After comforting Madam Song, Song Yao pulled Song Nian out of Madam Song’s room.

“Second Sister…”

When the Crown Prince was at his weakest, the Song Family had already stood with him. Moreover, the legitimate daughters of the Song Family, whether in status or capability, were fully qualified for the position of Crown Princess. So the Crown Prince’s actions today were truly problematic.

For the Song Residence, the position of Crown Prince’s Good Companion was already not particularly high, and now a Good Lady position was nothing short of a humiliation to the Song Family. Father shouldn’t be unaware of this matter, so why hadn’t Father said anything?

Song Nian’s mind was in turmoil, but she knew that telling Mother about these matters would only make her worry needlessly without accomplishing anything.

Just as she was about to speak up to remind Song Yao, before she could open her mouth, Song Yao pulled her toward the residence’s storeroom.

“What is Second Sister planning to do?”

“Go to the storeroom to look at the things the Crown Prince sent.”

Thinking of Shen Qianyu, Song Yao’s face flushed slightly.

“The storeroom is already locked, at this time…”

With a clattering sound, Song Yao shook the copper key in her hand: “We’ll secretly go to the storeroom to look, it won’t be a problem.”

Song Nian frowned: “Did Mother give this key to Second Sister, or did Second Sister take it herself?”

“This doesn’t conform to propriety.”

“You’re constantly going on about propriety, propriety—why don’t you look and see if anyone else in this residence still observes propriety? That person…”

Pointing in the direction of Song Wan’s courtyard, Song Yao snorted softly: “Not only did she injure her husband, she had the face to return home. Even after returning to the residence, she hasn’t shown respect to Mother, and even drove away people from Mother’s side. Do you think she’s observed propriety?”

Song Nian shook her head: “We shouldn’t gossip about Elder Sister behind her back. Besides, what does her not following propriety have to do with us? Does that mean just because she doesn’t follow propriety, we can learn from her?”

“Does that mean since Elder Sister injured her husband first, we should follow suit?”

Song Nian raised her hand, wanting to take the storeroom key from Song Yao’s hand.

“What are you grabbing for? This is what Mother gave me.”

Hooking the brass key and dodging backward, Song Yao instantly snatched it back from Song Nian’s hand.

“Hiss…”

The edge of the key scraped across her palm, a faint bloodstain appearing. The pain made Song Nian shake her hand.

“Are you alright? I’ll take you to your room to apply some hemostatic powder.”

“No need, it’s just a small wound.”

Song Nian sighed deeply, staring at her palm in a daze.

“What’s wrong? You’re not going to hold a grudge against your own sister over such a trivial matter, are you?”

Song Yao grabbed Song Nian’s hand and gently blew on it: “Just a small wound, no need to be so delicate.”

“I’m fine.”

“Sister, I’ll go to my room to apply some medicine. Whatever you want to do… go ahead, just be careful.”

“I know, you don’t need to tell me.”

Lightly tapping Song Nian’s nose tip, Song Yao turned and left. Just as she passed through the hanging flower gate, she turned back: “Remember not to get it wet, so it doesn’t leave a scar.”

“Nian’er knows.”

Song Yao smiled, pursed her lips, and left.

Song Nian raised her palm, looking at the bloodstain on it, somewhat lost in thought.

She had always known Song Yao’s temperament. In the past, she had always wanted to guide her, to prevent her from taking the wrong path, but neither Mother nor Second Sister believed her.

Song Nian lowered her eyes, feeling somewhat troubled in her heart.

Although Mother was the main wife of the residence, Father really couldn’t be said to value her and her two daughters much.

In Father’s eyes, first came the state, then the Song clan, and after that came Song Fu, who would one day take over the Song Residence and the position of Song clan leader.

As for the rest, even Elder Sister might not truly be held in Father’s heart.

Women of the inner quarters—not gaining the favor of father and brothers was already difficult. If Mother was also unable to stand firm, there truly wouldn’t be much to hope for in the future.

