Mrs. Cai grew uneasy, but Song Yunzhao suddenly perked up. Fearing Song Jinxuan beside her would notice something, she forced down her excitement and stared at the doorway with a wooden expression.
The Jiang Family did not disappoint Song Yunzhao. As soon as she entered, she spoke directly to Third Madam Song, "I heard you're heading to the capital, Third Sister-in-law. Coincidentally, I'm also taking my children back to my maiden home to visit our elders. Why don't we travel together?"
Song Yunzhao could feel Mrs. Cai's simmering rage, which she was desperately trying to hide. And when Mrs. Cai was unhappy, Yun Zhao was thrilled.
'Whoever ended up with a mother like her was truly unlucky.'
"Eldest Sister-in-law, why the sudden decision to visit family in the capital? I don't recall you ever mentioning it before," Mrs. Cai said slowly, suppressing her irritation.
The Jiang Family was still all smiles. "I haven't been able to go back these past few years, and my parents miss the children. When I heard you were heading to the capital, Third Sister-in-law, I figured we might as well go together for company."
Mrs. Cai didn't believe a single word. The Jiang Family was as cunning as a fox; she had surely heard the news and would never pass up such a golden opportunity.
With this human barnacle clinging to her, and a sister-in-law at that, Mrs. Cai found it very difficult to refuse, especially since she was using the pretext of visiting family. The only way out was to not go to the capital at all, but that was impossible.
The Jiang Family's gaze swept casually over Song Yunzhao's delicate and beautiful face. 'The little girl looks so dull and listless,' she thought, 'but in private, she's the one who leaked the news to me.'
'Since I accepted her favor, I naturally have to repay it.'
'Mrs. Cai must not want to bring Yun Zhao to the capital, and Yun Zhao is eager to go. In that case, I'll give her a hand.'
"Third Sister-in-law, our family is certainly large and prosperous. With so many children to bring to the capital this time, we'll have to ensure they're well looked after on the journey. I was thinking, since the girls are so delicately raised, we should arrange for an extra team of guards on the road. What do you think?"
Mrs. Cai was startled and looked up at the Jiang Family. "Eldest Sister-in-law, you're planning to bring all of your children?"
"It's a rare opportunity to go to the capital. The children are all grown up; it's time they met their elders." The Jiang Family's smile grew even more amiable, but her words were unyielding. "Besides, Third Brother has secured the post of temple minister at the Ministry of Imperial Stables. Your branch of the family will have to move to the Capital City sooner or later anyway. Why not take this chance to bring the children and just settle down there? It'll save you the trouble of moving back and forth."
'Wow, well played. She's got Mrs. Cai completely cornered.'
Mrs. Cai's expression turned grim. Not wanting the Jiang Family to notice, she struggled to keep the smile on her face. "Eldest Sister-in-law, this is a matter I must discuss with my husband. I can't make such a decision on my own."
Mrs. Cai brought up the Third Young Master to deflect.
The Jiang Family chuckled. "You don't have to worry about that. My husband will speak with Third Brother. Besides, my husband has just been transferred to Yucheng as the Vice Envoy for the Salt Transporting and Supervision Bureau. The two brothers have official matters to discuss. They'll be thrilled to know we're going to the Capital City to fulfill their filial duties on their behalf."
Song Yunzhao was speechless.
'Those words were utterly shameless,' Song Yunzhao thought. 'The Song Family's elders are all gone. She can twist going to her own parents' house to 'fulfill filial duty' and make it sound so righteous and noble. It's true what they say: the shameless are invincible. No wonder she was the one in the story who managed to force her way onto the grand ship of the Dingnan Bo Mansion.'
Of course, Mrs. Cai was unwilling to simply give in to the Jiang Family's wishes. She took a sip of tea to calm her frayed nerves, then looked up and smiled. "Eldest Sister-in-law has a point. It's just, my original plan was for my husband to take up his post in the Capital City. I was going to take Qinghan with me to arrange our new residence and pay respects to my parents. A small party could make the trip there and back quickly. If we travel with so many people, the journey will be terribly long."
"I've already thought of that. Since Third Brother's appointment is in the Capital City, you might as well make this trip your official move. It'll save you the trouble of going back and forth. If you're worried Third Brother won't agree, leave it to me. With our parents-in-law gone, the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. Third Brother will still have to listen to what I say."
Song Yunzhao was inwardly ecstatic. 'To handle a prideful person like Mrs. Cai, you need someone exactly like the Jiang Family—someone who can wield high-minded principles while being utterly shameless.'
Mrs. Cai felt even more cornered, racking her brain for a way to refuse. Before she could come up with anything, the Jiang Family spoke again. "The fact that my husband's and Third Brother's appointments went so smoothly is largely due to the efforts of our elders in the capital. When we go this time, we absolutely must make the rounds and present thank-you gifts on our husbands' behalf."
The Jiang Family glanced at Mrs. Cai's barely suppressed fury, then nonchalantly added, "Besides, with me escorting you to the Capital City, my husband and Third Brother can put their minds at ease. It accomplishes several things at once. So, it's settled."
Mrs. Cai was so enraged she nearly fainted. How could the Jiang Family utter such shameless words?
'She's clearly trying to snatch a prize that isn't hers, yet she's putting on this act of being so diligent and helpful. She's making herself out to be the good person, inside and out!'
The Jiang Family stood up and left without giving Mrs. Cai any chance to object.
As soon as the Jiang Family left, Mrs. Cai's composure crumbled. Her anger surged as she looked from Song Yunzhao to the equally sly-faced Song Jinxuan. Just as she was about to fly into a rage, she felt her eldest daughter gently tug on her sleeve.
Mrs. Cai took a deep breath, looked at the two of them, and said, "It's nothing. You may go back to your rooms."
Song Yunzhao turned and left without hesitation. 'The show is over,' she thought. 'Who has the patience to stick around and look at Mrs. Cai's sour face?'
Song Jinxuan wanted to stay, but seeing Song Yunzhao's brisk departure, she could only grit her teeth and follow, inwardly fuming and wishing she had a little effigy to curse and stab.
Song Qinghan dismissed the servants from the room, then said in a soft, quiet voice, "Mother, Eldest Aunt came prepared. Please don't be angry anymore."
Hearing her eldest daughter's words, Mrs. Cai said furiously, "Did you hear what she said? She acted as if she were bestowing some great favor upon us. It's infuriating! But... how did she find out?"
Song Qinghan replied, "Eldest Aunt's father is with the Ministry of Rites. He's bound to be well-informed about these things."
Mrs. Cai considered this and saw the logic in it. She then gave a cold laugh. "Fine, let's go to the capital together. Madam Ding Nanbo is your own maternal aunt. Even if your Eldest Aunt insists on tagging along, surely she isn't shameless enough to follow us on a visit to your aunt, is she?"
"You're right, Mother, so please don't be angry," Song Qinghan soothed. "Besides, Aunt doesn't have a daughter of her own. Once we reach the Capital City, you can send me to live at her residence. If I'm there, Eldest Aunt's family won't have any opportunities."
"My daughter, you're right." Mrs. Cai was overjoyed. She had been so muddled by her anger that she hadn't thought of such a simple solution. "We'll do just that. I can't wait to see the look on your Eldest Aunt's face then."
Song Qinghan smiled and lowered her gaze slightly. 'As long as Mother agrees to let me live at the Dingnan Bo Mansion, it won't just be my cousins on Eldest Aunt's side who lose their chance,' she thought. 'My own sisters will be out of the running, too.'
'Yun Zhao's face is simply too striking.'