Xie Linlang noticed Song Yunzhao didn’t respond to her previous comment. She understood that Yunzhao must be upset and had no desire to mention Song Qinghan, so she wisely dropped the subject.

After a moment’s thought, she looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "We don’t know for sure what happened that day, but the young ladies from the main branch all saw Song Qinghan get startled and nearly fall into the pond. Now Third Madam is adamantly claiming that the First Madam is just slinging mud to get the spot for the concubine selection. Naturally, the First Madam won’t let it go. She said if Third Madam insists on being stubborn, she’ll disregard all decorum and go to the Uncle Mansion to demand the truth."

Song Yunzhao understood. ’Since the two branches of the family are competing, the testimony of the witnesses can be cast as suspect. Mrs. Cai is latching onto that to try and flip the situation.’

Xie Linlang looked at Song Yunzhao, unsure of what to say to comfort her. ’As the daughter of a merchant, I’m completely useless in these kinds of affairs.’

Song Yunzhao didn’t notice Xie Linlang’s expression. All she could think about was Mrs. Cai’s desperation to protect Song Qinghan. ’The matter of the concubine selection cannot go wrong. Being confined would mean missing her chance, so her only option is to drag the First Madam down into the muck with her.’

’Mrs. Cai is really willing to risk everything for Song Qinghan.’

"Yun Zhao, don’t be upset," Xie Linlang said quickly, seeing the scornful look on Song Yunzhao’s face.

Song Yunzhao met Xie Linlang’s worried gaze and gave her a small smile. "I’m used to it. I’m not really upset."

Xie Linlang felt Song Yunzhao was just putting on a brave face, but she didn’t call her out on it. Instead, she played along. "That’s right, there’s nothing to be upset about. You’ll be able to go out now that the Third Master is back, won’t you? When you can, I’ll take you out for fun. There are so many interesting places in the Capital City."

’Even though I know the plot of the novel,’ Song Yunzhao thought, ’my actions are different from the original protagonist’s, and the storyline is already starting to diverge. I can’t just follow the book’s script anymore.’

’I don’t actually want to enter the palace and become a concubine. I just want to use His Majesty’s authority to secure a marriage arrangement. I can’t let Mrs. Cai control my marriage under the guise of being my mother.’

’I remember from the novel that His Majesty arranges marriages for the rejected concubine candidates, and the families are almost always in the Capital City. So, it’s very important for my future to get familiar with the city and scout some places out.’

"Then I’ll be counting on you," Song Yunzhao agreed cheerfully.

Xie Linlang loved this cheerful side of Song Yunzhao. She leaned in and said quietly, "My maid heard some news... The First Madam complained to the Third Master that Third Madam is too biased and suggested you should come live in the East Courtyard permanently."

Song Yunzhao’s eyes flickered. ’Absolutely not. My First Aunt is far more difficult to handle than Mrs. Cai. Living under her watchful eye would mean I’d have to be constantly on guard. It would be impossible to get anything done.’

"I have no desire to do that. If I were to live in the East Courtyard permanently, it would reflect poorly on my father’s reputation," Song Yunzhao sighed.

Of course, Xie Linlang couldn’t comment on the Song Family’s internal affairs. She just smiled. "I’m only mentioning it so you’re aware of the situation."

"I know. Thank you for bringing me this news today."

Xie Linlang knew she shouldn’t stay long, so she stood up to take her leave. "The residence has been in turmoil lately," she said to Song Yunzhao before she left. "My older brother is planning to have me come stay with him for a few days."

After Xie Linlang left, Song Yunzhao felt a pang of envy.

The Song Family had its own business to handle, and the Xie family worried that Xie Linlang’s presence would make the Songs uncomfortable. So, they decided to have her stay elsewhere for a while. By the time she returned, the Song Family’s problems would likely be resolved.

’It saves face for the Song Family while also getting his sister out of an awkward position.’

Song Yunzhao thought of her own full-blooded brother, Song Bu Yue. ’It’s not that Song Bu Yue is a bad brother,’ she mused, ’he’s just closer to Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan, and mostly ignores me.’

’As for Song Buming, he’s Aunt Che’s son, so of course he’s close to her and Song Jinxuan.’

