss—this legitimate daughter truly lacked dignity. (5,0);
As for Consort Che, the third madam assigned her to live in the back-facing rooms of the main courtyard.
Upon learning this, Song Yunzhao understood that Cai Shi was looking for ways to torment Consort Che, but what did that have to do with her?
The main branch’s quarters were similar in size to the third branch’s, but they housed more people. With four young ladies alone, not to mention the concubines and two young masters, living conditions were likely even more cramped.
Song Yunzhao was exhausted and dizzy. She first had her maid prepare the bed and light some incense, then collapsed into sleep. Everything else could wait until she woke up.
Xie Linlang had intended to come over for a chat, but to her surprise, Song Yunzhao was already asleep. Now living under someone else’s roof, she couldn’t afford to be as unrestrained as Song Yunzhao. Carefully, she sent Huazhi to pay respects to the third madam, intending to go and greet her personally. However, the third madam was too busy to see her. With a relieved heart, she fulfilled the formalities and, like Song Yunzhao, collapsed into sleep.
She was truly exhausted.
Song Yunzhao slept deeply and restlessly, waking only when the sky was nearly dark.
“Miss, you’re awake?”
Song Yunzhao composed herself and looked at Jiangxiang, asking, “What time is it?”
“It’s the end of the Shen hour. The family dines at the beginning of the You hour, so you must get up quickly and get ready.” As she spoke, Jiangxiang brought over clothes and helped her young lady rise and dress.
Song Yunzhao extended her arms, allowing Jiangxiang to dress her, and casually asked, “What about the cousin?”
“She’s already awake and waiting to go to the main courtyard with you.”
Song Yunzhao then said to Qiancao, “Go tell the cousin she needn’t wait for me and can proceed to the main courtyard first.”
Qiancao hesitated slightly. “Young lady, you and the cousin share the same courtyard. If you go separately, I’m afraid the madam will scold you again.”
Song Yunzhao didn’t mind. “Even without this, would I avoid being scolded?”
The two maids couldn’t help but feel heartache—the madam was far too biased.
Qiancao turned and went anyway. When Xie Linlang received the message, she understood Song Yunzhao’s meaning and didn’t hesitate to head to the main courtyard first.
Timing it perfectly, Song Yunzhao arrived at the main courtyard unhurriedly. Song Qinghan and Song Jinxuan were already there, with Consort Che standing to the side, appearing sincerely attentive.
Third Master Song hadn’t yet arrived in the capital to assume his post. Consort Che had returned to the capital ahead of the main wife, leaving her vulnerable to manipulation.
Song Yunzhao had no fondness for Consort Che and her daughter, so she entered and sat down by herself, choosing a seat far from Xie Linlang as if eager to avoid her.
Noticing this, Song Qinghan smiled and said, “Third Sister, are you unwell? Why have you only just arrived?”
Song Yunzhao lowered her eyes, not even looking at Song Qinghan, and replied, “If Eldest Sister had swapped carriages with me along the way, I could have arrived earlier too.”
Song Qinghan: …
Faced with such a black-hearted lotus, Song Yunzhao couldn’t be bothered with her and shut her down with a single retort.
Xie Linlang was inwardly laughing hysterically but outwardly frowned slightly, looking at Song Yunzhao and saying, “Third Young Lady, how can you speak like that? The carriages were assigned by the madam. How could the Eldest Young Lady have any say in it?”
Song Jinxuan secretly curled her lip. She knew perfectly well that Xie Linlang had been able to come to the capital thanks to Song Qinghan’s efforts. Tsk, and now she was already playing the lackey.
Though she didn’t get along with Song Yunzhao, seeing her own mother still standing there observing propriety made her heart ache with bitterness. But with their father absent, she and her mother were in the madam’s hands and had to be cautious.
Compared to Song Yunzhao, Song Jinxuan disliked Song Qinghan even more, so she immediately spoke up: “Cousin, you can’t say that. Third Sister has always been delicate. As the elder sister, it’s only natural to look after her. Eldest Sister, don’t you agree?”
For once, Song Yunzhao looked up at Song Jinxuan. A quick thought made her realize why Jinxuan had said this—tsk, she was clever, trying to form alliances to gang up on others.
Thanks, but no thanks—she wasn’t playing along.
Song Qinghan was much less polite with Song Jinxuan and said coolly, “Second Sister, you’re also an elder sister. Why didn’t you yield to Third Sister?”
Song Jinxuan thought to herself that her carriage was even worse than Song Yunzhao’s, but saying so would embarrass the madam, wouldn’t it? Back in Nanyu, with their father around, she hadn’t been afraid, but now that he was absent, she had to be cautious. Only a fool would hand the madam a weapon like that.
Xie Linlang seized the chance to add a cutting remark: “The Eldest Young Lady speaks wisely.”
Song Yunzhao inwardly applauded while maintaining a stoic expression. This Xie Linlang was truly a clever one, so skilled at making Song Qinghan earn resentment.
It was at this moment that Third Madam emerged. The room instantly fell silent as everyone rose to pay their respects.
Third Madam sat directly in the seat of honor, gazing calmly at the crowd. “Today marks our first day in the capital, so we’ll have a reunion meal. From now on, you’ll take your meals in your own rooms. Just come pay your respects after breakfast.”
Everyone responded in unison, and Third Madam ordered the meal to be served.
The meal proceeded quite peacefully. Third Madam’s mind was preoccupied with the selection process, anxious to send her eldest daughter to her sister’s place. For the moment, she paid no attention to her younger daughter’s sullen expression.
Consort Che attended to Third Madam during the meal. With Third Master absent, she didn’t dare cause trouble. Song Jinxuan also kept her head down, finally enjoying a peaceful meal.
After the meal, Third Madam dismissed everyone except her eldest daughter. She told her, “Tomorrow you’ll accompany me to visit your aunt. It would be best if you could stay there directly. Others are manageable, but you must be careful of your aunt’s stepdaughter – she’s not easy to deal with and might obstruct this matter.”
Song Qinghan’s eyes flickered. “Why not bring Third Sister along? If we don’t, Aunt might ask about her, and you’d have difficulty explaining.”
Song Yunzhao’s temperament would be perfect for shielding her from that stepdaughter Chu Yuying, while also making her appear gentle, kind, and generous.
Today’s update delivered.