Chapter Twenty-Two: Grandmother's Personal Jade Pendant

Song Yiqiu's fingers gripped the silver hairpin tightly:

"Qingzhu, how can you be so sure?"

Qingzhu whispered:

"When the old lady was alive, she doted on you, fearing you might be harmed in the future, and secretly taught me some basic medical principles. Medicine and poison are inseparable, so I know a little about these underhanded methods... They..."

She choked up for a moment.

"They later tried to use similar drugs on me, which is one of the real reasons why I decided to start pretending to be crazy... Only by really being 'crazy' could I lower their guard."

Bai Mei gasped, her face filled with lingering fear.

"My God...this...this is too cruel! Even tigers don't eat their cubs, yet she did this to...to the young lady..."

As she spoke, she subconsciously looked at Song Yiqiu, afraid that she might not be able to handle it.

However, Song Yiqiu's face did not show the sadness that was expected.

She merely gave a very light, cold laugh, "I see..."

She muttered to herself, her gaze sweeping over the stain on the floor.

"The first step is to leave me severely injured and unable to heal. If I am fortunate enough to be able to attend, this bowl of 'nourishment' will be the second step..."

"My mother really made 'perfect' plans for me to have me 'unexpectedly' lose my mind at the tea party, embarrass myself in public, and even go completely insane."

Bai Mei sighed, "Miss, let's try to stay home as much as possible. It feels like we're surrounded by danger right now."

Song Yiqiu nodded in thought, deciding to use the excuse of recuperating to see what their next move would be.

For the next three days, the Song residence seemed to have become two different worlds.

The Lianqing Garden, where Song Sangyu lived, was bustling with activity.

The most famous musicians and dancers in the capital were invited to the garden at great expense, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments never ceased.

The renowned tailors of Longsha Pavilion were busy taking measurements and making beautiful clothes for Song Sangyu.

Various exquisite headdresses and face powders were poured in like a flowing stream; the sheer scale of the procession made it seem to an unsuspecting person that the second young lady of the Song family was getting married.

In stark contrast, Song Yiqiu's main courtyard was deserted.

The mother, Madam Song Shen, was quite clear about her intentions. She not only wanted to use this tea party to find husbands for her sons, but also wanted to do everything she could to promote Song Sangyu, even though she had already been keeping the Earl's son as a backup.

Bai Mei practiced her swordplay vigorously in the courtyard, her sword energy sweeping away fallen leaves as if venting her dissatisfaction.

Song Yiqiu came out carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea, her tone calm:

"Bai Mei, take a rest."

She poured a glass of water and handed it to her.

Bai Mei took it, gulped it down in one go, and then angrily pointed in the direction of Lianqing Garden:

"Miss, listen to this! This has been going on for three days! Anyone who didn't know better would think that Song Sangyu was the legitimate daughter who had fought bravely for seven years on the frontier and returned in glory! Even other people's weddings didn't have this kind of pomp!"

Song Yiqiu simply smiled faintly, completely unconcerned.

"If she wants to make a scene, let her make a scene."

Bai Mei spoke up for her:

"Isn't this a bit too much? A musician, a dancer, she wants to show off all the skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Is she going to a tea party, take the imperial examination, or be chosen as the most beautiful courtesan? All she wants is to show off!"

Song Yiqiu was amused by her analogy:

"You're such a chatterbox."

Bai Mei suddenly remembered something and said seriously:

"By the way, Miss, the eldest young master and the second young master have both come to see you these past few days, saying they have important matters to discuss, but I turned them away on the grounds that your injuries have not yet healed. Also... Aunt Yun has come a few times, but she only lingered outside the courtyard for a long time and ultimately did not come in."

The smile faded from Song Yiqiu's face, and she nodded:

"Well done."

Bai Mei frowned, puzzled:

"Don't you find it strange, Miss? They all come to see you right before this tea party. They really don't come unless they have a reason."

Song Yiqiu's eyes flickered slightly, her tone knowing:

"Hmm... let those who are truly 'in trouble' worry a little longer. Any news from Third Brother and Fourth Brother?"

Bai Mei pouted:

"I heard that the Third Young Master has been burying himself in his studies at the academy, right? The Fourth Young Master did come back once to ask for his tuition, but that's all."

Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly: She wasn't sure if her third brother was at the academy, but her fourth brother... was most likely still gambling away at Dousheng Manor.

Just then, a very faint cracking sound came from outside the courtyard wall, as if someone had accidentally stepped on a dry branch.

Song Yiqiu's eyes instantly turned wary, and she exchanged a glance with Bai Mei without making a sound.

Bai Mei understood immediately. She lightly touched the stone table with her toes and, with the speed of a swallow, quickly vaulted over the courtyard wall.

A short, startled cry came from outside, and soon Bai Mei leaped back, carrying a woman dressed in plain gray clothes.

"Who are you? What are you doing, sneaking around outside the young lady's courtyard eavesdropping on her! ...Aunt Yun?"

Bai Mei let go of his hand and exclaimed in surprise.

She was still dressed in a simple gray outfit, her hair neatly tied up, but her face looked even more haggard than the last time I saw her.

She clutched a familiar-looking purse tightly in her hand; it was the one Song Yiqiu had given to Song Sanchun before.

The moment Aunt Yun saw Song Yiqiu, her gaze immediately fell on the faint bloodstains seeping through the back of her clothes. Her eyes instantly reddened, and her voice choked with emotion.

"Young Miss, I heard... the mistress used family discipline on you? And she beat you very severely... It's all Chun'er's fault. If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have..."

She spoke with guilt, unable to continue.

Song Yiqiu's doubts deepened, but she didn't show it on her face, only saying calmly:

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious. Please come in and talk, Auntie."

Upon entering the house, Aunt Yun pushed the heavy purse in front of Song Yiqiu, her tone earnest:

“Young Miss, we can’t accept this money. You’ve only just returned home and need money for everything; this is far too much…”

Song Yiqiu gently pushed the purse back:

“Auntie, you misunderstand. This is the money I paid for the painting from Sister Sanchun. I have already accepted the painting, so the money is settled. There is no reason for it to be returned.”

Aunt Yun's eyes reddened even more, and she said urgently:

"That painting isn't worth that much silver, Miss. You're clearly..."

Before she could finish speaking, her gaze suddenly fell on the corner, where Qingzhu was lying on the ground counting ants, looking silly. Her eyes widened in surprise, filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Song Yiqiu noticed her reaction, smiled slightly, and said casually:

"Speaking of which, I have to thank Auntie for her advice last time. Otherwise, this little girl might really not have come back."

Aunt Yun withdrew her gaze and slowly shook her head, as if she had made up her mind.

She no longer refused the purse, but carefully took out a faded gray handkerchief from her bosom. After unfolding it layer by layer, a jade pendant was revealed inside.

The jade pendant was made of lustrous jadeite, but what was most peculiar was that a red line, like a blood streak, was naturally embedded in the middle of the jadeite.

The jade pendant is engraved with the eight characters of birth date in seal script on its edge. Its style is simple and unique, making it no ordinary item.

Song Yiqiu was shocked when she saw the jade pendant.

This is... the jade pendant that my grandmother, Shen Zhaohua, wore close to her body!

She will never admit her mistake!