Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi's eyes instantly deepened, and he became quite interested: "Traces of binding and moss on your feet? Is there moss in Song Ruo'an's courtyard?"
A-Lian shook her head: "I've checked, there's no moss inside or outside the house."
Song Xizhi nodded as well:
"I imagine the courtyards where the ladies of the court live are all newly built. My courtyard, for example, was cleaned by a professional beforehand, so there's no way there could be moss."
Ah Lian's face also showed some doubt: "I can't figure it out either, so I came here to tell you. I think she may have offended someone and was beaten up, which is why there are bruises on her wrists from being tied up."
Song Xizhi stroked his chin with interest: "On Heyan Mountain, who could possibly make a move against Zhao Qianlan?"
"Even if He Yunze can't repay the loan sharks, and those people come knocking on his door, they won't dare to lay a hand on Zhao Qianlan at this moment."
Unless Zhao Qianlan offended some powerful official, she would not speak out even if she was wronged, and would even put on a forced smile.
Upon hearing this, A-Lian seemed to remember something: "By the way, Zhao Qianlan can probably help He Yunce solve the problem of usury."
"She said she had spoken with Old Madam Zhao and that He Yunce's future was saved."
Song Xizhi pondered silently, without saying a word.
She felt that something didn't make sense.
Song Xizhi was lost in thought when a commotion erupted outside, as if someone was arguing at the door.
Upon hearing this voice, Ah Lian's expression changed slightly.
“I’ll go outside and drag the person away. You can climb back through the back window.”
As Song Xizhi spoke, he stood up from the soft couch and patted A-Lian's shoulder solemnly: "Be careful on your way back, don't let anyone else find out."
A-Lian felt the weight on her shoulder and was slightly stunned. She stared at Song Xizhi's back and suddenly reached out to touch her shoulder.
Then he climbed out the back window and left.
When Song Xizhi opened the door and came out of the house, he saw a bustling crowd in the courtyard, with maids, servants, and packages of all sizes.
Standing at the very front of all these things was a middle-aged woman dressed in luxurious clothes and with impeccable makeup. She was slender, with high cheekbones, phoenix eyes, and willow-leaf eyebrows.
He was standing there with his hands on his hips, seemingly saying something to Madam Xin. He looked assertive and seemed quite difficult to get along with.
"Madam Zhao, this is really unfortunate. You're late; we've already settled in."
“If we had come to this courtyard together, and you wanted a larger main house, we would have let you choose first. But now that we've already settled our things, we can't possibly move everything back; it would be too much of a hassle…”
Madam Xin, still smiling and speaking softly, stepped forward, took Madam Zhao's hand, and patted the back of her hand again.
"It's just a temporary stay. When we return to the capital, I'll invite you for tea. I also have some incense for you to try."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao's tense mood eased considerably.
She was about to instruct the servants to move the boxes into the empty little room when she unexpectedly saw Song Xizhi coming out of the room.
Madam Xin beckoned to Song Xizhi: "Zhizhi, come and meet her. This is Madam Zhao, the wife of Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Works, and also the maternal aunt of Prince Yu!"
Vice Minister of Works, Lord Zhao?
Upon hearing the name, Song Xizhi narrowed his eyes slightly and then walked to Madam Xin's side.
Madam Xin then introduced Madam Zhao to the woman before her. In front of outsiders, her voice was soft, yet it carried a hint of warmth:
"This is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Anding's mansion. She cured my illness. If Madam Zhao wants to improve her health, she is the right person to consult."
In front of outsiders, Madam Xin reverted to the way she had been when they first met, which Song Xizhi couldn't help but find somewhat amusing.
She raised the corners of her mouth, just about to greet Madam Zhao in front of her, but who knew that Madam Zhao would change her attitude faster than turning the pages of a book.
Madam Zhao squinted, looking Song Xizhi up and down. When she saw Song Xizhi's face clearly, her eyes showed a hint of contempt and disgust.
"I'm perfectly healthy, I'm not sick or injured at all, who would dare to go to her for treatment?"
When Madam Xin heard this, she was stunned and even stretched her neck a little.
Madam Zhao recalled Zhao Qingshu's instructions to her earlier, and now that she had seen him in person, her tone became even colder:
"You can't distinguish right from wrong, or seniority from age. Madam Xin and I are here, and you are just a newlywed girl, yet you occupy the largest courtyard."
“I have so many chests and servants now. If you don’t move them, you are making things difficult for me. I will definitely tell Consort Zhen.”
Song Xizhi was taken aback by Madam Zhao's sudden reaction.
Sensing the clear disgust in her eyes, Song Xizhi suddenly understood something. Instead of being angry, she found it somewhat amusing. She turned around decisively and went back into the house.
"Okay, I'll let you have it. I'll get people to move it right now."
Madam Xin was taken aback, not expecting Song Xizhi to become so easy to talk to.
Madam Zhao thought Song Xizhi was afraid, and arrogantly raised her chin: "If the other courtyards hadn't run out of rooms, I wouldn't be staying in the place you used to live in."
The old nanny beside her felt a little strange seeing her mistress's sudden change in attitude.
She was an old nanny who had some influence with Madam Zhao, and she had never seen her dignified, composed, and well-mannered mistress suddenly act like this.
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