Free Web NovelChapter 18: Chapter 18: Perfectly to Her Liking
When the brocade boxes were opened one by one, Song Yunzhao, Mrs. Luo, and the others were all stunned.
Qiancao, being quick-tongued, blurted out, "Miss, shouldn’t these be divided among all the young ladies?"
There were three sets of jewelry. Qiancao was right; their father must have brought them back to give one set to each of his three daughters. She hadn’t expected all of them to be sent to her.
Song Yunzhao let out a soft laugh. "Hurry and put them away."
Jiangxiang immediately closed the boxes and nudged the still-dazed Qiancao. The two of them quickly began to put the items away in an inconspicuous place.
Mrs. Luo was a little worried. Looking at her mistress, she said, "Miss, should we perhaps pay a visit to the Master?"
Song Yunzhao shook her head. "There’s no need." freewebnσvel.cøm
"But what if the Master recalls this matter after his anger has cooled? Wouldn’t that be bad for you, Miss?"
"Father has always been measured in his actions. Since he sent them all here, they are naturally for me." Song Yunzhao looked at Mrs. Luo with a smile in her eyes. "You don’t need to worry."
Only then did Mrs. Luo breathe a sigh of relief. "It’s good that you have a plan, Miss."
’Father must be angry at Song Qinghan for sowing discord and kicking me while I was down,’ Song Yunzhao mulled over. ’That’s why he gave everything to me this time—to teach Song Qinghan a lesson.’
’But Song Jinxuan also got caught in the crossfire. That, I didn’t expect.’
’Aunt Che must have written something in her letter that displeased Father. That’s the only thing I can surmise.’
Her clever eyes shifting, Song Yunzhao looked at Mrs. Luo. "Mama, find a sharp little maid and send her to the West Courtyard."
Mrs. Luo nodded quickly. "Rest assured, Miss. I’ll go at once."
Song Yunzhao went back to bed to lie down again. She had just settled in when Song Yexi arrived, forcing her to get up once more.
"Little Sister Zhao, are you feeling any better today?"
Song Yunzhao half sat up, leaning against a soft pillow as she looked at Song Yexi. "I’m a bit better today. Thank you for your concern, Ms. Xi."
Song Yexi observed that Song Yunzhao’s face was even paler than yesterday and asked with concern, "Why do you look so pale? Is the doctor’s medicine not working? I can have my mother find another doctor for you."
Third Uncle was back, and Song Yexi certainly didn’t want him to think that the main branch of the family hadn’t taken good care of Yun Zhao.
"The prescription is quite effective; my headache is much better today. You don’t need to worry, Ms. Xi. It’s just that I suddenly saw Father, so..."
Song Yexi smiled and sighed. "I know you’ve been wronged, Little Sister Zhao. It’s good that Third Uncle is back. My mother has also gone to the West Courtyard. She’ll definitely get justice for you this time, so don’t worry."
"How could I trouble First Aunt to work so hard on my behalf?" Song Yunzhao said, her face full of guilt.
Song Yexi smiled. "My mother is genuinely heartbroken for you. Before she left, she specifically asked me to come and keep you company."
’If the First Madam feels one part pity for me,’ Song Yunzhao thought, ’then the other nine parts are about using this opportunity to pave the way for Song Yexi.’
’However, since I’m the one receiving the first branch’s care, it’s only natural that I let them gain some advantage in my name.’
The two of them made bland conversation. It was obvious Song Yexi was preoccupied with the events in the West Courtyard, and truthfully, Song Yunzhao was also very concerned about how things were progressing.
But they couldn’t even be called fair-weather friends. Neither wanted the other to see what was on her mind, so they had to continue playing the part of good sisters. It was exhausting.
’Why didn’t the ancients live long?’
Song Yunzhao finally understood.
It was almost time for the meal, and the First Madam still hadn’t returned. Song Yexi grew restless and finally left, using the excuse that she didn’t want to disturb Song Yunzhao’s meal and midday rest.
The moment she left, Song Yunzhao quickly called for Mrs. Luo. "What’s happened?"
