Bad luck?
Song Qinghan's expression couldn't help but turn sour.
Song Yunzhao paid her no mind, sitting down on her own and radiating a clear "leave me alone" aura.
So what if Mrs. Cai didn't like it? She was a legitimate daughter recorded in the family registry, a dotingly filial daughter who had earned plenty of goodwill in her father's eyes. If Mrs. Cai dared to go too far, she would simply write to her father and complain.
Besides, she already had a way to get her marriage out of Mrs. Cai's control, so there was even less to fear.
Furthermore, her eldest aunt was watching, just waiting to catch Mrs. Cai in a mistake, so Mrs. Cai wouldn't dare go overboard.
Therefore, Song Yunzhao wasn't afraid in the slightest. As they say, the barefoot aren't afraid of those in shoes.
Watching Song Yunzhao's impervious and fearless demeanor, Song Qinghan's expression slowly calmed. 'Let her be arrogant for a few more days,' she thought. 'A day will come when she'll take a huge fall.'
Early this morning, Mrs. Cai had been cornered at her door by the Senior Madam. Song Jinxuan was listless, worried about Aunt Che. Xie Linlang wasn't part of the selection, so she wasn't in a hurry. Song Yunzhao, knowing the direction the book's plot would take, was as cool as a cucumber. Only Song Qinghan, who knew why the Senior Madam had come, couldn't help but feel agitated.
Soon, faint voices could be heard from the next room. Then, Nanny Zhao, Mrs. Cai's steward, came in with a smile. She curtsied and said, "The Madam has something to discuss with the Senior Madam. Would the young ladies please return for now?"
Song Yunzhao immediately turned to leave, and Nanny Zhao's face froze for a moment.
Song Jinxuan's eyes darted around, and she also rose. She looked at Nanny Zhao and said with a smile, "Since Mother has important business, I won't disturb her."
Xie Linlang smiled at Nanny Zhao and left with Song Jinxuan.
In an instant, only Song Qinghan remained in the hall. She looked at Nanny Zhao and asked, "What did Eldest Aunt come to say? From what I heard, it sounded like Mother was very displeased."
Nanny Zhao quickly stepped forward and whispered, "The Senior Madam wants our Madam to take the Fifth Young Lady and you, Eldest Young Lady, to the Dingnan Bo Mansion. Our Madam refused, and the Senior Madam started making a scene."
Song Qinghan's face turned grim. She couldn't stop herself from saying, "I knew it. Eldest Aunt insisted on coming to Shangjing with us precisely for this reason."
Seeing Song Qinghan's foul expression, Nanny Zhao quickly tried to console her. "Eldest Young Lady, please don't be angry. Our Madam will handle everything. Even if she's forced to bring her along in the end, isn't there still the Madam of the Uncle Mansion? With a single word, she can send the Fifth Young Lady home in disgrace. Why should you be angry?"
Song Qinghan knew Nanny Zhao was trying to console her. 'But how could it be that easy?' she thought. 'If it were, I would have stayed at the Uncle Mansion today.'
But she couldn't say these words out loud, so she just nodded. "Nanny Zhao, you may go about your business. I'll come pay my respects after Mother is finished."
Nanny Zhao personally saw her out. As Song Qinghan walked along the path, her mind was completely filled with thoughts about the selection.
She had seen Chu Yuying at the Uncle Mansion. Ordinarily, Chu Yuying would be the perfect age for the selection, but her stepmother was a second wife. Ding Nan Bo, afraid her stepmother would control Chu Yuying's marriage, had arranged a match for her early on.
Her fiancé was the eldest legitimate grandson of the Marquis Yongjia Mansion. The match was made with great care. Though their family was only an Uncle Mansion, she was marrying into a Marquis Mansion—and to the eldest legitimate grandson, at that.
'But how could that compare to entering the palace?'
Especially since the current Emperor, His Majesty, had ascended the throne as a youth and had only just come of age this year. He was in the prime of his life. To enter the palace at such a time and win his favor would be to forge the bond of a young couple. If one could seize that opportunity, a lifetime of wealth and glory would be assured.
