Song Yu Yu remembered that in her previous life, the year after she married into the Ning Prince's manor, this elder brother "died of illness."
As for whether Song Jia Yang was poisoned back then, or if he truly died of illness, she never had a definitive answer in her previous life.
The only certainty was that Concubine Liu could not have done such a thing.
Although she could use tricks to get Song Yuan to bring her, a woman from a theatrical background, into the Song manor, it took her over ten years to achieve that.
Her intelligence was limited to that.
She was incapable of murder.
While lost in these thoughts, they had already arrived at Pingyang Yuan.
Pingyang Yuan was filled with bamboo, indicating Song Jia Yang's fondness for it. Song Yu Yu only knew that Song Jia Yang had a good reputation outside.
Most people considered Song Jia Yang to be gentle, generous, cheerful, and polite. They also believed that Song Jia Yang's future prospects would likely surpass Song Yuan's, largely because Song Jia Yang had grown up with his grandfather.
Old Master Song was a person of integrity and aloofness, yet it was puzzling how he had raised such a cold and heartless son as Song Yuan.
As for Song Jia Yang's true character, Nie Ping Shu could not be certain. In fact, this was the first time she had seen her elder brother in so many years!
Upon seeing Song Yan Jiao arrive, her sister-in-law, Madam Nie, proactively stepped out to greet her.
However, her smiling face turned cold the moment she saw Song Yu Yu.
Song Yan Jiao, as if not noticing her expression, stepped forward and took Madam Nie's hand: "Sister-in-law, you've grown thinner again. Even if you have to take care of my brother, you must also cherish your own health!"
Madam Nie nodded at Song Yan Jiao: "Go inside and see your brother. He's still the same. Talk to him; perhaps he can hear you."
Song Yan Jiao, without regard for Song Yu Yu behind her, walked directly into the house.
Song Yu Yu's steps were blocked by Madam Nie.
Facing Madam Nie's unfriendly gaze, Song Yu Yu understood Song Yan Jiao's purpose in bringing her here.
Although she had not interacted with Madam Nie in her previous life, she knew that Madam Nie was an extremely proud person.
Indeed, upon seeing Song Yu Yu, Madam Nie was not only proud but even spoke rudely to her: "You must be Fourth Sister, right? It is your good fortune to be accepted into the Song family as the daughter of an outside concubine. But ultimately, you are still the daughter of an outside concubine. This is the main hall, the courtyard of the Song family's legitimate eldest son. What are you doing here?"
Such sharp words!
Song Yu Yu took a step back, looked up at Madam Nie, but showed no sign of retreating: "Greetings, Sister-in-law. Yu Yu is the daughter of an outside concubine, but she is also a daughter of the Song family. Brother is Yu Yu's brother, so of course, I must come to visit."
Madam Nie let out a cold laugh: "Very well."
She called over a maid behind her and had her take out the items from the room, then said to Song Yu Yu: "We do not want the things you sent. We intended to find an opportunity to send them back, but since you are here, you can take them back. From now on, in Pingyang Yuan, whether it is you or your concubine mother, come less. Our Yang Ge'er needs to recuperate and cannot tolerate noise."
There was one thing Song Yu Yu could be certain of: Madam Nie's greatest concern was Song Jia Yang. Their marital affection was deep; after they married, Song Jia Yang had not even taken any concubines, only having a maidservant to attend to him.
Madam Nie cared deeply for Song Jia Yang, and if she wanted to change Madam Nie's impression of her, she had to start with Song Jia Yang.
Watching the items she and Concubine Liu had sent be taken out of Pingyang Yuan one by one, Song Yu Yu was not annoyed.
The maid threw the items directly onto the ground in front of Song Yu Yu. Madam Nie showed no gratitude: "Take your things and leave Pingyang Yuan!"
Song Yu Yu merely smiled slightly: "Sister-in-law works hard to care for Brother, so I really shouldn't have come to disturb you. However, I noticed that Pingyang Yuan is full of bamboo branches. I recall that when I was at the manor, someone who grew bamboo told me that bamboo prefers damp and shady conditions. Although they possess proud integrity, they are prone to attracting snakes and insects that also prefer damp and shady environments. Thinking that Brother is currently bedridden, it would be good to make the surroundings fresh and dry. Letting sunlight shine into Brother's room will bring vitality."
Seeing Madam Nie's expression change, Song Yu Yu's smile remained unchanged: "I also see that Sister-in-law is tired from caring for Brother, and there are even dark circles under your eyes. Women care most about their appearance. If Sister-in-law has time, you could warm some lily sachets with a warming pouch and apply them to your eyes. It can calm the nerves and soothe the mind, and also relieve Sister-in-law's fatigue. It's a simple remedy."
Madam Nie had not expected Song Yu Yu to be so "virtuous in return for grievances."
But seeing the sincerity in her eyes, it didn't seem like pretense. Madam Nie instead muttered, "You're not angry? Unlike my two younger sisters from my father's side, who only know how to fight for things every day."
So, the Nie family also had their share of unfairness. No wonder Madam Nie disliked her and Song Yan Rou so much.
Song Yu Yu crouched down and slowly began to gather the items she had brought to Pingyang Yuan: "Yu Yu and my concubine mother don't have many good things at the manor. However, I heard that Brother's illness is caused by cold stagnation within his body. Therefore, my concubine mother and I picked a lot of Angelica sinensis from the back mountain of the manor. We thought Sister-in-law could use it."
She held up the cloth bundle containing Angelica sinensis and handed it to Madam Nie: "If Sister-in-law doesn't want the other things, that's fine. Boiling Angelica sinensis water with some mugwort leaves to bathe Brother is the best. Please accept it, Sister-in-law!"
The small cloth bundle of Angelica sinensis was not worth much money.
Seeing the earnestness and sincerity in Song Yu Yu's eyes, Madam Nie couldn't help but step forward and open the cloth bundle.
Inside were wild Angelica sinensis roots, each washed clean, some even with leaves.
It was evident that the person who picked the Angelica sinensis had put in effort.
Madam Nie's heart was gently struck by Song Yu Yu's earnest gaze. It didn't hurt, but something in her heart slightly loosened.
Song Yu Yu also felt that she was not humbling herself, so she harbored no resentment for Madam Nie's earlier words.
She couldn't be an enemy to everyone in this family, and besides, Madam Nie's temperament was at most a bit proud.
This time, she might have been used by Song Yan Jiao. Song Yu Yu preferred to test Madam Nie herself rather than be so eagerly opposed to her.
"Alas—"
Madam Nie finally sighed, then stepped forward and took the Angelica sinensis into her hands.
She, uncharacteristically, lowered her proud body and accompanied Song Yu Yu in picking up the items from the ground: "It can be said that you and your mother are thoughtful. Fine, since these are things you sent with care, they shall remain in Pingyang Yuan. But he likes bamboo, and if I were to cut down all the bamboo in Pingyang Yuan, wouldn't he be saddened when he wakes up?"
Madam Nie's change in attitude made Song Yu Yu breathe a sigh of relief: "Bamboo can be cut down and replanted. Brother will surely understand Sister-in-law's intentions."
Madam Nie looked up, gazing at Song Yu Yu, who was a few years younger than her, and smiled faintly: "They say you are arrogant and presumptuous, but it seems that is not true."