Chapter 83 Only a mute can keep a secret
Two servants stepped forward to grab the struggling Song Ruoling and force-feed her the medicine.
Hiding behind the artificial hill, Song Sanchun was heartbroken. In desperation, she picked up a small stone at her feet and threw it forcefully toward the lotus pond next to the pavilion.
Thump!
The sound of pebbles hitting the water instantly attracted the attention of the thieves, who were feeling guilty.
What was that sound?
Song Sangyu and the others subconsciously looked towards the lotus pond.
In that instant of distraction, Song Ruoling used all her strength to break free from her restraints, seized an opening, and rushed out of the pavilion without looking back, running desperately towards the direction of Furong Garden.
"Useless trash! Chase them!"
Song Sang shouted in a frustrated tone.
Ruan Jiawen and He Jianren also made a move to chase after them.
"never mind!"
Song Sangyu, however, blocked their way with a grim face. Watching Song Ruoling's fleeing figure, she gritted her teeth and said...
"Let them run away! Now that the Yun family's bitch is in charge of the household affairs, we can't completely break off relations."
"Anyway, she inhaled some of the mute drug, enough to keep her mute for ten days to half a month. During this time, she can't ruin our plans!"
Song Ruoling fled in a panic, her heart pounding. As she passed a secluded intersection, she was suddenly pulled in by a hand that reached out from the shadows.
She was terrified and was about to scream when she realized that she could only make hoarse sounds and couldn't utter a single complete word. Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Ruoling, don't be afraid, it's me!"
Song Sanchun's familiar voice came from behind her. She tightly grasped her sister's trembling hand, "Don't make a sound, come back with me and we'll talk about it."
The two sisters supported each other as they returned to Furong Garden.
Aunt Yun noticed that the two women had returned shortly after leaving, their faces pale and their expressions disoriented, and she couldn't help but wonder:
"Chun'er, Ling'er, didn't you just go out? Why are you back so soon? What happened to Ling'er?"
Song Sanchun quickly stepped in front of his sister, forcing a smile:
“Young lady, it’s nothing. Ruoling probably ate something unclean outside and her stomach is a little upset. I brought her back to use the restroom and rest. Young lady, you can go ahead and do what you need to do.”
She pulled Song Ruoling back to her room and immediately began rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for medicine.
Fortunately, Song Sangyu did not use any rare poison, but only a common drug that made people mute. The effects of the drug would wear off after a period of time. Song Sanchun usually kept a close eye on collecting various medicinal materials and happened to have a suitable remedy.
But Song Ruoling had no time to think about taking her medicine. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, pointing at herself and then desperately towards the main courtyard, tears streaming down her face, her expression full of pleading.
Song Sanchun pressed down on her agitated shoulders and sighed:
"Ruoling, don't worry, I understand what you mean. You want me to tell the young lady to be careful, right?"
Seeing that her sister understood what she meant, Song Ruoling calmed down a little and nodded vigorously.
Looking at his younger sister's innocent face, Song Sanchun was filled with mixed emotions, and scolded her with disappointment:
"I've told you so many times, neither of those two legitimate daughters is truly good to us. In their eyes, we illegitimate daughters are nothing more than pawns that they can use and discard at any time."
"Everyone in the manor knows that the eldest and second young ladies are sworn enemies. You silly girl, you still went to get close to them and almost became a pawn in their scheme, do you know that?"
Hearing her sister's reproach, Song Ruoling pointed aggrievedly to the fabric of her clothes, which was so much better than before, and then to the room, which was finally furnished without any missing items. Her tears flowed even more fiercely.
These changes all occurred after the young lady returned.
Song Sanchun understood her meaning, her tone complex:
"Yes, Miss helped us, and our lives have improved a lot. But have you ever thought about why she helped us? Was it really out of sisterly affection?"
"They only see us as useful, or... they want to use us to keep the Madam and the Second Miss in check. If it weren't for the fight between her and the Second Miss, how could this undeserved disaster have befallen you today?"
She took a deep breath.
"We concubine's daughters aren't even qualified to go on occasions like the Autumn Hunt. Ruoling, you don't need to worry about this. Just stay in the courtyard and rest your voice. Don't go anywhere, understand?"
Upon hearing this, Song Ruoling forcefully shook off her sister's hand for the first time, stubbornly turning around and rushing out the door, determined to deliver the message herself.
Song Sanchun grabbed her arm, but seeing her sister's stubborn gaze, she finally softened. Fearing she might recklessly go out and get into trouble again, she had no choice but to compromise:
"Okay, okay, I promise you! I'll find a way to remind Miss, is that alright? But on the condition that you stay put, take your medicine, and take good care of your voice! Otherwise, I absolutely will not help her!"
Hearing this assurance, Song Ruoling finally calmed down, obediently letting Song Sanchun feed her the medicine, and then fell asleep exhausted.
After putting her younger sister to sleep, Song Sanchun sat alone at her desk, picked up her brush, dipped it in ink, but couldn't bring herself to write.
Should she remind Song Yiqiu?
I've warned them. If they're discovered, it'll mean they're completely on the opposite side of the Second Miss. If the First Miss loses the fight, their Hibiscus Garden will be doomed.
If they didn't warn her... what good would happen to them if the young lady really fell into their trap? Besides, she had already promised her sister.
After much hesitation, she finally wrote down a short line on the paper:
"The autumn hunt may be a trap; be careful not to behave improperly in front of the palace."
After finishing writing, she stared at the line of text as if it were a hot potato, finally holding the paper up to the candlelight and watching it turn to ashes. No, the handwriting might be recognizable.
She switched to her left hand to pick up the pen, using a more subtle method.
...
Main courtyard.
Qingzhu is reporting to Song Yiqiu:
"Miss, today the Second Miss, Miss He, and Miss Ruan had a gathering in the garden again. For some reason, they also invited Miss Ruoling this time."
"However, the people below said that Miss Ruoling seemed to run back to Furong Garden crying, but they couldn't find out exactly what happened."
Bai Mei scoffed:
"What good could come of those girls getting together? They're probably racking their brains trying to harm our young lady during the autumn hunt! With the date fast approaching, they're probably getting restless."
Qingzhu added:
“Miss, there’s something else. Today, people from Longsha Pavilion came to the manor and took measurements for new clothes for all the young masters except for the eldest young master who is bedridden, as well as you and the second young lady. It seems that the young masters’ trip to the autumn hunt is a done deal. Should we… do something?”
Bai Mei immediately chimed in:
"Yes, Miss, especially the Third Young Master. If we let him go, the Madam and the Ruan family might take the opportunity to plead with the Emperor for a favor and finalize the marriage between Miss Ruan and the Third Young Master. What about what we promised Miss Ruan before..."
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