Mrs. Cai enthusiastically discussed with Third Master Song what to prepare for Song Qinghan to take into the palace. A dowry wouldn’t be necessary if she entered through the grand selection, but if she were recommended by the Dingnan Bo Mansion, she could bring some personal belongings.

This was precisely Mrs. Cai’s plan. In a place like the palace, it was always better to bring more silver for self-protection.

Song Yunzhao ate with a blank expression, the corner of her eye sweeping over Song Bu Yue. Seeing him listening intently, she slowly lowered her gaze. In the book, Song Bu Yue had been close to Song Qinghan. The original owner of this body had met such a miserable end, yet this younger brother of hers had never once spoken a fair word for her.

When reading the book, she had only thought the original owner was stupid. Now that she had become the original owner herself, this feeling was truly something else.

Tsk.

’It wasn’t that she hadn’t tried to get closer to her brother, but he just wouldn’t have it.’

’She wasn’t so shameless as to throw herself at him again and again. So, goodbye to that.’

After dinner, Song Yunzhao didn’t want to stay a moment longer and rose to take her leave.

Third Master Song glanced at his daughter and said with concern, "You must be tired after being out all day. Go back and rest early."

Song Yunzhao gave a sweet smile, curtsied, and then swept away.

Watching Song Yunzhao’s smug look, Song Qinghan was so angry she balled up her handkerchief in her fist. But in front of her father, she didn’t dare act willfully and could only suppress her fury.

Song Yunzhao paid them no mind. She returned to her room, washed up, and fell straight asleep. ’In dreams, anything was possible. It was time for her rendezvous with the Duke of Zhou.’

She slept soundly. When she awoke, the sky was bright, and she could faintly hear voices from outside. She slowly sat up, pushed aside the Furong-embroidered bed curtains, slipped on her shoes, and went out.

"What are you all talking about? You seem so happy."

"Miss, you’re awake?" Qiancao came over at once, grabbing clothes to help her dress. "Early this morning, the kitchen staff who went out for supplies brought back some news. They said some courtiers have petitioned His Majesty to hold a grand selection for the harem. Miss, this is truly great news!"

Song Yunzhao froze. ’I remember that in the book, the news wasn’t supposed to arrive for another day. But it’s also possible I remembered wrong.’ She broke into a smile and said, "It is indeed good news."

Jiangxiang came in with a copper basin and wrung out a cloth for her to wash her face. Hearing the conversation, she added cheerfully, "The news reached the Eldest Miss’s side. Your servant made a special trip to inquire. I heard the Eldest Miss flew into a terrible rage and went with Madam to the Dingnan Bo Mansion early this morning."

"So early?" Song Yunzhao said in astonishment.

"Miss, it’s already the Si hour. That’s not early at all," Qiancao said helplessly. Ever since the Master had allowed her to only pay respects to Madam on the first and fifteenth of the month, she had taken to sleeping in.

For once, Song Yunzhao felt a little embarrassed. No wonder her stomach felt so empty. After washing up, she sat down at the table to eat. Breakfast was simple: a plate of small steamed buns, a bowl of rice porridge, and two small side dishes.

She had just finished breakfast and hadn’t even had time to digest when Song Yexi arrived.

Song Yunzhao welcomed her in, and Song Yexi immediately said, "Little Sister Zhao, have you heard? His Majesty has approved the courtiers’ petition to hold a selection for the harem."

Song Yunzhao put on a perfectly timed expression of surprise. "There’s such a thing?"

Song Yexi secretly observed Song Yunzhao’s expression. Seeing that her surprise didn’t seem fake, she concluded that Yunzhao really didn’t know. After sitting down, she said, "My mother sent someone to find out. They say that any young lady of the right age can participate. Little Sister Zhao, you and I can both take part."

Meeting Song Yexi’s unconcealable look of joy, Song Yunzhao also smiled. "I didn’t expect such a wonderful thing to happen."