’In this entire family, aside from a father who is at least somewhat dependable, I can’t count on any of my siblings.’

’There was a reason the original character in the book had such a prickly personality. Luckily, after I transmigrated, I shamelessly spent over a decade grinding for favor points with my father, and I’ve finally made some progress.’

This night was destined to be a turbulent one. Although Song Yunzhao, still recuperating, was left completely undisturbed, her mind was troubled, and she did not sleep well.

’I really want to go and see what’s happening with my own eyes,’ she thought. ’But Father is determined to protect me. He doesn’t want me to be hurt by my mother’s cruelty, so I can only stay cooped up here and "recuperate."’

Early the next morning, news first arrived that Xie Linlang had been taken by the Xie family to stay with them for a while. Immediately after, Mrs. Luo came to report that her father had sent men to the Dingnan Bo Mansion.

Song Yunzhao frowned.

’Is he really going to blow this whole thing up?’

’If this gets out of hand, I’m afraid Ding Nan Bo will become annoyed with the Song Family. If the concubine selection falls through because of this, the consequences will be a huge headache.’

’His Majesty will hold other selections in the future, but if Ding Nan Bo puts in a bad word about the Song Family to him, my hopes of getting an arranged marriage will probably go up in smoke.’

’If I’d known this would happen, I would have held back a little when I clashed with Mrs. Cai.’

Hindsight is 20/20. All she could do was hope that her aunt, who wasn’t particularly fond of her, would pull through.

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Jiangxiang rushed in, lifting the curtain. She hurried to her mistress’s side and whispered, "Miss, Madam Ding Nanbo has quashed the matter. Her personal housekeeper came for a visit in person, so the Master isn’t pursuing it any further."

Song Yunzhao breathed a silent sigh of relief. But then she thought, ’Madam Ding Nanbo didn’t do this for me, she did it for Song Qinghan.’ A derisive smile touched her lips.

’Still, the outcome is what I wanted.’

As dusk fell, Third Master Song came to see her in person.

Song Yunzhao immediately brightened, a hopeful look filling her eyes. Her obedient and sweet appearance made Third Master Song feel even more guilty.

"Zhaozhao, come back to the West Courtyard with Father. It’s not right to keep imposing on your First Aunt here," Third Master Song said gently to his daughter.

"Okay!" Song Yunzhao nodded happily. "I’ll do as you say, Father." She then told Mrs. Luo and the maids to pack their things before turning back to her father. "Father, should I go say goodbye to First Aunt first?"

"There’s no need. Your First Aunt and your mother have matters to discuss and they aren’t back yet. Just come home with me for now."

Song Yunzhao didn’t ask what they were discussing; she already had a good idea. She draped the silk cloak Qiancao brought her over her shoulders and followed her father outside.

Mrs. Luo and a few of the younger maids went on ahead to get things ready, while Qiancao and Jiangxiang followed at a respectable distance.

Looking at his daughter’s frail figure, Third Master Song sighed inwardly. He mulled things over before speaking slowly. "Regarding your move back to the West Courtyard, I’ve already spoken with your mother. From now on, all your expenses for food, clothing, and other needs will come directly from my personal accounts. Your health is delicate, and you need to focus on recuperating. Your mother is being considerate and will only require you to pay respects on the first and fifteenth of the month."

Huh?

Song Yunzhao was so happy she nearly jumped for joy. ’What kind of god-tier father is this?’

’He’s amazing!’

’As if Mrs. Cai is being considerate. Father is clearly afraid she’ll continue to torment me. But since it’s not proper for an unmarried young woman like me to live in the front courtyard, this is his way of creating a safe distance between me and Mrs. Cai.’

’He has to consider my reputation and Mrs. Cai’s pride, all while creating the illusion of a kind mother and a filial daughter.’

’Sigh, this must be so hard on him.’

Song Yunzhao’s eyes darted about. She looked at her father and asked tentatively, "Father, does this mean I’ll be able to go out and walk around, like I did back in Nanyu?"

’If I can’t go out, how can I scout the area? And if I can’t scout, how can I plan my exit strategy? I absolutely have to get a hall pass from my father.’