Free Web NovelChapter 178: Chapter 76: The Emperor’s Elixir (3)
Song Yunzhao said, "Then let’s wait. We can discuss the marriage after my second brother passes his exams." She paused, looked at the First Madam, and continued, "Second Brother is studying with his two cousins now. I wonder how he’s doing. Last time, Jinxuan mentioned he was going to take the exam. I wonder if he’ll be able to pass?"
The First Madam smiled. "He’s studying very hard. Bo Ran said that as long as he performs as he usually does, the county-level exam shouldn’t be a problem."
Song Yunzhao nodded. "That’s good."
The First Madam looked at Yun Zhao. "Bu Yue and Bo Ming will be returning to our hometown together this time. Your uncle’s intention is for them to set out at the end of the sixth month. They can go back early and get everything settled, which will save them from rushing around at the last minute."
The county-level exam was in the eighth month. If they left the Capital City at the end of the sixth month, they would have the entire seventh month to acclimate in Nanyu. It was naturally better to be fully prepared when entering the examination hall.
"Uncle is right. That’s an excellent plan," Song Yunzhao agreed.
After discussing family matters, the First Madam took her leave. Song Yunzhao personally saw her out. Watching the First Madam depart, she didn’t return to her hall immediately. She stood under the eaves of the corridor, gazing up at the sky. ’When my aunt returns to the manor and Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan find out I’ve been promoted to Concubine, they’ll probably be angry enough to spit blood.’
’The very thought made her happy.’
Song Yunzhao wasn’t wrong. The First Madam was an interesting character herself. Upon returning to the manor, she first went to the third branch of the family to see Mrs. Cai.
Mrs. Cai had been having a truly difficult time lately. Her eldest daughter’s marriage had become her top priority. Unfortunately, her own exit from the palace had been disgraceful. Even though the First Madam had refrained from spreading the story for the sake of the Song family’s daughters’ reputations, the incident was no secret. Other families, especially those who detested Song Yunzhao, were more than willing to publicize her notoriety.
As a result, Song Qinghan’s marriage prospects were now incredibly bleak. Forget marrying into a higher-status family; even finding a match of equal social standing was difficult. The moment Song Qinghan’s name was mentioned, potential suitors would shy away.
After struggling for so long, Mrs. Cai had no choice but to consider marrying her daughter into a lower-status family. Who would have thought that even such a match would be hard to find? With Song Qinghan’s reputation ruined, who would want to welcome such a daughter-in-law into their home?
The only families willing to consider a match were those looking to curry favor, but what kind of families were they? They were the sort who couldn’t wait to take a bite out of the Song Family’s flesh. Mrs. Cai was so furious she could explode, and she spent her days worrying endlessly about the matter.
As soon as the First Madam entered, Mrs. Cai did her best to appear calm. "Sister-in-law, what brings you here? You’re quite the rare visitor."
She knew that Song Yunzhao had summoned the First Madam to the palace today. Her relationship with her daughter was as cold as ice, so she didn’t pay much mind to the First Madam’s visit to the palace.
’And what good would it do to care? That wretched daughter of mine, Song Yunzhao, would never give me, her own mother, a second thought.’
"Third Sister-in-law, what a thing to say. We’ve been sisters-in-law for so many years, how could I be a rare visitor?" The First Madam paid no mind to Mrs. Cai’s cold expression. "I’ve come to congratulate you, Third Sister-in-law. I received good news as soon as I entered the palace. This very morning, the Emperor promoted our Yun Zhao to Concubine."
Mrs. Cai’s expression froze. She stared fixedly at the First Madam. "Concubine?"
The First Madam looked at Mrs. Cai, her smile blossoming across her face. "Yes, a two-rank promotion. It’s clear His Majesty truly favors our Yun Zhao. That child is truly blessed."
Mrs. Cai was speechless.
Her eldest daughter’s marriage was already difficult enough. Now that Song Yunzhao had become a Concubine, Mrs. Cai felt the world go dark. ’What will happen to Qing Han?’
Having delivered the "good news," the First Madam left. She couldn’t be bothered to look at Mrs. Cai’s bewildered face any longer. The woman still showed no remorse; she wasn’t just muddled, she was an absolute fool.
Not long after the First Madam left, the news reached Song Qinghan. With a dark expression, she rushed to the main courtyard and burst into tears the moment she saw Mrs. Cai.
"Mother... what am I going to do?" Song Qinghan sobbed, throwing herself into Mrs. Cai’s arms and crying so hard she could barely breathe.
Song Qinghan had been living in utter misery. She knew her exit from the palace had been disgraceful and that finding a husband wouldn’t be easy, but she had never imagined it would be this difficult.
People who had once been close to her now couldn’t get away from her fast enough, all of them afraid of offending Song Yunzhao.
’I hate her so much!’
"Don’t be afraid. Mother will think of something," Mrs. Cai said, coaxing her daughter. If worse came to worst, she would marry her daughter back into her own maiden family. She would prepare a generous dowry, and what could her sister-in-law do if she disagreed? As long as her own mother was still alive, there was still hope.
However, thinking of her sister-in-law’s temperament, Mrs. Cai didn’t dare say anything to her daughter before the matter was settled. ’What if... what if it really doesn’t work out?’
"Mother, if this goes on, I really can’t live anymore. It would be better to just let me die." This time, Song Qinghan’s tears were genuine. She had never in her entire life experienced such hardship.
