Song Jinxuan paid no mind to Song Yunzhao's frosty expression. She followed her into the room and sat right down.
Song Yunzhao's mouth twitched. She really couldn't understand it. Comparing the Song Jinxuan from the book to the one before her now, she was finding the contrast increasingly bizarre.
Song Jinxuan didn't notice Song Yunzhao's strange look. Composing herself, she feigned nonchalance and said, "The letter is sent. If all goes well, Father should arrive in the Capital City ahead of schedule."
"The deed is done, so what are you still doing here?" Song Yunzhao asked, confused. 'We're not even what you'd call frenemies, there's no need for us to be this close.'
"You…" Song Jinxuan's throat seemed to ache from the sharp retort. She gritted her teeth and said, "I refuse to believe you don't want to enter the palace."
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan, her expression utterly sincere. "I really don't."
She wasn't lying. She truly didn't want to enter the palace, but she still had to go through with the selection.
Song Jinxuan was stunned. 'How… how could that be possible?'
'Who wouldn't want to rise to the top in a single leap?'
Perhaps it was because Song Yunzhao's expression was just too sincere, but Song Jinxuan was speechless for a long moment.
"Our mother favors our eldest sister. If you don't join the selection to carve out a path for yourself, what kind of good marriage can you expect from her in the future? Aren't you going to think for yourself?"
Song Yunzhao stared at Song Jinxuan in surprise, not having expected her to say something like that.
Song Jinxuan's hand tightened around her handkerchief. "I know it's disrespectful to speak of Mrs. Cai this way, but every word I say is sincere. This doesn't just apply to you; I feel the same way about my own marriage. My mother, Aunt Che, has always been despised by Mrs. Cai. I'm well aware that my future marriage prospects will be difficult. Aren't you afraid at all?"
'In the book, Song Jinxuan also participated in the selection. But just like the original protagonist, she was sabotaged by Song Qinghan. She wasn't as unlucky as the original me, who had her reputation ruined and face disfigured, but she did leave a terrible impression on His Majesty. When the Emperor was arranging marriages for the rejected candidates, Song Jinxuan was not granted this honor. After she returned home, Mrs. Cai used His Majesty's disdain for Song Jinxuan to manipulate Aunt Che and her daughter, ultimately marrying Jinxuan off to a poor Scholar.'
At this thought, Song Yunzhao's brow furrowed slightly.
Seeing Song Yunzhao frown, Song Jinxuan thought she had persuaded her and quickly added, "Third Sister, there's no deep-seated hatred between us. Since we're both in a difficult situation, shouldn't we face it together? My expectations aren't high. I'm not trying to enter the palace. I just want to build a good reputation during the selection so I can secure a good marriage later. I won't compete with you for the wealth and glory of the palace."
Song Yunzhao was actually a little tempted. 'Song Qinghan is the third-ranked female antagonist in the original book. Her capacity for destruction is immense. If I could team up with Song Jinxuan, it wouldn't be a bad option.'
'However, Aunt Che and her daughter are incredibly cunning. I can't just assume that because I'm a transmigrator who knows the plot, I can do as I please and command the elements.'
'Still, an alliance is necessary.'
'But how we form it will require some finesse.'
"What do you want me to do?" Song Yunzhao asked, her curiosity piqued.
Song Jinxuan breathed a small sigh of relief. "Eldest Aunt will surely have Mother bring Fifth Sister along. When that happens, I'll find a way to have Mother bring me too. All I ask is that you don't get in my way, Third Sister."
Song Yunzhao had thought it was going to be some major request. "If that's all, then I agree," she said readily.
Song Jinxuan was overjoyed. She and Song Yunzhao had never seen eye to eye, so she'd been afraid Yunzhao would try to sabotage her. "Thank you, Third Sister."
"Go on, then. I won't see you out."
Song Jinxuan: ...
She left, bottling up a stomach full of rage.
'Even as an ally, that Song Yunzhao is still just as detestable as ever.'
