At that time, Zhao Qianlan was still sitting in the flower hall and had no idea what was happening outside.

Song Juncai's elder brother, Song Junliang, and his sister-in-law, Madam Fan, also stepped into the flower hall. The group discussed the day's events, though Song Junliang and his wife still harbored some worries.

"Is it really appropriate to leave Song Xizhi alone in the room to serve you like this?"

Madam Fan rubbed the handkerchief in her hand and asked with some concern.

Song Junliang also frowned and looked in Song Juncai's direction, seeking his opinion: "At least Song Xizhi is already married, so she is now considered a member of the Marquis of Anding's family."

"Moreover, she still holds an official position. If we let her serve us at her bedside all the time, what if she has any complaints, or what if the people in the Marquis's mansion are dissatisfied? If word gets out, it will be very bad for the reputation of our Song family."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth as she imagined Song Xizhi groveling before that old hag, serving her every need and making herself smell bad.

She quickly waved her hand: "Xi Zhi is so filial. It's her good fortune to be able to serve her grandmother! She's the only one who has won the old lady's favor. Ruo An is envious."

"You know, having a lucky star in the family, with people serving her and taking care of her, is something many people envy. If word gets out, others will only say she is filial, so how could she possibly have any complaints?"

Madam Fan's brows furrowed even more. For over a decade, she had been the only one serving Zhao Qianlan, enduring so much hardship, yet Zhao Qianlan had abandoned her and run away, now standing there talking without a care in the world. She had long wanted to vent her anger:

"Everyone knows how difficult it is to take care of this old lady in the family. If you feel envious, then you and Xizhi can take care of her together. I'm afraid one more person won't make a difference."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan became even more arrogant, and she looked at Fan Shi's haggard face with a smile.

In fact, Madam Fan was not much older than her, but she had served Madam Song day after day for decades, which had taken a toll on her. She looked haggard and worn out, and even her hands were wrinkled. She did not look like a noblewoman at all.

But Zhao Qianlan was different. With Song Juncai's support, she moved out and lived a life of luxury in her own little home, never suffering any mistreatment. Her hands were fair and tender, and even her face looked incredibly young.

He looks like he's never been wronged.

This comparison made Zhao Qianlan even more smug. She raised her chin slightly and spoke softly, "Oh dear, if the old ancestor wanted me to serve her, I would be more than happy to do so. I would serve tea and water and even lay my heart bare."

“Sister-in-law, what you said is wrong. If outsiders heard this, they would criticize you for being unfilial. Now that the elderly are getting old, every visit is one less time to see them. We must be tolerant of them no matter what.”

“But now she specifically asked Xizhi to serve her? And she even kicked us all out. Xizhi is also my daughter. She's fulfilling her filial duty to our ancestors on my behalf, which puts my mind at ease. If you're worried, why don't you go and check on her yourself? You're used to it anyway.”

Upon hearing this, Song Juncai hurriedly chimed in, "Qianlan has always been a filial daughter. She was born into the Zhao family, and she has a lot of influence in the clan. They are considered a prominent family with a clean and upright family tradition. In terms of upbringing, she is much better than that ingrate Song Xizhi. Sister-in-law, you should learn from her so that you can manage the household well."

These words from the two men infuriated Madam Fan to the point of double over. She opened her mouth, but was too angry to speak for a long time.

Before Madam Fan could even open her mouth, there was a sudden commotion outside the flower hall.

"It just so happens that Madam Song is filial and wants to do everything herself. It's perfect that Grandmother has spoken and wants her to serve her. She must be overjoyed and extremely honored."

As Song Xizhi stepped into the flower hall, he smiled and looked in Zhao Qianlan's direction.

As soon as she finished speaking, the huge flower hall fell into silence, and the couple from the main house were also stunned.

Song Juncai jumped up from his seat: "Song Xizhi! What are you doing here?"

Zhao Qianlan felt her gaze, her expression froze, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.

She also stood up hurriedly, her fingers tightly gripping Song Juncai's sleeve. When she met Song Xizhi's gaze, her fingers trembled slightly.

Song Juncai sensed Zhao Qianlan trembling, so he lowered his voice and asked, "Didn't I tell you to go take care of your grandmother? Why are you slacking off here?"

Song Xizhi smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach his eyes: "Second Madam Song is filial, which worries Grandmother. Grandmother wants her to be happy with you and Father, so she serves you by your side every day. She is waiting for you on your bedside now."

After finishing his sentence, Song Xizhi added, "When I came here just now, I was worried that Madam Song would be unwilling, but after hearing what she said, I knew that she was more than happy to take care of my grandmother. That's perfect, so I'm relieved."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan's face not only didn't improve, but instead turned even paler. When she spoke, her voice became noticeably higher-pitched:

"Why did you suddenly ask me to serve you? Is it because you're not serving you well?"

Before Song Xizhi could speak, Madam Fan couldn't help but ask, "Is it that you don't want to believe it, or that you don't want to serve me?"

"You were saying such nice things to me just now, I thought you were so filial, but now that Xizhi has spoken, you're making excuses and looking reluctant. You're not even willing to go see him now?"

"With so many people watching, you're being asked to personally go before the old lady. Xizhi is a person of standing; do you think she would lie?"

Besides the first and second wives, there were other people in the flower hall. Feeling everyone's gaze, Zhao Qianlan hurriedly waved her hand, her voice barely audible: "Of course not. I was just worried, so I'll go check on my mother-in-law."

Zhao Qianlan gritted her teeth and was about to walk out.

I don't know what's going on now, but judging from Song Xizhi's smug look, he must have spit out money and used it to get rid of that old woman.

But she didn't know how greedy that old woman was. Since she had already vomited once, she wanted Song Xizhi to vomit it all up completely.

Seeing Zhao Qianlan grit her teeth and walk out, Song Juncai hesitated, his eyes darting around, before sitting back down in his chair.

"Since Mother has summoned Qianlan, then Qianlan, you go and see her. My brother and I need to discuss some important matters for a while longer..."

Before Song Juncai could finish speaking, he saw Song Xizhi float to his side like a ghost, his dark pupils carrying a hint of malice.

"Dad, Grandma said she wants you to come along!"