Chapter Twenty-Five: Sending Her the Ace

Song Qingming and Song Shenshi exchanged a glance. Although they felt aggrieved, this seemed to be the best solution for the time being.

He managed to keep his son focused on the exam without immediately letting the prostitute into the house, thus managing to save face.

"Fine! Let's do as Yiqiu says!"

Song Qingming waved wearily.

Ying'er was secretly delighted. Once she got inside, she would have a way to climb up the ladder step by step.

Song Sangyu's eyes darted around, and she suddenly spoke:

"Father, Mother, and Sister's suggestion is good, but is it... not appropriate to place Miss Ying'er alone in a secluded villa outside the manor?"

"Sister Ying'er is now pregnant and needs careful care. Where outside the mansion is it more convenient and safe than inside?"

As she spoke, she looked at Song Yiqiu:

"In my opinion, the quietest and most spacious place in the mansion suitable for rest and recuperation during pregnancy is none other than the Phoenix Perch Garden, where my elder sister is currently staying!"

“I heard that there aren’t many people to serve in your courtyard, and it’s quite large, so it’s just sitting empty. How about… letting Sister Ying’er move to the side hall of Phoenix Perch Garden for the time being?”

"With my sister taking care of her personally, everything will be perfect, and it will also fulfill our sisterly bond. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Song Yiqiu's eyes trembled.

It's here! It was like this in my previous life!

Song Sangyu used sweet words to ultimately shift the responsibility of taking care of Ying'er onto her.

As a result, Ying'er, that scheming woman, took advantage of her trust and sympathy, deliberately orchestrated a wrestling match, framed her for pushing the other woman, and successfully rose to power. However, Third Brother hated her to the core because of this.

We must never repeat this mistake!

Before Song Yiqiu could speak, Bai Mei exploded, her face turning red with anger:

"Second Miss! What are you saying? My young lady is not even married yet, and a pregnant woman has moved into the courtyard... If word gets out, what will become of my young lady's reputation? People who don't know any better will think something terrible has happened!"

Father Song Qingming also frowned, feeling that something was amiss, as it concerned the reputation of the family:

“Sang Yu, you are mistaken. Yi Qiu is not yet married, and it is indeed improper for a pregnant woman to live in the courtyard. It would easily cause gossip.”

Mother Song Shenshi, however, seemed indifferent, only feeling annoyed, and waved her hand, saying:

"Just arrange a place anywhere, right? A side hall or a courtyard, it doesn't matter, as long as she doesn't linger in front of me. Just looking at this vixen makes my heart ache!"

Song Yiqiu snapped out of her daze and looked at Song Sangye with a half-smile:

"Sister Sangyu, you're in such a hurry to put Miss Ying'er into my courtyard... Could it be because you're busy with preparations for the tea party in three days and you're too busy to take care of her, so you're trying to pass this 'burden' on to me?"

Her tone was light and airy, as if she had suddenly realized something:

"Indeed, the tea party is of great importance. Only if you, my sister, shine brightly and win everyone's applause can your brothers talk about a better marriage prospect, right? My sister should naturally prioritize the overall situation."

Song Sangyu, having been exposed, stammered in response:

"You...you're talking nonsense! I was only thinking of Sister Ying'er!"

Even the warbling oriole, who had been silently shedding tears, listened intently and discerned the key point.

A tea party? To arrange marriages for her brothers? Then wouldn't her brother Haochu be...?

She panicked immediately, abandoning her feigned weakness. She looked up through her tear-filled eyes at Song Yiqiu, then at Song Sangyu, and spoke timidly, her words carrying a subtle but firm edge:

“I…I heard that Sister Sangyu is the Madam’s adopted daughter, and has a noble status, while the eldest daughter is the Madam’s eldest legitimate daughter, and is even more precious.”

"With my status, it would be inappropriate for me to stay in any young lady's courtyard, it would be an insult to the place... If... if I really have nowhere to go..."

She changed the subject:

"Otherwise... how about I stay at Sister Sangyu's Lianqing Garden? I don't eat much and I'm easy to take care of, so I definitely won't cause her too much trouble! She's kind-hearted, she'll definitely take me in, right?"

Upon hearing this, Song Sangyu's face turned green, and she immediately refused:

"How can this be allowed! I'm not even married yet! You... what kind of behavior is this, living in my courtyard? Don't you care about my reputation?"

Bai Mei immediately scoffed and retorted:

"Oh! So, Second Miss knows that pregnant women can't live in the courtyard of unmarried young ladies? Then why were you pushing them into our young ladies' courtyard just now?"

Song Sangyu was rendered speechless, her face flushing and turning pale. She quickly changed her story, trying to salvage the situation:

"I...I didn't mean that! It's just that my Lianqing Garden is always filled with the sounds of zithers, flutes, and drums, and we also practice dancing, it's very noisy. I was afraid of disturbing Sister Ying'er and the baby in her womb, and I couldn't bear the responsibility if it affected the baby!"

Ying'er immediately responded in a soft, understanding tone:

"It's alright, little sister. Ying'er comes from... that kind of place, so she's quite familiar with the sounds of string and wind instruments, and can even play a few. If you don't mind, little sister, perhaps Ying'er can even have a friendly match with you to pass the time."

"you!"

After this exchange, Song Sangyu was clearly at a disadvantage. Her punch landed on cotton, and the words she wanted to say were pushed back weakly.

If she were to refuse again, it would only make her seem mean and petty, disregarding sisterly affection and her brother's offspring.

Madam Song was getting a splitting headache from their noise. Already biased towards Song Sangyu, she became impatient when she saw Ying'er seemingly eyeing Sangyu's courtyard and rudely interrupted them:

"Stop fooling around!"

She pointed at Ying'er and said in an unquestionable manner,

"You, just like Yiqiu said at the beginning, go and settle in the villa in the west of the city first!"

Then, she turned her gaze to Song Yiqiu, her tone commanding.

"Yiqiu, you've been on the frontier for so long, you're definitely better at taking care of people than Sangyu. I'm entrusting Ying'er's care to you. Arrange maids and servants for her, and make sure she has a safe delivery! This will also help ease your third brother's burden!"

Bai Mei was anxious:

"Madam! This..."

"Shut up!"

Song Shen interrupted sharply, rubbing her temples.

"You're giving me a headache! It's settled then! I have to go to the tea party, I don't have time to waste here with you guys!"

She then glared at Song Haochu, who was still about to say something:

"You! You good-for-nothing, get back to the academy right now and don't come back to see me until you pass the imperial examination!"

Although Song Haochu was unwilling, seeing his mother's anger, he dared not argue anymore. He could only look at Ying'er with concern and wait for her at the door.

Bai Mei was so angry that she wanted to argue, but Song Yiqiu quietly tugged at her sleeve and shook her head slightly to stop her.

A head-on confrontation now would not be beneficial.

Seeing that Ying'er was ultimately handed over to Song Yiqiu for care, Song Sangyu, though she didn't get into her own courtyard, didn't let Song Yiqiu completely get away either, proudly raised her chin and glanced at Song Yiqiu.

Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly.

Take care of me? Sure.

Since the chess piece has been handed to her voluntarily, why wouldn't she use it?