Song Yan Jiao had previously been favored by the Old Madam. When had she ever been spoken to like this before?
However, remembering Ning Wang’s instructions to her, she could only endure it and continued to say to the Old Madam, "Grandmother, look, how could I harm Fourth Miss? If the Guan family were not a good match, why would I have spoken up? Could the person Ning Wang chose be unsuitable?"
"Enough, stop talking!"
The Old Madam waved her hand at Song Yan Jiao with some annoyance. "Since you are a daughter about to be married, you shouldn't worry so much about your younger sisters’ affairs. With your mother and me, we have everything under control. We know what we are doing regarding Fourth Miss’s marriage. Later, I will have Granny Yin prepare some things for you. These will be for you to take to Ning Wang’s residence. Go and see them. If anything is not to your liking, just tell me."
Song Yan Jiao was momentarily unsure of the Old Madam’s mood.
If one said the Old Madam doted on her, she wouldn't let her say another word.
If one said the Old Madam didn't dote on her, she had specially prepared many things for her, making it difficult for her to refuse. She could only stand up and say, "Alright, then Fourth Sister will accompany Grandmother for a while! I'll go and see what Grandmother has prepared. How could anything she prepares be unsuitable?"
After the Old Madam watched Song Yan Jiao leave with a smile, her gaze turned a little colder. "Alas… this second girl, when did she learn to be like her mother?"
Song Chao Yu lowered her head, not saying to the Old Madam that they had always been like this.
The Old Madam then looked at Song Chao Yu. "Fourth Miss has something to tell me, right? What happened?"
She had naturally noticed something was amiss with Song Chao Yu. "What's wrong with your neck? I see that you and Tiao Hong seem to have wounds on your necks. How did that happen?"
She had even specially worn a scarf to cover the wound on her neck, yet it was still noticed by the Old Madam!
She hadn't felt anything was wrong before, but at this moment, Song Chao Yu felt a little wronged. "Grandmother… I don't know how to say it!"
How had the Old Madam ever seen Song Chao Yu so wronged?
She quickly stepped forward, took Song Chao Yu's hand, and said, "No matter what happened, you can tell Grandmother! Fourth Miss, hurry and tell me, what's wrong?"
Song Chao Yu then looked up, her eyes slightly red, and looked at the Old Madam. "Does Grandmother know who this Sixth Concubine is?"
The Old Madam was stunned for a moment, then seemed to realize. "She was the one who injured you?"
Seeing that the Old Madam's expression was not overly surprised, Song Chao Yu was rather astonished. "Grandmother… you're not surprised?"
"Hmph!"
The Old Madam snorted coldly. "She carries the blood of the Hu people. I'm not surprised by anything she does! Moreover, how did such a beauty fall into your father's hands for no reason? Although your father is a third-rank official, Rui Ji is so beautiful that she would not be out of place even if sent to the palace. Isn't it strange that someone sent her to your father?"
The Old Madam was indeed sharp-sighted.
Song Chao Yu asked, "What about Father? Does he know?"
The Old Madam shook her head, as if mentioning Song Yuan made her full of anger. "What does he know? For the past two days, he's only been indulging in the embrace of that soft beauty, hasn't he? What a scoundrel! He can't even see through such simple matters. If he had known earlier, would this Sixth Concubine have caused such trouble?"
The Old Madam gently uncovered Song Chao Yu's wound, her brows furrowing even deeper. "Why did she seek you out?"
Song Chao Yu then told the Old Madam everything that had happened that day.
The Old Madam sneered, "It seems this matter is related to His Highness Prince Chang. They want that Hai Yu Pei… what are they planning to do?"
Song Chao Yu also shook her head, but the Old Madam patted Song Chao Yu's hand. "Fourth Miss, although I don't want you to see many things, you are still an unmarried girl and should behave as such. However, in the future, no matter which household you preside over as the mistress, you will have to go through such things. So, this time, Grandmother will teach you how to deal with such concubines if you encounter them."
Song Chao Yu knew that this was a serious matter and the Old Madam would definitely deal with the Sixth Concubine. "Grandmother, but if she is dealt with, Father…"
"Don't be afraid."
The Old Madam seemed confident. "Just watch my methods. I will make your father deal with her himself. As for you saying someone saved you, pay attention to this person, and I will too. I never knew that our Song Mansion had so many capable people!"
—
As they were finishing their conversation, Song Yan Jiao returned, led by Granny Yin.
Seeing the things the Old Madam had prepared for her, she was truly delighted. "Thank you, Grandmother, for preparing so many good things for your granddaughter. With these things added to my dowry, I will fear nothing when I marry into Ning Wang’s residence!"
The Old Madam nodded, showing Song Yan Jiao a loving smile again. "You are the only legitimate daughter of the Song Mansion, so your dowry must be handled with care. You have always been a decisive girl. You know what to do and how to do it, so I believe you have it all figured out."
Song Yan Jiao nodded, wanting to say more, but the Old Madam spoke first. "Alright, you all can go back now! I don't need you to stay with me. Second girl, just focus on your wedding. Everything at home is fine. With me and your mother, you don't need to worry about anything else."
Song Yan Jiao knew that the Old Madam did not want her to continue discussing that matter.
She could only glance at Song Chao Yu and smile ingratiatingly at the Old Madam. "Grandmother is right. Then your granddaughter will leave first and come to accompany Grandmother tomorrow!"
Song Chao Yu didn't say much. After bowing, she left the Old Madam's courtyard with Song Yan Jiao.
"Hmph!"
But as soon as they left the Old Madam's courtyard, Song Chao Yu heard Song Yan Jiao give a cold laugh. "Fourth Sister is really doing well now. You've pleased Grandmother so much. Will Grandmother find a good match for you in the future?"
Had she finally revealed her true colors?
Song Chao Yu blinked innocently at her. "Second Sister is joking. I am merely a concubine’s daughter. No matter how good a match, how can it compare to Second Sister's good fortune in marrying Ning Wang?"
Song Chao Yu seemed proud of being able to marry Ning Wang. "Fourth Sister, don't worry. As long as you behave yourselves in the future, we are all Song family members. Would I mistreat you? You should reconsider the Guan family marriage! As you said, as a庶女 born from an outside consort, you have no fate to marry into nobility. The Guan family is good, and you should also persuade Grandmother."
Song Chao Yu nodded, saying no more.
When they reached the fork in the road, she left without looking back.
Leaving Song Yan Jiao standing there, staring coldly at Song Chao Yu's retreating back. "When I become Ning Wang Fei, let's see if you dare to be so arrogant!"