The 107th wife was terminally ill.
After Xiao Yongjing left, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward.
Bai Mei plopped down in the chair angrily, her cheeks puffed out.
Qingzhu stood to the side with her arms crossed, mimicking her sulking expression, but her eyes were full of teasing.
Seeing the two of them, especially Bai Mei's displeased expression, Song Yiqiu deliberately stepped forward, reached out and pinched her soft cheek, and said with a smile:
"What's wrong? Your lips are pouting so much you could hang an oil bottle on them. Who bullied our little white plum? Tell your young lady, and I'll go and get revenge for you."
Bai Mei twisted her body to avoid her hand and said angrily:
"Miss! You're being so unfair! I was so worried about that mess between you and Young Master Fu, racking my brains to figure out how to help you get revenge."
"I didn't expect you to be so clever, finding such a good way out without making a sound. You're going to become the Crown Princess. It seems that we ignorant little maids are not fortunate enough to serve the future Crown Princess."
Qingzhu nodded in agreement, a rare occurrence for her:
"This time, I support Sister Bai Mei."
Song Yiqiu shook her head helplessly.
She had just been confirmed as the Crown Princess. She originally thought that Xiao Yongjing would at most give her the title of concubine to facilitate cooperation, but she never expected that he would say she would be the principal wife. She was quite surprised at the time.
She sighed and roughly explained to her two trusted maids the Crown Prince's true intentions regarding the so-called mutually beneficial marriage, as well as the mutual exploitation and conditions involved.
After hearing this, Bai Mei's anger subsided considerably. She leaned closer suspiciously and whispered to confirm:
"Really? Just a collaboration? Not really... that?"
Qingzhu seemed to be deep in thought, and blinked:
"Wow, Miss, I feel like I've heard this plot somewhere before... That's right! It's the same story as the most popular storyteller in the capital. His new books, 'The Overbearing Crown Prince Falls in Love with Me' and 'Where Did the Spoiled Concubine Run Off To? The Crown Prince's Beloved,' are exactly the same."
Song Yiqiu: "..."
facepalm
"Read less of those nonsensical novels in the future."
After saying that, he turned around and wanted to go back to his room to catch up on sleep.
Bai Mei, however, clung to her like a piece of chewing gum, refusing to let go of her sleeve.
"Miss, miss, please tell us more! I haven't heard enough. How did you two meet? Did you meet in the border region? Was there some kind of hero-saves-the-damsel-in-distress story, or a secret romance blossoming..."
Song Yiqiu: "...Go to sleep."
The next morning, the three of them, master and servant, were unable to get up early because of the commotion they had caused the night before.
A slightly hurried knocking came from outside the courtyard, followed by Granny Wang's shrill voice, like a saw sharpening a tree, keeping everyone awake.
"Young Miss? Young Miss, are you awake? Madam requests your presence."
Bai Mei was the first to be woken up. Rubbing her eyes, she opened the door, still grumpy from waking up.
Granny Wang was originally Song Shenshi's trusted confidante and usually held considerable influence in the household. However, upon seeing Bai Mei, she swallowed back the arrogant words of urging that were about to come out and instead gave a fawning smile.
I still vividly remember the time Bai Mei slapped me across the cheek; it hurt for days.
"Miss Bai Mei,"
Granny Wang spoke respectfully, "Madam requests that the eldest young lady come over for a chat."
Bai Mei yawned and asked irritably:
"What brings you here so early, Madam?"
Granny Wang smiled ingratiatingly:
"This old servant doesn't know the specifics, but the madam instructed that the young lady must be invited over."
At this moment, Song Yiqiu responded from inside the house:
"I understand. Tell Mother I'll be there shortly."
Only then did Granny Wang retreat obsequiously.
While helping Song Yiqiu with her washing and dressing, Qingzhu frowned and whispered:
"Why is Madam here to see Miss again? Could it be for some other troublesome matter? The autumn hunt just ended yesterday, and there's already no peace today."
