Another power outage—I’m truly exasperated. The thunder in Jiangxi just cuts the power at the drop of a hat. Today’s update is rather late, so I apologize to everyone.

On the third day of the eleventh month, Old Master Song and First Master Song returned to the manor and went one after the other to Old Madam Song’s Ningde Court.

Old Madam Song waited until Old Master Song went into the inner chamber to change his clothes, then hurriedly had the maids bring hot water. She first had First Master Song soak his hands, then served him hot tea to drink before anxiously asking, “Has word come from Shu? What did they say?”

Song Yan, escorted by Qin Chuan, had departed the capital on the first day of the tenth month for Shu. Only today did word finally arrive home, and it was First Master Song who went to receive it.

First Master Song’s face was wreathed in smiles. He didn’t dare beat around the bush with Old Madam Song: “All is well! The Tang family had someone waiting on the official road to meet them, and they arrived smoothly at Tang Mingzhao’s residence. Jue is accompanying him. He says that once Yan has settled in, he’ll set out to return.”

By rights, an elder should have accompanied Song Yan there to be proper. But Old Master Song and First Master Song were both court officials who couldn’t leave, and Second Master, Third Master, and Fifth Master were all posted elsewhere. Therefore, they could only have Song Jue go along.

Fortunately, Song Jue was sensible. With him accompanying Song Yan, everyone felt more at ease.

Old Master Song came out after changing clothes and, hearing this, rarely smiled and praised: “Jue has done well as an elder brother. He’s a fine lad.”

The smile on First Master Song’s face deepened even more. He was just about to speak when he heard Yulan outside announce Third Madam’s arrival.

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew somewhat cold. Third Madam Yun Shi came in afterward and paid her respects to Old Master Song and Old Madam Song, then greeted First Master Song before stammering: “Every winter in past years, Fourth Miss would suffer from coughing. This year the weather is even colder than before… this daughter-in-law wishes to go see her…”

As she spoke, tears were already falling from her eyes. Though she was distressed, she didn’t dare harbor resentment toward Old Master Song and Old Madam Song—she had already heard the whole story from her own father and knew that this time Old Master Song and Old Madam Song had already shown mercy.

It was just that Song Chumi was flesh that had fallen from her own body after all. Others could blame her for being confused, but how could she as a mother possibly let go of her daughter?

In recent days, the entire capital had been absorbed in Princess Shijia’s affair, and the Yun family had been keeping their heads down, fearing implication. Her heart had been in constant turmoil, and she dared not mention Song Chumi’s matter before Old Master Song and Old Madam Song. Now that the matter had settled, she finally gathered the courage to plead with them.

Old Madam Song hesitated for a moment. Seeing Old Master Song’s stony face without speaking, she thought it over carefully before sighing: “At this moment, she probably hasn’t settled her heart yet. If you go, you’ll only provoke her to cry and make a fuss…”

Third Madam’s eyes grew hot and her tears fell even harder. She looked about to break down sobbing at any moment.

“Wait a while longer. When New Year approaches, then go see her.” Old Madam Song rubbed her temples, feeling somewhat tired: “For now, you should properly accompany Yue. He’s young, and there are many things we tell him that he doesn’t understand…”

At least Old Madam had relented. Third Madam let out a soft breath of relief and hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.

Old Madam Song also admonished her: “Don’t forget that your third branch has other daughters as well… The responsibilities a mother should fulfill must always be fulfilled. Otherwise, when something happens in the future, your regrets will come too late.”

The third branch still had a concubine-born daughter. Because she was only two years older than Song Chuyan, just over four years old, she usually only stayed in the third branch and rarely came to Old Madam’s quarters.

Third Madam’s face flushed red. She mumbled, wanting to defend herself, but when the words reached her lips, they involuntarily became agreement: “Yes, this daughter-in-law understands.”

She had never been the kind of evil mother-in-law who enjoyed tormenting her daughters-in-law. Seeing Third Madam so uncomfortable that her face had turned red, and considering Old Master Song’s presence, Old Madam Song didn’t say anything further. She turned to Old Master Song to discuss other matters: “The Princess’s manor sent an invitation card the day before yesterday, inviting us to a banquet. I drafted a gift list but am somewhat uncertain about it…”

Old Master Song raised his eyebrows, somewhat surprised: “What matter is so important that even you can’t decide what gift to send? This has precedent from the past…”

First Master Song thought for a moment and said in surprise: “Could it be because of Shaoting?”

“Exactly.” Old Madam Song nodded and looked at Old Master Song: “Shaoting has received transfer orders to come to the capital, and he’s also had a new son added. Strictly speaking, when the child had his third-day washing ceremony, we didn’t send anyone from our side—though we sent gifts at the time, it still wasn’t proper. It’s just that now we don’t know whether he’s staying at the Cui family’s estate or at the Princess’s manor, so we don’t know whether the gifts should be sent separately or all together to the Princess’s manor…”

Cui Shaoting had arrived in the capital the day before yesterday. First Master Song had sent an invitation card yesterday asking him to come to the manor for a welcome banquet, so he had heard some of the news. He hesitated somewhat: “Shaoting is bringing his whole family, so he probably won’t want to stay at the Princess’s manor. He’s most likely staying at the Cui family’s estate in the capital.”

“If that’s the case, it saves me the trouble over the gift list.” Old Madam Song nodded: “Your wife has established precedent for sending gifts there. Just follow past years and add another layer. After finding out for certain, send them to the Cui family estate. As for the Princess’s manor’s portion, naturally we’ll bring it ourselves when we attend the banquet.”

Old Madam Song had always handled these matters very well. Old Master Song, hearing this, let it be. He turned instead to ask about Song Chuyi: “How is it that we haven’t seen her for so long today? Usually by this time she should have come over already.”

Old Madam Song smiled and placed the list in her hand on the table beside her, saying with a smile: “She set out for Tongzhou this morning.”

Third Madam was somewhat shocked. Her hands nervously clenched into fists, and then she felt dejected—she hadn’t expected that this girl who used to be despised by everyone would have such fortune. Now even Old Master Song looked upon her favorably, while her own daughter had fallen to this state…

Old Master Song patiently listened as Old Madam Song explained the reason: “I hear Lianyi has given birth to another daughter…”

Among the maids who had once served by Madam Cui’s side with bright futures ahead of them, the fate of several others was unknown, their whereabouts a mystery. Only one, Lianyi, had become mute and suffered endless hardships.

That Song Chuyi valued her was only natural.

“So be it.” In the end, Old Master Song lowered his head and spoke, then asked Old Madam Song: “Did she bring enough people? Don’t let something happen again… No matter how clever she is, she’s still a girl. There’s a limit to what she can do…”

First Master Song quickly said: “Jie is going with her, and she’s brought enough guards. Nothing will go wrong.”

Mentioning Song Jie, Old Master Song smiled and instructed First Master Song: “After he finishes the examinations next year, we should also start arranging his marriage. What nonsense is he talking about, establishing his career before starting a family? Could it be that if by chance he doesn’t succeed, Miss Su will just keep waiting forever?”

Old Madam Song, bringing up this topic, also laughed heartily: “That’s right. As his father, you should have a good talk with him about this.”