The next day, Song Chuyi saw Yin Yunduan again at Old Madam Song’s Ningde Courtyard. She had already styled her hair in a married woman’s coiffure and wore bright red clothing with an exquisite Eight Treasures hairpin on her head—beyond that, not a single other ornament.

After they had exchanged greetings and served tea, Second Old Master Song and First Master Song left first. Yin Yunduan remained in the room to chat with Old Madam Song, First Madam Song, and Third Madam Song.

She was very beautiful—a beauty without aggression. Combined with her interesting conversation and generous manner, she easily won people’s favor. First Madam Song took her hand and presented her before Old Madam Song with a smile: “Old Madam has always said she wanted to find a suitable daughter-in-law for Second Uncle. Now her wish has been fulfilled. Where else could we find such a good daughter-in-law?”

Even Third Madam Song chimed in to join the fun: “Exactly so. Now Second Elder Uncle can finally settle down.” Yin Yunduan was extremely adept at managing relationships. Right after entering the household, she had sent quite a few gifts, even including gifts for Third Madam’s already-married daughter Song Chumi—a statue of the Child-Bestowing Guanyin, which was truly very thoughtful. No wonder people liked her.

Old Madam Song held Yin Yunduan’s hand and couldn’t help but smile as well, gently patting her hand: “You’re a good child. I won’t say much else. If you can keep this muddled good-for-nothing in line for me, you’ll be our Song family’s benefactor.”

Yin Yunduan nodded repeatedly. She had truly put in great effort regarding the Song family and understood very well what it would take to completely establish a firm foothold in the Song family. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but lift her eyes to look at Song Chuyi. This young lady stood to the side with a smile, appearing no different from other young ladies except for being excessively beautiful, yet Yin Yunduan knew this young lady was extremely formidable.

With such family background and such a daughter, as long as she herself dutifully served her parents-in-law and kept her husband happy, her future days should be very comfortable.

After she changed her clothes in the Second Branch’s main courtyard, she pulled Song Chuyi aside and said the same thing: “Xiaoyi… I’m taking the liberty of addressing you this way now… You’re a clever child. I’m seven or eight years older than you, yet I’m not as capable as you.” She paused, looking at Song Chuyi earnestly: “I’ve vaguely heard about past matters. But please rest assured—I’m not that kind of person.”

Song Chuyi looked at her with a smile and gently grasped her hand in return, saying softly: “I know. Originally, Sister Yin, you would never have wanted to marry my father under any circumstances. You liked your cousin, didn’t you?”

Yin Yunduan’s eyes widened. Heye and Hechun were both startled into a daze, even forgetting to serve them the tea in their hands. Looking at each other in dismay, they felt their legs go somewhat weak. Even Yin Yunduan’s wet nurse, Nanny Zhang, couldn’t react for a moment.

These were all matters from the past. Moreover, the Earl of Guangen’s household was already considered a declining family—practically no one paid attention to them, let alone such private matters within the inner quarters. Now to suddenly have someone bring it up, and for that person to be their own young lady’s stepdaughter, they couldn’t help but feel somewhat panicked and even more apprehensive of Song Chuyi—such a secret matter that hadn’t even a whisper of rumor outside, how on earth did a young lady like Song Chuyi come to know of it?

Yin Yunduan’s expression was somewhat stunned. Song Chuyi held her hand and gently shook it, her voice softening considerably as if afraid of frightening her: “Don’t worry. I just wanted to know what kind of person I’ll be dealing with in the future, same as Sister Yin.”

Yin Yunduan smiled bitterly. She had indeed had her mother inquire many times about Sixth Miss Song’s character, but that information had all been superficial—things that could be learned from public sources.

But what Song Chuyi knew were things that couldn’t be known without being family insiders. These words—even her obtuse sister-in-law wouldn’t dare speak of them outside. Yet Song Chuyi had somehow found out. No wonder the Zhennan Princess Consort said Sixth Miss Song was formidable. Looking at it now, she was formidable beyond the ordinary.

She looked at Song Chuyi and simply stopped evading, admitting it openly and generously: “You’re right. At first, I never thought of becoming someone’s second wife. Even someone of noble status like your father—I looked down on him. Don’t laugh at me, but the reason I’ve held out until this age isn’t just because mourning periods delayed things—it’s also because I was unwilling in my own heart.”

She had always thought of trying again, working harder—maybe she really could end up with her cousin. But sometimes worldly matters were just this cruel. Her cousin was honest and kind, but he was an extremely filial son who had to listen to his mother in all matters. His mother disdained her for having lost her father and having an adopted brother and sister-in-law, feared her dowry would be thin, and also disdained her for being too clever, thinking she would dominate her cousin. Gritting her teeth, she simply refused. Her cousin had no way to change her mind and could only ask her to wait.

She waited and waited for so many years—waited through the mourning period for the old master, then through the Empress Dowager’s mourning period. In the end, what she waited for wasn’t her cousin’s proposal but news of his wedding.

From that time on, she knew that worldly matters most feared waiting, because one couldn’t afford to wait.

She looked at Song Chuyi and told her earnestly: “Xiaoyi, since you already know about my situation, I won’t hide anything from you. I also vaguely know something about your situation.”

Song Chuyi stood there smiling, like a graceful lotus in bud, making it impossible to look away.

With such appearance and bearing, yet possessing such scheming and methods… Yin Yunduan’s heart trembled slightly. She reached out to grasp Song Chuyi’s hand tightly: “I’ve heard Old Madam intends to betroth you to Second Young Master Ye of the Zhennan Prince’s Manor. That’s very good.”

“Don’t speak!” She turned to look at Hechun, who was hurrying forward to interrupt, then turned back to look at Song Chuyi. She pulled her to sit beside her and stared at her directly: “I’ll also tell you honestly—I went to great pains to inquire about all this. I know what’s special about you. That the Earl of Changning’s household isn’t sending you to curry favor with the powerful but is willing to consider your future—that’s very good. You yourself must also seize the opportunity. The imperial family is a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. Once you step inside, you must fight to the death. Your father… he’s not a suitable backer. You must plan for your own future. Xiaoyi, people can’t be too greedy, and you mustn’t always think about waiting to see if there’s something better ahead. All matters most fear waiting, because one can’t afford to wait. You’re still young now. When you grow up later, you’ll understand what I’m saying.”

Before Song Chuyi could respond, the curtain outside stirred. Nanny Qin respectfully lifted the curtain and stood outside the threshold: “Miss, Huangjue Temple has sent something. Old Madam asks you to go over.”

Yin Yunduan glanced at Song Chuyi and asked her: “Do you know what it’s about?”

Nanny Qin lowered her head, her answer concise and efficient: “I heard it’s to offer an apology.”