After Song Jinxuan left, Song Yunzhao carefully reviewed the book's plot. 'Before the grand selection officially begins, the First Madam and Mrs. Cai are supposed to clash a few more times. Song Qinghan won't be idle either; she'll be constantly visiting the Dingnan Bo Mansion to build goodwill.'
'In the book, Aunt Che had waited until Third Master Song arrived in the Capital City. It just so happened that His Majesty was opening the selection to more candidates, so she forcefully used Third Master Song's influence to push Song Jinxuan into the running.'
'But now the plot has changed. Because I gave them that idea, Aunt Che and her daughter clearly have a different scheme in mind. For now, though, it doesn't harm me, so I'll just let things be.'
She desperately wanted to witness Song Qinghan getting repeatedly humiliated by Chu Yuying at the Dingnan Bo Mansion. But unfortunately, Song Qinghan was obsessed with her reputation; she would never let anyone see her in a sorry state.
'My gossipy, drama-loving soul is burning with desire, but alas, I'm not fated to witness it.'
'Such a shame.'
"What's such a shame?"
Song Yunzhao froze. Seeing Xie Linlang walk in, she realized she had spoken her thoughts aloud. She quickly tried to cover her tracks: "I was just lamenting that it's a shame to be in the Capital City, yet be cooped up in this courtyard, unable to go out and explore."
Xie Linlang had Hua Zhi place the brocade box she was carrying on the table. "I brought you some snacks," she said with a smile.
Given their very pleasant collaboration so far, their relationship had become much friendlier than before. Xie Linlang thought Third Miss was truly a good person.
"What is it?" Song Yunzhao's eyes swept over the three-tiered brocade box. It was gilded with intricate openwork carvings; the box alone had to be worth a small fortune.
'I'm practically destitute right now,' she thought, her mouth watering at the sight. 'When will I ever achieve financial freedom?'
Xie Linlang opened the box, taking out the contents tier by tier. "These are all famous pastries from the Three Yuan Building. My older brother had them sent over. You should try some."
The first tier held a dish of White Jade Osmanthus Cake. It was almost translucent, revealing the golden osmanthus blossoms suspended within. The faint, sweet fragrance was a delight to the senses even before taking a bite.
The second tier contained Ruyi Rolls. Unlike those from other shops, these were made from Yam Cake filled with honey date crumbs. They were shaped like a Ruyi scepter and drizzled with a light honey sauce, offering a refreshing sweetness that was perfectly balanced.
The third tier was rose cake. It melted in the mouth, releasing a rich floral fragrance. It was only slightly sweet and beautifully shaped like a blooming rose.
'Three Yuan Building?'
'That's the most famous restaurant in the book! It's a hotspot for gossip, the place to be for any major event—a paradise for onlookers. A pity my father isn't here yet, so I can't go out. How depressing.'
Song Yunzhao ate with great satisfaction. Only after she had her fill did she remember to ask Xie Linlang, "Did he only send these to you and me?"
Xie Linlang understood her meaning and replied softly with a smile, "Everyone in the mansion received some."
Song Yunzhao felt a sense of camaraderie with Xie Linlang. "That's good," she said, then paused. "Your brother must have spent a fortune."
The pastries from Three Yuan Building weren't cheap, and with so many people in the eastern and western courtyards, the Xie family had truly spared no expense to ensure Xie Linlang's stay was comfortable.
'Besides, in the book, Xie Linlang eventually enters the Prime Minister's Mansion, and that has a lot to do with the Xie family's strong support and careful planning.'
Xie Linlang brushed it off. "This much money is nothing. Besides," she added, leaning in, "only you and I received the most famous and expensive kinds from Three Yuan Building."
Song Yunzhao couldn't help but grin at that. "Don't worry. My lips are sealed by your generosity. I won't tell a soul."
Xie Linlang's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled back. In high spirits, she said, "I have some important news for you. Don't be in a hurry to visit the Dingnan Bo Mansion about the selection. It seems there's been a change of plans."
Hmm?
Song Yunzhao stared at Xie Linlang in astonishment. 'I only knew about the change because I know the plot. How could Xie Linlang possibly know?'