Cui Zhu walked out of the inner chamber, looking as if she wanted to say something but held back.
The eldest miss being alone in a room with an unrelated man was truly improper. If anyone found out, her reputation would be ruined.
Cui Zhu was pacing anxiously. The eldest miss now had a mind of her own, so she could only guard the door and pray they didn't run into anyone they knew.
From inside the room came Shen Huaizhou's excited voice: "Little Sister, I found out that the General's Wife slammed her head against the wall yesterday. After she woke up, she seemed like a completely different person—same timing and symptoms as ours. I suspect it might be our mom."
"It's possible. Investigate the details further."
"The General's Mansion is heavily guarded; my people can't get in. But I found out that the Earl's Mansion is hosting a Flower Appreciation Banquet today. The General's Wife accepted the invitation. Let's go try our luck—see if we can run into her?"
"Alright."
Song Ci didn't refuse. Even if there was only a sliver of hope, she had to give it a try.
As the two were talking, a knock came from outside the door.
"Young Master, there is an invitation for you."
Shen Huaizhou frowned. "Come in. What is it?"
The guard spoke cautiously: "That Young Master Zhang said the top courtesan at the Leaning Red Tower is having her debut night, so he saved you a good spot?"
Shen Huaizhou's face darkened upon hearing this.
The guard stammered: "Eldest Master Li said the Cricket Tower got a new batch of fierce crickets. Did you want him to keep a 'green-head' for you?"
"Brothel in the morning, cricket fights in the afternoon—Eldest Brother's leisure life is quite colorful."
Song Ci clicked her tongue in surprise. She hadn't expected her eldest brother to be a dandy.
Shen Huaizhou... looked embarrassed.
The image of his original body being chased by his father with a whip flashed through his mind, and he unconsciously shivered.
"Little Sister, don't you know me yet? I'm the most self-disciplined person.
It's all these little brats setting me up. What kind of nonsense is this? Turn them all down for me. I'm going to the Earl's Mansion's Flower Appreciation Banquet."
"Yes..."
The servant boy was stunned. Had the Young Master changed his ways?
Not seeing the courtesan, not fighting crickets, but insisting on going flower viewing?
The few people became even more respectful toward Song Ci. This young lady was the one the Young Master cherished above all else.
Soon, the guard brought a carriage over.
Shen Huaizhou made a gesture inviting her: "Little Sister, get in!"
"Wet Nurse, doesn't that look like the eldest miss?"
Not far away, Chun Tao pointed at the carriage. Granny Hua followed her finger and looked over, just in time to see Shen Huaizhou helping Song Ci into the carriage.
Wasn't that... the fat young master of the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion?
When had the eldest miss hooked up with him?
This was serious—she had to hurry and tell Miss Qianqian.
Granny Hua instantly abandoned her plans for shopping and hurried back with Chun Tao.
Outside the Earl's Mansion gate, carriages and horses flowed like a river, and nobles gathered in a lively crowd.
Song Ci and Shen Huaizhou were led into the main courtyard by a servant boy.
Along the way, flowers bloomed in a riot of color, lush and green, as if they had stumbled into a fairyland. Even with winter approaching, the scenery was still so beautiful. The Earl's Mansion must have spared no effort.
Song Ci couldn't help but sigh: these nobles really knew how to enjoy themselves.
"So many people!"
Shen Huaizhou looked around. Everywhere were fragrant clothes and shadowy figures; his eyes were dazzled.
Song Ci said, "Madam Cai is from the General's Mansion and has just lost her husband. She definitely won't be high-profile. Let's wait by the gate."
"Okay."
Shen Huaizhou had no objections.
Although Song Ci was the youngest in the family, she had been a top student since childhood and later entered a top-tier hospital to become an expert. He and his second brother were used to following her lead.
Just then, there was a commotion outside the gate, and soon a carriage came to a stop.
Song Ci thought it was Madam Cai.
To her surprise, it turned out to be Madam Fang and Song Qianqian. Song Qianqian was dressed in dazzling finery, her jade pendants jingling as she walked slowly forward surrounded by maidservants, very high-profile.
"Marchioness, who is this?"
Soon, a familiar Madam asked Madam Fang about Song Qianqian.
"This is my youngest daughter, Song Qianqian. She has been frail since childhood, so I raised her in the countryside. She just returned to the capital, and I'm taking her out to see the world."
"Your daughter is truly a charming girl."
