“Were you unlucky?”
Song Qinghan’s face couldn’t hide her embarrassment.
Song Yunzhao ignored her, sitting down with a “don’t mess with me” attitude.
So what if Cai Shi disliked her? She was a legitimate daughter, registered in the family genealogy, and had gained a lot of favour with her father by being a dutiful daughter. If Cai Shi dared to go too far, she would simply write a letter of complaint to her father.
Moreover, she had found a way to escape Cai Shi’s control over her marriage, so she had nothing to fear.
And after all, there was always her Eldest Aunt who kept an eye on her mother’s mistakes, ensuring she didn’t overstep.
So, Song Yunzhao wasn’t afraid at all. Those who have nothing to lose, fear nothing.
Seeing Song Yunzhao’s fearless and defiant attitude, Song Qinghan’s expression gradually became tranquil. Let her be arrogant for a few more days, she thought. Sooner or later, she’ll take a great fall.
Cai Shi was cornered earlier by the First Madam. Song Jinxuan, preoccupied with Concubine Che, was low-spirited. Xie Linlang wasn’t participating in the selection, so she wasn’t anxious. Song Yunzhao, knowing the story’s trajectory, remained as calm as ever. Only Song Qinghan knew why her First Aunt had come and couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Soon, faint sounds came from next door, followed by Zhao Momo, the stewardess by Cai Shi’s side. She entered with a smile, curtsied and said: “Third Madam has matters to discuss with the Eldest Madam. The Young Ladies should return for now.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yunzhao immediately walked out, causing Zhao Momo’s smile to freeze slightly.
Song Jinxuan glanced around, then stood up and said with a smile, “Since Mother has important matters, I won’t disturb her.”
Xie Linlang smiled at Zhao Momo and followed Song Jinxuan out.
The hall quickly emptied, leaving only Song Qinghan. She looked at Zhao Momo and asked, “What did my Aunt say? Why does it sound like my Mother is very unhappy?”
Zhao Momo stepped forward and quietly replied, “The Eldest Madam wanted your Mother to take Fifth Miss and you to the Dingnan Count Residence. The Madam refused, so the Eldest Madam caused a scene.”
Song Qinghan’s expression turned ugly, and she couldn’t help but say, “I knew it. Eldest Aunt insisted on going to the capital with us, because she had her eye on this matter.”
Seeing her displeasure, Zhao Momo quickly tried to soothe her, “Miss, don’t be angry. The Madam will handle everything. Even if at the end, you have no choice but to take the Fifth Miss, won’t the Marchioness handle it? With one word, the Fifth Miss will have to return in disgrace. There’s no need to get upset.”
Song Qinghan knew that Zhao Momo was trying to comfort her, but it wasn’t that simple. If it were, she would have stayed at the Count’s residence today.
But these thoughts couldn’t be spoken aloud. She just nodded, “Zhao Momo, you should go about your duties. I’ll come back to pay my respects when Mother is free.”
Zhao Mama personally escorted her out. As Song Qinghan walked away, her mind was filled with thoughts about the selection.
At the Count’s residence earlier, she met Chu Yuying. Although Chu Yuying was of the right age for the selection, my maternal Aunt had become her stepmother. Fearing her marriage would be controlled by the stepmother, the Marquis quickly arranged a marriage for her, before the selection was announced.
The other party is the eldest grandson of the Yongjia Marquis family. This marriage is truly well-planned. While their own family is only a count’s household, she would be marrying into a marquis’ household as the eldest grandson’s wife.
But how could this compare to entering the palace?
Especially since the current Emperor ascended the throne at a young age and is now in the prime of his life, barely twenty years old. If one were to enter the palace now and win his favour, they could truly become a young couple in love, securing a lifetime of wealth and glory.
Given this comparison, how could Chu Yuying feel content?
However, with the engagement settled and known throughout the capital, there was no way to break it off and enter the palace instead. So, her pent-up anger was directed at her.
How could Song Qinghan not be upset? But there was nothing she could do about it.
The other party was the legitimate eldest daughter of a noble family of second-rank, while her own Father was merely a sixth-rank official. Additionally, her Maternal Aunt was the second wife of the Marquis, which made things more complicated. She had to be mindful of her reputation, so she couldn’t afford to provoke her. Even if she was humiliated by the other party, she had to swallow her pride and endure it.
