Song Yunzhao returned to her courtyard, completely ignoring Song Jinxuan's hesitant, wanting-to-speak glances. She shook her off and went straight back, telling Mrs. Luo once inside, "Let's start packing the chests."
Mrs. Luo gently placed the teacup she was holding in front of her young mistress. Her expression was grave as she said, "Miss, with something so significant happening, we must make plans in advance."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Luo. Just do as the mansion instructs," Song Yunzhao said with a faint smile.
Hearing her young mistress's words, Mrs. Luo sighed inwardly. 'There's nothing to be done about the cold temperament the young mistress has developed.'
Song Yunzhao casually picked up a book, but her mind was elsewhere. 'The original owner of this body thought the same way,' she mused. 'She wanted to plan for herself, but she ended up trying so hard to court death that she finally succeeded.'
There are countless wide avenues to heaven, so why squeeze onto a single-plank bridge?
One careless misstep and you'll fall, leaving not even your bones behind.
Naturally, Song Yunzhao also planned to enter the selection. In the book, Song Qinghan was extremely jealous of the original owner's beauty. She deliberately set a trap to make her look like a fool at the Dingnan Bo Mansion, only to then step forward and play the hero, pleading on her behalf so they could enter the selection together.
But when the time came for the palace selection, she acted viciously, ruining the original owner's reputation and face. After leaving the palace, Mrs. Cai felt she had disgraced the Song Family and casually arranged a marriage for her. How could the original owner endure such humiliation? She hanged herself with a rope.
Song Qinghan, however, successfully remained in the palace and was an even match for the female lead, enjoying several years of glory. She couldn't have cared less whether the original owner lived or died.
To her, the original owner was nothing more than a stepping stone.
Now that Song Yunzhao was here, she certainly wouldn't be Song Qinghan's stepping stone. Besides, if she wanted a good marriage and a life of leisure later on, participating in the selection was essential.
After all, in the original book, even the young ladies who were not chosen during the imperial selection would have their marriages arranged by the Emperor.
An imperial decree for marriage was the best opportunity to escape Mrs. Cai's control over her future.
'As for Song Qinghan, if she dares to plot against me again... Hmph, I'll let her reap what she sows.'
'Besides, right now, both the Dingnan Bo Mansion and the Song Family think they can send their own girl to the palace and monopolize the glory. They have no idea that in a few days, a courtier will submit a memorial suggesting a wider selection of beauties to please the Emperor, and the Emperor will agree.'
'That's when the real fun will begin.'
That evening, Third Master Song returned home. Before his seat was even warm, he was summoned next door by Mr. Song. By the next morning, Song Yunzhao received the news: the two families would be traveling to the Capital City together.
'Not surprising at all.'
As for the second branch, they were descended from an illegitimate son. Although Second Young Master Song had studied, he failed to pass the imperial examinations. He later married the daughter of a cloth merchant from Xuanzhou and focused entirely on business. Therefore, the second branch would remain in their hometown.
"Miss, I heard that the second mistress went to see the mistress early this morning. They say she offered a lot of silver," Jiangxiang reported in a hushed voice.
Qiancao entered with a list of items for the chests. Overhearing them, she added, "The second mistress went to see the first mistress as well. The second branch is wealthy, but the second master isn't an official. In the future, when the young masters of the second branch try for the imperial examinations, won't they have to rely on the first master and the third master? What's a little silver in comparison?"
Listening to her two maids, Song Yunzhao suddenly recalled another detail from the book. The second mistress had only given birth to two sons. Even Second Young Master Song's concubine, Aunt Zhu, hadn't managed to have a daughter, instead giving her second uncle another illegitimate son.
So, the second mistress brought her niece, Xie Linlang, to live with her. This one was no simple character either. Later, the second mistress would spend a large sum of silver to give to the first mistress, sending Xie Linlang to Shangjing to find a respectable marriage. Not long after joining the first mistress's household, she managed to latch onto the legitimate eldest son of the Prime Minister's Mansion. Unfortunately, due to her background, she could only be a concubine.
'A capable one, indeed.'
