After staying at the Prince's residence for two days, Song Xia had to return home, as the New Year was just around the corner, and Liu Fangniang's illness should be getting better soon; she couldn't stay in bed forever.

On New Year's Eve, Song Xia deliberately brought up Zhou Shuqing's marriage: "Speaking of which, Shu'er is getting old, it's time to find someone to marry him. Does the young master have any plans yet?"

Liu Fangniang's face turned anxious, and she almost lost her footing as she poured wine for Song Xia. The old lady also looked worried, fearing that she would be betrothed to a bad marriage. It was just a pity that after being ill for so many years, she could no longer speak properly and kept making "ah ah" sounds.

Zhou Shuqing quickly replied, "My elder brother is older than me, so he should be the one to settle down first."

"My mind isn't on this. I want to travel and enjoy life for a few more years. I don't want to hold a girl back," Zhou Yuqing said jokingly. "Does that mean if I don't get married, you won't either?"

“My lord, what do you think? If you don’t have a suitable candidate, I’ll take advantage of the many banquets after the New Year and inquire around more.”

Zhou Yongli frowned at the signal from Zhou Shuqing and Liu Fangniang: "Shuge'er, there's no need to be in such a hurry. Let's talk about it after the provincial examinations are over."

Song Xia only wanted to scare these people, since she had already decided on the candidates.

"That's true. If you pass the provincial examination, it's easier to satisfy the woman's family and you'll have a wider range of choices."

Zhou Yongli paused for a moment: "Speaking of which, Bao Ning has come of age. Does the Prince's Mansion have any rules regarding her marriage?"

Song Xia's eyes immediately turned cold, and Zhou Yuqing's hand, which was drinking soup, also stopped. They never expected that Zhou Yongli also had this plan.

"Of course there are. Bao Ning grew up pampered and spoiled. Apart from the princess, there are few unmarried girls in the capital who are more noble than her. Her marriage is not something my father and the others would have been as confused about as I was back then."

Since Zhou Yongli's intentions are impure, Song Xia has no need to give him face.

As expected, Zhou Yongli's face darkened, anger rising to his head, but he dared not say anything.

Aunt Gao and Aunt Meng looked at each other, both feeling fortunate that they had stood by the Madam's side from beginning to end.

The New Year's Eve dinner was unpleasant for everyone at the table. Zhou Yongli stopped eating early and left, and Zhou Shuqing also said that he wanted to go back to his room to study.

But Liu Fangniang couldn't leave. Song Xia ate her pot slowly, and Liu Fangniang had to serve her as long as she ate.

She also gave Aunt Gao and Aunt Meng a small table separately so that they could eat with Lin Jie'er.

Liu Fangniang's stomach was already growling with hunger, and she hated Song Xia to the extreme, cursing him countless times.

"So what if my daughter married into the Prince Huai's mansion? The Prince Huai can't control the family backgrounds of his officials. I heard that at today's royal family banquet, only Consort Zhou from the entire Prince Huai's mansion didn't attend."

Liu Fangniang looked up in disbelief. How could this be?

She looked at Song Xia anxiously, wanting to hear more news from her, but Song Xia refused to say anything more.

In desperation, she had no choice but to speak up: "Madam, what is the reason for this? I beg you to tell me."

Song Xia slowly began, "Normally, princes and concubines are not allowed to attend royal family banquets. However, in recent years His Majesty has been benevolent and enjoys large gatherings and lively celebrations, so he has made an exception and granted this privilege..."

She stopped halfway through her sentence, and Liu Fangniang was getting increasingly anxious.

"However, some people are simply unlucky. On this auspicious day, they have fallen ill. How can someone who is ill meet His Majesty?"

"Ying'er is sick?" Liu Fangniang was heartbroken. Her Ying'er had never been sick when she was being tormented by Song Xia in the mansion. She even had a rosy complexion on the day she married into the Huai Prince's mansion. How could she be sick so soon? Thinking of the letter Ying'er had written back before, telling her to get along well with Song Xia, she became even more certain that something had happened to Ying'er in the Huai Prince's mansion.

"How dare you! That's Consort Zhou, how dare you, a mere concubine, address her so casually?"

Liu Fangniang immediately knelt down: "I beg you, Madam, to tell me what happened to Consort Zhou?"

Song Xia glanced at her: "How would I, a county princess, know about the affairs of the Prince Huai's residence?"

Liu Fangniang kowtowed again: "Please tell me, Madam, I beg you."

Song Xia refused to speak, saying, "What bad luck! Why are you shedding tears during the New Year? Someone, take Aunt Liu back home."

"Madam, you have shown me such great kindness..."

"Does begging me mean I have to tell you? Liu Fangniang, have you forgotten the grudges between us?"

With red eyes, Liu Fangniang once again felt the helplessness of being a concubine and the arrogance of Song Xia's power.

Someday...

"Are you thinking that one day you'll replace me and steal all my glory? Ha! You once thought that Zhou Ying could turn her life around by marrying Prince Huai, but look at her now! She can't even protect herself! Do you really think everyone is as easily manipulated as Zhou Yongli? Do you really think everyone is as forgiving as I am?"

Hearing Song Xia's sarcasm, Liu Fangniang's heart sank further.

Song Xia persisted: "As for your other support, Zhou Shuqing, he is a man. He wants to take the imperial examinations, and I, as his mistress, really can't stop him. But it will take a long time for him to achieve success. Can you afford to wait?"

She paused and looked directly into Liu Fangniang's eyes: "If you want to marry a noble lady, you can indeed shorten this time limit, but this county princess will not allow it, Liu Fangniang, you can give up on that idea."

Liu Fangniang's heart skipped a beat. Had Song Xia discovered something again?

"If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. Do you really think I don't know what Zhou Yongli meant by testing me just now? Does your son even deserve to know?"

Liu Fangniang's lips turned pale; Song Xia really knew everything.

"Now that you've brought these things to light, I, the county magistrate, am no longer afraid of any of your schemes or tricks."

"Madam, you misunderstand. We absolutely did not mean that. Shu-ge'er only wants to live a down-to-earth life and has no intention of coveting anyone. Others would not agree to such unrealistic ideas!"

"Who knows what kind of schemes or tricks you might have up your sleeves? After all, I never imagined you could get close to Prince Huai!"

"Madam, you are wise. Shu-ge only wants to study hard and be filial to you and Yong-lang. He has absolutely no other intentions."

"It's the New Year, and all this noise is giving me a headache. I'll take Aunt Liu back home."

Song Xia stopped listening to Liu Fangniang's nonsense and scare tactics. That was enough. Soon, Liu Fangniang would tell Zhou Yongli and Zhou Shuqing, making them worry and fear. No one would have a good New Year.

After witnessing this farce, Aunt Gao and Aunt Meng felt even more disdain for Liu Fangniang and her ilk.

Since you don't have the ability to surpass the lady, why do you keep provoking her and having unrealistic ideas?

Ultimately, the master was the culprit. He spoiled Liu Fangniang, Zhou Shuqing, and Zhou Ying, but he was powerless to protect them or give them what they wanted. In the end, he angered the madam, leading to their punishment by her.

As the head of the household, if your wife can't openly punish you, she can't vent her anger by punishing your loved ones.

Tsk, harming others and themselves, and lacking any sense of responsibility.