Song Chengru was quite advanced in years after all. Having to suddenly travel far from home in such freezing weather left both First Master Song and First Madam Song deeply worried.

First Master Song especially wished he could accompany his father, but he had a large household behind him and official duties on hand—he simply couldn’t get away. For a time, his heart burned with anxiety.

“If only Brother Jue were here,” he sighed, looking at First Madam Song. “Father is naturally meticulous in handling affairs, but with no one by his side to care for him, how can one feel at ease? If Brother Jue were with him, at least he’d have someone to consult with about everything.”

Song Chengru had never been an autocratic patriarch. He had always been gentle and kind to his several sons, so First Master Song, as the legitimate eldest son, had always been very close to Old Master Song. First Madam Song understood his thoughts and, after thinking it over, tentatively offered a suggestion: “What if we let Brother Xuan go along? He’s not young anymore either. Having him travel and gain experience with Father would also be good for him.”

Although Song Xuan was born of a concubine, he had always been raised by First Madam, and like Song Chuwan, had an excellent relationship with First Madam.

Song Jue would definitely inherit the title in the future. Since Song Xuan was pursuing scholarly studies, having him go along to travel and broaden his horizons wasn’t a bad idea. After brief consideration, First Master Song nodded. “I’ll mention it to Father.”

His words had barely fallen when Jin Ling lifted the door curtain and entered, announcing that the Li family uncle had arrived. A few days ago, Li Qingzi had given birth to a baby boy. Naturally, the Li family should now send someone with red eggs, celebratory pastries, and new clothes and shoes. First Madam Song’s mood, which had just recently eased considerably, became excited once more. She quickly instructed Jin Ling to bring the visitor in.

Li Qingzi had been married for over two years without any news of pregnancy. As both her aunt and mother-in-law, she had actually been more anxious than anyone, though the Song elders hadn’t been harsh and had advised her to be more open-minded about it. Still, she always feared she was delaying her own son. Now that Li Qingzi had finally lived up to expectations and given birth to her first grandson, the joy in her heart was overflowing.

First Master Song also hurriedly changed his clothes to greet his young brother-in-law, while saying to First Madam, “Since Uncle is here, your sister-in-law is surely either following behind or about to arrive. Go to Ningde Courtyard and inform Old Madam, then discuss how to arrange the third-day bathing ceremony.”

First Madam had already discussed this matter with Old Madam Song before Li Qingzi gave birth. At that time the situation wasn’t very favorable—Princess Shijia’s affair had been causing quite an uproar—so they hadn’t decided on a grand celebration. The third-day ceremony would simply gather the in-laws and a few close family friends.

Now with Old Master Song about to depart again immediately, so many matters converging together, there was no time to hold a grand celebration even if they wanted to. First Madam Song stood up in acknowledgment, personally helped First Master don his crane cloak and saw him out, then turned toward Ningde Courtyard herself.

But at this hour, Ziwei and Zilan, who should have been on duty, were both sitting in the corridor letting the cold wind blow on them. She couldn’t help but be startled. She quickly excused them from their courtesies and glanced at the door curtain, asking softly, “What’s happened?”

When she came to pay respects this morning everything had been fine. Old Madam Song had been talking and laughing, very happy. How was it that these two senior maids who were highly favored were now both anxious and uneasy?

“A letter came from Qingzhou,” Ziwei also lowered her voice. Watching the maids outside busily sweeping snow with their heads down, her expression showed considerable fear. “Old Madam flew into a terrible rage and drove us all out. Only Nanny Huang is inside with her. They’ve already sent for Sixth Miss.”

Ziwei spoke in broken fragments, but First Madam Song’s heart pounded heavily as she listened. Even the veins on her forehead throbbed violently of their own accord. Ever since Song Jue went to Qingzhou last time, no letters had come from there. Old Madam Song had even instructed at the time that in the future, letters from Qingzhou needn’t be shown to Ningde Courtyard. But unexpectedly, for this entire half year, Qingzhou really hadn’t sent a single letter or revealed the slightest news. Old Madam was both angry at this daughter and worried about her, always spending a period each month in melancholy. Though she had said that, everyone had advised Old Madam Song that since there was no news from Qingzhou, it meant good news—after all, Song Linlang’s health had been described as extremely poor half a year ago. If a letter suddenly came, it would very likely be an obituary announcing her death. Now in the depths of winter, a letter had suddenly arrived from Qingzhou, and Old Madam had flown into a rage. Could it really be that Song Linlang was truly at death’s door?

First Madam Song didn’t dare think further. Watching as Ziwei lifted the curtain, she entered the main room with trepidation, paid her respects to Old Madam Song, and didn’t dare immediately ask about Qingzhou matters. She smiled and first mentioned the happy news: “My sister-in-law has already arrived in the capital. Today she came to deliver red eggs and infant clothes.”

The anger hadn’t yet dissipated from Old Madam Song’s face. Her whole person was drawn tight like a bow ready to release. Hearing this, she forcefully suppressed her fury and nodded. “Your uncle has rushed here from a thousand miles away—it’s both a gesture of affection and shows he thinks highly of us. As the saying goes, the maternal uncle is most important. Have the eldest son receive him properly.”

First Madam Song quickly agreed, carefully observing Old Madam Song’s expression, then roundaboutly brought up Song Xuan: “Master’s thinking is that since Old Master is quite advanced in years after all… Brother Xuan should also go out with him to gain experience.”

This was also reasonable. Old Madam Song had previously thought along these lines as well. After all, they were all Song family descendants—one should consider their future prospects more thoroughly.

She furrowed her brow and rubbed her forehead, pushing away the ginseng tea Nanny Huang offered, and sighed heavily. “Since Brother Xuan has such filial devotion, it’s naturally the best thing. You as his mother should also take more care to advise him about what to pay attention to when traveling. You must also arrange his clothing and luggage properly for him.”

Seeing that Old Madam Song’s mood had improved considerably compared to before, First Madam Song still hesitated, not daring to bring up the topic of Song Linlang in Qingzhou. In all her years married into this family, she had rarely seen Old Madam Song fly into such a rage, and it seemed to be more than just simple anger. What exactly had happened in Qingzhou to provoke Old Madam Song to such fury?

She hesitated for quite a while before tentatively speaking up: “Has something happened? I notice your complexion isn’t very good, Old Madam.”

Nanny Huang sighed at First Madam Song from Old Madam Song’s side and gently shook her hand at her.

At these words, Old Madam Song’s expression grew even worse. She casually swept the letter on the table onto the floor and laughed coldly. “Even if something has happened, it’s none of our concern. Since she repeatedly told us not to interfere back then, what use is there in her coming to beg us now?!”