Though she spoke soothing words to comfort her granddaughters, how could she truly not worry? Old Madam Song sat in a daze for half the day before instructing First Madam: “Have the reward for the messenger eunuch prepared for tomorrow.”

First Madam softly agreed and only withdrew after serving Old Madam Song until she had finished her soup.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Song Chumi emerging from the side room with slightly reddened eyes. Upon seeing her, Song Chumi curtsied and called out “First Aunt,” then turned and ran off. First Madam frowned and looked back. Song Chumi’s two maids stopped in their tracks, respectfully calling out “First Madam” and standing to the side with lowered eyes.

“What happened?” First Madam sighed and still inquired about the Third Branch’s affairs: “Who upset Fourth Miss for no reason?”

Though Song Chumi’s betrothal had been arranged, outsiders who didn’t know the full story only assumed that Song Chumi, who had spent over three years recuperating her health, was in poor health and had to marry below her station. But the Song family members all knew the real reason. Ever since Song Chumi returned, First Madam had been on edge, fearing she might do something outrageous again. Since her former maids had all been dismissed, First Madam had specifically selected two steady maids to serve her.

The maid in pink glanced toward Ningde Courtyard with difficulty on her face. First Madam immediately understood why Song Chumi was acting this way—the palace summons mentioned Song family daughters, and even Xiang Mingzi was included, but she alone was left out.

But at this critical juncture, who would dare take her out? Everyone wished she would quickly marry off and leave. First Madam shook her head and finally instructed Fenyi and Mochou: “You two go inform Third Madam.”

Yun Shi, after experiencing her stepmother’s schemes against her daughter and receiving Old Madam Song’s grace in arranging Song Chumi’s betrothal, was no longer as confused and muddled as before. First Madam felt it inappropriate to interfere in managing her niece’s affairs. Saying too much might also invite resentment. It was better to let her own mother discipline her.

The next day, right up until they were about to depart, Song Chumi still hadn’t come to pay her respects. Old Madam Song didn’t pursue the matter, gently instructing the three young ladies once more before seeing them off.

She then turned to seek out First Madam: “Last night, I heard Fourth Miss was crying when she left my place?”

First Madam couldn’t hide it and slightly lowered her head, nodding: “Perhaps she felt somewhat unhappy inside. I’ve already sent a maid to inform Third Sister-in-law. Overall, there’s no real harm done.”

What was there to be unhappy about? Wasn’t it just seeing that the palace decree didn’t include her?

She really couldn’t distinguish good from bad. Others who didn’t want to go were still too busy trying to avoid it, yet she regarded it as something good. Old Madam Song drew a breath, feeling stuffy in her chest: “Such shallow perspective.”

Third Madam had spent years following her husband to external posts. Who knew how she raised her daughter to turn out this way? Though she appeared properly mannered on the surface, inside she was thoroughly confused. Even Song Chuhuan from the Third Branch, who was only six years old and from a concubine, was far superior to Song Chumi.

Thinking of these matters, she couldn’t help but sigh again.

Before long, Third Madam hurried over, her eyes still red. She stood beside Old Madam Song ingratiatingly, serving the old madam some refreshments, hesitating as she wanted to bring up yesterday’s matter with Song Chumi.

But as soon as she began, Old Madam Song interrupted her.

Old Madam Song waved her hand, her tone still rather calm: “A parent’s heart is truly pitiful. I know you haven’t had it easy either.”

Third Madam’s eyes immediately reddened again. She nodded and lowered her voice: “Yes, thank you for your understanding, Old Madam.”

She felt terrible inside as well. Last night her daughter had come crying back to her room. Third Madam had assumed she’d been wronged at Ningde Courtyard, but who knew her daughter hadn’t even entered the main hall at Ningde Courtyard? She had sat in the side room and overheard about Xiang Mingzi and the others going to the palace.

According to Third Madam’s current thinking, whether or not one entered the palace really didn’t matter much—the marriage was already arranged anyway. Staying home obediently to embroider her trousseau and marry with peace of mind was better than anything. Moreover, even if there were no betrothal, Third Madam wouldn’t dare send her daughter out anymore.

After three years of confinement, her originally impulsive temperament had been worn down, but she’d been confined to the point of developing mental problems. She was sensitive and suspicious. Even when her own birth mother spoke a few words to her in a raised voice, she felt it was because her mother looked down on her.

Third Madam had a breath stuck in her heart, going neither up nor down, almost ready to vomit blood. If she truly looked down on her own daughter, would she have swallowed her pride and pleaded with Old Madam Song for two years in this household?

It was Song Yue who had gradually been taught to understand matters better over these years and no longer blindly protected her sister as before. She often pulled a long face and scolded Song Chumi: “Fourth Sister, settle down! Mother has poured her heart and soul out for you. Saying such things is like digging out her heart and liver!”

She had held her son and cried bitterly, which was why she came late today to pay her respects.

Seeing her lacking energy, Old Madam Song swallowed back the lecture she had prepared in her mind and sighed, telling her to go back and rest: “Go back and roll some eggs on your eyes. What kind of appearance is this, all swollen?”

Third Madam mumbled an acknowledgment, then suddenly leaned against Old Madam Song and knelt down.

She rarely showed this demeanor. It seemed to recall when she had just married in—whenever she encountered difficulties, she would kneel beside Old Madam Song like this, acting coquettishly and asking the old madam for help.

First Madam immediately stood up, making an excuse about needing to check accounts today, and went out.

After First Madam left, Third Madam grasped Old Madam Song’s hands with both of hers: “This daughter-in-law wishes to request that we ask a teacher to move the wedding date forward.”

Marriage dates required consulting a teacher to match the birth dates and times of both parties. Which hour to depart the family home, which direction to face the bed, what time the bride should dismount and enter the door—all had their considerations. Once set, there was rarely reason to change them.

Old Madam Song raised an eyebrow. Unable to bear watching Third Madam living in such constant anxiety day after day, she simply asked her directly: “Did Fourth Miss cause some trouble again?”

Third Madam gave a bitter smile. Last night Song Chumi had come back crying. She refused to speak to others, but complained endlessly to her, saying Old Madam Song was biased, and moreover couldn’t judge people clearly. She claimed to have personally witnessed Song Chuyi secretly leaving the house and not returning until nearly dinner time.

Others might not know, but Third Madam, who had served Old Madam Song every day for these two years, how could she not understand what was going on? If Song Chuyi didn’t have Old Madam Song and Old Master Song’s permission, how could she come and go so freely? The household’s grooms, horses, and carriages all had records. Who could use them without Old Madam and First Madam knowing?

But she had said this too many times and no longer wanted to repeat it to her daughter. It couldn’t be explained clearly anyway. What she feared most now was her daughter doing something wrong again. After much consideration, the only solution was to marry her daughter off earlier. Perhaps once she had a husband and bore children, she would understand in the future.