Chapter Sixty-Four: The Feast at Hongmen
The following evening.
Song Yiqiu sat at her desk, while Qingzhu quietly ground ink beside her.
She spread out the Xuan paper, and with swift, flowing strokes of her brush, she was reciting a passage from military strategy:
"Warfare is based on deception. When you are capable, feign incapacity; when you are active, feign inactivity; when you are near, feign distance; when you are far, feign proximity..."
"Attack where they are unprepared, strike when they least expect it. This is the key to victory in warfare, and it cannot be revealed beforehand."
His brushstrokes are sharp and powerful, reflecting his personality.
Bai Mei watched from the side and smiled:
"On the battlefield, I can still catch up with your fists and weapons! But when it comes to military strategy, tactics, and intrigue, you are far superior."
Qingzhu, however, was not in the mood for jokes; her brows were furrowed.
"Young Miss, how can you still be so calm while writing calligraphy? I'm so worried! They're definitely up to something, what should we do?"
Song Yiqiu had just finished writing the last character when she calmly put down her pen and said lightly:
"They're here."
Almost as soon as she finished speaking, Song Shenshi's feignedly friendly voice rang out from outside the door:
"Yiqiu? Are you inside? Granny Wang has come to invite you several times, saying you're coming for dinner. Why haven't you come yet? We've been waiting for you."
Bai Mei immediately rolled her eyes and muttered loudly:
"Madam, you're lying through your teeth! When did Granny Wang come? Was it her spirit that drifted over?"
Qingzhu quickly covered Baimei's mouth and forced a smile towards the door:
"Please forgive me, Madam, Bai Mei... she's still half asleep and talking nonsense."
Madam Song pushed open the door and entered. Her gaze first swept over Song Yiqiu, but then lingered on Qingzhu's face:
"Qingzhu, you look quite well these days, and your spirits are high... Before, you were confused and couldn't remember some things, but now... have you remembered them all?"
Qingzhu sneered inwardly, but on her face she put on a docile and grateful smile:
"Yes, Madam, of course I remember everything."
Song Shenshi's expression changed.
Qingzhu continued, her tone utterly sincere:
"Before the eldest young lady returned to the manor, the madam and the second young lady treated me very well. They never lacked anything for me in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities. Qingzhu remembers all these kindnesses and has reported them to the eldest young lady in detail."
Upon hearing this, Madam Song secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her expression softened, and she turned to Song Yiqiu, forcing a loving smile:
"Yiqiu, you've looked rather pale lately. Have you been drinking the bird's nest that Mother sent over on time?"
Song Yiqiu raised her eyes, a half-smile on her face:
"Is Mother referring to the finest blood bird's nest? Such a precious thing, how can I enjoy it all by myself? I thought that my second sister has been taking care of some of the household chores recently, and she must be working hard and needs nourishment the most. So I had it sent to her. It's better for her to drink this than for a rough person like me to drink it."
"What? You gave it to Sang Yu!"
Madam Song cried out in alarm, nearly losing her composure. She was so anxious that she wished she could fly back immediately and have Song Sangyu's bowl overturned.
No wonder it hasn't had any effect after drinking it for so long, and Song Sangyu is getting crazier and crazier!
Turns out, they took the wrong medicine!
She suppressed her anger and forced a smile:
"Yiqiu, you're really... too polite! You can keep such good things for yourself. As for your second sister, Mother will take care of everything. You don't need to worry about it."
She quickly changed the subject.
"By the way, your father praised Tianhan highly when he came back from court today! He said he did a great job in his position at the Ministry of War and was appreciated by his superiors!"
"This is all thanks to Yiqiu for speaking up for your elder brother at the Ministry of War! Mother is truly grateful, so we thought we should have a family reunion dinner tonight as a way of thanking you."
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.
She picked up the brush she had just put down, and with a seemingly casual flick, a few drops of thick black ink splashed out, startling Song Shenshi into taking a step back.
"So that's what it was about. How could such a small matter trouble Mother to come and ask in person?"
Song Yiqiu's tone was flat.
"Mother will go ahead first. Yiqiu will change her clothes and arrive shortly."
Having achieved her goal, Madam Song Shen didn't want to stay any longer and quickly said:
"Okay, then hurry up."
After saying that, he turned and left.
As soon as she left, Bai Mei came over:
"Miss, I have a feeling this is another trap! It's like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken!"
Qingzhu also said:
"The lady looked at me strangely just now. She was afraid that I would recall the truth about falling into the water and suspect her, but she didn't know that she had already exposed herself."
Song Yiqiu looked out the window at the deep night:
"Three cobblers are equal to one Zhuge Liang? Then... what about six cobblers?"
Qingzhu covered her mouth and chuckled softly, then replied:
"Six cobblers? They'd probably only stink out Zhuge Liang's talent!"
...
Almost everyone at the table had arrived, but Song Yiqiu was late.
As soon as she entered, Song Sangyu couldn't help but speak in a sarcastic tone, her voice sickeningly sweet:
"My sister is getting more and more arrogant these days. The day of inheriting the title hasn't even arrived yet, and she's already making Father, Mother, brothers, sisters, and the whole family sit here waiting for her. Anyone who didn't know better would think that the Marquis of Yongjia has already taken office."
Song Qingming, seated at the head of the table, seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today. He even surprisingly spoke up to help Song Yiqiu out of a difficult situation, waving his hand with a smile:
"Hey~ Sangyu, say less. Why bother with so much formality when we're eating together as a family? Besides, the fact that Tianhan was praised for his diligence by His Majesty in court today is all thanks to Yiqiu speaking up for him at the Ministry of War! Yiqiu, come and sit down!"
Upon hearing this, Song Tianhan was displeased and pouted, snorting:
"Tch! Dad! It's clearly my own ability and talent that matter! What does it have to do with Song Yiqiu? It's like I benefited from her influence!"
He had no money in his belly, but he put it on display.
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but feigned ignorance on the surface, and followed her father's words, asking:
"What is it that you are saying, Father? I don't quite understand."
She wanted to use her father's words to make everyone present clearly understand her speed and efficiency in doing things.
Song Qingming laughed heartily, in a good mood, and briefly recounted who had praised Song Tianhan in court that day, his words tinged with self-satisfaction.
Then, he changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Song Yiqiu, his tone becoming more formal:
"Speaking of which, if nothing unexpected happens, Yiqiu, the decree for inheriting the title should be issued around the end of this month. His Majesty even mentioned it today, saying that our Song family has produced many talented people, both in literature and martial arts, and that he might personally attend the ceremony on the day you inherit the title!"
"The end of the month? So soon?!"
Madam Song cried out in shock, her face changing drastically.
"Master! This matter...shouldn't we reconsider it? After all, Yiqiu is a woman, and she has only recently returned to the capital..."
Song Qingming frowned and said unhappily:
"What are you considering? She spent seven years on the frontier, earning military merits, and it was His Majesty who personally promised her the title."
"It's perfectly legitimate! Unless her reputation is ruined or something unexpected happens, what reason is there to replace her?"
He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if he were simply stating a fact.
However, to Song Yiqiu and those with ulterior motives, these words were tantamount to a hint to Song Shenshi and Song Sangyu.
As long as Song Yiqiu's reputation is ruined or something unexpected happens, they can replace her!
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