TSNCWEM Chapter 4

Xie Linlang chuckled softly with a hint of a deeper meaning, and then stated: “The Eldest Miss is indeed favoured, but have you ever seen Third Miss truly suffer a loss?”

Hua Zhi, after thinking carefully, replied: “What Miss has said is right. Third Miss really hasn’t ever suffered a loss. However, although she doesn’t suffer, Third Madam is unwilling to support her like she does the First Miss. Is that why you gave the Third Miss money?”

Xie Linlang’s smile deepened.

She was a merchant’s daughter so it would be difficult to become the wife of an official, unless she became the second wife of a widower. But she was as refined as a precious jade and didn’t want to be a stepmother.

To be a stepmother, one must either be a Bodhisattva,willing to sacrifice for others, or be selfish and ruthless in order to secure a good future. But she doesn’t want to be a Bodhisattva or a poisonous woman, so she should avoid becoming either.

Her Aunt flattered the Eldest Madam and the Third Madam in every possible way to find her a good match, but it wasn’t easy.

The family also wanted to improve their social status since they couldn’t keep being merchants forever. Now that her brothers were studying hard, she naturally also wanted to contribute to the family. But what could she, a lady in the boudoir, do? After thinking about it, she decided that she had no choice, but to marry a high-ranking official.

She couldn’t even dream of being the main wife, but since she had to live as a concubine in the future, she wanted to choose an influential, high-ranking family. 

The richest families in the world are in the capital, so she must go there.

As to why she asked the Third Miss for help, firstly it was because the Miss was short on money, and secondly… everyone praises the Eldest Miss for her sweet and dignified temperament, but the younger sister of the same mother was treated harshly by her mother. If she was truly so kind, why didn’t she speak a few words to defend her sister?

From this you can see that this person is sweet-faced, but bitter-hearted. Such a person, even if you spend a lot of money, you will still not succeed in the end, and only she will benefit.

The Third Miss, on the other hand, seems to have a very orderly way of doing things, but Cai Shi doesn’t like her. Besides adhering to proper conduct, she wouldn’t go to Third Madam to plead for anything.

Such a person has a backbone and her words naturally carry weight. Even if the matter fails, she will consider the money as pocket change for the Third  Miss.

Besides, if this thing doesn’t work out, forming a good relationship first might lead to future interactions. In short, Xie Linlang wouldn’t lose out.

On the other side, Song Yunzhao didn’t expect that the banknotes would actually be worth two thousand taels. This wasn’t just a generous sum, it was simply inhumane. The Xie family was indeed wealthy.

She was a conscientious person, so she naturally had to handle the matter after receiving such a large sum of money.

Song Yunzhao’s clever eyes turned slightly.  She called Qian Cao to enter and said, “Isn’t your relationship with Han Xiao considered not bad? Pass over a message to her.”

Qian Cao hurriedly answered: “Miss, Han Xiao and this maid really aren’t close. She keeps asking about matters in our yard, but this slave has never told her the truth.”

“I know you are loyal, so when she asks, tell her that my Cousin came over and we had an unpleasant disagreement.”

Qian Cao looked confused. “Miss, why do you want me to say it like that?”

“Just do it. If Han Xiao asks what the unpleasant matter was, just tell her that my cousin was looking for me, because she also wanted to go to Beijing. After I harshly mocked her, she left angrily.”

Qian Cao: …

Young lady is really capable of smearing her own name.

After Qian Cao left, Song Yunzhao called Jiang Xiang over again, “Has it become known outside why Second Aunt is visiting Mother and First Aunt?”

Jiang Xiang thought for a while, and then said: “They usually have dealings with each other, but it is not necessarily known why Second Madam went there this time.”

Song Yunzhao`s eyes curved, “We are all good people so Second Aunt’s money shouldn’t be spent in vain . Go and spread the news that Second Madam sent mother and First Madam generous gifts, in order for them to take Xie Linlang to Beijing with them.”

