She turned to挑红 and said with a smile, "寻绿 has that kind of personality. You are young, and if she bullies you in the future, don't tolerate it. Come and tell me, and I will judge fairly."
挑红 looked at 宋朝雨 gratefully, her grievances vanishing from her face.
Seeing that the courtyard was almost arranged, the Second Concubine yawned and entered, saying to Concubine Liu, "Alright, it's still early. From now on, we'll have lunch in the courtyard. If you want to cook in your own small kitchen, you can, or you can inform the main kitchen in advance to have them send food over. I'm leaving. If you and your daughter have nothing to do in the afternoon, it's good to walk around the house and get familiar with it."
Today was 宋元's day off. If it were a regular workday, he might not even be able to return for lunch. However, for dinner every day, as long as 宋元 was home, the entire family would eat together.
After the Second Concubine left, Concubine Liu finally relaxed her body, leaning back in her chair. She smiled at 宋朝雨, "雨儿, we're finally home! We won't be bullied by others on the estate anymore!"
But 宋朝雨's gaze fell upon Granny Qiu, who was tidying their belongings outside the door, "Why is she here?"
If 宋朝雨 was not mistaken, Granny Qiu was an informant sent by the First Madam to the estate to watch over them.
Not only did she report every move of their daily lives back to the First Madam, but she also often withheld the things and money sent by the Song family.
Even when there were seasonal vegetables on the estate, she would eat them first before leaving leftovers for 宋朝雨 and Concubine Liu.
Concubine Liu, however, seemed unconcerned, "We're back now, can she still bully us? Never mind her! I remembered something important to tell you!"
Concubine Liu lowered her head and gently stroked her still flat abdomen, "Now that we've entered the Song mansion, you can't be like before. I heard there's a girls' school in the mansion. Many noble daughters from the capital come to this school every day. I've spoken to your father, and he said if you're willing, you can also study with them. You are a daughter of a high-ranking noble family from now on, so you must study diligently, do you understand?"
宋朝雨 nodded, recalling that the most famous etiquette teacher at the school was the "Princess Mingyu," personally enfeoffed by the Emperor, and also the aunt of Prince Ning, Mu Hanxu. She was very close to 宋妍娇.
But looking at the shifty-eyed Granny Qiu outside, 宋朝雨 knew that this person could not be kept close and had to be dealt with as soon as possible.
—
After lunch, 宋朝雨 helped Concubine Liu to her afternoon nap before leaving the Painting and Calligraphy Courtyard and heading towards the girls' school.
Their Painting and Calligraphy Courtyard was in the back, while the girls' school was located in the central courtyard between the front and back. Daughters of officials ranked eighth or higher in the capital, whether legitimate or illegitimate, could be sent to the Song family's girls' school for studies before marriage.
The Song family's renowned girls' school in the capital offered six courses: Etiquette, Virtue, Painting and Calligraphy, Music, Needlework, and Tea Ceremony.
Among these six courses, 宋妍娇 was the top student in all of them, earning her the title of "Capital's Number One Noble Daughter."
宋燕柔 was not to be outdone, especially proud of her musical skills. She played the zither exceptionally well, often proclaiming herself "Capital's Number One Zither."
The girls' school held classes in the morning, so when 宋朝雨 arrived, there was almost no one inside.
In fact, 宋朝雨's heart yearned for such a school.
However, before her foot could even cross the threshold of the school, she suddenly heard 宋燕柔's shout from behind, "Wild girl, what are you doing?!"
宋朝雨 turned around and saw 宋燕柔 storming towards her, "You wild girl, you think you can enter the girls' school too? Don't defile our school's reputation!"
The words were harsh, causing 宋朝雨's eyes to grow cold, "Father said I could start attending the girls' school, so why can't I come? Besides, I'm just here to take a look today. Third Sister, there's no need to act this way, is there?"
"Pah!"
Recalling the events of the morning, 宋燕柔 was furious, "What are you? You actually dare to dream of studying at the school? Dream on! I bet you don't even know a single character. If you enter this girls' school, won't you just be a laughingstock?!"
These words were extremely unpleasant.
"Why is it so lively here?"
But before 宋朝雨 could retort, 宋妍娇's voice came from behind them!
宋朝雨 turned and indeed saw 宋妍娇 gracefully walking towards them.
She was wearing a moon-white, flowing-sleeved dress with a bright moon motif, draped to the floor, and a light white silk gauze shawl. Her black hair was adorned with small white jade pieces, like the beauty of stars in the night, making her appear as elegant and refined as an immortal.
This second sister of hers, 宋朝雨, seemed to maintain this untainted demeanor no matter when or in front of whom.
She walked towards 宋燕柔 and 宋朝雨, her eyes showing a hint of reprimand towards 宋燕柔, "You, a young lady, why are you always so impetuous? Are the words you just spoke something a daughter of the Song mansion should utter?"
She put on an elder sister's air, educating 宋燕柔, then sighed at 宋朝雨 as if in disappointment, "Fourth Sister, you too. You've just returned home, why are you already arguing with Third Sister?"
宋燕柔 had always tried to curry favor with 宋妍娇. Although she was unhappy about being reprimanded, she still pointed at 宋朝雨 and said to 宋妍娇, "Eldest Sister, this wild girl is foolishly ambitious and actually wants to attend our girls' school!"
宋朝雨 raised her eyes and looked at 宋妍娇, her gaze neither humble nor arrogant, "Second Sister, do you also think I shouldn't attend the girls' school?"
宋妍娇 had been observing 宋朝雨 since she appeared before her today. She had also heard from the servants below that 宋朝雨 was an uncultured bumpkin.
Although her mother had suffered a setback in the main hall today, 宋妍娇 did not take it to heart.
She smiled at 宋朝雨 on the surface, but her words couldn't hide the disdain in her heart, "It's a good thing Fourth Sister wants to attend the girls' school. However, the youngest granddaughter of the Duke of Ning'an in the school has already completed her lessons on feminine principles and virtues. I'm afraid you're behind schedule, and you'll be a laughingstock."
宋朝雨 was not angered, only blinked her eyes, staring at 宋妍娇 as if genuinely confused, "Second Sister, how do you know I learned nothing on the estate? Concubine taught me feminine principles and virtues long ago."
宋妍娇 couldn't possibly say that her mother had sent people to spy on the estate.
She felt a bit awkward, while 宋燕柔, unwilling to back down, became even more vehement, "Can what you learned on the estate compare to our Song family's girls' school? Don't be a laughingstock! Besides, you, an illegitimate daughter, studying alongside us legitimate daughters of the mansion, isn't that making others laugh at us? Who wants to be in the same school as you, a wild girl?"