Thinking about this, Song Xia immediately sent people to investigate, starting with the old lady and the Liu family behind her.
Although Ye Wanrou didn't know what she was going to do, she still readily lent her manpower.
"I have already sent Yuqing's painting to my brother, and we should hear back soon."
"Thank you, sister-in-law."
“We’re all family, there’s no need to thank me. I just feel sorry for Yuqing. Let him do what he likes, and maybe his health will gradually improve.”
Song Xia said confidently, "Yuqing will definitely be free from illness and disaster in the future."
"There's a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow. Do you want to go?"
Song Xia thought for a moment: "Will the Lady of Yong'an Marquis go?"
"She should have gone, why are you asking her?"
"I heard that her child is also in poor health, and I wanted to ask her how she took care of the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an."
"Is the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an in poor health? I've never heard of that." Ye Wanrou was slightly taken aback, and Song Xia was also shocked. If the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an was in good health, how could he have passed away a few years later? Did Liu Fangniang and the others really have such great abilities?
Regardless of whether it's true or not, she must investigate this matter thoroughly and prevent anything from happening to the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an.
Zhou Ying still wants to be the wife of the heir apparent, and the future wife of a marquis? She can only dream about it.
The next day, Song Xia, Ye Wanrou, and Song Baoning went to the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at the Prime Minister's residence. Song Runsheng took leave and specially took Zhou Yuqing to the suburbs. Originally, Song Baoning also wanted to go with them, but Ye Wanrou stopped him.
Therefore, Song Baoning remained listless throughout the carriage.
"Why do I have to attend this banquet while my cousins don't?"
"They go fishing, can you sit still? You're a grown woman now, attend more of these kinds of banquets and learn from them."
"What should we learn?"
"Learn how to speak and behave properly, how to arrange such banquets, and how to get along with the ladies of the court. There is a lot to learn in all of this."
Song Baoning's face fell even more as she listened. Song Xia smiled and said, "You are a young lady from the Prince's Mansion. As long as you don't marry down like your aunt, you will be respected by others most of the time. You don't need to be too reserved."
"My aunt is a county princess personally appointed by His Majesty, and she also has my grandfather's backing. Who would dare to look down on my aunt?"
"They won't look down on you to your face, but behind your back, many people will laugh at my aunt for not knowing how to judge people."
Ye Wanrou sighed softly, "That's true."
This matter in the younger sister's household was no secret to those who cared. The younger sister was beautiful and had been praised by the Empress. She was famous, and after she came of age, suitors almost wore out the threshold of the Prince's mansion. No one expected that she would eventually choose a son of a concubine.
Although this illegitimate son inherited the once prestigious Zhou family, the Zhou family had already declined, and there was no adult in the clan capable of holding things together. Not to mention, after marrying into the family, this illegitimate son couldn't wait to marry his beloved cousin.
So many promising and distinguished men chose a concubine's son who had a beloved woman, and their son was sickly. Who wouldn't sigh at that?
Especially now that the son born to this concubine's cousin is said to be an excellent student and is highly favored and valued by Zhou Yongli, everyone feels that Song Xia was blind back then. With so many talented people back then, wouldn't it have been better to choose anyone else than now?
Therefore, as soon as Song Xia entered, she attracted the attention of all the ladies, since she hadn't attended such a banquet in a long time.
"Why does the county princess have time to go out today? Is your young master all better now?"
Upon hearing this, Song Xia looked over and recognized the person as Song Ying, the youngest daughter of the Prince of Nanyang. She had always been rivals with Song Ying since childhood, but Song Ying was inferior to Song Ying in every way. Song Ying had once requested to be granted the title of County Princess, but the request was rejected because an imperial censor had submitted a memorial impeaching the Prince of Nanyang for wasting resources and causing hardship to the people.
Later, the man she liked came to their Prince Cheng's mansion to propose marriage, and she began to hold a deep grudge against Song Xia.
In the end, Song Ying did not marry that man, but she married a young general. Now the young general has been promoted to a high-ranking general of the third rank. She also gave birth to two sons and a daughter, all of whom are in good health. There are no concubines in the household that make her feel uncomfortable, so she finally feels that she has surpassed Song Xia.
"My son is naturally fine. I heard that His Majesty ordered General Li to garrison the southern border. Did you not go with him?"
Song Ying's face stiffened for a moment: "The southern border is full of mosquitoes and miasma. How could my husband bear to let me go there and suffer?"
"That's true, but I've heard that there are many beautiful women in the southern border region who are skilled at bewitching people. Be careful that General Li doesn't bring back a beautiful concubine in three years."
"So what if you bring back a concubine? She's just a concubine. She can be beaten, killed, or sold at will. Unlike some people, who are county princesses, being overshadowed by their concubines is a disgrace to the royal family."
Song Xia really couldn't refute this, so she nodded sincerely: "You're right. I was too lenient before, and I will never be so again."
Her sincerity made Song Ying feel embarrassed for a moment, and she stopped arguing.
The ladies and young women watched them go back and forth with great interest, and when they suddenly stopped, they were still somewhat reluctant to leave.
However, Song Xia's frankness made them all look at her with more respect.
As the principal wife, how could she tolerate a concubine running around like this? No matter how outstanding her children are, or how much her husband loves them, she is still a concubine. There are many ways to punish her. Not to mention that you are a member of the royal family, a dignified county princess. If you are bullied by a concubine, it's not just you who loses face.
After a brief discussion, Song Xia quickly became involved. Her elegant speech and rich knowledge made people feel that it wasn't that she couldn't beat that concubine before, but that she simply disdained to fight her.
Now that I've come to terms with it, it's better to let it go. Even if I still look down on it, all that fussing and jumping around is just an eyesore! The sooner it's resolved, the sooner I can have peace of mind.
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