After she had watched for a while, Song Chuyi had also finished getting ready, so she naturally stood up and went together with Song Chuyi toward Old Madam Cui’s Rong’an Courtyard. The enormous banyan tree in the old madam’s courtyard had luxuriant branches and leaves that already covered the entire courtyard. When night fell, lanterns would often hang from it, and at a glance it resembled the osmanthus tree in the moon, making people feel as if they were in a dream.
This banyan tree was at least several hundred years old. The Cui family ancestral residence had also stood here for several hundred years, yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of musty staleness about it—everywhere was full of vigorous life. Cui Hualuan paused in the corridor to watch the peacocks for a while, and only after seeing the young maids carry the peacocks back to their cages did she follow Song Chuyi and accompany Linglong into the house.
Xie Shi had already begun supervising the setting of the meal. Seeing them, she quickly smiled: “Just now I was saying we should send someone to urge you along, and by coincidence here you are. Come sit down quickly.” In her heart she knew that Cui Hualuan and Song Chuyi had been somewhat at odds these days, but she had been constantly restraining her own daughters, not letting them interfere rashly—Old Madam Cui’s eyes were sharp, and there couldn’t be the slightest discord in the family. This was also the reason why even though she felt some envy and jealousy toward Madam Cui and Cui Hualuan, she had never revealed it.
When Old Madam Cui saw that they had indeed come together, the smile on her face became more genuine. Although Cui Hualuan was somewhat older than Song Chuyi, her composure and mental fortitude were actually inferior to Song Chuyi’s. Yesterday when Madam Qin came to tell her that Cui Hualuan couldn’t continue like this, she had already made up her mind in her heart that she couldn’t indulge Cui Hualuan’s behavior any longer.
To give up family for a man, to give up sisters—becoming neither human nor ghost—that was not the proper demeanor their family’s daughters should have. Old Madam Cui immediately wrote a letter and had it sent to the capital, intending to see what Madam Cui planned to do. If Madam Cui still wanted to bring Cui Hualuan to the capital as before, she thought she should still have Madam Cui select a few suitable and capable discipline nannies in the capital, and together with Madam Cui herself, they must properly train Cui Hualuan into shape.
If she stayed in Jinzhong… Old Madam Cui imperceptibly glanced at her granddaughter who was radiant under the beauty lantern’s light, then suddenly felt deflated—what good would staying in Jinzhong do? She was old. Everything she could teach, every truth she could speak, she had already told her granddaughter completely. In this world, there were originally no people who liked to hear the same unchanging advice over and over again.
After finishing the meal, Xie Shi again diligently served Old Madam Cui as she rinsed her mouth. Old Madam Cui waved her hand dismissively, then turned to Song Chuyi and said: “When your eldest brother sent a letter this time, he also specially dispatched a young servant?”
Song Chuyi nodded in acknowledgment: “His name is Wangyue. He’s a capable person by eldest brother’s side. Eldest brother’s intention is to have him follow Yan gege.”
Although Song Yan had Qin Ying and Peirong following him, they were ultimately too young—about the same age as Song Yan—and had no experience, unable to handle any important matters. Since Song Yan had to escort the bride to Jinling and also visit Master Qingfeng along the way, he couldn’t manage without a capable person by his side. Therefore, Song Jue sent Wangyue to have him accompany Song Yan.
Old Madam Cui knew that this elder brother Song Jue had always been extremely good to Song Chuyi and her siblings. Hearing this, she just smiled and didn’t ask further: “Since that’s the case, have someone treat him well.” After Xie Shi hastily agreed, she turned to Song Chuyi again: “Your grandmother sent a letter saying that once your sister Huaying is married off, she’ll have you return to the capital.”
Xiang Mingzi had already mentioned this matter in her letter. Old Madam Song was afraid Song Chuyi would suffer some grievance again. The matter at Yangquan had indeed frightened Old Madam Song. Now that Cui Huaying’s affair was settled, and previously Old Madam Song had wanted Song Chuyi to come to Jinzhong also because she wanted to avoid the limelight regarding the Empress wanting Song Chuyi to become the Grand Imperial Grandson’s consort—now there was no need for this concern either—Old Madam Song naturally wanted Song Chuyi to return as soon as possible.
Song Chuyi saw that Old Madam Cui’s brows carried some worry, and her eyes were also tinged with reluctance. After thinking for a moment, she replied: “I haven’t yet experienced the scenery of Jinzhong. I’d like to stay a few more days. Please don’t rush me away, Grandmother.”
Old Madam Cui was her mother’s mother. Her mother could never return to show filial piety again. As Cui Shi’s daughter, she should do whatever she could to be good to Old Madam Cui in her mother’s place. The old lady’s age was also advanced.
Hearing this, Xie Shi couldn’t help but look at Song Chuyi again. This child—where was it that she hadn’t experienced Jinzhong’s scenery? Clearly she had perceived Old Madam Cui’s reluctance to part. To comfort Old Madam Cui’s heart, she was thoughtful and clever. No wonder people found her so lovable.
Old Madam Cui indeed smiled so broadly that her wrinkles smoothed out, and her eyes even faintly glistened with tears. With trembling hands she stroked Song Chuyi’s hair, saying “good” several times in succession: “Since that’s the case, when the time comes have your second uncle and third uncle take you around to tour everywhere. Go to all the places mentioned before, visit every single one.” She also instructed Xie Shi: “Go to Taixu Temple ahead of time to give notice. When the time comes we’ll go to Taixu Temple to hold a religious ceremony and have a proper lively day.”
Seeing her mother-in-law happy, Xie Shi was naturally also pleased to curry favor. How could she have any reason to refuse? On the spot she made a show of going to make arrangements, drawing loud laughter from Old Madam Cui.
Old Madam Cui was getting on in years, and it was very good for her to laugh often like this. If the old lady harbored melancholy and couldn’t find relief, that would be truly worrying. Xie Shi was genuinely happy. When seeing Song Chuyi out, she patted Song Chuyi’s hand: “Xiaoyi, I truly wish you were a girl from our Cui family.”
Cui Hualuan’s expression remained unchanged beside them. After waiting for Song Chuyi to board the carriage together with her, she couldn’t help but turn her head slightly to look at Song Chuyi’s face: “Now I know that in this world there truly exists someone as thoughtful as Xiaoyi. Thank you.”
The distance between the eastern and western mansions was extremely close. If it weren’t for the fact that the Cui residence occupied such a vast area, there would actually be no need for a carriage. In the time it took to speak, they had already arrived at the second gate. Cui Huayi was waiting there with several sisters. Since there were now other people present, further explanation would be inappropriate. Song Chuyi simply shook her head slightly: “As a junior, showing filial piety to elders is one’s proper duty.”
Cui Hualuan smiled faintly and said no more.
Cui Huayi came forward smiling, taking one in each hand. The heavy stone in her heart also settled. Her nature was magnanimous, so she didn’t blame Cui Hualuan for not giving face that day. She was only happy that Cui Hualuan had come. Holding onto them, she chattered on about idle gossip—nothing more than how Cui Huaying’s preparations were going, tomorrow’s schedule, and such matters.
They first went to Third Old Madam’s place to pay their respects, then came out accompanied by Yu Shi. Yu Shi was busy rushing about everywhere. After saying a few words with them, she headed toward the front again—this being the first time marrying off a daughter, even though Yu Shi was capable and had many people helping alongside her, her heart still felt anxious.
Cui Huayi then led Xie Qingzi, Xie Qinghui, Song Chuyi, and Cui Hualuan together toward Cui Huaying’s embroidery tower.