Free Web NovelChapter 196: Chapter 87: Doesn’t Bite, But Is Disgusting
The Eldest Madam had considered many things, but she never expected Third Master Song to be so ambitious. A smile touched her lips. "Had I known you were this determined, Third Master, I wouldn’t have interfered."
Third Master Song felt rather embarrassed. His own wife hadn’t lifted a finger for him, yet his sister-in-law was worried on his behalf. "Sister-in-law, please tell Yun Zhao for me tomorrow. Tell her to take good care of herself in the palace and not to worry about matters at home."
"Of course. I will relay your message, Third Master." The Eldest Madam agreed. Then, recalling the day’s events, she hesitated for a moment before deciding to bring it up.
Third Master Song’s brow furrowed at the mention of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. "I’ll look into this."
"I’ll rest easy with you looking into it, Third Master. I was just thinking that our family has no dealings with these marquis mansions. If they’re discussing marriage, what could they possibly see in us? Our family has nothing they would value, which means they must have their eyes on the Concubine in the palace. They want to leverage her influence." The Eldest Madam made her point succinctly and left without another word.
After the Eldest Madam left, Third Master Song’s expression darkened. He summoned his personal attendant and gave a few orders. "Find out what’s really going on between the Madam and the Marquis Wuxin Mansion."
"Yes, Master."
The Third Master knew his wife had been losing sleep over Qing Han’s marriage, but he couldn’t allow her to create problems for Yun Zhao because of it.
The next day, the Eldest Madam entered the palace, and only then did Song Yunzhao learn about the situation at home. For a moment, she was stunned.
’Marquis Wuxin Mansion... I have no memory of it.’
’I can’t even remember if that family appeared in the book. Since I have no recollection, they must have had a minimal part, or perhaps they never showed up at all.’
"Aunt Che said Madam Ding Nanbo arranged this match?" Song Yunzhao asked, looking at the Eldest Madam.
The Eldest Madam nodded. Fearing Yun Zhao might not understand the implications, she explained in detail, "The Marquis Wuxin Mansion has a mediocre reputation in the Capital City. The family has no promising sons, and even Marquis Wuxin himself only holds an idle post. They may have the rank of a Marquis, but it’s all superficial glamour. That’s why I feel this marriage is unsuitable."
Hearing this, Song Yunzhao asked with some curiosity, "If that’s the case, why would Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan agree to this match?"
The Eldest Madam explained, "You know Qing Han’s reputation was damaged after she was expelled from the palace, which has made finding a husband difficult. But your mother doesn’t want her daughter to settle for less, and Qing Han herself is too proud to marry down. So, finding a suitable match has been a struggle. The Marquis Wuxin Mansion at least holds a noble title, so it’s respectable on the surface."
Song Yunzhao understood at once. ’Song Qinghan is someone who cares deeply about appearances. Even if she knows the family lacks substance, she craves the empty prestige. She’s willing to marry into that family just for the recognition that comes with the Marquis title.’
’But she isn’t even marrying the eldest son who can inherit the title, just some unpromising younger son.’
Tsk.
"In that case, let her marry him then," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.
Hearing this, the Eldest Madam said, "I’m just worried the Marquis Wuxin Mansion only agreed to this marriage because they want to latch onto you. What’s more, and you may not know this, the Cai Family is already using your name to conduct their affairs."
Song Yunzhao asked in disbelief, "The Cai Family is doing things in my name?"
"Yes, I only found out recently myself. I haven’t mentioned it to the Third Master yet. He’s about to leave the Capital City, so this will have to wait until he returns. However, you need to know what the Cai Family is up to, just so you’re prepared."
"What exactly has the Cai Family done in my name? I have no dealings with them," Song Yunzhao demanded.
"But the Cai Family is your maternal family, after all. Besides, outsiders don’t know that you have no contact with them, and the Cai Family certainly won’t be the ones to admit it."
Song Yunzhao scoffed. "The Cai Family can dream on. Is my name so easy to borrow? Eldest Aunt, what have they done?"
"For now, they haven’t done anything too outrageous. Once people learned the Cai Family had a granddaughter who became a palace Concubine, they started visiting more often to build connections. While their home isn’t exactly bustling like a marketplace, it’s certainly much livelier than before."
Song Yunzhao: ...
’I get it. First, people pave the way with gifts, and then they ask for favors.’
’And the Cai Family dares to accept the silver without even knowing what those people will ask for.’
’This is infuriating!’
Seeing Song Yunzhao’s dark expression, the Eldest Madam said, "They won’t dare cause any major trouble for now. I’ll keep an eye on them for you."
Song Yunzhao shook her head. She had a feeling it wasn’t that simple.
"Eldest Aunt, when did the Marquis Wuxin Mansion start these marriage talks with our family?"
"I’m not sure when your mother started dealing with them. And since it involves Madam Ding Nanbo—and you know I have no dealings with her—it’s hard to say exactly when it began. However, Aunt Che only discovered this five or six days ago, so it probably hasn’t been going on for long. If things were already taking shape, your mother wouldn’t have been able to hide it."
’Five or six days ago...’
’Thinking back, wasn’t that right around the time of the flood?’
Song Yunzhao’s expression grew grave. ’The three concubines are having a hard time getting to me directly. Could they have found another way by targeting the Song Family?’
’Who in the Song Family is most desperate for help right now?’
’It’s Song Qinghan and her mother. Qing Han’s marriage is what Mrs. Cai is most worried about.’
’So what if someone offered Song Qinghan a respectable marriage proposal right at this moment?’
Song Yunzhao took a deep breath. If her suspicions were correct, then she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.
As soon as Song Yunzhao voiced her suspicions, the Eldest Madam’s expression darkened. "If that’s the case, then things have become quite tricky."
The main issue was the terrible timing. Third Master Song was about to head south with the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Since the eldest branch of the family and the third branch had formally separated their households, it was inappropriate for the Eldest Madam to interfere in the third branch’s affairs without Third Master Song present—especially when it came to Song Qinghan’s marriage.
The two had clearly reached the same conclusion. The Eldest Madam looked at Song Yunzhao hesitantly. "Then, what are your plans for this matter?"
Song Yunzhao was getting a headache. "Eldest Aunt, I need to think this through carefully."
’I’d love to cut ties with Mrs. Cai, but that’s obviously impossible.’
’In the past, Mrs. Cai might have been more cautious. But now that she’s latched onto this marriage with the Marquis Wuxin Mansion, she probably feels emboldened enough to defy me. If I do anything that could be seen as unfilial or disrespectful, wouldn’t I just be handing a weapon to the three concubines?’
’It’s like a toad hopping onto the back of your foot—it won’t bite you, but it’s utterly revolting!’
Seeing her distress, the Eldest Madam relayed the Third Master’s message first, then soothed Yun Zhao, saying, "Don’t tell your father about this yet. He’ll only worry about you on his journey south. If his mission suffers because of it, that would be a true disaster."
Song Yunzhao nodded. "You’re right, Eldest Aunt."
"Don’t you worry, I’ll keep an eye on things for you. If Song Qinghan really does something detrimental to you, I won’t just stand by and let it happen." The Eldest Madam looked at Song Yunzhao and said in a grave tone, "If that mother and daughter truly have no regard for you, I will not allow them to act so recklessly."
’There are some things Yun Zhao can’t do because of her position. If they really have a falling out, I will have to be the one to put Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan in their place for her.’