Song Yiqiu slowly and methodically adjusted her collar in front of the bronze mirror:
"What is meant to be will be; if it is meant to be, you can't escape it. Go and see for yourself."
Upon arriving at the main courtyard where Madam Song lived, before even entering, one could hear several nannies scolding the servants in stern tones.
However, when Song Yiqiu appeared at the courtyard gate, the sounds seemed to be choked and stopped abruptly.
The old women and maids in the courtyard exchanged knowing glances, then lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.
The shrewd and accommodating Granny Li immediately put on a smiling face and greeted her:
"Young Miss, you've arrived. Madam is waiting for you inside."
She lowered her voice and spoke with a sorrowful tone.
"Madam caught a cold yesterday, and her old migraine flared up again. She's feeling unwell, which is why I've troubled Miss to come over so early this morning."
Bai Mei, who was following behind, muttered something under her breath:
"Where did you catch a cold yesterday? It's August or September, the weather isn't even cold yet, and the house is burning smokeless charcoal, it's as warm as spring, what an extravagance..."
Song Yiqiu curled her lips into a cold smile, said nothing, and followed Granny Li around the screen to the bed in the inner room.
Unusually, Lady Shen of Song wore no jewelry. Her face was deathly pale, her lips were chapped and peeling, and her head was tightly wrapped with a headband. She was curled up in the brocade quilt, looking extremely weak and terminally ill.
Bai Mei stared wide-eyed, silently mouthing "Wow!"
Qingzhu frowned slightly and whispered in Song Yiqiu's ear:
“Miss… In all my years in this manor, I have never seen Madam so ill. Moreover, Miss Sangyu went out for a stroll early this morning. If Madam were truly this ill, how could she leave without worry? Something is definitely amiss.”
Song Yiqiu nodded slightly, understanding in her heart.
Her face instantly transformed into that of an anxious and worried filial daughter. She rushed a few steps to the bedside, her voice trembling with sobs, and began to plead her case with heartfelt emotion:
"Mother! Mother, what's wrong with you? You were perfectly fine yesterday, how did you become so sick overnight?"
She raised her tearful eyes, swept them over the maids and nannies standing by with their hands at their sides, and her tone suddenly became fierce.
"It must be these damned servants who are neglecting their duties. They can't even take good care of Mother when she's so sick. Look at Mother's face, she's so pale she doesn't have a trace of blood. I'm going to tell Father that I'll punish all these unworthy servants and sell them off!"
Her dramatic performance terrified the maids and servants, who all knelt on the ground, and some of the bolder ones were even ready to shift the blame.
This action completely stunned Song Shenshi, who was on the bed.
She had originally planned to squeeze out a few tears to express her grievances, but Song Yiqiu beat her to it and acted so realistically that she didn't know how to respond for a moment, and her lips twitched uncontrollably.
"...Qiu, Qiu'er..."
After much difficulty, Madam Song finally found her voice and spoke in a weak, feeble voice.
"Mother...Mother's appearance must have frightened you, right? No, it's not their fault. It's just that Mother's heart is full of...heartache and depression, which is why...which is why I fell ill so suddenly..."
She reached out to pull Song Yiqiu, but Song Yiqiu dodged her.
Song Shen had no choice but to continue performing:
"You...you are your mother's own daughter, and now you are so successful. You should...you should share your mother's burdens and solve her problems, shouldn't you?"
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly. So they're already eager to get to the point?
Her expression remained submissive; she picked up a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears, obediently replying:
“Mother is right. It is my duty to share your burdens. Mother, please tell me what is troubling you, and I will do my best.”
Seeing how cooperative she was, Madam Song was delighted and quickly followed suit, her tone becoming much smoother:
"Sigh... It's all because of your third brother's marriage. Do you know, the Ruan family... that famous wealthy merchant family in the capital, their eldest daughter, Ruan Jiawen, has already been arranged by her parents to be your third brother Haochu's wife. This is a wonderful thing!"
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