Chapter 27 Something's fishy going on.

Lord Song stared wide-eyed in disbelief, unable to believe that this box of swill-like stuff actually came from the Song family's kitchen.

Si Niannian lowered her head feigning grievance, revealing a section of her slender neck, and said in a muffled voice, "This is the first time I've been to such a large place as the Duke's Mansion, and the first time I've ever had such a delicious banquet."

"I didn't know the glass contained fruit wine," Si Niannian said aggrievedly. "I was just feeling unwell from eating too much and wanted to drink some water to soothe myself. I didn't know when I got drunk."

"I didn't mean to delay things..."

Lord Song was clearly unaware of the little commotion in the kitchen, and suddenly turned to look at Madam Song.

Madam Song was now truly speechless!

"I don't know either!" Madam Song said anxiously. "I only told the people from Jiuyou Hall to fetch their own food from the main kitchen, but..."

Who would have thought that those sycophantic bastards in the kitchen would turn things up like this!

Si Niannian sniffled, trying to hold back her tears, and said, "I was thinking it was better to avoid trouble and just bear with it. After all, what bad food haven't I eaten?"

“But Lai’s mother was beaten in the kitchen a few days ago, and Qiuyue was slapped today!”

Si Niannian pointed at Qiu Yue's swollen face and said, "We've already been beaten, why should we eat this?"

She beat her servant who was completely disloyal to her master. Shouldn't she be given some kind of compensation?

So they just let him fight for nothing?!

The young lady of an official's residence is being treated like this for her three meals a day. If word gets out, not only will Si Niannian be laughed at, but the Song family's reputation will also be tarnished!

Lord Song was so angry that his beard trembled. He slammed his fist on the table, unable to contain himself any longer: "Insolence!"

"Absolutely outrageous!"

"you……"

Suddenly remembering something, Lord Song glared at him and said, "Did you mention this matter to anyone at the Duke's mansion today?"

Meeting the tense gazes of the Song couple, Si Niannian shook her head, maintaining a bitter expression: "No."

"Didn't you tell me not to say anything out of line?"

Lord Song felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart, but Si Niannian then stabbed him in the throat again: "I was only thinking about eating as much as possible, so I didn't have time to talk."

Lord Song: "..."

From a certain perspective, Si Niannian is indeed obedient.

But when she occasionally obeys, it's so hard it hurts to hear!

Lord Song took a few deep breaths and waved his hand to close the case: "Let's leave it at that for today. Take them back first, and I'll have someone send you food again."

Although it didn't work out today, there will be another chance tomorrow.

No need to rush this moment!

Si Niannian knew when to stop, and after finishing her complaint, she left with her people in a cowardly manner.

Madam Song choked on her words and immediately summoned the kitchen manager, giving him a severe dressing-down: "Who gave you the audacity to do this?!"

She didn't like Si Niannian and couldn't bear to give her too much good food.

But it's not right to stuff Si Niannian's mouth with pig swill that even beggars wouldn't eat!

Fortunately, Si Niannian was too busy eating to say anything out loud today, otherwise, she would have lost all face!

The kitchen manager was so scolded that she didn't dare to lift her head, and kept kowtowing and admitting her mistake: "It was my negligence! It's all my fault!"

"If Madam spares me this once, I will never dare to be negligent again!"

Lord Song was annoyed by what he saw and said irritably, "Get out and make amends!"

"If this happens again, we will not let you off lightly!"

The steward scrambled away, and Lord Song, barely suppressing his anger, brought up the matter of distributing porridge the next day.

Madam Song quickly replied, "Don't worry, sir, I've prepared everything according to the rules."

To demonstrate their benevolence and love for the people, the nobles in the palace held this event almost every year, and Madam Song was already very familiar with the details and procedures involved.

Lord Song said with some unease, "And what about Jiuyou Hall..."

"This is her first time going with us, so make sure to keep a close eye on her tomorrow and avoid causing any trouble!"