An idea suddenly sparked in Song Yunzhao's mind. She beckoned to Qiancao. "Go make a trip to my second aunt's place..."
Before she could finish, Mrs. Luo lifted the curtain and came in. "Miss, the cousin from the second branch is here. Would you like to see her?"
'Speak of the devil and he shall appear. What a pleasant surprise.'
"Please, show her in," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.
To use a metaphor from a later era, Xie Linlang was a pure, flawless 'little white flower.' She had a pitifully lovely appearance, as delicate as a willow in the breeze. With her expressive, soulful eyes and crescent-moon eyebrows, she was truly a deadly weapon.
"Third Miss, I hope my sudden visit isn't a disturbance?"
Song Yunzhao looked up at Xie Linlang. She wore a light green blouse and skirt, the hem of which was embroidered with gold and silver thread that shimmered beautifully as she walked.
"You're too kind, Miss Xie. It's rare for you to come speak with me. Please, have a seat."
Although Xie Linlang was the second mistress's niece, her background was too low. Even though she was raised by the second mistress, she wouldn't be so bold as to rank herself among the other young ladies of the second branch. Thus, she always used polite forms of address.
Xie Linlang offered a gentle smile before sitting down. She took a brocade box with gold-wrapped corners and openwork carving from her maid and placed it on the table. "I only just received the news that you'll be accompanying the elders to Shangjing, Third Miss. Who knows when we'll see each other again after you leave? Linlang has prepared a small gift to help you pass the time on your journey."
'Her words were so very proper, a pleasure to hear.'
However, her visit truly surprised Song Yunzhao. 'Logically, the one with the most influence in the third branch is Song Qinghan. If Xie Linlang wanted something, she should have gone to her.'
'And this never happened in the original book. How interesting.'
'It seems that after my transmigration, while the major plot points remain unchanged, the minor details are certainly different. My efforts to lie low all this time haven't been in vain.'
After a maid served tea, Song Yunzhao said to Jiangxiang, "Don't just stand around here. Take Hua Zhi for some tea and a rest. I'd like to speak with my cousin for a while."
Jiangxiang grinned and pulled Hua Zhi outside. Hua Zhi glanced at her own mistress before following.
Song Yunzhao watched this unfold and nodded to herself. 'This cousin knows how to manage her subordinates. Her people are well-trained and know the rules.'
"Miss Xie, please speak freely. We don't normally have much interaction, so for you to make a special trip today, you must have something important to discuss."
Song Yunzhao's words were so blunt that Xie Linlang was taken aback for a moment. Her eyes flickered, and she pursed her lips before saying softly, "Linlang has longed to see the Capital City for ages but has never had the chance to witness the majesty of the Imperial City firsthand. If I could have the opportunity to go to the capital, it would fulfill a great wish of mine."
Song Yunzhao let out a soft laugh. "For a matter of this magnitude, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong person, Miss Xie. I doubt I can be of much help."
Xie Linlang flashed a radiant smile. "Whether it succeeds or not, Linlang will be eternally grateful. Besides, in my heart, I know Third Miss is gentle and kind and will surely do her best." As she spoke, she pushed the gift forward.
Song Yunzhao reached out and opened the brocade box. She swept a glance over its contents. There was a thick stack of one-hundred-tael silver notes, likely at least a thousand taels in total. On top of the notes lay a red gold hairpin inlaid with a ruby. The gleaming ruby was as thick as a thumb. As expected of someone from a wealthy merchant family—truly generous.
Closing the box, Song Yunzhao looked up at Xie Linlang. "Since Miss Xie is so sincere, Yun Zhao will naturally do her utmost."
'Excellent, excellent. You provide the money, I provide the effort. We each get what we want—a happy outcome for all.'
'As an unfavored legitimate daughter, aside from my monthly allowance of silver, I have very few other sources of income. I'm actually quite broke.'
'For this trip to Shangjing, silver is a truly good thing. It will be very useful.'
On the way back, Hua Zhi couldn't help but ask, "Miss, Third Miss is not favored. Isn't giving her silver for help just throwing money away? You should have gone to the first miss."