"Isn’t it?" Song Yexi laughed. "Just thinking about how much effort Ms. Han put into securing that spot in the palace makes me feel sorry for her. Little Sister Zhao, you might not know, but the eldest young miss of the Dingnan Bo Mansion is very difficult to get along with. Ms. Han has suffered quite a bit at her hands."

Her schadenfreude was impossible to hide. The corner of Song Yunzhao’s mouth twitched. She looked at Song Yexi and said, "It seems First Aunt intends for Ms. Xi to participate. Congratulations."

Song Yexi let out a long breath and glanced at Song Yunzhao, a complex look flashing in her eyes. After a long moment, she said, "If it were just me and Ms. Han participating, I naturally wouldn’t be afraid. But if Little Sister Zhao is also going, then I’ll just be going to broaden my horizons. If it weren’t for wanting to vent some frustration, I wouldn’t even go."

’Song Yunzhao understood what Song Yexi meant. She couldn’t stomach the fact that Song Qinghan had used schemes to crush her hopes of entering the palace. She wanted to see Song Qinghan become a laughingstock. She wanted to watch Song Qinghan be defeated by this very face before her.’

"I’ll take those as good wishes, Ms. Xi, but I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I probably won’t be able to participate," Song Yunzhao said with a sigh.

Song Yexi knew why with a single thought. She smiled and said, "Little Sister Zhao, don’t be afraid. I’ve already thought of that. I’ve asked my mother to seek justice for you. You just have to wait for the good news."

’As if Song Qinghan could call all the shots in the Song Family! She should take a good look at herself and see if she’s even worthy!’

Song Yunzhao showed a surprised expression and said hesitantly, "Ms. Xi, even if First Aunt steps in, I’m afraid it will be difficult to persuade my mother. How could I, Yun Zhao, trouble First Aunt to run around for my sake? Let’s just forget about it."

Song Yexi looked at Song Yunzhao and, seeing that she genuinely didn’t seem to want to participate, was momentarily stunned. But she said, "Little Sister Zhao, don’t blame me, your elder sister, for being too blunt. Given how Third Aunt treats you, if you don’t participate in the selection, I’m afraid your future marriage prospects will be difficult. You should think more for yourself."

"Thank you, Ms. Xi. It’s just that..." Song Yunzhao sighed lightly, looking as if she didn’t want to say more.

Song Yexi slammed her hand on the table. "What are you afraid of? Let me tell you, my mother has already written a letter to my father and had it sent overnight to Yucheng. When Third Uncle sees my father’s letter, he will definitely support Little Sister Zhao’s participation. You don’t need to worry."

’Oh ho.’

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected that the First Madam and her daughter would actually bring out First Uncle just to compete with Mrs. Cai and her daughter.

Although she already had her own way of convincing her father to let her participate, it would naturally be for the best if First Uncle could step in.

’This is truly an unexpected delight. Is this a case of the fisherman catching both the snipe and the clam while they fought?’

Song Yunzhao broke into a pleasantly surprised smile, then said with some worry, "Ms. Xi, won’t this be too much trouble for First Uncle?"

"How can our own family’s business be considered trouble?" Song Yexi stood up. "Little Sister Zhao, the court’s decree hasn’t been formally issued yet, but according to my mother, it should be soon. However, it will take time to prepare from the moment the decree is issued until the selection among the populace begins. That gives us enough time to wait for my father’s reply. Don’t you worry."

Song Yunzhao immediately expressed her sincere gratitude. Song Yexi was very satisfied, feeling that Song Yunzhao had a conscience and wouldn’t forget the kindness of the first branch of the family if she entered the palace in the future.

’Hmph. How dare Song Qinghan plot against me? I absolutely have to get my revenge for this.’

’Anyone in the Song Family can enter the palace, but not her! Not Song Qinghan!’

Song Yunzhao watched Song Yexi’s departing back, her head held high and brimming with fighting spirit, and pondered whether she should add some more fuel to the fire.

’I just want to see that mother-daughter pair hopping mad that they can’t stand me but can’t get rid of me either!’