How could Chu Yuying not be resentful at the comparison?
But with the engagement set and known throughout the Capital City, she couldn't possibly break it off to enter the palace. So, with nowhere to vent her fury, she directed it all at Song Qinghan.
Of course, Song Qinghan was furious, but she was powerless.
The other girl was the eldest legitimate daughter of a prominent noble family, while her own father was merely a Sixth-rank Official. Furthermore, her aunt was a second wife. Stepmothers have it hard enough as it is and must be careful of their reputation, so her aunt couldn't afford to cause trouble. Thus, Song Qinghan couldn't risk offending Chu Yuying. Even when humiliated by her, she had no choice but to hold her nose and swallow her pride.
Song Qinghan suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned to walk back.
Hanshao and Furong exchanged a look and, casting aside their surprise, immediately hurried after her.
When Song Qinghan returned, Mrs. Cai had just seen the Senior Madam out and was now fuming in her room.
"Mother." As soon as Song Qinghan entered, she dismissed the servants, then helped her mother to a seat. "I have a plan. Please don't be angry anymore."
Mrs. Cai was so enraged by the Senior Madam that she felt ill from head to toe. Her daughter's words instantly lifted her spirits. "What's your idea?" she asked.
"I heard from Nanny Zhao that Eldest Aunt wants you to take Ye Xi to the Uncle Mansion?"
"Exactly. Doesn't she see that Ye Xi isn't as beautiful as your sister, nor is she as talented and good-looking as you are? Forcing her way in will only lead to embarrassment." Mrs. Cai was displeased, and her words were sharp.
Song Qinghan didn't correct her mother, but said softly, "Mother, I think it would be better to bring both Third Sister and Ye Xi along. You know that the eldest young lady of the Uncle Mansion is getting married next year. If she has someone to keep her company, it could also bring our two families closer."
Mrs. Cai's brow furrowed at her daughter's suggestion. "That won't do. That Chu Yuying is the eldest young lady of the Uncle Mansion, spoiled beyond belief and with a terrible temper. Your Third Sister and Ye Xi are not the types to meekly endure insults. If they clash with her, won't they cause a disaster?"
"Mother, it would just be a small quarrel. Would the grand eldest daughter of the Uncle Mansion really refuse to let it go? Even if they lose a little face, it would teach Third Sister and Ye Xi to restrain their tempers. It would also show Eldest Aunt the pains you've taken for her sake."
Mrs. Cai was not so easily persuaded. What she valued most was her husband's career. If they truly offended the eldest young lady of the Uncle Mansion and angered Ding Nan Bo, the blame would ultimately fall on her husband.
"Let me think about it."
Song Qinghan hadn't expected her mother to refuse. The hand clutching her handkerchief tightened, but she smiled nonchalantly. "I was just making a casual suggestion. If it's inappropriate, please don't give it another thought, Mother. In any case, I will always listen to you."
Mrs. Cai was coaxed into a laugh. "You are such a considerate daughter. It's not that I disagree, I'm just worried about implicating your father's official career. Here, under the Emperor's nose, noble families and imperial relatives are everywhere. Your father's position as a Sixth-rank Official is nothing but dirt under their feet. We must naturally be cautious in everything we do."
As soon as Song Qinghan heard this, she knew this plan would not be easy to pull off. Moreover, all her glory depended on her father, so she could not damage his official reputation.
'In that case,' she thought, 'I'll have to find another way.'
An idea formed in Song Qinghan's mind, but this time she kept it to herself. She decided to set things in motion first before saying anything.
Song Yunzhao returned to her courtyard with Song Jinxuan trailing behind her like a tail and said with great displeasure, "What are you following me for?"
Song Jinxuan snorted. "Do you think I want to follow you? I have something I need your advice on."
'Oh?' Song Yunzhao thought. 'She even used a word like "advice." This can't be good.'