It was so late, and Song Yanjiao still hadn't returned?
Song Xiuxiu straightened her body slightly, "Let's go. We should go over. When I saw her in our hometown a few years ago, I felt we had a good chat. Now that we've run into her, we should say a few more words."
Song Chaoyu couldn't discern any other expression on Song Xiuxiu's face. It seemed she just wanted to say hello to Song Yanjiao.
However, perhaps because it was dusk, and camphor trees and flower bushes blocked the view ahead, Song Yanjiao didn't notice anyone here.
She seemed to be simply relaxing in the pavilion, talking with the maid beside her.
As Song Chaoyu moved slightly forward, she heard Song Yanjiao's voice, which was vastly different from her usual gentle and dignified demeanor: "Someone from the main branch, born to a concubine, is being foisted upon our family. I'm very tired today, I can't be bothered to deal with them."
Song Xiuxiu pulled Song Chaoyu, stopping them behind the camphor tree.
Only then did Song Yanjiao's maid speak, "But Miss, when you returned to our hometown with the Old Madam a few years ago, didn't you have a good relationship with that cousin? This servant saw her trying to talk to you all day today, but she never had the chance."
"I'm very tired today, I can't be bothered to deal with it."
Song Yanjiao seemed disdainful, "She will naturally come to find me tomorrow, and I'll coax her a bit then. She's just a concubine's daughter from our hometown, no need to get too close to her. Moreover, I heard her reputation in our hometown isn't good, and I'm afraid Grandmother won't like her. It's no use for me to be too close to her!"
Song Chaoyu felt there was nothing wrong with her saying this.
Wasn't she always like this?
Song Chaoyu turned her head and saw that Song Xiuxiu's expression had turned ugly.
The maid beside Song Yanjiao was still speaking, "This servant saw that Fourth Miss was quite close with that cousin today. I'm afraid their relationship will be good in the future, right?"
"Hmph."
Song Yanjiao sneered, "One is an illegitimate daughter from the countryside, and the other is a concubine's daughter from a poor place. If they don't stick together, how can they establish themselves in this mansion? My Fourth Sister is scheming, you keep a close eye on them. If anything happens, let that foolish Third Girl take the blame, and we'll just watch the show."
"Hehe!"
Song Yanjiao's maid also chuckled at this, "Yes! Our Miss should just be a good elder sister, letting everyone know that Miss is the most gentle and elegant. Let them handle the struggles. When the Master and Old Madam see, it will only be their fault, and it will have nothing to do with you, Miss!"
Song Yanjiao nodded.
Song Chaoyu felt she had heard enough.
She looked at Song Xiuxiu and saw that Song Xiuxiu's brows were tightly furrowed.
She didn't want to listen any further. She gestured to Song Chaoyu and did not continue to approach Song Yanjiao. The two of them quietly left the long pavilion.
After walking a considerable distance, Song Chaoyu finally let out a sigh of relief.
She probably guessed why Song Xiuxiu disliked Song Yanjiao so much in her previous life.
The waterside pavilion where Song Yanjiao was located was on Song Xiuxiu's usual route back to her courtyard.
She was afraid that Song Xiuxiu had also heard her say this in her previous life, which was why she disliked Song Yanjiao so much from the beginning?
Song Chaoyu lowered her head and could only say softly to Song Xiuxiu, "Cousin, don't be angry. Aren't these things common in large households?"
"Tch—"
Song Xiuxiu gave a wry smile, "What is there for me to be angry about? Let alone the Song family in the capital, even the important families in our small Jiangzhou place are the same. I'm just thinking, when I saw her a few years ago, her friendly and gentle demeanor, was it all an act? I've been thinking about her all these years, and it's good that I see clearly now. At least I won't be mistaken in my feelings again."
"Hehe."
This remark actually made Song Chaoyu laugh, "You look as if you have feelings for my second sister!"
Song Xiuxiu was a little surprised, and then glared at Song Chaoyu with amusement, "I thought you were a proper person, but I didn't expect you to talk nonsense! Let's hurry. If we go back too late, your concubine mother will worry!"
Song Chaoyu nodded and parted ways with Song Xiuxiu at the fork in the road.
The next morning, before Song Chaoyu had even gotten up, Fan Jiangyue arrived.
Song Chaoyu knew she must have something to tell her, so she got up, washed herself, and invited her in.
As expected, she saw her hurrying in. Song Chaoyu dismissed the maids.
Fan Jiangyue then spoke, "The medicine from last night took effect in the middle of the night. If your grandmother asks, I'll just say she wasn't feeling well and her menstruation has returned. However, you'll need to prepare some sanitary napkins and secretly send them to her. Also, for this month, you must not let her catch a cold. I noticed one of the maids by her side is quite diligent. You should also find out if that maid is reliable."
Fan Jiangyue was truly dedicated, and Song Chaoyu naturally thanked her, "Jiangyue, thank you!"
Fan Jiangyue glared at Song Chaoyu, then took out a small packet of medicine from her medical kit and handed it to her. "Why are you thanking me? My father said that your mansion is probably not clean. He asked me to find a way to give you this packet of medicine. You take it to your sister-in-law. I think she can trust you. This is a packet of antidote. If your brother's appearance doesn't change after taking it, it proves that the poison in his body has been resolved. If your brother's face turns yellow and he vomits after taking it, it proves that person is still watching your brother."
Song Chaoyu solemnly accepted the packet of medicine, "Thank you, Uncle."
Fan Jiangyue sighed, "My father has been an imperial physician in the capital for many years. What kind of dirty business in any family doesn't he understand? You can rest assured. If your brother can wake up, your days in the mansion can be a little easier with your sister-in-law's help. Now that I have apprenticed under Imperial Physician Zheng, even my father doesn't dare to slight me. My situation is vastly different from before. This is all thanks to your efforts, so I naturally have to help you."
Song Chaoyu was truly happy to have a friend like Fan Jiangyue.
However, Fan Jiangyue glanced outside and then whispered to Song Chaoyu, "I've seen it more than once, your third sister has been fooling around with a young servant from your house every day. You should pay attention to this. If she causes trouble for you in the future, you can use this to fight back."
Fan Jiangyue appeared indifferent to everything, but in reality, she was the most meticulous.
Song Chaoyu personally escorted Fan Jiangyue out and saw only Tiaohong outside. She asked Tiaohong, "Where is Xunlü? Why haven't I seen her these past two days?"
Tiaohong pointed outside, "Sister Xunlü went to pick fresh flowers for Miss. She said the flowers have been blooming beautifully these past few days. In the summer, Miss likes to wear fresh flowers!"
Song Chaoyu, however, frowned, knowing that Tiaohong was lying, "Even you are deceiving me now, aren't you? Xunlü has been quite displeased with me these days. Tell me, where did she go?"