Mrs. Cai's expression iced over at her words. She looked at the First Madam and said, "First Sister-in-law, what are you suggesting? Qing Han is an unmarried girl. What decision could she make? Besides, a matter like the selection isn't something the Dingnan Bo Mansion can decide alone. It's not just our Song Family's daughters, either. The Dingnan Bo Mansion has so many in-laws; it's not guaranteed a girl from our family will be the one chosen."
"So, Third Sister-in-law, you do realize it's not a sure thing," the First Madam retorted. "It's precisely because of this uncertainty that we should have all the eligible girls in the family make an appearance. Let the Dingnan Bo Mansion have a proper look. We can't have people saying our family is stingy for presenting only one candidate when we have so many. If that happens, I'm afraid even Madam Ding Nanbo will be criticized and have it held against her."
The First Madam was a master of pompous lectures, pulling one elaborate justification out of a hat after another. Listening to her was, for Song Yunzhao, a breath of fresh air.
Her gaze swept over to Song Qinghan. 'This must be that key moment from the book,' she mused. 'The part where they go to the Uncle Mansion for the selection, and the original owner of this body gets framed by Song Qinghan, her reputation ruined.'
'There are two paths I can take now. The first is to play along with her scheme and turn it back on her, making Song Qinghan reap what she sows. But if I do that, Song Qinghan will surely run crying to Mrs. Cai when we get back. I could probably get myself out of trouble, but the fallout would be a huge pain to deal with.'
'The second option is to find an excuse not to go to the Dingnan Bo Mansion. I can just wait for the court to announce the official imperial selection. Then I can enter fair and square.'
'However, that path has its own risk. By then, Mrs. Cai will likely see my face as a threat and try to obstruct me.'
'What's more, the First Madam won't be speaking up for me then. After all, the first branch of the family surely won't appreciate this face of mine either.'
'Fortunately, Father will have returned to the capital by then.'
In that instant, Song Yunzhao made her decision.
The First Madam's barrage of questions left Mrs. Cai unable to back down gracefully in front of all the children. She was on the verge of lashing out in humiliation when, just as she was about to drop all pretenses, Song Qinghan spoke up.
"Eldest Aunt, you've really misunderstood Mother. Let me be frank. You know that while my aunt is Madam Ding Nanbo, she is the successor wife. My aunt has always been kind to others, but the eldest miss of the Uncle Mansion is a very strong-willed person, so my aunt can't help but be extra cautious."
Since Song Qinghan was revealing the internal affairs of the Uncle Mansion, the First Madam immediately began to listen intently. Song Qinghan spoke with such earnest sincerity that the First Madam nodded slightly. It was always difficult being a stepmother, and even more so in a noble family.
Seeing the First Madam's look of agreement, the troubled expression on Song Qinghan's face intensified. "The Uncle Mansion was indeed hosting a banquet yesterday. Mother was afraid I would be humiliated, so she concealed the truth. I'm sorry it led to a misunderstanding, Eldest Aunt. We all share the name Song; we are one family. If there were truly a great opportunity, I, Qing Han, would of course want my own sisters to be the ones to get it."
The First Madam immediately sensed the hidden meaning in her words. She looked at Song Qinghan with a gentle smile. "You are a good child. Don't just suffer in silence if you've been wronged. Tell your Eldest Aunt, and I will see that justice is done."
"It wasn't exactly a grievance," she began. "It's just that yesterday, Miss Chu held a banquet, inviting many young ladies from prominent families. It seemed to me she was subtly trying to challenge my aunt. Also, while our Song Family ancestors were once glorious, Father and Eldest Uncle's current official ranks are a bit low. And because my aunt is the successor wife... Eldest Aunt, you see me as having a grand time, but you don't know how I suffered at the Uncle Mansion yesterday."
As she spoke, Song Qinghan took out a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. Mrs. Cai's face darkened as she listened. "Why didn't you tell me this?" she demanded angrily. "I'm going to see your aunt this very day!"
"Mother, please don't go," Song Qinghan quickly pleaded. "If Miss Chu finds out, she'll only use it as another excuse to stir up trouble. How could I put Aunt in such a difficult position because of me?"
