The Earl of Guangen’s residence was hosting a theatrical performance. Though they called it a theatrical performance, anyone with eyes could see that this wasn’t really about hosting any performance—it was specifically arranged to invite the young ladies who were on good terms to gather together and add to Miss Yin’s trousseau. After all, since she was becoming someone’s second wife, it wouldn’t look good if things were too lively, but if they were too shabby, the Earl of Guangen’s conscience wouldn’t be at ease either.
Xiang Mingzi and Song Chuyi had been dressed up early that morning. Old Madam Song examined them both for a while, then nodded with satisfaction. Holding their hands, she gave them instructions: “In principle, we should really avoid such occasions to prevent gossip. But after the New Year begins, Xiaoyi, you’ll be going to Jinzhong. At this moment, spending more time with Yinyin isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
Old Madam Song had long known of Consort Song’s intentions and was aware that Consort Song had persuaded Song Chuyi. She felt very happy about this. Although this trip also carried the meaning of letting Song Chuyi go out to clear her mind and meet her future stepmother, more importantly, Old Madam Song wanted Song Chuyi to interact more with Ye Jingchuan. This young man had been coming to the Song residence increasingly frequently lately. Several visiting relatives had already noticed something and asked with smiles whether they were planning to strengthen the bond with the Zhennan Prince’s Manor.
The Zhennan Princess Consort had acted as matchmaker between the Yin and Song families, so she would definitely attend this theatrical gathering at the Earl of Guangen’s residence. Since she was going and knew that Song Chuyi would be there, naturally she should bring Ye Jingchuan along as well. Having the two young people meet more under the watchful eyes of their elders wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Xiang Mingzi smiled and linked arms with Song Chuyi as they went out the door. She adjusted the butterfly hairpin adorned with a small spring mechanism on Song Chuyi’s hair—the kind that trembled its wings at the slightest touch—and gently patted her hand. “Grandmother is getting old.”
Although she had already been adopted by First Master Song, while her surname had changed, her given name remained the same—her name had been personally chosen by Song Linlang, and no one in the Song family had the heart to change it. They still habitually called Old Madam Song “grandmother.”
Thinking of Old Madam Song’s breathless appearance, Song Chuyi felt somewhat sad and lowered her head.
In her previous life, Old Madam Song had been angered by her and Shen Qingrang at this time and had fallen ill for quite a while. She had recuperated on and off for two or three years without fully recovering before she passed away.
Xiang Mingzi tightly grasped her hand in her palm. When she looked at Song Chuyi, her eyes were misty: “Nanny Huang said that even when Grandmother falls asleep and talks in her dreams, she’s worrying about our futures.”
Who could fully understand all the matters concerning the elderly? The physicians said that with good care, she would surely live to a hundred, but how many people actually lived to a hundred? Even someone as vigorous and healthy as Old Madam Sun had passed away when her time came. Xiang Mingzi felt anxious all over as she boarded the carriage. Resting her head on Song Chuyi’s shoulder, she sniffled: “Xiaoyi, I’m so scared.”
Although everyone in the Song family treated her very well, none of them cared for her as meticulously as Old Madam Song did, always thinking everything through for her in advance. Just thinking about how Old Madam Song would eventually leave them in the future made her heart ache as if pierced by needles.
Song Chuyi’s eyes also grew moist. Thinking about how she still had to make a trip to Jinzhong, which would take at least three to five months round trip, her heart softened first. Holding Xiang Mingzi’s hand, she softly comforted her: “Don’t be afraid. Grandmother promised that no matter what, she would see us establish our families and careers. She’ll keep her word—she’s always been true to her promises.”
No matter what, whether it was Old Madam Song from her previous life or Old Madam Dong from this life, both had fulfilled their duty as a grandmother. She might not have been able to favor her alone wholeheartedly, but she had already done her utmost to give her the greatest protection.
Living one’s life with too much clarity made it difficult to find happiness. Only remembering blessings and not grievances would make life happier instead. She never pushed people to the brink not because she feared so-called karmic retribution, but because she believed in leaving room for maneuver in all matters.
Old Madam Song might have concealed things regarding Cui Shi’s affairs and had shown favoritism when in difficult positions, but after all, she had tried her best to make amends and place her and Song Yan in the best positions.
The Old Madam of the Earl of Guangen had already been waiting at the entrance with her daughter-in-law. When she saw the carriage from the Earl of Changning’s residence, her eyes lit up. She grasped Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi’s hands and wouldn’t let go for a long time. After a while, she finally exclaimed with a smile: “Good! Good! Good! Now that you’ve come, my heart is at ease!”
This treatment toward her daughter’s stepdaughter was a bit too enthusiastic. Those who didn’t know might think the Earl of Guangen’s residence was desperate to curry favor with the Earl of Changning’s residence. The current Madam of the Earl of Guangen glanced at her, worried she might say something else rambling that would offend their guests, and quickly interrupted their conversation with a smile: “Sister Yun is waiting inside. Why don’t we have the two young ladies go in first? There are many people inside as well.”
The Old Madam of the Earl of Guangen smiled and squeezed their hands hard, her eyes full of hope and joy.
Truly, there was nothing like a parent’s love for their child. Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi exchanged glances and gently nodded to the Old Madam before following the serving girl who was leading the way through the gate.
Yin Yunduan was just entertaining a group of young ladies with tea and refreshments. Upon seeing them, she smiled slightly and personally welcomed them to sit beneath a plum tree. Taking hot tea from a maid’s hands, she said: “This is plum blossom tea brewed with heated snow water from last year. Try it and see if it suits your taste.”
Speaking of which, although this wasn’t their first meeting, it was the first time she’d exchanged words with Song Chuyi. Seeing that Song Chuyi had delicate and lovely features with a warm and natural manner, she first breathed a sigh of relief—although her mother had long said that Sixth Miss Song was a good person, seeing and interacting with her personally made her feel even more at ease.
Song Chuyi was wearing a crabapple-red thin jacket today with a frost-white brocade over-robe scattered with golden patterns over it, and a pleated skirt of the same color underneath. Yin Yunduan took one look, and the smile on her face deepened and became more intimate. This set of clothing was something she had personally made and sent to Song Chuyi. That Song Chuyi wore this outfit to the residence today was probably meant to reassure her and Madam of the Earl of Guangen. Having such thoughtfulness and consideration already made Yin Yunduan develop twelve parts worth of good feelings toward Song Chuyi—everyone said this Sixth Miss Song was extremely favored before Second Old Master Song and Old Madam Song. If she was easy to get along with, her own future days would be much easier as well.
She wasn’t afraid of Second Master Song—what she feared was not getting along with her stepchildren. After all, the stepchildren were of a certain age already. If they wanted to make things difficult for her, a stepmother with no strong maternal family and unstable foundation, she truly wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Now, seeing both the Song family’s attitude and Sixth Miss Song’s attitude were good, the hidden worries in her heart finally settled.