Song Nian squeezed her palm, deep in thought.

Should she really keep holding onto Song Yao and not let go?

Like today when her advice to Song Yao backfired and she was implicated instead—should she continue doing this in the future?

Song Nian blinked, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion.

Song Yao had already come of age, and her future path was set. But what about her?

“Yin Su…”

“Third Miss, this servant is here.”

Song Nian’s round, tender face still carried a trace of youthfulness. She looked back at Madam Song’s tightly closed door, but ultimately shook her head.

“Let’s return to my room.”

Song Nian left dejectedly, completely unaware that Song Yao had not only gone to the residence’s storeroom but had also secretly opened and examined the items bestowed by the Crown Prince one by one, playing with them.

Especially when she saw those several bolts of fabric with exceptionally bright colors and patterns, she was overjoyed.

Carefully opening the box containing the jade hairpin, Song Yao gently touched it and smiled sweetly.

This hairpin truly suited her perfectly.

“These items were clearly bestowed upon me by the Crown Prince—how could they have been collected into storage by Father?”

Last time, she and Song Nian only received two small ruyi ornaments, which left her sulking for a long time. Today’s items were just what she needed to regain face, but who would have thought Father would send them to storage?

Song Yao pursed her lips and carefully placed the jade hairpin in her hand atop her head.

She and Song Nian weren’t without fine things, but having few was also true. The handful of presentable items they had were all bestowed by Imperial Concubine Yun in earlier years, either given to Mother who then passed them to her daughters.

Mother was a concubine-born daughter of the Su Family and wasn’t favored in her maternal family either, so naturally, she didn’t have good things. And Father simply had no mind to care whether the women of the inner quarters’ jewelry boxes were full or empty.

Removing the jade hairpin from her head, Song Yao fondled it lovingly for a while before putting it back in the box.

She wasn’t shallow-minded and covetous of these valuable things. She was simply indignant. Why should there be such a great disparity between her and Song Nian compared to Song Wan, when they were all legitimate young ladies of the Song Residence?

Everything Song Wan wore was of the finest quality without exception. Even though she was a widow, Imperial Concubine Yun would still accumulate piles of precious items for her.

What was even more excessive was that Imperial Concubine Yun would rather leave those things with Song Wan for burial than give her and her mother the slightest bit!

Clearly… clearly they all called Imperial Concubine Yun “Aunt,” clearly they were all family.

As she closed the box, Song Yao couldn’t help but grit her teeth and secretly vow to herself.

She would definitely enter the Eastern Palace and would definitely occupy the position of Empress, making all those who looked down on her and her mother kneel in obeisance to her in the future.

Carefully putting everything away, Song Yao walked out of the storeroom.

After Song Lan’an returned to his study, the more he thought about it, the more he felt the Crown Prince’s actions today held deeper meaning. Just as he was about to examine the sent items again, he saw Song Yao emerging from the storeroom with a face full of ambition.

He frowned slightly and turned to leave.

The Song Residence’s steward accompanying him was also somewhat surprised at this scene.

Song Lan’an sighed deeply: “After all, she won’t amount to anything.”

The steward lowered his head and said: “Second Miss is still young. Perhaps she’ll improve after entering the palace in the future.”

“In the future—how long must we wait? Until she’s dragged the entire Song clan down with her before she finally learns some rules and gains some discernment?”

The steward didn’t dare speak further. Song Lan’an said: “Tomorrow, go find a few students under my tutelage who are steady in temperament and upright in character. It’s time to settle Yao’er’s marriage.”

Regardless of whatever plans the Crown Prince had, he couldn’t let Song Yao enter the palace.

He didn’t ask that Song Yao seek benefits for the clan—he only asked that this daughter of Song Lan’an not bring disaster upon the clan.

After Song Lan’an finished speaking, he frowned and added: “No need to consider family background and origins. Carefully select based on character and conduct.”