Mrs. Cai shook her head. "Your third sister has a difficult personality. Don't go looking for trouble, only to get dragged into it yourself."
Though she said that, what Mrs. Cai really worried about was that her younger daughter's face was simply too beautiful. If her elder daughter appeared with her, would anyone even notice the elder?
'She herself was dignified and poised, and her husband was a refined gentleman. She had no idea how they had produced a daughter like Song Yunzhao, with the face of a vixen. Just looking at her is vexing.'
'Aunt Che had used that same foxy face to fight with her for so many years. She was absolutely sick of it.'
Hearing her mother's words, Song Qinghan didn't insist. 'It's better for me to go alone and see for myself anyway. I need to get a clear understanding of the situation at the Uncle Mansion first.'
The next morning, just as expected, Mrs. Cai took Song Qinghan and left the house.
Soon enough, Song Yunzhao got word of it, brought to her by Song Jinxuan.
"Third Sister, I'm the daughter of a concubine, so it's one thing for Mother not to take me. But you're her biological daughter! How could she leave you behind on a visit to the Uncle Mansion?" Song Jinxuan was furious. With something like the palace selection on the line, who wouldn't want to seize the chance to ascend to the heavens in a single step?
If she were chosen, her own mother could live more comfortably in the mansion, and her brother's future would be more secure. But it was obvious the main wife would never give her that chance.
If Song Qinghan were truly chosen, she wouldn't gain a single benefit. In fact, her eldest sister might even help the main wife suppress them.
Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan. "I never wanted to be part of the selection in the first place. Sowing discord with me is useless."
Her intentions laid bare by Song Yunzhao, Song Jinxuan looked embarrassed for a moment, but she quickly rallied. "Third Sister, I know I offended you a couple of years ago, but you got your revenge on me and my mother that same year. I haven't done anything to you in the years since. Shouldn't we call it even?"
'Song Yunzhao knew what Song Jinxuan was up to. She wants to drag me into a fight against Song Qinghan.'
'It's not out of the question. After all, Song Qinghan is still planning to use me as a stepping stone.'
"Second Sister, what's the use of telling me all this? I can't decide to go to our aunt's house on my own, nor will I speak up for you in front of Mother. You never seem to understand what's important. You need to use your head when you do things."
Being told she was brainless, Song Jinxuan's face twisted for a moment. She took a deep breath, then said through clenched teeth, "You think I don't want to? But Father is far away in Nanyu, and Mother keeps Aunt Che by her side. What can I do?"
"Father's business in Nanyu is almost finished. He's only staying for social obligations now. If there were an urgent matter at home, he would naturally hurry back." Song Yunzhao said just enough and no more.
Song Jinxuan's gaze hardened. She glanced at Song Yunzhao, who was holding a book and clearly had no intention of engaging with her further. Uncomfortable staying any longer, she rose to take her leave. After thinking it over, she decided to go find Aunt Che.
When Aunt Che saw her daughter arrive, she quickly pulled her inside and whispered, "Second Young Miss, what are you doing here? If the Madam finds out, she'll make trouble for you again. The Master isn't in the Capital City, so we have to be careful."
"Mother, I have something important to discuss with you." Song Jinxuan suppressed her excitement. Fearing she'd be targeted by the main wife if she stayed too long, she cut to the chase. "Mother, write a letter to Father and tell him to hurry back to the Capital City."
Aunt Che was startled. "What nonsense are you spouting? How could I write such a letter to the Master?"
Though she said that, Aunt Che was already swayed. After following the Madam to the Capital City, she'd been forced to live in reverse-facing quarters, and everything about it was uncomfortable. But for the sake of her children, she had no choice but to hold her nose and endure it.
"Mother, staying in the capital, you can't protect me and Brother. Instead, to humiliate us, the Madam insists on making you stand in attendance every time we go to pay our respects. She's doing it on purpose for me to see, to slap me in the face and make me miserable."
"This is what one must endure as a concubine." Aunt Che quickly tried to comfort her daughter. 'She didn't want to live like this, but with her daughter and son approaching marriageable age and the Madam controlling all marital matters, what can I do?'
'It's just a slap in my face, isn't it?'
'I can endure it.'
'In the future, once my son marries a good wife and my daughter a good husband, what will I have to fear?'
"Mother, this morning the Madam took Eldest Sister to the Dingnan Bo Mansion. She never even considered letting me show my face for this palace selection. I refuse to just accept this. You have to find a way to get Father to come back quickly. Only when Father is here can Brother and I live a better life."
Aunt Che fell silent. She knew her daughter was right.
"But even if I write the letter, how would we get it to your father? If the Madam finds out, it could cost us our lives," Aunt Che frowned.
"Have Brother find an escort master from outside to deliver it. It's just a matter of spending a little more money," Song Jinxuan said in a low voice. "You write the letter, Mother, and I'll go find Brother."
For the sake of her children's future, Aunt Che gritted her teeth and agreed. "Alright, I'll write it now. Wait for me."
Aunt Che finished the letter, and Song Jinxuan tucked it into her sleeve pocket. Trying her best not to look suspicious for fear of raising alarm, she didn't go to find her full brother immediately. Instead, she waited until most people were taking their afternoon naps before heading toward the Chuihua Gate.
Meanwhile, in Song Yunzhao's quarters, Mrs. Luo was reporting, "Young Miss, you guessed right. The Second Young Miss did indeed go to see Aunt Che, and then she went to find the Second Young Master. The old woman guarding the second gate told me herself. She said the Second Young Miss brought the Second Young Master a bowl of pear soup."
Song Yunzhao knew Song Jinxuan was bold, but she hadn't expected her to act so efficiently.
"Have you taken care of the old woman at the second gate?"
"Don't you worry, Young Miss. It was just the Second Young Miss thinking of her full brother and bringing him a worthless bowl of pear soup. It's not worth them gossiping to the Madam about it."
Song Yunzhao calculated in her head. 'In another five or six days, the courtiers will petition His Majesty to begin the selection. If things move quickly, Aunt Che's letter will have already reached Father's hands. If Aunt Che is capable enough, perhaps Father will come to the Capital City immediately.'
'As long as Father comes to the Capital City, neither Song Jinxuan nor Song Buming will be so passive. Aunt Che's backbone will stiffen again, and then I can use Song Jinxuan to trip up Song Qinghan.'
'That's more like it. Everyone in their proper place, maintaining the balance.'
However, what Song Yunzhao didn't expect was that Mrs. Cai found out that very evening. It was unclear whether she had discovered the matter of the letter, but Aunt Che was punished for a fabricated fault and forced to kneel for one hour.
While Aunt Che was being punished, neither Song Jinxuan nor Song Buming came out to plead for her. The old woman who guarded the second gate was also punished, the reason given being dereliction of duty.
What duty had she neglected?
Letting Song Jinxuan and Song Buming meet in private, of course.
When they met the next morning, Song Yunzhao noticed that Song Jinxuan's eyes were slightly swollen. It wasn't obvious unless you looked closely. 'She must have been crying.'
Song Yunzhao then sized up Song Qinghan, whose expression was also quite sour. 'Oh ho, it seems this one didn't get to stay at the Dingnan Bo Mansion as she wished.'
Song Qinghan was in a bad mood, and seeing the smiling curve of Song Yunzhao's eyes and brows displeased her. She spoke up, "Third Sister, what has happened to make you so happy? Why don't you share it so we can all have a laugh?"
"Eldest Sister, you're the one looking so full of sorrow. Did you run into some trouble? Why don't you share it, so we can all help you shoulder some of that bad luck."
'As if I don't have a mouth of my own!'