Chapter Seventy: Flying a Kite Requires a Combination of Tightening and Relaxing
Seeing her panicked expression, Song Yiqiu softened her voice and guided her:
“Aunt, you are a smart woman, how can you be so confused now? Think carefully, who withdrew this money? Who has the audacity to use such a huge sum of money? You and I know the truth.”
She paused for a moment, then continued her analysis:
“If we were to bring this matter to Father’s attention now, firstly, the timing is not right and we would alert them. Secondly, they would surely turn around and accuse you of mismanagement, or even falsely accuse you of embezzlement. That would be the real disaster.”
"Then, what should we do?"
Aunt Yun was completely at a loss.
"wait."
Song Yiqiu gently placed her hand on the back of Aunt Yun's hand.
"Let this matter come to light naturally. Let Father discover the discrepancy in the treasury's funds and come to investigate on his own initiative."
"At that time, the ledger in your hand that records the real people who withdrew the funds and the reasons will not be evidence of your dereliction of duty, but rather a testament to your loyalty to your duty and your merit in secretly recording the clues."
"You are providing evidence, not taking responsibility. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing these words, Aunt Yun breathed a sigh of relief, and some color returned to her face.
"Oh, I see... It was my foolishness and panic that led me to overlook this detail..."
Then he sighed again.
"I never expected that the young lady would not only be outstanding in military and literary matters, but also so skilled in the strategies of managing the inner quarters! It almost... almost ruined the young lady's plans."
Song Yiqiu smiled slightly:
"Auntie is just overly concerned and loves her son dearly," she said, then asked.
"How are Sister Ruoling and Sister Sanchun doing these days?"
When the children were mentioned, Aunt Yun's expression softened considerably:
"Sanchun is still the same as always, quiet and reserved. Ruoling, on the other hand, seems to have become a different person. She is incredibly diligent, spending her days either reading or practicing calligraphy and embroidery. Even Ziyu, who is usually very hardworking, jokingly says that she is about to be surpassed by her older sister."
Song Yiqiu nodded:
"That's good. After you go back, Auntie, just continue to manage Hibiscus Garden as usual and keep the servants in line. There's no need to panic. Even if the sky falls, it won't hit Hibiscus Garden. I assure you."
Looking into Song Yiqiu's calm and confident eyes, Aunt Yun felt reassured and rose to give a respectful bow.
"With your words, Miss, I am relieved. Well then... I shall take my leave now."
After seeing Aunt Yun off, Bai Mei pouted:
"This Aunt Yun is really something. When Miss wanted to share power with her, she refused on all sides, acting as if she didn't want to compete with anyone."
"He's only been in power for a few days, yet he acts like he's got a golden rice bowl, afraid of losing this little bit of power. It's really incomprehensible."
Qingzhu, being more perceptive, said softly:
"Aunt Yun's actions are mostly for the sake of Miss Sanchun, Miss Ruoling, and Young Master Ziyu. Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. In the past, they had no power or influence and could only endure it. Now that they have the opportunity to make their children's lives better, how could they willingly let go again?"
Song Yiqiu nodded:
"Regardless of her original intentions, the fact that she came to me first when she encountered a problem meant that she tacitly agreed to be our ally. It's always better to have more friends than more enemies."
She stretched and suddenly laughed:
"Last night we were so busy scheming at Zhentian Pavilion that we didn't even get to eat properly. How about I make it up to you today and take you out for a nice meal?"
Bai Mei's eyes lit up instantly, and she exclaimed exaggeratedly:
"Good heavens! Miss, did the sun rise in the west today? Why are we suddenly being asked to compensate us? Could this be... our last meal before we're executed?"
As she spoke, she shivered.
Qingzhu quickly spat out three times:
"Sister Bai Mei! Stop saying such unlucky things! Spit it out right now!"
Song Yiqiu was amused by them and didn't refute them, but instead added fuel to the fire:
"Not only will I treat you to delicious food, but I've also heard that several new courtesans have arrived at Nanfeng Pavilion. They are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and are also extremely handsome. How about I order one for each of you to keep you company?"
Bai Mei immediately beamed with joy, rubbing her hands together as she said:
"Good heavens! Miss, you're so loyal! It's not mainly to see handsome men, it's mainly to... uh, cultivate one's mind! Yes, cultivate one's mind! After being cooped up in this courtyard for so long, it's time to go out and see the world!"
Qingzhu smiled and whispered in agreement:
"Me too...me too."
Just then, a sour voice interrupted their conversation:
"Oh my, it's quite lively in the young lady's courtyard! Anyone who didn't know better would think they were plotting some kind of scheme to deal with someone again!"
The person who came was none other than Ying'er, who should have been under house arrest!
Bai Mei immediately became alert, stepped forward to block Song Yiqiu, and spoke in an unfriendly tone:
"If I remember correctly, Miss Ying'er should be in her room reflecting on her mistakes at this hour, right? How come she has time to sneak out to the eldest young lady's main courtyard? If the master finds out, the period of confinement will probably be extended again."
Song Yiqiu: "Bai Mei, let's watch tea."
Ying'er's face turned ashen. She completely ignored Bai Mei, staring intently at Song Yiqiu, her voice trembling with emotion:
"Song Yiqiu! What about what you promised me? So much time has passed, you had time to attend a family dinner last night, but you didn't have time to give me an answer?"
"Are you just like that bitch Song Sangyu, using me as a pawn? Do you think I'm easy to bully? Let me tell you, even a rabbit will bite when cornered!"
"You think I can help you deal with her, but I can't turn around and help someone else deal with you?!"
Song Yiqiu calmly glanced at her increasingly prominent belly and scoffed:
"This child is truly resilient; he has weathered so many storms and is still perfectly calm."
Before Ying'er could react, she spoke directly to Qingzhu:
"Qingzhu, go and get the indenture from the small sandalwood box at the very bottom of my makeup case."
Upon hearing the word "contract," Ying'er instantly became alert:
"What...what are you going to do?"
Song Yiqiu's tone remained calm:
"Don't be nervous, little Ying'er."
Qingzhu quickly brought over a small box.
Song Yiqiu opened the box, inside was Ying'er's slave registration document.
Holding the documents, she walked unhurriedly to the lampstand by the table, speaking as she did so:
“I, Song Yiqiu, am not a person like Song Sangyu who breaks her word. This piece of paper can determine whether you are qualified to step into the Song family’s door. As long as you have it, you will always be inferior and not even a proper concubine.”
As she spoke, she picked up the glass lampshade, gently folded the slave document, and held it up to the flickering candlelight.
"Young Miss!"
Qingzhu cried out in alarm, trying to stop her, but it was too late.
The paper ignited immediately upon contact with fire, quickly turning into a small pile of embers that drifted onto the table.
Song Yiqiu patted non-existent dust off her hands, looked at the completely stunned Ying'er, and said in a relaxed tone:
"Any more questions?"
Ying'er's eyes shifted uncertainly:
"Song Yiqiu...you...why...?"
She didn't understand why Song Yiqiu would burn the thing that could restrain her the most.
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