TSNCWEM Chapter 13

Song Yunzhao’s original plan wasn’t to fall out with Cai Shi now, but to wait until the selection was opened to everyone. That way, all the Song daughters would have an opportunity to enter the palace.

In the book Cai Shi was afraid of Song Yunzhao’s beautiful face, so she tried to prevent her from participating in the selection. But the original protagonist refused so Cai Shi asked her not to outshine her elder sister instead.

The original protagonist agreed through gritted teeth in order to smoothly participate in the selection. However, she didn’t expect Song Qinghan to be even more ruthless than Cai Shi. After entering the palace, she never gave her the chance to appear in front of the emperor and swiftly used the conflicts among the selected ladies to deal with her.

This time, Yunzhao planned to make a big scene when her mother asked her to give way to Song Qinghan. By then, her Father would have arrived in the capital, giving her the confidence to escape from Cai Shi’s grasp.

However, the fall out happened earlier, and regret was useless. Luckily the First Madam, who was at odds with Cai Shi, was there. 

“You’ve become so rebellious. Since young, you’ve always been competitive. Your sister always let you have your way, but now you’re falsely accusing her. I can’t believe I have a daughter like you. You are going to be the death of me” Cai Shi was furious, but she couldn’t allow Song Yunzhao to tarnish her reputation and become a laughingstock in front of the First Madam. Therefore, she had to suppress Song Yunzhao harshly

Song Yunzhao understood Cai Shi’s intention. She wanted to put all the blame on her, making herself and Song Qinghan appear innocent, while painting Song Yunzhao as a malicious and unfilial daughter.

Song Yunzhao had no way out. With her Father’s support nowhere in sight, she could only cling tightly to the First Madam.

She suddenly jumped out of bed, grabbed Song Qinghan, and started dragging her out.

“What are you doing?”

“Let go!”

With a pale face, Song Yunzhao’s dark eyes glared at Cai Shi. Without even looking at Song Qinghan’s shocked face, she opened her own jewellery box.

“Aunt, take a look. These are all the pieces of jewellery my mother has given me over the years. Today, I am putting my life on the line to prove my innocence. Mother says I am ungrateful, and Song Qinghan says she is fair. I will take you to see Song Qinghan’s jewellery box and clothing trunk…”

After she finished speaking, Song Yunzhao dragged Song Qinghan a few steps and then reached out to topple her own clothing trunk to the ground.

With a loud “bang”, the trunk fell to the ground, scattering its contents – new and old clothes, mostly in plain colours, with only one or two slightly brighter garments.

“Look, these are my clothes. Song Qinghan gets new clothes every day, while I have to wear these rags. Where is your fairness, Song Qinghan? These two new dresses were sent to me by Aunt. If it were up to my mother, I would still be getting rags!”

With her pent-up anger, no one could stop her. She grabbed a pair of sewing scissors from the windowsill, causing everyone to be so frightened that they didn’t dare to intervene, fearing that the scissors might end up on Song Qinghan’s face.

Song Yunzhao dragged Song Qinghan to her courtyard, smashed her sparkling jewellery box on the ground, and opened all her clothing trunks.

Song Qinghan’s jewellery was exquisitely beautiful. Just the gemstone-embedded gold hairpins and hair accessories numbered seven or eight, not to mention the box full of earrings, bracelets, and small items. Her trunks were full of clothes, all intricately embroidered, showing great care.

Such disparity, even someone as heartless as the First Madam, couldn’t bear it.

“Third sister-in-law, you… have really gone too far.”

Song Yunzhao didn’t care about the dark expressions of Cai Shi and her daughter’s faces. Since she was tearing their facade in front of so many people, she had no intention of reconciling with them.

After listening to First Madam, she grabbed her arm and choked out, “Aunt, I have no way to live. After making this scene today, I fear I won’t survive until tomorrow. I still want to say goodbye to my Father. First Madam, please have pity on me, give me a place to stay, and after I see my Father and thank him for raising me, I will bash my head on the Song family’s altar to atone for my unfilial behaviour.”

Cai Shi was so enraged by Song Yunzhao’s words that her hands trembled. “You wretched girl, I should have strangled you at birth; it would have been better than letting you disgrace us today.”

“Aunt, listen to this. Just because I’m not a son, she wishes for my death. I truly can’t live anymore…” Song Yunzhao cried her heart out, her body shaking, and before finishing her sentence, she fainted.

The First Madam almost lost her breath. “What are you standing around for? Quickly help the Third Young Lady and take her to my courtyard.”

“Sister-in-law, what are you doing?” Cai Shi couldn’t let the First Madam take Song Yunzhao away.

The First Madam didn’t want to get involved, but since her daughter Yexi wanted to have a future at the Dingnan Mansion, she couldn’t let Cai Shi and the Countess suppress her daughter.

Now that Song Yunzhao had caused such a scene, she seized the opportunity to take her away in order to control Cai Shi, ensuring she acts more cautiously. Otherwise, when Third Master returns, it would be hard to settle this score.

If this escalated, it would ruin the Song family’s reputation.

If it remained internal, it would just highlight Cai Shi’s favouritism and Yunzhao’s grievances. As long as things are patched up afterwards, it’s not a big deal. Once the door is closed and the pot lid is on, who knows what’s inside? When it’s all boiled down, it becomes indistinguishable.

The First Madam was a clever person; she quickly found the best way to benefit from this mess.

“Third Sister-In-Law, Yunzhao is the Third Master’s beloved daughter. If something happens to her, how will I explain it to him when he arrives in the capital? When we left Nanyu, I promised that I would take care of Yunzhao. Now that both of you are angry at each other, it’s best to separate for a while. Since Yunzhao is ill she can stay with me for now to recover. When Third Brother returns, he can handle this matter, and I promise not to interfere. What do you think?”

Cai Shi was naturally unhappy!

She disliked her youngest daughter from the start. But Yunzhao, with her schemes, managed to win her Father’s favour, making Qinghan even more distanced from their father. How could she be content with this?

Now, First Madam was trying to use her husband against her. How could she be happy?

But First Madam, not one to be trifled with, didn’t even wait for Cai Shi`s response. She had a soft sedan chair brought over and sent Yunzhao to her courtyard, instructing: “Prepare the east wing room in my courtyard for the Third Young Lady to stay in. See if the doctor has arrived, and have him check her pulse.”

“Sister-in-law, what you’re doing is not appropriate. Yunzhao is my daughter…”

“She may be your daughter, but she is also Third Brother’s daughter,” the First Madam retorted. “Third Sister-in-law, Third Brother will arrive in the capital soon. You should at least allow me to give him a proper explanation.”

Song Jinxuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. The bigger the fuss, the better!