The First Madam, fearing the Old Madam, quickly lowered her gaze and explained, "I... I was worried about our Yang'er being harmed! That's why I came. And today they clearly got oleander powder from that Physician Fan. I'm truly worried! That's why I thought they had put oleander powder into the peach cakes meant for our Yang'er."
"You're spouting nonsense!"
The Old Madam was also angry, "This kind of thing has happened more than once or twice. How many more times do you intend to cause trouble?! Today you say this person wants to harm Yang'er, tomorrow you say that person wants to poison him. What exactly are you trying to achieve now?"
She pointed at Song Xiuxiu, who was kneeling on the ground, "Get up!"
Song Xiuxiu rose as instructed.
The Old Madam angrily said to the First Madam, "Apologize to Miss Xiu!"
"What?!"
The First Madam's eyes widened, "You want me to apologize to a mere maid? I am the mistress of this Song Manor!"
Song Xiuxiu stepped forward, seemingly wanting to tell the Old Madam that it was unnecessary.
But Song Chaoyu pulled her back and then shook her head at her.
Song Chaoyu knew that the Old Madam was doing this to admonish the First Madam.
Did she not know that the First Madam was the mistress of the Song family? How could she apologize to a concubine's daughter from a collateral branch?
Yet, the Old Madam insisted, which was merely to prevent the First Madam from acting this way again.
The Old Madam's tone was authoritative, "What? Does the mistress of the Song Manor not even understand the principle of apologizing when one has made a mistake?"
The First Madam knew that the Old Madam was truly angry.
She looked down at the peach cakes, her heart filled with resentment.
But in the end, she still walked to Song Xiuxiu's side, "Miss Xiu, I wasn't targeting you today. You are a guest in our Song Manor. I was truly doing this for Yang'er, so please don't take it to heart."
Song Xiuxiu naturally offered the First Madam a way out. She quickly stepped forward and curtsied to the First Madam, "Auntie, you are too polite! Your words leave me speechless. I can see that Auntie is wholeheartedly concerned for Eldest Brother. How can one not understand a mother's heart?"
This was considered giving the First Madam some face, preventing her from being too embarrassed.
Song Chaoyu also stepped forward, coaxing the Old Madam, "Grandmother, don't be angry! I'll have someone clean this up, and you can go in to see Eldest Brother! It's just a pity for these good peach cakes, Cousin worked so hard to make them!"
As soon as she said this, the First Madam next to her also reacted, "I will have someone send more good pastries to Cousin's courtyard another day. If you lack anything, just tell me."
The Old Madam glared at the First Madam, but her gaze towards Song Chaoyu and the others was still gentle, "Knowing that you brought pastries, this old woman also wanted to sit and eat with you young people. Now there's nothing left!"
The First Madam knew she was being blamed, but could only coax the Old Madam, "Since these young people are always in the manor, if Mother likes, I will host a banquet at our Song Manor another day, and Mother can just go with these young people."
It was no wonder that although the First Madam was foolish, she could always maintain her position in the Song Manor.
She still had her ways of appeasing the Old Madam's sentiments.
The Old Madam's expression finally eased, and she walked into the room, "I'll go see Yang'er."
Nie Shi and Song Xiuxiu led the way, while the First Madam busied herself with having the area cleaned up.
However, the Old Madam held Song Chaoyu's hand and whispered in her ear, "Her making such a scene outside today suggests there might be a problem in your courtyard. Do you have any idea about the maids by your side?"
As expected, nothing in the manor could escape the Old Madam's eyes.
Song Chaoyu squeezed the Old Madam's hand, "I understand, Grandmother. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
The Old Madam nodded, "If you need anything, just tell me. In this Song family, your grandmother can still manage things."
Song Chaoyu truly felt grateful to the Old Madam.
She also thought that if the Old Madam had protected her like this in her previous life, she wouldn't have ended up in such a state.
—
"Yang'er?!"
As they were talking, Nie Shi, who was in front, entered the room and suddenly cried out, "You're awake?!"
Everyone turned their attention to the room. The Old Madam quickened her steps, "What? Yang'er is awake?"
Naturally, everyone made way for the Old Madam. Song Chaoyu supported the Old Madam, following closely behind Nie Shi and the First Madam into the room.
Indeed, they saw Song Jiayang, who had been lying on the bed, open his eyes!
But having been lying down for so long, his vision seemed a bit blurry.
He opened his mouth, and a hoarse voice emerged, "This sunlight... it's so warm!"
That's wonderful!
Seeing this scene, Nie Pingshu almost cried with joy and covered her mouth.
The First Madam's eyes also welled up with tears. She rushed to Song Jiayang's side and took his hand, "Yang'er! You're awake, you're really awake?"
Song Jiayang's pupils focused slightly, but he continued to exclaim, "It feels like I've slept for a long time. I haven't seen sunlight like this in a long time! Cough, cough, cough—"
He coughed lightly, and Nie Shi beside him quickly fetched a cup of water for him.
Song Jiayang drank a lot of water, then was helped by the First Madam to sit up slowly.
At this moment, he seemed to finally realize where he was and that he was truly awake.
He held the First Madam with one hand and reached out to Nie Shi with the other, "Mother, Wife, have you both been watching over me? How long have I slept?"
Nie Shi was choked with sobs, and even the Old Madam's eyes were red, "Yang'er, it's good that you're awake! No matter how long you slept, it's good that you're awake!"
"Grandmother!"
Seeing the Old Madam, Song Jiayang struggled to get up, "Even Grandmother has been disturbed. Yang'er is truly deserving of death!"
"Lie down quickly! Bah, bah, bah, you mustn't say such things!"
The Old Madam also sat beside Song Jiayang, wiped away a tear, and quickly instructed the old woman servant behind her, "Quickly go and inform the Master that Yang'er is awake! And also Second Miss and Third Miss, have them come to see their brother! Today is a joyous occasion for our manor!"
Such a grand display made Song Jiayang feel a little embarrassed.
He also noticed Song Xiuxiu and Song Chaoyu. In his blurry state, he still remembered Song Xiuxiu, "This... is Cousin from Jiangzhou, isn't it? When did you arrive?"
Then he looked at Song Chaoyu, "And this young lady... who is she?"
Nie Shi poured another cup of water for Song Jiayang, then warmly took Song Chaoyu's hand, "She's Fourth Miss! Our father raised her on the estate before. She was brought back only a few days ago. The good sunlight in the room is all thanks to Fourth Miss!"
Song Jiayang nodded and smiled at Song Chaoyu, his eyes showing no hint of prejudice at this moment.