The atmosphere at the scene instantly calmed down, and the air seemed to freeze instantly.
Hearing the commotion outside, Su Mingli rushed out of the courtyard. "The food was just served, and I was just about to call you to eat. Father, Zhizhi, what are you doing?"
But no one paid him any attention. Su Shaoyuan and Song Xizhi stared at each other for a long time, neither of them seeming willing to give in.
Only Old Madam Su glanced in Su Mingli's direction with a hint of panic.
Song Xizhi frowned, his eyes intently observing Su Shaoyuan's expression, before taking a few steps toward him.
Her tone was calm: "Grandfather, why are you suddenly so angry? Is it because of the incense, or something else?"
Su Shaoyuan stood ramrod straight, his double chin bulging out in anger: "What else could it be but incense? Anyway, I don't like it, and you're not allowed to make it!"
Song Xizhi was neither angry nor panicked. Instead, the memories of the Su family's past life flashed through her mind, sharp and terrifying.
Once she got close to Su Shaoyuan, she leaned down slightly and whispered in her maternal grandfather's ear.
Song Xizhi spoke tentatively in a low voice, only audible to the two of them: "Are you hiding many things from us? What is the incense related to? The Su family's... future?"
"Perhaps only I can help you."
After she finished speaking, she slowly raised her eyes and looked at him with utmost seriousness and sincerity, her eyes filled with worry.
Su Shaoyuan was stunned. When he heard Song Xizhi's words, his pupils dilated suddenly and his whole body stiffened.
After he realized what was happening, he quickly took a few steps back and looked at Song Xizhi with an incredulous expression.
Su Shaoyuan remained silent for a moment, then immediately replied, "Don't try to change the subject! I don't understand what you mean! It's because of the incense that I don't like you showing your face in public!"
As he spoke, seemingly certain of Song Xizhi's choice, he then coldly snorted and said, "In short, it's either me or it, you choose one!"
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi turned and glanced at Su Mingli standing to the side, then turned and left without a second thought.
She had just tentatively uttered those words, and her grandfather's reaction clearly indicated a problem.
She didn't want the events of her past life to repeat themselves, so she had to do something. If she did nothing, the Su family would surely repeat the same mistakes.
As Song Xizhi resolutely let her robes flutter out of the Su residence's gate, everyone present was stunned by her actions.
Su Shaoyuan's eyes widened as he turned to look at Song Xizhi's back, then glanced at Old Madam Su for confirmation.
Feeling the cold stare from Old Madam Su, he was so angry that his beard stood on end: "This...this...this girl!"
He roared in disbelief, looking up to the sky, "That brat! She actually chose incense! Aaaaaah! That brat!"
Old Madam Su glared at him: "Why are you getting angry for no reason? Now you know you regret it? Then hurry up and go after them!"
Su Shaoyuan gritted his teeth, tears welling in his eyes, and strode into the house with his old legs, shouting, "I won't chase them! I won't chase them!"
Seeing this, Su Mingli did not try to persuade him. He took a long stride and went straight after Song Xizhi.
Seeing his actions, Su Shaoyuan held back for a moment, but finally couldn't help but shout, "Tell her to stop researching that thing! If she doesn't, I'll make her come back for dinner!"
Old Madam Su was so angry that she covered her head and said, "Just wait and see if she comes back or not. She's perfectly fine now!"
Song Xizhi walked very slowly, as if he was deliberately waiting for something. Su Mingli took long strides and caught up with him as soon as he stepped out of the Su residence.
Seeing Song Xizhi's back, he said in a gentle voice, "Zhizhi, what exactly happened between you and your father? Those angry words he said were unintentional."
Song Xizhi turned to look at him, his expression somewhat serious: "I know, but Uncle, don't you think there's something strange about this?"
Su Mingli pursed his lips, sensing her serious little expression, and then said, "Let's talk at the teahouse."
Once the two arrived at the teahouse, Song Xizhi recounted everything that had happened that day.
Actually, it was nothing much; it was just that her research on incense had angered her maternal grandfather.
But after Song Xizhi finished speaking, Su Mingli's expression seemed to indicate that he had thought of something:
“If that’s the case, then his reaction today is not surprising, because your mother used to study incense and often had contact with the ladies in the palace because of incense.”
“Back then, your maternal grandfather was already very opposed to it. He had a huge fight with your sister, the most intense one I’ve ever seen, much angrier than he is today.”
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi felt somewhat puzzled: "Your maternal grandfather objected back then?"
"Is it because my maternal grandfather was too incorruptible that he didn't want my mother to have any dealings with the ladies in the palace?"
Su Mingli nodded: "That might be true. But I was young then, and there were many things I didn't know."
"But this matter caused quite a stir, which made my sister unusually angry. At that time, she was looking for a son of an official, so she quickly found someone to marry, who was your father."
When Su Mingren got to this point, he glanced at Song Xizhi again.
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi's lips twitched violently; she finally understood how she had come to be here.
It was because her mother acted out of spite that she ended up with her cheap father. If she had chosen carefully from the beginning, how could she have ended up with a scumbag who favored his concubine over his wife?
Su Mingli sighed as he recalled the past: "Afterwards, your maternal grandfather also regretted it and took the initiative to make peace. He was very caring and only hoped that my sister would be well. His only request was that my sister stop making incense."
"So when your sister was pregnant with you, the two of them reconciled."
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. No wonder my mother, despite her superb incense-making skills, was very low-key and never shared them with others. Therefore, only a few people in the Song family knew about her skills."
But as soon as Song Xizhi finished speaking, Su Mingli's expression changed drastically: "Zhizhi! Are you saying that after my sister married into the Song family, she was still secretly researching incense?"
Song Xizhi nodded: "Yes, it was still being researched when I was young, but it was never used in social interactions again."
Upon hearing this, Su Mingli instantly stood up from his chair. This was the first time he, who was usually gentle and refined, had such a strong reaction.
Song Xizhi looked up in surprise, frowning as she gazed at him: "Uncle, is something wrong with this?"
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