But now, for Xiao Qing'er's health, Madam Liu reluctantly agreed. She also knew that the Old Madam was considering Xiao Qing'er's well-being.
"Alas—"
The Old Madam was also a mother herself, so how could she not see Madam Liu's maternal love for her child?
She also said to Madam Liu, "Don't worry. After the matters of these two days are over, I will send Xiao Qing'er back. I, this old woman, am also getting old. Although I dote on my children and grandchildren, he is still young, and I cannot take care of him for too long."
Madam Liu naturally understood the Old Madam's good intentions. With a "plop," she knelt before the Old Madam: "Thank you, Old Madam!"
The Old Madam nodded, and Song Chaoyu also believed she could take good care of Xiao Qing'er.
—
However, the very next morning, news spread from the Old Madam's courtyard.
It was said that she had returned from Jiangzhou, bringing gifts for everyone, and that all members of the household were to pay their respects to her.
The Old Madam had previously excused everyone from the morning and evening greetings. Now that she suddenly brought it up, everyone naturally knew that the Old Madam had something to say.
After a night's rest, Madam Liu's mood had improved considerably.
Before anyone else, she had, early in the morning, taken Song Chaoyu and brought the items they had made themselves to the Old Madam's place.
Without the effect of that Chongming incense, Xiao Qing'er slept soundly at the Old Madam's.
When they arrived, Xiao Qing'er had just woken up, and his wet nurse was feeding him. Seeing his sister, whom he had not seen for a long time, the little dumpling was so happy that he danced with joy.
However, as Madam Liu approached Xiao Qing'er, he suddenly burst into tears.
Startled, Madam Liu retreated step by step. Song Chaoyu also frowned and walked towards Madam Liu, then sniffed her, her eyes darkening: "Auntie, why do you still have the scent of that perfume on you?!"
"Impossible!"
Madam Liu retreated two steps in panic, signaling the wet nurse to quickly take Xiao Qing'er away.
The Old Madam also stepped forward, sniffed Madam Liu's clothes, then sniffed Song Chaoyu's clothes, and her brows furrowed tightly: "Indeed, only you have it. Fourth girl doesn't have that scent at all."
"A bunch of scoundrels!"
The Old Madam trembled with anger: "Do they have to target this little child?! The child is with me, and they still want to tamper with your clothes! Today, I intended to save everyone some face, but now it seems it's completely unnecessary!"
She shouted outside: "Guards! Find Madam Liu a new set of clothes, and then you will all come with me to the front hall. Fourth girl, you come too!"
Song Chaoyu could tell that her grandmother was truly angry.
However, given the current situation of the Song family, it was indeed time for some proper discipline!
—
When Song Chaoyu accompanied the Old Madam to the front hall, it was still early, so no one had arrived yet.
The Old Madam sat in the main hall and asked for some tea and snacks to be served: "Have you had breakfast? Have some with me."
Naturally, they had come without breakfast. Song Chaoyu politely replied, "Then thank you, Grandmother!"
The Old Madam smiled and looked at Song Chaoyu dotingly: "Alas, I wanted to keep you by my side for a couple more years, but I didn't expect you to be married off to another family soon. Once you go to the Prince Chang's manor, you won't have such opportunities to act spoiled and willful. If you miss your grandmother, come back. Grandmother always has your favorite foods ready."
Song Chaoyu nodded, her heart warmed.
In her previous life... the most foolish thing she had done was probably to ruin her relationship with the Old Madam like that.
As Song Chaoyu was eating, the first person to arrive at the Old Madam's place appeared at the door.
As expected, it was Song Jiayang and Madam Nie. They were always diligent. Even when Song Jiayang was still ill, Madam Nie always came to show filial piety to the Old Madam.
They were a harmonious couple. Upon entering, they saw Song Chaoyu eating. Madam Nie quickly smiled and said, "Look, I told you Fourth Sister would be the first to arrive. You didn't believe me. Now you know, Fourth Sister is much more diligent than us!"
Seeing Song Chaoyu rise to greet them, Song Jiayang smiled and waved to Song Chaoyu: "Hurry up and finish your food! Once Father and Mother arrive, you won't be able to eat."
They were also good to Song Chaoyu, and Song Chaoyu understood this in her heart.
She also asked someone to send some food to Madam Liu, who was changing her clothes in the back. Madam Nie proactively stepped forward and asked Song Chaoyu about the customs and scenery of Jiangzhou.
After Song Chaoyu finished eating, the First Madam and Song Yuan arrived.
Song Yuan was on leave today, and he had stayed with the First Madam again. Seeing the First Madam's radiant complexion, it was clear that she had had a good night.
However, their smiles froze when they saw the Old Madam's cold expression.
The First Madam quietly moved to the side, and Song Yuan also gave Song Chaoyu a look, as if asking her what was wrong with the Old Madam, but Song Chaoyu couldn't say anything in front of the Old Madam.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became somber.
A moment later, Fourth Aunt and Seventh Aunt also arrived.
The two of them walked hand in hand intimately, like good sisters.
Speaking of which, this was the first time Seventh Aunt had come to pay respects to the Old Madam!
Now that Song Yan Jiao and Song Yan Rou had both married out, there was no one else.
As the two entered, they knelt together to greet the Old Madam: "Greetings, Old Madam. We wish you well."
At this moment, the Old Madam should have told them to rise.
But the Old Madam silently drank her tea, letting the two of them kneel in the room for a long time before looking up at Madam Nie: "Call over those few from your courtyard."
She was naturally referring to the two concubines that the First Madam had found for Song Jiayang.
Madam Nie did not understand, but she still nodded and signaled a maid to call them.
The Old Madam looked up again at Song Yuan, who was sitting beside her. Song Yuan immediately stood up, and the Old Madam said to him: "Also call over your several maids who serve you."
"Tongfang" were maids who normally did not have the right to pay their respects to the Old Madam.
At this moment, everyone knew that something major had happened, but they did not know what was wrong with the Old Madam.
Song Yuan obeyed and sent someone to call them. As he was about to sit down, he heard the Old Madam cough lightly: "You stand."
Song Yuan felt awkward but still straightened his body.
The Old Madam put down her teacup and looked at Fourth Aunt and Seventh Aunt: "Guards, drag these two out and give each of them ten strokes."
"Old Madam?!"
"Why?!"
They were naturally both frightened. They raised their heads together and looked at the Old Madam fearfully.
Even Song Yuan was confused. After all, Seventh Aunt had just arrived, and to have others punished, Song Yuan quickly stepped forward and cupped his fists to the Old Madam: "Mother, what did they do wrong?"
"Hmph!"
The Old Madam snorted coldly and gestured with her chin towards them: "What did you do wrong? You tell me yourselves?"