Chapter Twenty-Six: The Insatiable White Lotus

The carriage bumped and jolted as it headed west of the city.

Bai Mei, puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms, couldn't help but complain:

“Miss, look at the Third Young Master! Madam clearly asked you to make the arrangements, but he still doesn't trust you and specially rented this luxurious carriage carried by eight men to follow behind.”

"Hmph! You, the legitimate daughter, are only riding in an ordinary blue-curtained carriage, while she... is putting on airs! What a show of power!"

Upon hearing this, Song Yiqiu gently lifted the curtain beside the carriage and looked at the carriage behind her, which still had bells hanging from its four corners.

The car windows were closed, but one could still faintly hear Ying'er's sweet, coquettish voice coming from inside, mixed with some ambiguous sounds.

She lowered the curtain and smiled slightly:

"There's nothing we can do. She's a 'meritorious subject' now, carrying our Song family's 'golden grandson'."

Bai Mei was even angrier:

"Madam is the same! The moment Ying'er mentioned wanting to stay in the Second Miss's courtyard, Madam acted as if her tail had been stepped on and immediately rejected it! So your courtyard is worthless, and you can just stuff anyone in there?"

"Miss, I don't think this 'white lotus' is easy to deal with. She pretends to be weak and innocent, but she's got a lot of tricks up her sleeve! Do all men like this kind of person?"

Song Yiqiu looked at Bai Mei's puffed-out cheeks and poked her:

"To each their own, I suppose. But... this Miss Ying'er might actually be of great help to us."

Bai Mei's eyes widened:

"Miss, you're not joking, are you? People who come from the world of pleasure are the most profit-driven and disregard loyalty! She says she loves the Third Young Master? I think she loves his money and status!"

Song Yiqiu's gaze drifted to the rapidly passing street scene outside the window, her tone leisurely:

“Love of money…love of money is good. Then let’s take advantage of this and let our ‘deeply affectionate’ third brother taste the bitterness that ‘affection’ brings.”

She turned her head back.

Did you bring the jewelry box I asked you to bring?

Bai Mei took out an unassuming pear wood box from under her seat:

"Yes, we brought it. But Miss, I don't understand. We're here to arrange accommodations for her. Why are we bringing these pieces of jewelry? Are we really going to give them to her as a reward?"

Song Yiqiu took the box and gently opened it. Inside were several exquisitely crafted but outdated gold hairpins and jade bracelets, part of the money she received as compensation when she returned home. They were indeed useless to her.

"You'll see in a minute. How can you go fishing without bait?"

Song Yiqiu closed the lid and winked mischievously at Bai Mei.

The carriage stopped in front of a secluded courtyard.

This secluded courtyard has been uninhabited for a long time, and its entrance is deserted.

The courtyard was small, only about the size of the front hall of the Song Mansion. Pushing open the door, there was only some very simple furniture inside. The tables and chairs were covered with a thin layer of dust, and there were even cobwebs in the corners of the walls. The air was filled with a musty smell.

Song Yiqiu got out of the car first and politely tried to help Ying'er:

"Miss Ying'er, be careful."

Ying'er warily avoided her hand, and instead took Song Haochu's arm as she got out of the car delicately.

Upon seeing the scene in the courtyard, her once bright, watery eyes immediately filled with tears again, and she threw herself into Song Haochu's arms, feeling wronged.

"Haochu, this...is this the place the Song family arranged for me? The mansion is bustling with a grand celebration, it's certainly a magnificent place, but I'm the only one..."

"But like a mistress who can't see the light of day, I can only cower in this shabby room... I don't even have the right to attend... My heart is so bitter..."

Bai Mei winked at Song Yiqiu and waved her hand helplessly:

Well, the show has started again.

While crying, Ying'er glanced at Song Yiqiu's plain clothes as if she were not paying attention, and continued to fan the flames.

"Especially seeing Sangyu today, with so many beautiful clothes and jewelry, so dazzling, while I have nothing... I'm afraid that when my child is born, she'll be looked down upon because of her poor mother... Waaah..."

Song Haochu was heartbroken by her crying. He felt both distressed and guilty. He immediately took out his money pouch from his pocket, but he had almost spent all his savings to redeem Ying'er, and he was really short of money at the moment.

He could only pat his chest and guarantee:

"Don't worry, Ying'er! I will definitely give you the best! I will never let anyone look down on you and the child!"

Just then, Song Yiqiu sighed, a look of deep sympathy on her face, and spoke at the opportune moment:

"Bai Mei, give me the box."

She took the jewelry box, walked up to Ying'er, and spoke with a tone of shared sympathy:

"Third Brother, it's really not easy for Miss Ying'er. A young lady's reputation is also important. I have some spare money that I brought home, as well as a few pieces of old jewelry that I don't need myself. Although they can't compare to the trendy styles in Sister Sangyu's courtyard, the materials are still quite good."

“If Miss Ying’er doesn’t mind, take it for now, make a few new clothes, and improve the appearance of the shop. We can’t let Miss Ying’er lose face in front of us Song brothers and sisters.”

As she spoke, she opened the box.

The dazzling jewels inside the box dazzled Ying'er's eyes.

The gold hairpin was quite heavy, and the jade bracelet was lustrous. Although the style was not the latest, it was obviously very valuable.

This...this is just old jewelry that's no longer needed?

What kind of luxurious and precious things must Song Sangyu have used every day?

Ying'er's breathing quickened instantly, her eyes widened, and she could hardly conceal her greed.

She practically snatched the box from Song Yiqiu's hands, clutching it tightly to her chest, as if afraid Song Yiqiu would change her mind. A grateful, tearful smile instantly spread across her face.

"Thank you so much, Miss! You are so kind! I... my unborn child will always remember your kindness!"

Looking at her, Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but her face remained gentle.

Bai Mei, standing to the side, immediately understood and spoke casually, her tone tinged with envy:

"Miss Ying'er, you're too kind. It's just a small favor for our young lady."

"Sigh, speaking of which, the best 'Longsha Pavilion' in the capital recently received a new batch of Suzhou embroidery, which is absolutely exquisite!"

"I heard that the second young lady ordered several sets at once! I'm so envious!"

Upon hearing this, Ying'er looked up in surprise.

A cloak-covered pavilion! Suzhou embroidery! Several sets!

If she could marry into the Song family and become the rightful third young mistress, wouldn't all these gorgeous clothes and accessories be hers? If Song Sangyu, an adopted daughter, could have such a life, why couldn't she?

Song Haochu's expression turned somewhat strange. Sang Yu... was her daily life really this extravagant? He had studied diligently and had never paid attention to such things.

But at this moment, the soft and fragrant oriole in his arms, having just received a benefit, was whispering sweet nothings to him in admiration.

This greatly satisfied his vanity, and his doubts were instantly dispelled. He felt that he must work harder to give Ying'er a better life.

Meanwhile, Ying'er in his arms was pondering how she could return to the manor.