Chapter 30
On the day of the bride's three-day return visit to her family home, Xu Kaixuan was predictably absent.
It was unclear what Wei Cai'e and Xu Kaixuan had said to each other, but after the "tea ceremony" on the first day ended, Xu Kaixuan went straight to the military camp on the outskirts of the capital.
Wei Cai'e, who normally wished she could keep Xu Kaixuan by her side every hour of the day, surprisingly went three whole days this time without sending her son a single message.
On the day of the return visit, Song Yao wore an ill-fitting dress that had originally belonged to Song Yue. Zhao Momo and the newly purchased maids worked hard to pin Song Yao's short hair into a married woman's bun, and applied a thick layer of powder and rouge to his face to cover his sallow, darkened complexion.
But his much thinner, frailer figure still made clothes that should have fit him hang on him like an oversized robe.
Song Yao, accompanied by Zhao Momo, two maids, and a few servants, stood at the entrance of the marquis household early in the morning. Wei Cai'e could not possibly have prepared return-visit gifts for him, and Song Yao acted as though he hadn't noticed, simply standing there all alone.
It was not a rest day, and he stood there until the sky was fully bright. The officials heading to court might not have seen him, but the early-rising residents of the capital clearly saw the new bride who had just married into the Marquis of Jing'an household standing alone at the gate for quite a while.
No return-visit gifts, no carriage—in the end, she dragged her sickly body and walked toward the Song residence with only her accompanying momo and maids.
Those who didn't know better might have thought the Song daughter had been divorced and cast out by the Marquis of Jing'an household.
Xu Kaicheng had left the marquis household even earlier than Song Yao. He had already given silver to the beggar chief, telling him to bring people to the front of the Marquis of Jing'an household to watch the show.
The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger, and Xu Kaicheng hid himself behind them.
This strange world seemed designed to protect the male protagonist's rights to the maximum extent. No matter how hard he tried these past few months, he simply couldn't make connections with the princes and nobles of the capital.
Not to mention the princes and nobles—even the third, fourth, and fifth-rank officials of the capital, he had tried every possible means but still couldn't reach them.
The people at the very top—he didn't yet have the qualifications to meet them. Fortunately, the people at the very bottom seemed not to be shrouded in this world's protagonist halo. Perhaps those at the bottom were also people Xu Kaixuan disdained to associate with.
They say those in power can't possibly care about the lives and thoughts of those beneath them, but as a person in power—whether to grasp subordinates' weaknesses or maintain a good facade—there are some opinions one must care about even if one doesn't want to.
After watching the show for a while and ensuring that the news of Song Yao's desolate return visit had become known to all, Xu Kaicheng quietly left.
There are thousands upon thousands of troubles in the world, and money can solve more than half of them.
If you're rich enough, you can even solve ninety-nine percent.
At this stage, the most important thing for Xu Kaicheng was to make money.
On the other side, Song Yao dragged his two legs forward expressionlessly. Zhao Momo and the newly purchased maid supported him on either side, as though he were gravely ill. A route that would take an adult man like Xu Kaicheng two quarter-hours to walk, he stubbornly took a full hour to complete.
During that hour, the road from the Marquis of Jing'an household to the Song residence was lined with spectators.
Before he even reached the Song residence, word had already reached the Song family. Song Yangfan had not yet returned from court, but Madam Song was not as foolish as Wei Cai'e. Soon, the Song family's carriage rushed over and picked up Song Yao and his group.
In the vast hall, ignoring Madam Song's murderous expression, Song Yao collapsed directly into the seat of honor.
"Outrageous! Do you have no manners or decency at all!"
"I left people at the marquis household. If I don't return today, I'll tell the marquis household that the Song family sent a fake bride."
"..." Madam Song's curses caught in her throat. She stared wide-eyed in disbelief at Song Yao.
Song Yao still wore that expressionless look, one arm resting on the table propping up his chin. "I'm hungry."
His attitude was arrogant, as if looking down on everyone. Madam Song's chest heaved rapidly. What had been merely angry eyes now took on a hint of cruelty.
Zhao Cuihua had followed Madam Song for so many years—how could she not understand what Madam Song was thinking at this moment? "Madam, wuu wuu wuu, I can finally see you again, wuu wuu wuu!"
With a wailing cry, Zhao Cuihua threw herself at Madam Song's feet and clutched her thigh. Madam Song startled and nearly kicked out at the person covered in snot and tears. Fortunately, a shred of rationality remained, preventing her from doing anything undignified.
"Madam, please rest assured, on the wedding night I gave the young master medicine..."
"Shut up!" Madam Song shouted, raising her head and looking around. The maids hurriedly withdrew. Even the Zhou family daughter-in-law, who had replaced Zhao Cuihua by Madam Song's side, retreated after casting a reproachful glance at her mother-in-law.
Zhao Cuihua didn't look back, as though she hadn't seen her daughter-in-law's resentful expression. But a certain thought in her heart was pushed to firm up a few more degrees. Only after everyone had left did Zhao Cuihua lower her voice and wail again. "Madam, please rest assured, everything you instructed me to do has been done. The young master didn't discover anything wrong with the young lady, and the wedding night was consummated!"
Though still displeased with Zhao Cuihua's manner, Madam Song genuinely felt a great weight lift from her heart. She assumed the posture of a noble lady, flicking the handkerchief in her hand...
"I said, I'm hungry."
"..." Madam Song, interrupted once again, felt her expression twist for a moment. She turned and met Song Yao's utterly calm eyes, and her heart went cold.
"Are the people outside all dead? Didn't you hear the eldest young miss say she's hungry?!" Zhao Cuihua scrambled up from the floor and shouted toward the outside.