Song Qinghan suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned back.
Han Xiao and Furong exchanged a surprised glance, but quickly followed her.
Song Qinghan returned just as Cai Shi was seeing off the Eldest Madam, angrily pacing the room.
“Mother,” Song Qinghan said as she entered, sending the servants away and helping her Mother sit down. “I have an idea, please don’t be angry.”
Cai Shi was so enraged by the Eldest Madam that she was fuming, but upon hearing her daughter’s words, she perked up and asked, “What idea do you have?”
“Daughter overheard from Zhao Momo that Eldest Aunt wants you to take Yexi to the Count’s residence?”
“Exactly. She doesn’t see that Yexi is neither as beautiful as Yunzhao, nor as talented as you. Even if she insists on following, it would only be embarrassing,” Cai Shi said, her displeasure evident in her harsh words.
Song Qinghan did not correct her Mother, but gently said, “Mother, I think it might be better to take Third Sister and Yexi along. You know that the Eldest Daughter of the Marquis’s residence is getting married next year. If she has someone to chat with, it could bring our families closer.”
Cai Shi frowned upon hearing this. “That won’t do. Chu Yuying, the eldest daughter of the Count’s residence, has been spoiled beyond measure and has a bad temper. Neither your younger sister, nor Yexi is the type to endure such treatment. If they clash, it could cause trouble.”
“Mother, it’s just a few words of argument. Would the dignified Eldest Miss of the Count’s family really hold onto it? Even if they suffer a little, it will teach Third Sister and Yexi to control their temper and you can show First Madam your good intentions.”
Cai Shi was not easily persuaded by her daughter. What she valued most was her husband’s career. If they offended the Eldest Miss of the Count’s family and angered the Count, wouldn’t the blame fall on her husband?
“Let me think about it.”
Song Qinghan did not expect her mother to refuse. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand, then smiled nonchalantly, “I was just making a suggestion. If it’s not appropriate, you don’t have to take it to heart. No matter what, I will always listen to you.”
Cai Shi was coaxed into laughter by her daughter’s words, “You are thoughtful, my child. It’s not that I disagree, but I am worried about implicating your Father’s career. Here, under the Emperor’s rule, there are nobles everywhere. Your Father’s position as a sixth-rank official is like dirt under their feet. We must act cautiously.”
Hearing this, Song Qinghan knew the matter would not be easy to accomplish, and since her glory depended entirely on her Father, she could not jeopardise his reputation.
If that was the case, she would have to find another way.
Song Qinghan had an idea, but did not share it this time, planning to implement it first.
Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao, followed by Song Jinxuan, returned to her courtyard. Unhappy, she asked, “Why are you following me?”
Song Jinxuan snorted, “Do you think I want to follow you? I have something I want to ask you.”
Oh, the word ‘ask’—it’s definitely not something proper.
TL’s note:
Let me repeat the index and add some new names:
Dingnan mansion/ Chu family/ A count family- third-rank officials
Count
The count’s wife- the maternal aunt of Yunzhao and Qinghan
Chu Yuying- daughter of the Count`s first wife
Song Mansion:
First branch of the family: the family of the oldest Song brother
First Madam/ his official wife – Jiang Shi
Song Yuexi- Fifth Young lady, Jiang Shi`s daughter
Second Branch of the family: Second Song brother
Second Madam
Xie Linlang – adopted by Second Madam
Hua Zhi – Linlang`s servant
Concubine Zhu
Third branch of the family: the family of the Third Song brother:
Madam Cai/ Third Madam/ Cai Shi – his official wife
Song Qinghan- Eldest Young Lady, daughter of Cai Shi
Han Xiao, Furong – Qinghan`s maidservants
Song Yunzhao – Third Young Lady, daughter of Cai Shi, main character
Qian Cao , Jiang Xiang, Luo Momo – Yunzhao`s servants
Concubine Che- another wife of the Third Master – not an official one
Song Jinxuan- Second Young Lady, daughter of concubine Che
Song Boming -son of Concubine Che
Concubine Feng
Concubine Qin
Song Boyue- son
