Her voice was not quiet, and the dozen beggars surrounding the Minister's mansion's carriage had already drawn the attention of passersby.
The steward looked up and glared at Song Chaoyu, sighing softly.
He had no choice but to step forward, toss fifty taels of silver to the beggars, and while they scrambled for it, he urged the coachman to drive the carriage away.
The carriage arrived at the side gate of the Song mansion almost precisely on time. Liu Shiyi Niang breathed a sigh of relief, "Yu'er, you are still the clever one. Otherwise, if we were truly late today, I'm afraid the master would be displeased."
Song Chaoyu nodded, then helped Liu Shiyi Niang alight from the carriage, only to see members of the Song family already waiting at the side gate.
It was the same in her previous life; it was the second concubine, Madam Wang, who assisted the principal wife in managing the household, along with her daughter Song Yanrou, who led them in.
Second Concubine Madam Wang was wearing a wide-sleeved gown of eight treasures and peony embroidery today. Her hair was styled in a casual堕马髻 (a type of bun), adorned with a small pomegranate tassel pendant gifted by the palace, showcasing the extraordinary favor the Minister of Song bestowed upon her.
Speaking of this Madam Wang, she could certainly be considered a formidable figure in the Song family.
Her name was "Wang Zhen," the illegitimate daughter of Duke Yong'an.
If not for the decline of Duke Yong'an's family starting from the previous generation, she would not have married into the Song family as a concubine, becoming the second concubine.
Although Madam Wang had only given the Minister of Song one illegitimate daughter, Song Yanrou, the third young lady of the Song mansion.
Firstly, even though she was over thirty-five, she still retained a youthful figure, pleasing the Minister of Song in every way.
Secondly, her background from a prominent family made her exceptionally adept at managing household affairs.
For so many years, she was only second to the principal wife in the mansion, but compared to other concubines, she was already quite honored.
However, Song Chaoyu would never forget that in her previous life, if she hadn't offered advice to the principal wife, she wouldn't have been used as a substitute bride for Song Yanjiao.
—
"Oh my, we've finally been waiting for you! It's wonderful that you can return to the mansion. The Song family is already short of people, and now it's even better. In the future, there will be another sister in this mansion to keep me company!"
As soon as they alighted from the carriage, the eloquent second concubine, along with her daughter Song Yanrou, greeted them with smiles.
The second concubine stepped forward personally, reaching out to support Liu Shiyi Niang.
However, Song Chaoyu noticed the unconcealed jealousy in her eyes as they swept over Liu Shiyi Niang's abdomen.
She dared to say that among the women in this mansion, besides the Old Madam, no one wished for Liu Shiyi Niang to safely give birth to the child in her womb.
They succeeded in her previous life, but in this life, Song Chaoyu would absolutely not let them achieve their goals!
Liu Shiyi Niang seemed not to have noticed, returning the second concubine's smile with goodwill, "Thank you, elder sister! In the future, in the mansion, I hope elder sister will guide me often."
The second concubine beckoned to Song Yanrou, who was accompanying them, "Third girl, come and greet your sister. Didn't you say you always wished for your sister to return so you would have someone to play with?"
Song Yanrou was wearing a lotus-shaped skirt of crabapple-colored lotus brocade today, paired with a full set of cherry blossom agate sunset hair ornaments, making her appear delicate and radiant.
Song Yanrou stepped forward, glancing Song Chaoyu up and down, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery. She questioned, "Why aren't you wearing the clothes that my concubine sent you? Such fine satin, and my concubine was reluctant to give it all to you. Don't you know our good intentions?"
Wearing such bright red satin, she, an illegitimate daughter, would surely invite public outrage!
But Song Chaoyu did not explain, remaining silent. Song Yanrou mistook this for fear and scoffed, "Tsk, such a petty creature! Even my second sister doesn't have many bolts of this fine silk, yet I gave it to you. Don't be ungrateful!"
Her "second sister" referred to Song Yanjiao.
Song Yanjiao had no shortage of good things.
Song Chaoyu blushed slightly, looking up at Song Yanrou with an innocent and unknowing expression, "Then I will borrow elder sister's hand to give this dress to second sister. Thank you, third sister, for fulfilling my wish."
She knew that at this moment, there were undoubtedly spies from the principal wife and Song Yanjiao around them. These words were not just meant to anger Song Yanrou, but also to let the principal wife and Song Yanjiao know.
"You—"
Song Yanrou, already having a bad temper, felt like she had punched cotton. She couldn't shake off the discomfort and couldn't help but angrily retort to Song Chaoyu, "How dare you give away what I gave you to someone else?!"
Song Chaoyu feigned further confusion, "Is second sister considered someone else? Isn't she our elder sister?"
Song Yanrou didn't mean it that way, but she felt she was becoming increasingly unable to explain herself, "I mean, why are you giving that satin to second sister?"
Song Chaoyu countered, "Why can't second sister have that satin? She is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Song family. Let alone a skirt of bright red peony brocade, what color fabric can second sister not wear, except for gold and purple which are reserved for the current imperial family?"
In a few words, she managed to make Song Yanjiao's spies believe that Song Yanrou was displeased with Song Yanjiao wearing that particular dress.
Song Yanrou had not yet grasped the situation and wanted to continue arguing with Song Chaoyu.
But the second concubine had caught the drift, pulling Song Yanrou aside and shaking her head, signaling her to stop.
She then smiled at Song Chaoyu and Liu Shiyi Niang, "Children bickering is common. It will be fine once the fourth young lady learns the rules after entering the mansion."
She glanced at Song Chaoyu, not thinking much of it. After all, she had already had the servants on the estate inquire about Song Chaoyu's disposition from before.
She simply assumed that this time, Song Chaoyu had foolishly "caught a dead mouse by chance" and managed to outwit Song Yanrou.
So she quietly instructed Song Yanrou, "When we get to your grandmother's, please curb your impatient temper!"
"Let's hurry. The Old Madam and the Madam have been waiting for you for a long time!"
A moment later, they arrived at the main hall.
In the hall, the Old Madam of the Song family sat at the head seat. In this vast Song mansion, the only person Song Chaoyu respected was this grandmother. Today, she wore a dark red brocade skirt with golden ingots and auspicious patterns, her half-white hair meticulously styled into a simple hundred blessings bun at the back.
The Old Madam of the Song family was a sensible and just person, but her disposition was somewhat indifferent. She was strict with her grandchildren, unlike the doting old ladies in other mansions.
Seated to the right of the Old Madam was a woman who appeared dignified, the principal wife, Madam Sun Yao. She was the legitimate second daughter of the current Grand Scholar. Although she did not receive as much favor from the Minister of Song as the second concubine, they could be considered to be "respecting each other as guests."
The Minister of Song greatly respected his wife, not only because of her family background but also because she had given birth to Song Jiayang, the only male heir of the Song family.
Now that Song Chaoyu's elder brother was gravely ill, the principal wife also appeared somewhat haggard.