Xie Linlang chuckled, her voice laced with a hint of deeper meaning. "The First Miss is certainly favored," she said, "but have you ever seen the Third Miss truly lose out?"
After hearing her mistress speak, Hua Zhi thought for a moment. "You're right, Miss. The Third Miss has never really been at a disadvantage. But even so, Third Madam refuses to support her the way she supports the First Miss. Is that why you're giving her Silver, Miss?"
The smile on Xie Linlang's face deepened.
She was the daughter of a merchant. Marrying into an official's family as the primary wife was nigh impossible. The only way was to be a man's second wife, but a young, beautiful woman like herself had no desire to become a stepmother.
To be a stepmother, one either needed the heart of a Bodhisattva, sacrificing herself for others, or had to be selfish and ruthless enough to carve out a future for herself. She wanted to be neither a saint nor a villain, so she avoided the position of a second wife at all costs.
For her sake, her aunt catered to First Madam and Third Madam at every turn, all in the hopes of finding her a good match. But it was never that easy.
Her family also wanted to improve their social standing; they couldn't remain merchants forever. With her older brothers now studying diligently for the imperial exams, she naturally wanted to do her part for the family. But as a sheltered young woman, what could she do? After much thought, she concluded that marrying into a prominent family was her only option.
She didn't dare dream of becoming a primary wife. But since becoming a concubine was inevitable, she was determined to choose a family of the highest possible standing.
The wealthiest and most powerful families in the realm were all in the Capital City. Therefore, she had to go there.
As for why she chose the Third Miss for help, firstly, it was because the Third Miss needed Silver. Secondly… everyone praised the First Miss for her gentle and dignified nature. Yet, her own sister was being mistreated by their mother. 'If she were truly so kind,' Xie Linlang thought, 'why couldn't she try to smooth things over with Third Madam?'
This showed that the First Miss was sweet on the surface but bitter underneath. With someone like that, she feared that even if she spent a fortune in Silver, nothing would come of it. The money would just line the other's pockets for nothing.
The Third Miss, however, seemed very methodical. Though Third Madam disliked her, she simply followed the rules to the letter and never went before her mother to beg for anything.
A person like that had integrity. Words from someone with integrity carried weight. Even if her plan failed, she would just consider the Silver a gift of spending money for the Third Miss.
Besides, even if this didn't work out, it was a good way to build a connection. There might be other opportunities for them to work together in the future. In any case, it was no loss to her.
Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao was stunned to see the silver note was for two thousand taels. This wasn't just a generous sum; it was outrageously wealthy. 'The Xie family really is loaded,' she thought.
She was a person of conscience. Having accepted such a hefty sum, she naturally had to deliver.
A plan formed in Song Yunzhao's mind, a glint in her clever eyes. She called Qiancao in. "Aren't you on good terms with Hanshao? Pass a message to her."
Qiancao quickly replied, "Miss, Hanshao is only nice to me because she wants to pry for information about our courtyard. I've never told her anything truthful."
"I know you're loyal. Go tell her about our cousin's visit. Just say that my cousin and I had a very unpleasant falling out."
Qiancao looked completely baffled. "Miss, why would we say that?"
"Just do as I say. If Hanshao asks what we fought about, tell her our cousin came to me because she wants to go to the Capital City with us, but I mocked her mercilessly and sent her away in a huff."
Qiancao was speechless.
'The Miss is really going all out to smear her own name.'
After Qiancao left, Song Yunzhao summoned Jiangxiang. "Regarding Second Aunt coming to see First Aunt and Mother—does everyone outside know about it?"
Jiangxiang thought for a moment before replying, "They visit each other often, but people wouldn't know the specific reason for Second Aunt's visit."
Song Yunzhao's eyes curved into a smile. "We're all good people here. We can't let Second Aunt's Silver be spent without making a splash. Go and spread the word that Second Aunt gave generous gifts to First Aunt and Mother to convince them to let our cousin join us on the trip to the Capital City."
