Eldest Young Madam’s face turned as red as an apple as she hurriedly waved her hands: “It’s nothing special—as long as Sixth Sister likes it.”

She was always so considerate, invariably kind and amiable toward everyone in the manor. First Madam had once worried about her temperament and gone to Old Madam for advice: “She’s always so easily embarrassed, and acts with such a soft heart that she weeps at the slightest thing. How will she command respect in the future?”

Old Madam had initially worried too, but ultimately felt this was a good thing. Being soft-hearted was better than being too shrewd. She comforted First Madam: “She’ll change gradually in the future. Who knows everything from the start? Just because she treats you like her birth mother and treats the people in our manor like family with genuine sincerity, you should teach her well!”

Having received Old Madam’s words, First Madam didn’t force Li Qingzi to change. With the Eldest Young Master and others doting on and respecting her, even after nearly two or three years of marriage, she still blushed at the slightest provocation.

Seeing her bashful expression, Old Madam couldn’t help but laugh: “I’m praising you—what are you embarrassed about?”

Seeing Li Qingzi’s face growing even redder, Song Chuyi quickly smiled: “I love the clothes Elder Sister-in-law gave me. I’ll wear them as my New Year outfit!”

“Oh my!” First Madam lifted the curtain as she entered, smiling at Song Chuyi: “Then it seems you won’t wear the set your eldest aunt gave you?”

She had heard Song Chuyi’s words from outside. Now entering, she looked at Song Chuyi and pretended to be annoyed: “Your elder sister-in-law’s needlework is good and her mind clever. It seems you don’t think much of your eldest aunt’s work.”

As she spoke, she smiled and took a long redwood box from Jin Huan’s hands to pass to Song Chuyi: “Your eldest aunt’s handiwork isn’t as exquisite as your elder sister-in-law’s. Don’t disdain it.”

First Madam, who had paid her no attention in the previous life, seemed particularly warm toward her lately. She didn’t know if it was because she’d scolded Fifth Madam in the garden last time to establish First Madam’s authority, or because of Old Madam Song’s favoritism. But she was happy to accept this kindness. Hearing this, she smiled and accepted the box, her face flushing as she thanked First Madam.

First Madam glanced at the chuckling Old Madam Song and waved her hand with a smile: “Don’t thank me yet. See if you like it. If it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it.”

Old Madam Song lifted up the garment for her to see—a peach-red top embroidered with green bamboo and a primrose-yellow eight-panel skirt. The embroidery was exquisite and the style elaborate and festive, clearly made with care.

“This is too precious,” Song Chuyi said somewhat uneasily, looking at Old Master Song and Old Madam Song with an appearance of nervous discomfort.

Second Madam’s smile gradually became strained. She hadn’t expected Eldest Young Madam and First Madam to prepare such substantial gifts. In comparison, the Duan inkstone she’d given seemed rather inadequate.

The one who felt most embarrassed was Third Madam. She’d only given a gold ring that probably didn’t even weigh one qian and wasn’t particularly attractive either. With First Madam and Eldest Young Madam’s gifts, she appeared especially stingy by contrast.

Having just been scolded by Old Madam, Third Madam felt uncomfortable sitting or standing. Though no one said anything to her, she felt she was enduring everyone’s cold stares and mockery.

Someone came from outside to report that the evening banquet was ready. Old Madam Song and Old Master Song led everyone to the Embroidered Splendor Hall for dinner.

Two large red lanterns had already been lit before the courtyard gate of Embroidered Splendor Hall, adding several touches of festivity. The inner courtyard was also arranged early, and one could see the moon already above the willow branches in the sky.

The Heir Apparent had already led several masters and young masters who were waiting. Seeing them, they hurried forward to pay their respects.

Song Jie immediately spotted Song Chuyi beside Old Madam Song. Taking a few steps forward, he pulled a purse from his sleeve and handed it to her: “Sixth Sister, I heard you moved. This is a housewarming gift for you. May you have peace and smooth fortune from now on.”

His face carried a gentle smile, sincere and earnest, making the scar on his handsome face even more prominent.

Song Chuyi felt rather guilty in her heart. Lowering her head, she refused to accept: “Third Brother, how can I take your things?”

Fifth Madam was domineering and tyrannical in the manor, walking sideways. Though Old Madam and First Madam didn’t acknowledge her, they felt sorry for Song Jie and his siblings but couldn’t start disputes with Fifth Madam over them every time. Song Jie and the others’ situation wasn’t actually very good. Add to that Fifth Madam’s harshness, and Song Chuyi felt compassion.

The smile on Song Jie’s face dimmed little by little as he hung his head, somewhat at a loss.

Duke Chengguo’s manor had been exterminated, so Wang Jinsi had no maternal family. By extension, Song Jie, Song Chubin, and Song Chuyou also had no maternal grandparents’ home.

Moreover, Wang Jinsi looked down on the Earl’s manor and was even more distant to them than to strangers. They all harbored some inferiority complex. Though the Earl’s manor had always maintained good family traditions and Old Master and Old Madam never shorted them on anything, it was still different.

Song Chuyi keenly perceived Song Jie’s disappointment. Knowing in her heart that Song Jie must have misunderstood her meaning, she quickly raised her head: “Third Brother, don’t misunderstand. I just feel that you already gave me medicinal ointment yesterday, and now you’re giving me something again…”

Song Jie smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, as if relieved. He pressed the item in his hand into hers: “What’s this? Brothers giving sisters things is natural and right!”

Song Chuyi’s quarters in Ningde Courtyard were set in the side wing beside the main house. Old Madam Song had originally wanted to place her in the canopied bed chamber and make other plans after the east wing was tidied up, but later thought better of it.

When she returned, Nanny Xu had already prepared hot water. After removing her embroidered shoes that had frozen cold, she quickly served her by soaking her feet.

Seeing that Huang Yao wasn’t among those who came out to greet her, Song Chuyi asked Hong Yu beside her: “Where’s Huang Yao?”

“Crying in her room,” Hong Yu said, rarely showing temper. She complained: “I don’t know how she has the face to cry! Miss, if we keep her, she’ll truly be an endless source of trouble. This troublemaker will ruin things sooner or later.”

Huang Yao was far from being as cunning and deceitful as in the previous life. Her scheming and machinations still remained superficial.

The corners of Song Chuyi’s mouth curved into a smile. She took the cloth herself to wipe her feet, then turned to Hong Yu: “Go call her over.”

The groundwork was nearly complete. It was time to reel in the net.

Huang Yao soon stood before Song Chuyi. Her face showed fear as she knelt on the ground crying: “Today I truly didn’t mean to do it. Miss, please forgive me!”

She buried her head to the ground, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, looking quite pitiful indeed.

Song Chuyi’s face still carried a warm smile: “Forgive you? Forgive you for what?”

Huang Yao cried with snot and tears streaming: “I clumsily broke the Duan inkstone Second Madam gave you, and embarrassed you in front of Old Madam and all the madams…”

Song Chuyi nodded and sighed, reaching out to help her up: “I know you didn’t mean to, but Old Madam thinks you couldn’t handle even a small matter in front of so many people. She plans to send you to the outer courtyard to be a rough-work maid.”