Chapter 20: Chapter 20: There’s Such a Good Thing?
Third Master Song met his daughter’s expectant gaze, and his heart couldn’t help but soften. He reached out and gently ruffled the top of her hair before saying, "You can, but the Capital City is not like Nanyu. You must be more restrained."
"Thank you, Father. I understand. I definitely won’t cause you any trouble." Song Yunzhao let out a long, internal sigh of relief. ’As long as I can get out of the house, everything will be much easier.’
This book she had transmigrated into wasn’t as strict on women as a real ancient dynasty—it was all to advance the plot and create conflict. That was why she was confident her father would relent.
Third Master Song had many matters to attend to after arriving in the Capital City to assume his post. Song Yunzhao thoughtfully saw him off, then returned to the West Courtyard with great fanfare.
Since the lady of the main household was not in, she made a special trip to Song Yexi’s to take her leave. Song Yexi repeatedly tried to persuade her to stay, but Song Yunzhao gracefully declined and left.
After Song Yunzhao left, the smile on Song Yexi’s face slowly vanished. She fell silent, gazing out the window.
Mrs. Wang, observing from the side, said softly, "Miss, why did you try to keep Miss Zhao in the main household? I think it’s for the best that Miss Zhao has returned to the West Courtyard."
That Miss Zhao was no pushover. She had even raised such a fuss with her own mother. Keeping her in the main household might not have been a good thing.
Hearing Mrs. Wang’s words, Song Yexi didn’t turn her head. She only said, "With Third Uncle in the Capital, Little Sister Zhao now has a powerful backer. I’m afraid things concerning the Uncle Mansion will become unpredictable."
Mrs. Wang smiled. "So that’s what you’re worried about, Miss. No matter what, our main branch has to send one person, or else Third Master won’t be able to answer to the First Master. As for how many people the third branch sends, even if they fight to the death over it, it has nothing to do with you. You shouldn’t worry, Miss."
Song Yexi knew Mrs. Wang hadn’t understood her meaning, but she didn’t feel like explaining. She just gave a perfunctory nod.
Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao made a showy return to the West Courtyard. Along the way, she spotted Song Jinxuan’s hurried back, seemingly coming from the direction of Mrs. Cai’s courtyard.
Mrs. Luo had already led people to tidy up the courtyard in advance. Song Yunzhao had barely sat down when Qiancao came in to report, "Miss, the Second Miss is here."
Huh?
Song Yunzhao was a little surprised. Her eyes darted for a moment, and then she smiled. "Hurry and invite her in. It’s been a while, I’ve actually missed my dear Second Sister."
Song Jinxuan entered with a sour expression. Seeing that Song Yunzhao’s complexion looked quite good, she said, "Well, it looks like our Third Sister is happy now."
Hearing Song Jinxuan’s passive-aggressive tone, Song Yunzhao immediately retorted, "I wonder where Second Sister has been getting pushed around, to come and throw a tantrum at my place. If you’re going to be like this, you can just go back."
Song Jinxuan’s mouth twitched. "You’re really putting on more and more airs. I can’t even say a single thing to you anymore."
Song Yunzhao had someone serve tea and said coolly, "It’s not the first day you’ve known that, Second Sister."
Song Jinxuan was left speechless. Song Yunzhao had dared to utterly humiliate the Madam—if Jinxuan had dared to provoke her in the past, she wouldn’t even dream of it now.
"I came to talk to you about something." Song Jinxuan looked at Song Yunzhao and decided not to beat around the bush. This younger sister of hers was a firecracker, ready to explode at the slightest disagreement.
"What did you want to talk about, Second Sister?" Song Yunzhao already had a good idea what it was.
"You just got back from the East Courtyard, so you don’t know yet. Mother and Eldest Aunt have already decided. Our family will send two people to the Uncle Mansion: one is Song Yexi, and the other is Song Qinghan." After speaking, Song Jinxuan watched Song Yunzhao’s expression, trying to read something on her face.
Song Yunzhao’s expression didn’t even flicker. She said languidly, "What’s the point of telling me this, Second Sister? It’s not like I wanted to go."