"What?" Jiangxiang was first startled, then grew anxious. "Miss, how can we spread a rumor like that? If Third Madam finds out, it'll be a disaster!"
"What's there to be afraid of? There are plenty of maids and nannies in Third Madam's courtyard. There are bound to be a few gossips among them."
'The Miss is trying to... what was that saying? Borrow a knife to kill someone?'
But it was a good idea. Those little wenches in Third Madam's courtyard, seeing how their mistress disliked the Third Miss, had given them no end of trouble. It was time they were taught a lesson.
There was another point Song Yunzhao left unsaid. Both parties had accepted the money, but neither might be willing to act. By spreading this rumor, each would assume the other was simply trying to take the Silver without doing the work and had leaked the news to force their hand.
First Madam and Mrs. Cai were both incredibly selfish. To make this arrangement for Xie Linlang happen, all she had to do was let them tear each other apart.
First, Song Qinghan learned from Hanshao that Xie Linlang had gone to see Song Yunzhao. She certainly didn't want Xie Linlang growing close to her younger sister. After all, the Xie family was wealthy, and if they allied with Song Yunzhao, it would be no good for her.
Since she couldn't let Song Yunzhao reap the benefits, she figured she might as well handle the matter herself. That way, she could win over Xie Linlang, who might prove to be a useful ally in the future.
But when she went to persuade her mother, she discovered that the entire estate was already buzzing with the news of how Second Aunt had showered the First and Third households with money for Xie Linlang's sake.
Mrs. Cai was so furious she was slamming her hand on the table. Seeing her eldest daughter enter, her temper was still flaring. "It must have been your First Aunt's doing! She wants the Silver but refuses to lift a finger. In her dreams!"
Song Qinghan had her own agenda. She consoled her mother in a soft, gentle voice, "Mother, it's good for us to be on friendly terms with Second Aunt. Think about it, the Xie family is immensely wealthy in Xuanzhou. Once we return to the Capital City, we'll have no shortage of expenses."
Third Madam's brow remained tightly knitted; she simply couldn't swallow her pride. "The Xie family's wealth is their own. If we need money, we can just ask your Second Uncle. He's merely an illegitimate son. Isn't his entire fortune today built on the backs of his official brothers?"
"You're not wrong, Mother, but if we ask Second Uncle for money, First Aunt will be watching our every move. She has no say over what we get from the Xie family, though," Song Qinghan said with a smile.
Mrs. Cai remained silent, still pondering.
Song Qinghan lowered her gaze slightly and then said slowly, "I heard today that cousin Linlang went to see my third sister. Apparently, my third sister gave her a terrible earful and sent her away. Even though the Xie family are merchants, they are still Second Aunt's family. It's not right to be so harsh."
"That happened?" Mrs. Cai's brow furrowed.
"My third sister is still young. Don't be angry, Mother. I will talk to her later."
"She's only a year younger than you." The more Mrs. Cai thought about it, the angrier she became. 'This daughter was truly born to be my bane.'
Back then, she and Aunt Che had gotten pregnant around the same time. She had hoped to give birth to a son to put Aunt Che in her place. When Aunt Che gave birth to Song Jinxuan first, Mrs. Cai thought her own luck was about to turn. But then she herself also had a girl. The memory of Aunt Che's triumphant expression made her resent this daughter from the moment she was born.
If only she had been a son, Aunt Che would never have become so arrogant.
"Go to your Second Aunt's for me and tell her that Xie Linlang may join us on the trip to the Capital City," Mrs. Cai said, her face cold. Since her daughter was so keen on associating with the Xie family, she might as well give her the opportunity to be the one to bestow this favor.
Song Qinghan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. "You are too kind, Mother. Second Aunt and our cousin will be overjoyed." She paused, then asked as if it were an afterthought, "So, once we arrive in the Capital City, where will our cousin be staying?"
She didn't want another person living under her own roof. Since Song Yunzhao and Xie Linlang were already at odds, she might as well put them together. 'Let them keep each other busy,' she thought. 'That way, I can focus entirely on the selection process.'