Tomorrow's porridge stalls will be packed with officials and wealthy families from all over the capital city; there can be absolutely no mistakes!

Madam Song nodded in deep agreement, and the first thing she did when they set off the next day was to have Song Wen take good care of Si Niannian.

Lord Song went to court, while Song Mo stayed home to recover from his injuries.

Song Wen stood in the wind to shield Song Qinghan from the gust, his eyes falling on Si Niannian out of the corner of his eye. For no reason, he felt a surge of anger: "What kind of occasion is this? Why are you dressed so conspicuously?"

Song Qinghan dressed elegantly and modestly, like a white plum blossom in the snow, pure and noble, neither lacking in status nor too conspicuous.

Si Niannian was wearing an extremely eye-catching red fox fur coat. When she stood in the crowd, she looked like a big lantern, and she was the first person you would notice!

The second thing I noticed was her eyesore face!

If you're ugly, you should dress more modestly. Why flaunt your beauty or ugliness?

Si Niannian lifted her eyelids to glance at him.

Song Wen said somewhat irritably, "I'm talking to you, what are you doing..."

"Fourth Brother," Song Qinghan gently tugged at Song Wen's sleeve and explained, "This fox fur coat is for my sister."

Yesterday at the Duke's mansion, Xie Changying publicly mocked her for taking Si Niannian's things, so she simply returned the fox fur coat to Si Niannian.

She knew that Si Niannian only had this one fox fur coat for warmth.

Si Niannian can only wear this today.

As if worried that Si Niannian would be angry, Song Qinghan said in a voice that only Song Wen could hear, "My sister is thin, so this will keep her warm. Don't say anything to her."

Song Wen couldn't bear to scold Song Qinghan, and blurted out, "I know this thing is yours, why did you give it to her for no reason?"

"You mean well, but I'm afraid some people will take your kindness for granted!"

"Fourth Brother..."

"Alright, alright," Song Wen said helplessly, "I won't say anything then."

As they were talking, Madam Song came out with a throng of servants, and Ling Shuang quickly helped Song Qinghan to catch up with her.

Si Niannian was the last to board the car. Just as the curtain fell, she saw Ling Shuang whispering something to Qiu Shuang.

Qiu Shuang glanced in the direction of the carriage and nodded heavily, as if gritting her teeth.

Si Niannian pretended not to see anything, too lazy to listen to the tender conversation between the mother and daughter in the carriage, and casually fiddled with a corner of her fox fur coat.

This fox fur coat certainly deserves to be called precious among the lavish gifts from the Duke's mansion.

Even someone as favored as Song Qinghan didn't have such a treasure.

But this person actually took it out for her today, and even had Qian Mama pass on a message saying that it was the madam's wish, repeatedly instructing her to wear it...

Something's definitely fishy going on...

Si Niannian lowered her head, hiding the corners of her upturned mouth behind the soft fur of her fox fur, and closed her eyes as if she were dozing.

Madam Song ignored Si Niannian and only kept instructing Song Qinghan: "When we get there, remember to stay close to me and don't wander off on your own."

“And this,” Madam Song said, taking out a veil that had been prepared beforehand and placing it on Song Qinghan’s head. “Make sure you wear it properly and never take it off!”

Although the soup kitchens were a good deed, those who went to the soup kitchens to wait for the soup were all refugees who were poorly clothed and starving!

These refugees are desperate to survive, so they're capable of anything!

If it weren't for the eunuch in the palace conveying the imperial decree, ordering the female relatives of officials to emulate the noble lady in performing good deeds, she would never have taken Song Qinghan with her!

After speaking, Madam Song glared at Si Niannian: "And you, you're not allowed to run around, understand?"

"Make sure you stay close to me in a moment. If you disobey orders and something goes wrong, no one will be there to save you!"

Si Niannian peeked out from under the fox fur coat, her smiling eyes sparkling, and said in a clear, cheerful voice, "Yes, Madam."

"I've got it."