’As if!’
She didn’t covet becoming an imperial concubine; she coveted a marriage decreed by the Emperor.
Song Jinxuan failed to see the slightest trace of resentment or longing on Song Yunzhao’s face and felt a pang of disappointment. "This is a golden opportunity to soar to the heavens. You really don’t want to go?"
Song Yunzhao shook her head. "What’s so great about becoming a concubine? Once you enter the Imperial City, it’s like an endless ocean. Selections are held every three years, and there are countless beauties in the world. Second Sister, are you so sure you’ll be the one left standing at the end?"
Of course Song Jinxuan wasn’t sure, but how could she be satisfied without even trying? This was a chance to enter the palace, after all.
Seeing Song Jinxuan’s expression flicker, Song Yunzhao knew she wanted to take this gamble for Aunt Che and Song Buming. But what did that have to do with her? Aunt Che had stabbed her in the back more than a few times.
Song Jinxuan was silent for a long moment before she slowly said, "If I want to go, can you help me? Just name your price."
Song Yunzhao froze. ’An opportunity this good just falls into my lap?’
’Of course I’ll agree!’
"Are you serious?"
"Of course." Song Jinxuan just knew that Song Yunzhao didn’t want to enter the palace herself and also didn’t want to see Song Qinghan succeed.
"So as long as you get to participate in the selection, it doesn’t matter how it happens?"
"Right."
Song Yunzhao immediately said, "Alright. My condition is very simple: just have Aunt Che serve Father well."
’Only then will Mrs. Cai stop targeting me all the time.’
As Song Jinxuan and Song Buming grew older, Aunt Che had been taking a step back in her conflicts with Mrs. Cai for the past year or so, concerned that their important marriage prospects were not yet settled. ’That simply won’t do.’
"That’s it?" Song Jinxuan was stunned. ’There’s such a good deal to be had?’
"That’s it."
"Alright."
Song Jinxuan thought Song Yunzhao’s illness must have addled her brain. Her own mother’s goal was always to win favor. What kind of condition was this? It was practically a gift.
Song Jinxuan left happily. By evening, Song Yunzhao received good news: Aunt Che had sent a "heart-warming" soup to her father, and that night, he went to stay in Aunt Che’s rooms.
’Aunt Che’s efficiency certainly shows her sincerity in this cooperation.’
After a wonderful night’s sleep, Song Yunzhao calculated that it was only two days until the courtiers would petition the throne. She had to show a little sincerity of her own, so she went out first thing in the morning.
Song Qinghan got the news and went to Mrs. Cai’s, only to run right into Aunt Che moving.
Previously, Mrs. Cai had made Aunt Che live in the reverse-facing chambers to humiliate her. She had originally planned to move her somewhere else before Third Master Song returned to the Capital City, but who knew he would come back early.
Mrs. Cai had already lost a great deal of face because of Song Yunzhao. Before she could even catch her breath, Aunt Che stabbed her in the back.
Early this morning, Third Master Song had ordered people to clean up a side room in Song Jinxuan’s courtyard and moved Aunt Che in without so much as a word to Mrs. Cai.
Mrs. Cai was sulking in her room when Song Qinghan arrived.
"Mother, Aunt Che is moving out?" Song Qinghan’s brow furrowed slightly. She couldn’t shake the feeling that ever since Song Yunzhao’s huge scene, her and her mother’s situation had become much more difficult.
Mrs. Cai didn’t want to lose face in front of her daughter, so of course she couldn’t mention that her husband hadn’t informed her. She forced a smile and said, "Your father is in the Capital City now, so it isn’t proper for Aunt Che to keep living here with me. But never mind that. Today, you and Ye Xi are going to the Uncle Mansion. Be careful, and listen to your aunt in all matters."
Song Qinghan responded absent-mindedly. A glint appeared in her eyes as she asked, "Yun Zhao went out of the manor first thing this morning. Did you know, Mother?"
Mrs. Cai’s face darkened, and her voice became sharp. "She left the manor?"