“Ah?” Jiang Xiang was shocked at first, and then became worried, “Miss, how could such news be spread? If Madam finds out about it, it would be disastrous.”  

“What are you scared of? There are so many maids and momos in Madam’s courtyard, and there are always a few blabbermouths around, aren’t there?“

”Miss wants to use them as a knife?”

But this plan wasn’t bad. Those little maids in Madam’s yard, seeing that Madam doesn’t like the Third Miss, often troubled them. They should be taught a lesson.

There is another point that Song Yunzhao did not mention. Both Madams have received money, but they might not handle the affair. They’ll think the other side only wanted money without intending to do anything, so they’ll spread the news on purpose to force each other to act.

Both First Madam and Cai Shi are very selfish people. To make Xie Linlang`s matter happen, just let them tear each other apart

Song Qinghan heard from Han Xiao that Xie Linlang went to Song Yunzhao for help. Naturally, she didn’t want Xie Linlang and her sister to have dealings with each other. After all, the Xie family was rich, and it wouldn’t be a good thing for her if they got close.

Since she couldn’t let Song Yunzhao benefit, she thought it better to accomplish this herself, winning over Xie Linlang, who might become her ally in the future.”

Little did she know that when she went to her mother’s side to persuade, she found out that the whole mansion was full of rumours about her Second Aunt giving the First and Third Branch a lot of money for Xie Linlang`s sake.

Cai Shi was so angry that she slammed her hand on the table, just as she saw her eldest daughter coming in. Her anger still had not dissipated, “It must have been done by your Eldest Aunt. She wants the money without lifting a finger. What a beautiful idea.”

Song Qinghan, who also had her own plan, comforted softly: “Mother, it’s good for us to be on good terms with Second Aunt. Think about it, the Xie family is very rich in Xuanzhou, and once we go to the capital, there will be plenty of places where we`ll need to spend money.”

Third Madam`s brows remained furrowed as she was unable to swallow her anger: “The Xie family`s money is their money. If we are really short of money, we can just ask Second Master. Didn’t he, a concubine born son, become so rich, because he was relying on his brothers, who were officials?” 

“You are right, but if you ask Second Uncle, First Aunt will be watching attentively. As for the Xie family, she can’t intervene in their matters.” Song Qinghan replied with a smile.

Cai Shi still remained silent.

Song Qinghan lowered her eyes slightly and spoke slowly: “Today, I heard that Cousin Lin went to visit Third Sister. In the end, Younger Sister ridiculed her so badly that Linlang left in anger. Although the Xie family are merchants, they are still Second Aunt`s maternal family and it’s not good to go too far.”

“There is also this matter?” Cai Shi`s brow furrowed even tighter.

“Third Sister is still young, Mother must not get angry. Later, I will definitely advise her.”

“She is only one year younger than you” Cai Shi grew more agitated, thinking that her daughter was born to oppose her.

At that time, when she and Concubine Che were both pregnant, she wanted to give birth to a son in order to suppress her. When Concubine Che gave birth to Song Jinxuan first, she thought her luck had turned. But in the end, she also ended up having a girl. Whenever she saw Concubine Che`s smug face, she couldn’t help, but dislike her daughter. 

If she had given birth to a son, her husband’s concubine wouldn’t be so arrogant. 

“Go to your Second Aunt and tell her that Xie Linlang is coming with us to Beijing” Cai Shi said with a cold face. Since her daughter wanted to associate with the Xie family, she, her mother, would give her this opportunity to show kindness. 

Song Qinghan, feeling relieved said: “Mother is so benevolent. Second Aunt and Cousin would surely be happy.” After a pause, she casually asked:

“But where will Cousin live once we arrive in the capital?”

She didn’t want someone living under her nose. Since Song Yunzhao and Xie Linlang don’t get along, it’s better for them to live together so they can fight constantly. That way, she could wholeheartedly concentrate on the palace elections.

TLs note:

Are you enjoying the first few chapters? Please let me know in the comments!