Song Jingshan saw the Third Elder there and also saw Madam Yin's attire. He spoke with displeasure, "Third Elder, I recall telling you before taking Madam Yin in that she was to be a concubine. Have you forgotten?"
"Returning to the family head, I have not forgotten."
"Since you have not forgotten, why is Madam Yin dressed as the main wife? It looks like this has been going on for more than a day. Why has no one reported such presumptuous behavior to me?"
The butler quickly knelt and said, "Returning to the family head, you previously said you did not wish to hear anything about Madam Yin."
Madam Yin collapsed onto the ground, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She had always thought he had feelings for her. Otherwise, why would he not blame her when she frequently wore the attire of the main wife?
So, it turned out he simply didn't know! And he didn't want to hear anything about her!
The other maids and servants were also shocked. They had originally thought Madam Yin's actions were permitted by the family head, but they never expected the family head to be completely unaware!
It seemed they needed to find a new master.
"Then what about her clothes?"
"Returning to the family head, Madam Yin's clothes were not provided by the household."
"Butler Li, take your men to Madam Yin's courtyard and search. Anything that is considered presumptuous shall be moved to the Madam's courtyard and she will decide."
"Yes."
"Also, from today onwards, the Second Miss will move to the Eldest Miss's courtyard to be taught. She will only move back when she learns proper etiquette."
He had originally intended for Yue'er to teach her, but considering Yue'er's poor health, he asked Yun'er to do it.
An elder sister is like a mother, this would not be considered breaking the rules.
"What?! I don't want to! Father, I don't want to! I beg you!" Song Qingruo was startled and cried out.
Song Jingshan already disliked Madam Yin, and by extension, her daughter. Seeing Song Qingruo throwing a tantrum now, he felt even more repulsed.
"There is no room for negotiation!" Song Jingshan refused sternly.
Song Jingshan did not have many descendants, only two sons and five daughters. Among them, the two sons and the eldest daughter were from the main wife, Ling Yue. The rest were born to concubines.
"Furthermore, the Third Miss will also be taught alongside her. The Fourth Miss will move to the Madam's courtyard to be personally taught by the Madam. The Fifth Miss is still young, so she will remain with her birth mother and will move to the Madam's courtyard after she turns five, to be taught by the Madam."
"Yes."
Song Jingshan's gaze suddenly fell upon Madam Yin on the ground, and he roared, "Are you not going down yet!"
"Yes, family head."
Several maids hurriedly carried Madam Yin away towards her courtyard.
Ling Yue gently soothed Song Jingshan's emotions. Once he had calmed down, Song Jingshan looked at Ling Yue.
When Ling Yue married him, the Ling family was still the foremost among the five great families, while the Song family was only a second-rate family. By rights, Ling Yue should not have married him. It was only because they had fallen in love and the Ling family head doted on his daughter that he agreed to her marriage.
The first two years of their marriage were fine. However, on one occasion when he was away, the Third Elder forcibly made Yue'er agree to take a concubine. By the time he found out, Yin Lu had already been in the house for several days.
At that time, the Song family was no match for the Yin family, so he could not send Yin Lu back. He had no choice but to accept.
However, he had no marital relations with Yin Lu. Two years later, Yin Lu drugged him, which resulted in the birth of Song Qingruo.
It was also because of this that Song Jingshan greatly disliked them, mother and daughter.
Later, the Ling family declined, and the Third Elder advocated for demoting the wife to a concubine and elevating Yin Lu to the position of main wife. He had always disagreed.
But he also knew that if the Ling family continued to be in decline, Yue'er would 'die of illness.' Thus, he was constantly worried, and his disposition had changed considerably.
Fortunately, the Ling family recovered. The elders no longer considered elevating Yin Lu to the position of main wife. Now, he could finally rest easy.
Seeing Song Jingshan calm down, Ling Yue said, "Alright, Yun'er has other matters. Let her attend to them first."
"Alright." Song Jingshan nodded and said to Song Qingyun, "Yun'er, you may go and attend to your matters now."
