Song Yuan’s gaze also turned grim.
He knew that the inner quarters of the Song family were never peaceful.
But when it came to his offspring… more accurately, when it came to his son, he would never compromise, nor could he afford to.
Therefore, Song Yuan looked at Song Chaoyu, “Are you telling the truth?”
Song Chaoyu retorted, “Why would I deceive Father?”
Song Yuan considered it. So many things had happened in the Song family recently.
Yet, each incident seemed to have nothing to do with Song Chaoyu’s instigation.
Instead, she and Concubine Liu were the most “honest” ones in the Song family.
At this moment, Song Yuan naturally sided with Song Chaoyu.
Sensing the unfavorable turn of events, the Fourth Concubine, still kneeling, tearfully looked at Song Yuan, “Master, I understand now. Are you saying I harmed Qing Ge’er?! How could I dare to do such a thing? I have served Master for many years and always lived in peace with the sisters in the courtyard. Master, you cannot wrong me!”
She then looked at Concubine Liu and Song Chaoyu, clutching her chest as if deeply hurt, “I always thought my relationship with you mother and daughter was good! Especially with the Fifth Concubine, she always treated me like a sister. How has it come to this? Is it because I gave you that Chongming incense that you are framing me like this?”
Perhaps the Fourth Concubine knew she had no retreat.
Now, her only hope was Song Yuan. Only if Song Yuan showed her pity could she retain her standing in the Song family.
Thus, she cried even more profusely, “Master! You know me best! If I dared to harbor such thoughts, how could Master have slept soundly by my side all these years?”
In fact, Song Yuan knew very well that at this point, even if it were the Old Madam’s intention, it would not be wrong.
But seeing the Fourth Concubine still acting this way, Song Yuan felt a pang of sympathy. “This matter…”
Seeing his hesitation, Concubine Liu seemed to have made up her mind this time.
As a concubine, or perhaps as a woman, she might not have been particularly intelligent.
But as a mother, she could not tolerate anyone bullying her children! This applied to both Song Chaoyu and little Qing’er.
Therefore, before Song Yuan could speak, Concubine Liu, with tear-filled eyes, approached him, “Master, you haven’t seen little Qing’er since your return, have you? This poor child! With a useless concubine like me, I cannot take good care of him! He is Master’s child, and Master surely dotes on him even more than I do, right? This poor little Qing’er!”
Song Chaoyu also stepped forward and said softly to Song Yuan, “Father, it is only the Grandmother’s intention. Do you no longer believe Grandmother’s words? Perhaps… it is not just Qing Ge’er’s matter, but even Eldest Brother is involved! Father, do you remember? Mandragora, which is only found among the Hu tribes, was also found in Eldest Brother’s medicine. Things that only appear among the Hu tribes have appeared in our household repeatedly. Is this not worthy of suspicion?”
Song Jiayang and Song Jiaqing had always been Song Yuan’s most cherished.
The moment he thought of them, Song Yuan’s hesitation vanished.
He frowned, suddenly looking up at Song Chaoyu, “What?! Yang’er’s matter is also related to her?!”
Song Chaoyu nodded, not admitting it immediately, but changing the subject, “If Father has doubts about this matter, he can also discuss it with Grandmother and investigate thoroughly. However, it is Grandmother’s intention that our Song family has experienced too much turmoil recently. Now that it is an internal matter, it is better to resolve it within the family. We should not make a big fuss, otherwise, it will truly become a laughingstock in the capital!”
She sighed. Although she was reluctant to speak from her current position, thinking of her concubine mother and little Qing’er, Song Chaoyu no longer cared about anything.
She said sincerely to Song Yuan, “Father, is our family not flourishing right now? Eldest Brother has just recovered and has been promoted, and is highly regarded by the Emperor! Second Sister is now the Princess of Ning, enjoying honor and glory outside, which is also Father’s pride, isn’t it?”
She lowered her gaze, “Although Third Sister married poorly, she is still a daughter of the Song family. Now… I am also about to be married. Does Father want the entire capital to laugh at our Song family and point fingers at us?!”
Song Chaoyu sighed, “And little Qing’er. Although he is young, he is also a child of the Song family. This little child has suffered so much hardship. Who knows what will happen to him in the future. Father, can you truly bear it? He is Father’s late-born child!”
In fact, Song Yuan had already made up his mind when Song Chaoyu mentioned Song Yanjiao.
But as he listened to Song Chaoyu’s continued words, he became even more alarmed.
Yes! He always felt that many things did not need to be taken too seriously, and could be overlooked with a blind eye. He thought of how the Fourth Concubine had served him for so long, and there was indeed no solid evidence.
But their Song family was different from before!
The Old Madam wanted to resolve this matter now, and she had her reasons.
What they should tolerate… they had tolerated for too long.
“Guards!”
With this thought, Song Yuan had no further hesitation.
His gaze deepened, and he looked at the Fourth Concubine, “Take her to the woodshed and confine her!”
“No! Master, you have no evidence, how can you prove it was me!?”
The Fourth Concubine was terrified and shook her head repeatedly, “Master, you cannot treat me like this, you cannot!”
At the same time, Concubine Liu stepped forward and knelt before Song Yuan, “Master, why don’t you let me handle her? After all, it concerns little Qing’er. I also want to question her personally. Since I entered the manor, I have always treated her as a sister. Why did she treat little Qing’er like this!”
Logically, in such a manor, the handling of a concubine should not involve another concubine.
However, Concubine Liu had always been a peace-loving person, and this time Song Yuan knew he had wronged Concubine Liu and little Qing’er.
He hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Song Chaoyu.
Thinking that Song Chaoyu would one day be on equal footing with Song Yanjiao, and would be a princess whom he would have to salute when they met, Song Yuan had made up his mind, “Then I shall leave her to you. But you should know Mother’s intentions. When you deal with her, be mindful. Do not make a big scene, do you understand?”
Song Chaoyu had not expected Song Yuan to agree so readily!
She wondered if the First Madam would be displeased when she found out.
However, Concubine Liu’s gaze was calm. She then stepped forward and bowed to Song Yuan, “Thank you, Master. I understand, and I will certainly not let the Song family’s reputation be tarnished!”
With Concubine Liu’s assurance, Song Yuan felt much relieved. He then stood up, “Alright, I will go and see Qing Ge’er. You all handle these matters yourselves!”