Song Chaoyu had just steadied herself when the First Madam glanced at her indifferently and said, "I know you didn't learn any manners at the estate, so I won't scrutinize your etiquette. Just kneel and kowtow to your grandmother."
The Old Madam, seated above, shot the First Madam a look upon hearing this.
At this moment, all eyes in the room were on Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu lowered her head, her red lips curving into a slight, cool smile.
In her past life, she had been truly foolish to believe the First Madam's words, only to end up in a mess! Not only had she thoroughly incurred the Old Madam's displeasure, but she had also brought undeserved disaster upon Liu Shiyi Niang!
But now…
Song Chaoyu stepped forward and knelt down briskly. However, she performed a perfectly standard kowtow to the Old Madam: "Your granddaughter, Song Shi Chaoyu, greets Grandmother. May Grandmother be peaceful and healthy, blessed with ten thousand years of longevity!"
Her hands went down first, then she bowed, her forehead resting on the backs of her clasped hands. Her etiquette was flawless.
Not only that, but she also followed the order and paid her respects to the First Madam.
As she rose, she even straightened her back with a smile and explained to the Old Madam with a slight blush, "Your granddaughter greets Grandmother. Today, returning to the manor to pay respects to Grandmother, I fear my own dullness. If there are any imperfections in my礼 (lǐ - etiquette), I beg Grandmother's kind understanding, and I shall kowtow again to Grandmother's benevolence."
The Old Madam's initial faint dislike for Song Chaoyu, the daughter of an outside concubine, turned into surprise. Finally, the corners of her mouth curved into a benevolent smile. "Good, you may rise! Your father is attending court today. When he returns, you may go and kowtow to him."
She then smiled kindly at Concubine Liu and said, "You have raised this girl well."
The Old Madam then cast a pointed glance at the First Madam, saying, "This is what it truly means to uphold the rules!"
The First Madam was stunned. She couldn't understand how Song Chaoyu's manners could be so impeccable!
She had intended for this matter to make the Old Madam dislike them, but unexpectedly, it had instead earned them favor in the Old Madam's eyes.
Her gaze drifted to Concubine Liu's abdomen. Thinking of her own gravely ill son still bedridden, and being so openly "reminded" by the Old Madam, she felt increasingly displeased.
Hearing the Old Madam's words and seeing the First Madam's face instantly darken, Song Yanjiao, standing behind the First Madam, had her eyes flash!
She subtly tugged at the First Madam's sleeve from the shadows and suddenly spoke, "Fourth Sister, hurry and get up! With you here, this household will finally feel lively!"
Song Yanjiao stepped forward with a smile, feigning intimacy as she helped Song Chaoyu up.
Facing her enemy, Song Chaoyu's eyes turned icy with the physical contact.
But for now, she would endure. The ice in her eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a gentle smile.
Song Yanjiao glanced at the First Madam, her smile growing even gentler. "Hearing that you were returning, Mother was busy for many days and didn't sleep well, fearing she might miss something and cause you any grievance."
She covered her mouth and coughed lightly, then changed the subject. "I truly didn't expect Fourth Sister to have practiced her manners so diligently just to meet Grandmother. If Mother had known earlier, she would have certainly had Fourth Sister use her manners to please Grandmother from the start, so that Grandmother would dote on Fourth Sister more!"
This remark was clearly intended to make Song Chaoyu the target of everyone's criticism. Yet, with Song Yanjiao's innocent and gentle demeanor, it seemed as if anyone would believe she was "unintentionally" revealing Song Chaoyu's hidden intentions.
Song Chaoyu's smile remained unchanged, and she replied innocently, "Since childhood, Concubine taught me that no matter where we are or what our status, without rules, there are no boundaries. If my manners can please Grandmother, then that would be even better!"
In just two sentences, she highlighted Liu Shiyi Niang's proper conduct and simultaneously resolved Song Yanjiao's subtle "trap."
Song Yanjiao was secretly surprised that her words had been so easily countered.
The Old Madam also stood up and smiled to smooth things over, saying to Concubine Liu, "Alright, no more standing and talking. You are with child, return to your courtyard. When the Minister returns, he will visit you there."
Song Chaoyu and Concubine Liu then met the Fourth and Fifth Concubines of the manor before they could return to their courtyard.
It was still the Second Concubine who led the two of them to the courtyard, while the Old Madam excused herself, claiming a headache, and returned to her room.
However, as soon as they left, the First Madam turned to Song Yanjiao and said, "What's going on? Didn't they say this girl grew up playing with those wild children in the wilderness, completely lacking in manners?! How is it that her speech and demeanor are so impeccable?"
Song Yanjiao also frowned. "But the nannies from the estate reported that there was no mistake. They were keeping a close eye on Concubine Liu and her daughter!"
"Hmph!"
The First Madam's gaze grew colder. "This girl probably just wants to stand out before her grandmother and had planned this way of paying respects long ago! Truly, she is as deep-minded as her lowly concubine!"
Song Yanjiao also sneered, "I refuse to believe that people from the wilderness like them can always be so lucky! Today wasn't her lucky day, but there are still many days to come. Now that they are back in the manor, right under our noses, won't it be easier for you to suppress them?"
The First Madam nodded, her ruthlessness fully revealed. "My son is gravely ill, and she wants to give birth to a son to replace my son's position? No way!"
***
The Second Concubine led them to the most remote courtyard in the Song manor, the Huashu Courtyard.
On the surface, the First Madam did not mistreat them. Although the Huashu Courtyard was remote, it was decorated with a certain charm.
But just by the name of the courtyard, one could tell it was meant to mock everyone in the manor: how could Liu Shiyi Niang, a former actress, "paint books"?
Upon entering the courtyard, four maids and two nannies were indeed prepared inside.
Concubine Liu kept two maids to serve her closely, while Song Chaoyu was assigned a maid named "Xiao Ni."
She remembered that in her past life, Song Chaoyu, instigated by Xun Lu, felt that this Xiao Ni was too young and too dull, and thus kept her at a distance. Now, she felt that this girl was diligent and unobtrusive.
So she renamed Xiao Ni "Tiao Hong," as a good omen for their prosperous days ahead.
As it was her first time entering the manor, Song Chaoyu naturally had many gifts to present to the various branches of the household.
Tiao Hong was about to step forward to help when Xun Lu pushed her aside. "You've only just come to serve the young lady and know nothing. Don't touch these things; I'll help the young lady send them!"
Xun Lu was so assertive that Tiao Hong could only retreat silently.
Song Chaoyu stepped forward and reminded Xun Lu again, "Remember, what's wrapped in the bundles are silks for the First Madam and the various concubines. What's in the boxes is food for the Eldest Brother and the two elder sisters. Don't mix them up."
Xun Lu responded with a playful smile and retreated. Song Chaoyu waited to see if the events of her past life would repeat themselves in this life.