"Yes, Father."
He spoke very gently to Song Qingyun, but his tone with others was completely different.
"Do you all have nothing else to do?!"
Everyone quickly dispersed.
Song Qingyun pulled Ling Luoyi along, and they left with their friends.
Song Jingshan and Ling Yue watched the backs of the children. Song Jingshan suddenly said, "Are you at ease now?"
Ling Yue knew what he was referring to and nodded, "Yes."
She had always been worried about the safety of the Ling family. Therefore, even though Madam Yin had been arrogant and overbearing in front of her, she could only pretend not to see it.
Now that it was resolved, she could act without any reservations.
"Shall we go back?"
"Alright."
"Be careful."
Ling Luoyi, who was in the carriage outside, withdrew her divine sense upon seeing this.
It seemed her uncle truly cared for her aunt and was not merely putting on a show in front of her.
In fact, considering the timeline, when she met him in Falling Sunset Forest, her aunt should have been ill, which was why he rushed back immediately after the contract was completed.
Looking at Ling Luoyi's expression, Song Qingyun said, "Eldest cousin, my father's emotions tend to get a little out of control when it comes to my mother. They have always interacted this way."
Ling Luoyi smiled and said, "I know, cousin. You don't need to explain to me. As long as auntie is doing well, that's all that matters."
"Mm."
"But cousin, the genius selection is in half a month. Don't you need to prepare?"
"Eldest cousin, I won't hide it from you. My talent is not good, and I've been stuck at this realm for a long time. I can't advance in just one day, so I'm just going along with them to have some fun and relax."
"Where are you all going?"
"To the beast arena."
"The beast arena?"
"You've been back for so long, haven't you been?" Seeing Ling Luoyi's bewildered look, Song Qingyun explained, "The beast arena is an industry under the Carefree Pavilion, famous for its beast fights. There are fights between beasts, and also between humans and beasts. A few days ago, Xu Chuanuan, the fourth young lady of the Xu family, who is my friend, offended Wei Chuyao, the second young lady of the Wei family. They have arranged to meet at the beast arena, betting their contracted beasts. If Chuanuan wins, the second young lady of the Wei family will let bygones be bygones."
"The Wei family again."
Song Qingyun also knew about the matters between the Ling family and the Wei family, so she was not surprised by her tone.
"I had already arrived at the beast arena, but when I heard you had come to the Song family, I rushed back. Now Chuanuan is going to be angry." Song Qingyun was dejected.
Ling Luoyi did not offer comfort. The carriage remained silent.
Half an hour later, several carriages stopped in front of a massive building.
People around were sizing up the carriages, guessing they belonged to some noble young master.
As the few of them alighted from the carriages, a woman pacing by the entrance saw them and rushed over.
"Wuwuwu, I thought you weren't coming!" The woman hugged Song Qingyun and cried.
"What's wrong, Chuanuan? What happened?"
"Qingyun, I just met Wei Chuyao. She said her contracted beast has already advanced to a third-tier magical beast. What if I lose?"
"This... a third-tier magical beast. I can't do anything about it either. I don't have a contracted beast yet."
Because the Ling family was her maternal family, the Beast Tamer Guild was unwilling to help her contract one.
"Chuanuan, don't worry yet." This person suddenly saw Ling Luoyi standing behind them and asked Song Qingyun, "Qingyun, can you ask Eldest Miss Ling? Didn't your father say that his phantom beast was contracted by Eldest Miss Ling? Perhaps she has a way."
"This..." Song Qingyun looked at Ling Luoyi, who was not involved in her affairs. She was unsure if she would help.
"Qingyun, please." Xu Chuanuan pleaded tearfully.
"I'll ask, but I don't know if she'll help."
"Alright."
Song Qingyun walked over. Before she could speak, she heard Ling Luoyi say, "Cousin, I heard everything."
Song Qingyun's heart leaped with joy and she said, "Then can you help with this matter?"