Old Madam Chang sat in the main seat, her face cold as she twisted the prayer beads in her hand. Each twist seemed to press upon people's hearts.
Her expression was stern, and her gaze toward Song Ci was icy.
All eyes in the room once again focused on Song Ci's face.
Song Ci...
In her previous life, she had seen plenty of big scenes in hospitals and never flinched; this was nothing.
She stepped forward a few paces and bowed according to the rules.
"Grandmother, please calm your anger. This granddaughter accidentally fell into the water this morning and only just woke up, hence I arrived late. Please punish me, Grandmother."
The Old Madam's expression froze for a moment.
She hadn't expected Song Ci to admit fault so readily, with such a compliant attitude that left no room for criticism.
Her pale, small face showed weakness. If she truly punished her, it would make her, as the grandmother, seem too harsh.
The reprimand stuck in her throat, and the Old Madam unwillingly turned it into a light snort.
"Your constitution is becoming more and more delicate."
Song Ci said nothing. An old cannon fodder scumbag, still barking at her?
She didn't take the bait; she just left her hanging.
The Old Madam was the late Marquis's second wife. The Second and Third Branches were her biological children, and she maintained a surface harmony with Marquis Yong'an, the stepson, while being at odds with him inwardly.
She was even more displeased with Song Ci, the granddaughter of the Eldest Branch. Every time they met, it was either to make things difficult or to scold.
Now that Song Ci's status was awkward, the Old Madam's dislike had grown even stronger.
Poor original body; died in vain, and the whole family just fought among themselves.
Song Ci deliberately ignored the disgust in the Old Madam's eyes and looked at Madam Fang.
"Today is the joyous day of reunion between Mother and Second Sister. How could I be absent?"
"Little Sister has suffered outside all these years. Now that the family's flesh and blood are reunited, I specially prepared Furong Garden. That courtyard is bright and spacious, close to both Grandmother's and Mother's courtyards, perfect for Little Sister to live in. It is my intention as an elder sister."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room was shocked.
Madam Fang hadn't expected this child to be so considerate, and her heart suddenly ached.
"Good child, come sit beside your mother and get close to your sister."
"Qianqian greets Elder Sister. I was afraid I had returned at an inopportune time and offended Elder Sister. I didn't expect to have misunderstood Elder Sister. Please forgive me, Elder Sister."
Song Qianqian's eyes were pitiful, and as she spoke, her eyes turned red, with a hint of the shyness of a newcomer and curiosity and fear toward her 'elder sister.'
She really knows how to act.
Had she met an expert?
Song Ci didn't show any timidity. Polite pleasantries? Anyone could do that.
"Little Sister, quickly accompany Mother to sit. I've caught a chill, so I won't sit, lest I pass on the contagion."
The Old Madam's expression eased a few points. "The eldest girl understands propriety. If you sisters are harmonious, it is the blessing of the Marquis's Mansion."
The earlier accusation was thus swept under the rug.
Song Ci sneered inwardly. Grandmother sure knows how to find a way out.
In her heart, she wished the Eldest Branch would descend into chaos so that the Second and Third Branches could benefit from the conflict, but on the surface, she pretended to keep the balance. So hypocritical.
Song Ci put away her polite fake smile and placed the box containing the broken bracelet in front of Madam Fang.
The act was over; time to tear it apart.
"Mother, look, this bracelet is full of black cotton inside. Baoyue Tower always only produces fine goods, but they fobbed off a defective item on Mother. Isn't that an obvious slap in the face to the Marquis's Mansion?"
Madam Fang's face darkened instantly, and she looked at Song Qianqian.
Guilty under that gaze, Song Qianqian's pretty face turned pale, and she twisted the handkerchief in her hand. She hadn't expected Song Ci to bring the broken bracelet before everyone. Flustered, she stood up. "Elder Sister... I chose that bracelet. I must have been deceived because I'm not discerning. I'm truly sorry, Elder Sister."
As she spoke, her eyes turned red. "Mother, your daughter has made a mistake..."
With that look like she was about to cry, who wouldn't feel pity?
Madam Fang held Song Qianqian's hand with heartache.