"The second young lady has grown up graceful and elegant. Marchioness, are you planning to pick a good son-in-law for her?"
Most of the time, flower appreciation banquets were used as a pretext for men and women to meet each other. If they fancied someone, they would get married.
In ancient times, flower appreciation banquets were another form of matchmaking banquet.
Madam Fang smiled brightly, "Of course! If there are any suitable talented young men, please do introduce them to me."
"Little Sister, what are you looking at?"
Shen Huaizhou looked at the mother and daughter surrounded by people: "Who are those two? Do you know them?"
"My mother and that good little sister of mine, Song Qianqian."
"So that's the true heiress who hates you to death?"
Song Ci nodded.
It seemed she had still underestimated how much Madam Fang cared for her biological daughter Song Qianqian; she had brought her out to see the world so quickly.
She had also underestimated Song Qianqian's methods.
Quite a few ladies passing by cast glances at Song Qianqian.
For no other reason—she was too dazzling, dripping with jewels.
Some praised her, while others gossiped.
"When did the Yong'an Marquis Manor get a second young lady? I recall the eldest branch only had one daughter, Song Ci. Could it be that Marquis Yong'an kept a hidden concubine outside?"
"It's hard to say. If she were a hidden concubine's daughter, the Marchioness wouldn't be so attentive as to personally bring her out to see the world. There must be something else going on."
"She's not bad-looking, but too ostentatious, like a nouveau riche."
Song Qianqian's small face stiffened slightly.
Hidden concubine's daughter?
Nouveau riche?
These words stabbed into her heart like needles.
She was the legitimate daughter of the marquis manor. Song Ci had stolen everything from her. She clenched her handkerchief tightly in her hand—she would definitely reclaim it all.
Just like today's flower appreciation banquet, her mother had only brought her; she hadn't even thought of Song Ci. Clearly, in her mother's heart, she valued her biological daughter more.
In the future, she would make her mother dislike Song Ci even more and make everyone know that the only legitimate daughter of the Yong'an Marquis Manor was her, Song Qianqian.
"Second young lady..."
Granny Hua hurried a few steps and whispered into Song Qianqian's ear, embellishing the story of Song Ci hooking up with Shen Huaizhou.
Song Qianqian's eyes lit up: "Are you telling the truth?"
Granny Hua spoke with certainty: "Old servant saw it with her own eyes, absolutely no falsehood."
Song Ci already had a marriage engagement, and it was to a Tanhua. Who would have thought she'd set her sights on Young Master Shen? Quite the heavy taste. Song Qianqian curled her lips, her eyes full of disgust.
"You do this..."
Song Qianqian whispered a few words into Granny Hua's ear.
Since Song Ci had no shame, she wouldn't mind letting her mother see this good elder sister's true face.
As the mistress and servant whispered to each other, not far away, a crowd surrounded Song Ci and Shen Huaizhou.
Someone teased out loud.
"Young Master Shen, what brings you to attend a flower banquet today?"
"Could it be you've found someone you fancy?"
"I wonder whether the young lady favored by Young Master Shen should cry or laugh, haha..."
Voices of mockery came from all directions toward Shen Huaizhou, but he acted as if he hadn't heard them.
Song Ci frowned: "Elder Brother, let's go over there for a while."
Shen Huaizhou could tell that his little sister didn't want him to hear these dirty words. He said softly, "No rush. This spot is conspicuous. If our mom really comes, we'll definitely run into her. Why bother with these blabbermouths?"
The powdery-faced young master caught sight of Song Ci beside Shen Huaizhou and his eyes lit up.
"Ooh, which young lady is this? So beautiful, standing so close to Young Master Shen. Could she be your sweetheart? Young Master, not going to introduce her to your brothers?"
"I'll introduce your ancestors!"
Shen Huaizhou's face suddenly darkened. Mocking him was one thing, but mocking his sister was absolutely not allowed. He threw a punch.
"Ouch!"
The powdery-faced young master screamed, fell to the ground, and his eye socket immediately turned black and blue. Covering his face, he shouted, "Shen Huaizhou, you... how can you hit people?!"
The commotion immediately drew many gazes.
Song Qianqian and her servant followed the sound and happened to see Song Ci behind Shen Huaizhou.
Granny Hua cried out in shock.
"Miss, look! Isn't that the eldest miss? How can she have the face to accompany Young Master Shen to this flower appreciation banquet? Oh my heavens... Has she no shame left?"
✦✦✦