When Shuangxi hurriedly arrived at the Song residence with the message, Zhao Qianlan and Song Ruoan were both very nervous.
Song Ruoan gritted her teeth: "Why does that bitch Song Xizhi know about this?"
The thought of Song Xizhi's arrogant demeanor when he was rolling in money made her tremble with rage: "What's so great about having a few stinking coins? He reeks of money!"
Zhao Qianlan's face was also grim, fearing that things had gone wrong: "What happened? He Yunze didn't even tell me he was going to auction off that birthday gift! If it's about money, we can't compete with Song Xizhi at all!"
Let alone comparing money with Song Xizhi, even the thousand taels of silver he had was earned by her through gritting her teeth, enduring blood and tears, and bearing humiliation!
Seeing how anxious the two of them were, Shuangxi remembered He Yunze's instructions and spoke up again: "Madam, don't worry. Actually, the master said there is another way."
"What method?" the mother and daughter asked in unison.
"The solution is... to drug... to drug the old lady of the Song family."
Upon hearing this, both Song Ruoan and Zhao Qianlan's eyelids twitched, and they exchanged a glance.
Then Shuangxi's voice continued, "The master said that only if the medicine is administered and the patient's life is in danger, Song Xizhi, as the old lady's biological granddaughter and the only female physician in the Imperial Hospital with superb medical skills, must go back and serve her."
Song Ruoan's eyes widened suddenly: "But this won't do! If someone finds out that I've drugged Grandmother, the consequences will be unimaginable..."
"Besides, my grandmother has been bedridden for a long time. If she were to fall ill too severely, she might pass away. If an investigation were to be launched at that time, wouldn't all the blame fall on my mother and me?"
"By then, it will be a complete breakdown of home!"
Song Ruoan shook her head hurriedly, her neck shrinking back like a quail. She had already been to the government office and received family discipline before, and she didn't want to be subject to the Song family's discipline again this time!
But Zhao Qianlan suddenly grabbed her trembling wrist.
Zhao Qianlan seemed to remember something, her eyes widening: "Ruo'an, what are you so afraid of?"
"As long as we do things discreetly, how could anyone know?"
Song Ruoan was taken aback and looked up at Zhao Qianlan's gloomy face.
"My mother lived in the Song family's old mansion for so many years, so naturally she had her own methods to make things run perfectly, leaving no trace for anyone to find..."
"And your grandmother lived in the Song family's old house for so many years, scheming against me and tormenting me all day long, keeping me up at night and leaving me physically and mentally exhausted."
As she spoke, she gave another sinister laugh: "Actually, she's been lying here for so many years. A lowly scoundrel from the south managed to come to the capital and become the mistress of the house. She's had enough of that good fortune. It's time for her to die!"
Zhao Qianlan's tone was so certain that Song Ruoan didn't even have a chance to refute her.
She just stared blankly at Zhao Qianlan: "Mother...really...that's Father's mother..."
Zhao Qianlan did not answer directly, but stared intently at Song Ruoan with her dark eyes.
"This is to help your husband. Do you want to see Song Xizhi defeat you again, trample you underfoot, and shine brightly in front of the Empress Dowager? Ruo'an!"
Upon hearing this, Song Ruoan fell completely silent.
Shuangxi watched the interaction between the mother and daughter in silence, but he was inwardly amazed.
As expected of my master, when he said those words, I knew it was impossible to accomplish this.
But the master just smiled and said that on the contrary, things could definitely be done.
See, things are all settled now, aren't they?
When the news reached He Yunze's ears, his expression remained unchanged.
He remained seated, his gaze fixed on the auction venue before him, but his peripheral vision kept lingering on the woman's figure in the second-floor annex.
He couldn't even control his gaze, nor could he stop himself from thinking about these things.
He Yunze felt he had to test the waters; if Song Xizhi was indeed reborn, then her presence here was no coincidence.
She would know just how important that large lacquer mother-of-pearl inlaid piece was. If so, when Zhao Qianlan arrived, she could use her grandmother's life and filial piety to force Song Xizhi to return, but Song Xizhi would still not go back.
She understood that if Prince Yu received the lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlay, he would immediately gain praise from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, which would be a devastating blow to Song Xizhi.
But if Song Xizhi rushed back to save her grandmother, then perhaps she just happened to be here.
Whichever choice Song Xizhi made, it would be advantageous for him.
Actually, he didn't intend to scheme against Song Xizhi like this. The thought of Song Xizhi leaving in such a dejected manner made him feel a little sad.
But since they have a conflict of interest, he has to do it.
He Yunze secretly hoped for the latter possibility, because he didn't want Song Xizhi to carry all the memories of his past life.
But even he himself couldn't explain why he felt this strange fear.
He Yunze was thinking expressionlessly, but when he saw the restaurant manager walking forward with the large lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay, his expression suddenly became serious.
The shopkeeper opened the outer box, revealing a large lacquer mother-of-pearl inlay inside. The exquisite shell carvings gleamed softly in the flickering candlelight.
The auction was nearing its end, and many people had already begun to leave, but the shopkeeper patiently continued his explanation to the crowd:
"This lacquer box inlaid with mother-of-pearl is made of shells, gold and silver, and painted with natural lacquer, presenting a lifelike picture. The box in my hand is even more exquisitely carved with the image of Buddha."
"Although the age of this object is unknown and it was carved by an unknown craftsman, and ordinary people may not know its origin, it is still a rare treasure, a true gem that has been overlooked."
"Therefore, this large lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlaid Buddha statue dressing box will be auctioned starting at 150 taels of silver, with each bid increasing by 50 taels of silver."
No sooner had the shopkeeper finished speaking than someone raised up their number plate: "Two hundred taels."
He Yunze couldn't help but look up at Song Xizhi above, and then said anxiously, "Two hundred and fifty taels!"
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