When the matter broke out, Song Chuyi was accompanying Old Madam Song in conversation with Xiang Mingzi. The female teacher’s lesson was only half finished when Yushu came in to say that First Madam Song had arrived. Recently, Li Qingzi had been found to be pregnant again, and with the Eleventh Princess no longer needing to go to Eastern Sea, plus the family finally rid of that troublemaker Prince Duan who had been eyeing them menacingly—First Madam Song felt everything was going her way. She walked with a spring in her step, habitually wearing a bright smile.
But this time, although her steps were still quick, the smile on her face was gone. After entering and performing her courtesies, she stood to the side somewhat awkwardly, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Old Madam Song watched with curiosity and joked with her smilingly: “What matter has troubled even our First Madam like this? Just a few days ago you were so cheerful—how did you suddenly change your temperament?”
Third Madam had also set down a heavy stone from her heart after sending Song Chumi away—when this daughter was at her side, she constantly caused trouble. She had to be on edge every moment, and because of Song Chumi, she and Third Master had quarreled more times than in entire previous years combined. Now that Madam Feng had given her assurances that although she was taking Song Chumi back to her hometown, she absolutely wouldn’t mistreat her and would seriously teach her proper conduct, she felt much better. Seeing First Madam like this, she was also in the mood to join in the teasing: “That’s right! I’ve never seen Elder Sister-in-law in such difficulty. Could it be that the marriage prospects for Gē’er have fallen through again?”
Song Gai had followed Old Master Song out once and learned many skills. Somehow, he had set himself a rule that if he couldn’t achieve high honors in the examinations, he absolutely wouldn’t marry. This had First Madam so anxious she developed mouth sores.
First Madam stood below with a bitter smile, wanting to laugh but not daring to. She glanced at Song Chuyi, who was seated properly and looking toward her, then looked up at Old Madam: “Madam of Marquis Wuning has arrived. Right now she’s waiting in the flower hall, saying she requests to see Old Madam.”
Old Madam Song released her arm from around Xiang Mingzi and asked in bewilderment: “See me? We haven’t had any connection for so many years—why would she suddenly come calling to see me?”
Not even a single invitation card had been sent, nor had any mutual acquaintance been asked to make introductions first. The wife of Marquis Wuning’s Manor, with whom all contact had long been severed due to the Song family’s property dispute and demotion decades ago, suddenly appearing at the door requesting a meeting—this truly left Old Madam Song completely puzzled.
First Madam Song twisted her handkerchief, nodding with a strange expression and sighing: “Originally I didn’t want to speak of such things in front of the young ladies, fearing it would pollute their ears. But thinking it over, Xiaoyi isn’t an ordinary girl, and Mingzi should also learn to judge character and gain some experience… Your daughter-in-law here begs your forgiveness first, Old Madam, and will tell you exactly what this is all about.”
The nine-linked rings in Song Chuyi’s hands clattered. She casually handed them to Yushu to take away and sat side by side with Xiang Mingzi, assuming an attentive listening posture.
Old Madam Song nodded, and First Madam Song recounted in full detail the matter of Shen Qingrang and Tong Shao’s private meeting at the tavern. In the end, unable to contain her indignation, she spat fiercely on the ground: “With such character… if our family’s young lady truly fell into the hands of such a person, she would truly be entering a tiger’s mouth!”
Listening, Xiang Mingzi’s face turned bright red, her entire face and even her ears flushing completely. Both ashamed and shocked, she gripped Song Chuyi’s hand. Such a person—never mind the private meeting with Miss Tong, just the fact that he frequently lingered in flower houses and taverns meant he was no good person. To think Second Uncle had thought this was such a rare good match. If it had really happened, wouldn’t Song Chuyi suffer for the rest of her life?
Third Madam also gaped at Song Chuyi, then looked at Old Madam Song seated above with an iron-blue expression. After a long while, she came to her senses: “Then what is Madam of Marquis Wuning coming to see our Old Madam for? The Shen family’s affairs—how could they possibly be connected to our family?!”
Old Madam Song immediately laughed, curling her lips in a half-smile: “Good question. I also want to ask—even if this matter is causing a huge uproar, what does it have to do with our family? For no reason at all, what is this Madam of Marquis Wuning doing at our house?”
The Marquis Wuning family was famously unruly and lawless. Previously, when guarding the city in Xuanfu in the northwest, they had even triggered a mutiny due to their violent temperament and mistreatment of soldiers. Later, the current generation’s Marquis Wuning had been leading the garrison troops in Hebei.
Their family was reportedly famous for doting on their children, and also had some difficulty with heirs. Their only legitimate daughter had married out, taking half the family fortune as her dowry, and still frequently returned to her natal home to stay. Along with her, their granddaughter Tong Shao was also regarded as a precious treasure by the Marquis Wuning’s Manor, even being raised at their knees.
But what did any of this have to do with the Earl of Changning’s Manor? At this time, instead of going to tear things clear with the Shen family, what were they coming to the Song family for?
Old Madam Song soon learned the purpose of Madam of Marquis Wuning’s visit. As soon as she entered, she began wailing. Though roughly the same age as First Madam Song, she appeared several times more ferocious due to this heart-wrenching style of crying.
Old Madam Song had no patience for such social pleasantries. Glancing downward, Third Madam Song went over with a fake smile to personally help her sit down: “My goodness! Those who don’t know might think Madam has walked through the wrong door, mistaking our Earl of Changning’s Manor for the Tong residence or Duke Yingguo’s Manor! Look how you’ve frightened our Old Madam! If you don’t mind me saying—whatever the matter is, just speak it, but please don’t cry our Old Madam into some misfortune.”
Although Third Madam didn’t know how to speak tactfully, not knowing how to speak also had its advantages. Like now, Madam of Marquis Wuning was choked by Third Madam’s words and didn’t dare cry anymore. She took her handkerchief and roughly wiped her face, then asked Old Madam Song, whose expression was far from kind, through her sobs: “The incident that happened yesterday—I wonder if Old Madam has heard news of it?”
What an unreasonable question! “Heard news of it or not”—without any context, if Old Madam Song answered that she had heard, others would think the Earl of Changning’s Manor had countless informants outside.
She stiffly shook her head: “I don’t know what matter Madam is referring to. You came here and started crying immediately—I’m still completely in the dark. Could it be that some part of my household has offended your manor?” Old Madam Song was happy to watch the jokes of Marquis Wuning’s Manor and Duke Yingguo’s Manor, but if this joke intended to drag their family in as seasoning, that would not be a laughing matter at all. Her expression wasn’t pleasant, and her tone wasn’t good either as she finished this sentence, hoping Madam of Marquis Wuning would restrain herself and know what should and shouldn’t be said.
Madam of Marquis Wuning’s expression froze, then she couldn’t help but start crying again through her sobs: “Duke Yingguo’s Manor is truly going too far! On one hand discussing marriage arrangements with us, on the other hand reportedly giving your family a betrothal token, settling on your Sixth Miss—”