Madam Song pressed her lips together, maintaining her composure as she walked to the side and sat down. With the door wide open, people outside could naturally see inside. After the Zhou family daughter-in-law took a furtive glance, she hurriedly directed the servants to prepare a meal.
In a household managed by its mistress, naturally everything that might be needed was prepared. Moreover, there was a chance that General Xu might come today. Song Yao didn't wait long before a table of exquisite dishes was methodically laid out.
It could be said that these were all good things he had never eaten in his entire life.
Madam Song didn't move, and Song Yao paid her no attention either. He sat down at the table by himself, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating. The conflict in Madam Song's eyes was almost tangible.
This was, after all, the child she had carried for eight months and given birth to, but... her gaze swept over Song Yao's thin back, and Madam Song looked away. Song Yao ate as though no one else was present, and Madam Song sat to the side with furrowed brows, silent.
Zhao Cuihua served tea and massaged shoulders. When Song Yao was almost done eating, she gave a meaningful wink and gestured toward the door.
Having been mistress and servant for decades, Zhao Cuihua understood Madam Song, and Madam Song believed she understood Zhao Cuihua too. Seeing her manner now, she knew another scheme was brewing.
She raised a hand to touch the jadeite hairpin in her bun, rubbed it with her fingers, then pulled it out and handed it to Zhao Cuihua. "You've worked hard these past few days."
"Wuu wuu, I knew Madam still held this old servant in her heart. For Madam, this old servant would willingly die a thousand deaths." Zhao Cuihua wailed and knelt again, though her hands moved without delay to accept the hairpin.
She carefully cradled it for a moment, then raised her sleeve to wipe her face. "Madam, right now is a rare and golden opportunity!"
"Oh?"
Madam Song raised her hand with composure, and Zhao Cuihua rose to her feet accordingly. She furtively leaned close and pointed at Song Yao, who was still eating. "Today the eldest young miss returns home, and the Marquis of Jing'an household's neglect has been seen by the entire capital. Madam, go make a scene and restore our Song family's face."
Madam Song said nothing, merely looking at Zhao Cuihua with an expression that said "you're insane." Zhao Cuihua slapped her thigh, her voice growing more urgent. "Madam, you cannot be soft-hearted at a time like this. If we make a scene now, our Song family holds the moral high ground. If it works, you can simply take the Eldest Young Miss back and negotiate a divorce with them—who could fault you then? At the very least, even if you can't bring the Eldest Young Miss home, after such a scene, you'll be able to hold your head high before the Marquis of Jing'an household in the future!"
Divorce—the word was far too tempting to Madam Song. Her gaze shifted to Song Yao, still wolfing down food at the table, and she frowned in disgust. If it were Song Yue, she would certainly want to build good relations with the Marquis of Jing'an household.
But the one who had married over was Song Yao—this monster who, though also born from her womb, she had not deemed worthy of a single glance for nearly eighteen years.
And judging by Song Yao's current attitude, he didn't seem at all like someone who could be won back with a few soft words. Keeping him at the Marquis of Jing'an household would always be unstable. If she could bring him back...
Madam Song clenched her handkerchief, her lips pressing together lightly. Zhao Cuihua watched without blinking, knowing that Madam Song was tempted.
"Heh."
"..." There were only three people in the room, and Madam Song and Zhao Cuihua both turned to look at Song Yao.
He had already finished eating and was now lounging lazily against the back of the chair, slouched and wearing a mocking expression. "Fine, I can cooperate. But after it's done, give me a manor and five hundred taels of silver."
Madam Song wanted to keep her composure—even if she was tempted, she wouldn't leave herself open to criticism.
Song Yao stated it outright, rubbing his fingers together. "Also, give me Zhao Cuihua's indenture contract. As long as she's your person, I won't feel safe for a single day."
Madam Song's frown deepened. Although the Song family hadn't been in the capital long and hadn't accumulated much, his husband had served as an official in the provinces for many years, and the family fortune was not insignificant. As long as it wasn't property in the capital, they still had several estates. Five hundred taels of silver was even less of a concern.
It was just...
"Madam, I have been utterly loyal to you—you must not give me away! Wuu wuu wuu, Madam, I only want to serve by your side. Even if I can only be a menial old servant from now on, this old servant is willing, Madam!" Zhao Cuihua knelt before Madam Song once more, her wailing interrupting Madam Song's thoughts.
As if possessed, Madam Song felt this plan was simply excellent. Sacrificing just one servant could resolve the Song family's crisis of annihilation. After all, this was a marriage sanctioned by an imperial edict from the Emperor himself—if not for today's events, they wouldn't even dare to utter the word "divorce."
The Marquis of Jing'an household had treated the Song family's legitimate daughter so poorly. If they didn't seize this opportunity now, and the Marquis of Jing'an household later managed to put up an acceptable facade, divorce would become even more impossible.
The Emperor, the Marquis of Jing'an—whoever it was—if they ever learned that the Song family had committed bride substitution, the Song family would surely be finished.
Nervousness, excitement, fear, ruthlessness—all sorts of emotions churned, making Madam Song grip her handkerchief even tighter. When she lowered her head and met Zhao Cuihua's eyes, her own eyes—still carrying a hint of charm—held nothing but madness.
Zhao Cuihua's wailing caught in her throat. She opened and closed her mouth silently, looking at Madam Song. Madam Song knew that Zhao Cuihua understood her meaning.
"Following the eldest young miss won't be a loss for you. Serving just one person—isn't that better than serving a whole household? Just do the job with peace of mind. As for your whole family, I'll take good care of them for you."
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