Mrs. Luo said immediately, "The Master was questioning the Madam, and the Madam brought up how you were defiant and talked back to her that day. Fortunately, the First Madam is there, and they’re still locked in a standoff. But just a quarter of an hour ago, Aunt Che and the Second Miss were also summoned."
The words had barely left her mouth when Qiancao rushed in. "Miss Xi, Miss Rong, and Miss Hong Jiao have also been summoned to the West Courtyard!"
Song Yunzhao understood at once. They were going to investigate what happened at the Uncle Mansion.
She leaned against her soft pillow and thought it through carefully. ’So this was the First Madam’s real move. Getting justice for me was just the appetizer; the incident at the Uncle Mansion is the real killing blow.’
Just as she was thinking this, Jiangxiang lifted the door curtain and came in. "It was terrifying, Miss! The First Madam is questioning whether the Eldest Miss had ulterior motives for insisting you go to the Uncle Mansion that day. Otherwise, how could a simple visit to the Uncle Mansion lead to something that could nearly ruin your reputation?"
Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. This was exactly what she had wanted—for her father to make this connection, to suspect the malicious intentions of Mrs. Cai and her daughter.
But if she were the one to say it, firstly, there was insufficient evidence, and secondly, as a party involved, her position wasn’t impartial.
Without the perfect opportunity, she couldn’t bring it up herself.
She never would have imagined that the First Madam would seize this exact point to strike.
’This is just what I wanted.’
’Wonderful!’
’Absolutely wonderful!’
Mrs. Luo saw the bright sparkle in her mistress’s eyes, and her heart skipped a beat. She suddenly said, "Miss, did you suspect this as well?"
Song Yunzhao looked at Mrs. Luo. "Mama, what do you think?"
Mrs. Luo’s face turned grim. The Third Miss was the Madam’s own biological daughter. She truly didn’t want to believe that the Madam would treat her own flesh and blood this way.
Seeing Mrs. Luo’s pained expression, Song Yunzhao sighed softly. "Mama, why do you still concern yourself with such things? I have all of you to protect me, and I’ve lived quite well all these years."
Mrs. Luo turned away to wipe her tears.
Qiancao’s eyes reddened as well. Jiangxiang looked from one to the other and quickly said, "Don’t be sad. If the First Madam can really produce evidence, our Miss’s life will be much better from now on."
That was true, but evidence would be hard to find.
Song Yunzhao knew there wouldn’t be any evidence. The incident happened at the Uncle Mansion, and they wouldn’t go there to verify anything.
Being forced to swallow this bitter pill would surely make her father furious.
With the First Madam whispering in his ear on the side, Song Yunzhao figured that Mrs. Cai and her daughter were probably about to cough up blood from rage.
"The young cousin has arrived."
A young maid’s voice called from outside. The people in the room immediately composed their expressions. Qiancao glanced at her mistress before turning to welcome the visitor.
Mrs. Luo and Jiangxiang greeted the cousin and then withdrew. Qiancao served tea before taking up a post outside the door.
Xie Linlang noticed Yun Zhao’s slightly red eyes. After sitting down, she got straight to the point. "The Third Young Master wants to ground the Eldest Miss. He said her character is poor and she has no sisterly affection, and that with such a temperament, if she were selected for the palace, she would sooner or later bring disaster upon the family."
Hearing Xie Linlang’s words, Song Yunzhao said in surprise, "Father really said that? How do you know?"
Xie Linlang gave a light cough. "I was worried you wouldn’t get the news, so I had someone secretly listen in. As soon as I heard, I rushed over to tell you and lift your spirits."
Song Yunzhao smiled. "Then I really must thank you."
Xie Linlang waved her hand dismissively. "What’s there to be polite about between us? It’s what I should do. Yun Zhao, do you think the Eldest Miss is really that cruel? I never would have guessed."
Xie Linlang had always thought Song Qinghan was selfish, but she never imagined she could be so vicious toward her own sister.
Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang and asked in return, "What did First Aunt do?"
Whether this would succeed or not all depended on the First Madam.