Having been sisters-in-law for years, the First Madam could tell that Mrs. Cai was genuinely unaware of the situation. It seemed Qing Han was telling the truth.
At this thought, the First Madam looked at Mrs. Cai and said, "Third Sister-in-law, look at how you've managed things. If you had let Ye Xi and the others go along, with all of us there in numbers, that Miss Chu would have had to show some restraint. She's a woman on the verge of marriage; she has to care about her reputation."
Song Yunzhao was in awe. 'The First Madam's silver tongue is truly something else,' she thought. 'Even now, she doesn't forget to shoehorn Song Yexi into the conversation, and she does it with such self-righteous, unshakeable confidence.'
'Impressive!'
Noticing her mother's hesitation, Song Qinghan immediately spoke up. "Eldest Aunt, please don't blame my mother. It's not that she's unwilling to let the sisters of the family go; it's just... it's difficult for my aunt over at the Uncle Mansion. She was afraid if Fifth Sister and the others went, they might be mistreated. How would she be able to face you then? Look at me—I have to swallow my grievances and suffer in silence. I have to just endure it myself."
The First Madam understood Song Qinghan's implication. Mrs. Cai was too proud; she didn't want her to know that Madam Ding Nanbo's position as the successor wife at the Uncle Mansion wasn't as glamorous as it seemed.
'She's afraid I'll laugh at her!'
Furthermore, the First Madam didn't miss Song Qinghan's subtle warning: they were welcome to go, but they would have to endure any slights they received.
The First Madam really disliked Song Qinghan's passive-aggressive nature. She had a way of taking perfectly fine words and making them sound strange and sarcastic.
"It truly has been hard on you, Qing Han," the First Madam declared. "All the more reason for our family to back you up, and to back up the Madam! We'll have all you sisters go. Let that Miss Chu see that the young ladies of the Song Family are not to be trifled with! And let everyone know that the Madam has people supporting her. Your father and your eldest uncle may not hold high ranks at present, but our Song Family is not without its own legacy. There's no need to be afraid."
Mrs. Cai: ...
'She's so quick to seize any advantage she's given. Was the First Madam reincarnated from a monkey?!'
And so, the matter was settled. With everyone seemingly pleased, they departed one after another.
Song Yunzhao noticed Song Jinxuan couldn't suppress the smile on her face as she hurried away. 'It seems Aunt Che managed to get to the First Madam,' she thought. 'The "sisters" the First Madam mentioned today made no distinction between daughters of the legal wife and daughters of concubines.'
Song Yexi did not follow the First Madam back to the East Courtyard. Instead, she quickened her pace to catch up with Song Yunzhao, smiling as she asked, "Little Sister Zhao, would I be welcome to have a cup of tea at your courtyard?"
"Ms. Xi, if you wish to come, I would be delighted to have you," Song Yunzhao said, putting on a pleased expression as she cheerfully led the way to her courtyard.
Song Yexi, Song Yunzhao, and Song Jinxuan were all born in the same year. Song Yexi was the eldest, followed by Song Jinxuan, with Song Yunzhao being the youngest.
Because each branch of the family had its own birth order ranking, they usually added a first name when addressing a cousin from another branch to avoid confusion.
There wasn't much written about Song Yexi in the book. She had simply chosen to remain silent at the Uncle Mansion when she discovered Song Qinghan's plot against Song Yunzhao.
Furthermore, Song Yexi was later unable to participate in the imperial selection because she injured her foot. She claimed Song Qinghan was responsible, but there was no proof. And since Song Qinghan later entered the palace successfully, the first branch simply buried the matter.
Now, with Song Yexi coming to have tea with her, Song Yunzhao was facing yet another event not described in the book.
Song Yunzhao didn't know what Song Yexi was planning. She invited her inside and had a maid serve tea before smiling and asking, "Ms. Xi, did you come all this way just for a cup of tea?"
Song Yexi reached out and gently poked Song Yunzhao's forehead. "You're a clever one, aren't you? I do have a little something I'd like to discuss with you, and you're not allowed to say no."
Song Yunzhao was at a loss for words.
'Asking for a favor in such a domineering way... It certainly leaves one with mixed feelings.'