"Good child, you've just returned to the capital and are unfamiliar with the place. Being swindled is not your fault.
Ci'er, your sister meant well. Don't misunderstand. Mother will surely seek justice for you both.
Someone!
Take this to Baoyue Tower and ask what they were thinking."
Song Ci watched this scene calmly.
In her previous life, the original body had swallowed all the grievances and didn't expose this matter.
In this life, she had publicly punctured Song Qianqian's hypocrisy, but Madam Fang showed no intention of blaming her, instead shifting all responsibility to Baoyue Tower.
She also made excuses for Song Qianqian, pretending to keep the balance, but her heart had already tilted.
Poor original body, who had served dutifully under her knees for sixteen years, was ultimately no match for the mother-daughter blood bond.
One meal revealed eight hundred hidden motives, and suddenly Song Ci felt it was all so meaningless.
"I understand. It's getting late, so I won't disturb everyone's evening meal."
"Ci'er, Mother will come see you when she has time."
Song Ci nodded and left, her eyes filled with detachment.
She was not a cat or a dog, nor did she covet the love others gave as charity.
Her back was straight, leaving all the scheming and suspicion behind...
As Song Ci walked out of the courtyard, she was invited to Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
Only then did she learn that Marquis Yong'an, upon hearing that she had given the courtyard to Song Qianqian, had specially compensated her with this one.
The courtyard was in no way inferior to Furong Garden, just in a slightly remote location.
As a newcomer, Song Ci was more than happy to keep a low profile and live her own life behind closed doors.
"Eldest Miss, Mama Liu from Madam's side has arrived."
Just then, a announcement came from outside the courtyard.
Soon, Mama Liu approached, holding a delicate sandalwood box, her face full of smiles.
"Eldest Miss, this is jewelry specially picked by Madam for you, along with the land deeds for two shops. Madam says you must not feel wronged. The income from the shops is yours to manage."
Song Ci's gaze swept over the jewelry in the box. Every piece was exquisite, all green jade, which she liked.
Finally, her eyes settled on the land deeds for the two shops.
To prevent Song Ci from holding a grudge against Song Qianqian, Madam Fang really spared no expense, even giving away her dowry shops as compensation.
Poor original body, who was so sensible in her previous life, yet her treatment only worsened, until in the end she lived worse than a servant.
It seems that children who cry get the love.
Song Ci smiled.
"Please thank Mother on my behalf, Mama. Amber, see the guest out."
"This old servant takes her leave."
Mama Liu left with a smile.
Cui Zhu looked astonished. "Miss, isn't this an unexpected harvest!"
"It is. These earrings are a reward for you."
Song Ci looked at the two land deeds and the corner of her mouth curved up.
Children who cry get the love.
With this bout of crying, she had cried out two shops.
Empty reputation? Floating profit?
Far less practical than things held in one's hand.
This step of hers had been the right one.
These things would be her capital for establishing an independent household in the future.
Song Ci wasn't stingy either, and rewarded each of the two maids.
Spending other people's money sure felt great.
Early the next morning, Song Ci heard that Song Qianqian had been kept in the Main Courtyard by Madam Fang to learn the rules.
It seemed Madam Fang meant well, afraid that Song Qianqian might lose her composure.
Unfortunately, Song Qianqian had been raised among merchants since childhood; she was steeped in profit-driven ways day and night, bent on taking shortcuts. How could she be manipulated by others?
None of this had anything to do with Song Ci. She had Amber inform Madam Fang, and then she went out.
She planned to take a look at those two shops and, along the way, tour the ancient capital to scout a way out for her future.
To prepare for leaving the Marquis's Mansion.
Fortunately, although Great Xia was strict with women, they weren't confined to the boudoir.
Song Ci had considered returning to her old profession, but as a woman, if she tried to open a medical practice, she would probably be drowned in scorn before the clinic even started.
Opening a pharmacy? No channels, no connections, it was just empty talk.
As she was pondering, she passed a tea house when suddenly a painful wail came from inside: "I won't eat it! Take this pig slop away! I want to lose weight..."
Song Ci's heart jumped. She flipped open her veiled hat and looked into the tea house...
That figure, that tone...
Suddenly, she smiled.
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