Chapter Thirty-Seven: Sending Away the Beggars
Three days later, the atmosphere in the main courtyard was relaxed.
Bai Mei excitedly recounted the rumors circulating in the capital over the past few days to Song Yiqiu:
"Miss, you don't know, after the tea party, the Second Miss has become incredibly famous. Now the whole capital is saying that she is the 'most talented woman in the capital' and the 'model of a noble lady'."
"Hmph, if it weren't for your stunning sword dance that day, which stole the spotlight from her, her reputation would probably be soaring!"
She spoke out on behalf of Song Yiqiu:
"If you ask me, so many people saw your heroic figure that day, and anyone with eyes could tell right from wrong. But those people were blind, only concerned with praising the Second Miss's soft and gentle zither music."
Song Yiqiu's gaze remained fixed on the military treatise in her hands; she simply asked:
"How's the matter with Granny Qian going?"
Bai Mei immediately stopped laughing and said seriously:
"As Miss instructed, news has been spread throughout the manor that Granny Qian is old and homesick, and has voluntarily resigned to return to her hometown to live out her days. I have also specially arranged for two 'relatives from her hometown' to meet her, and it has been done flawlessly to ensure that no one will suspect anything."
Song Yiqiu gave a soft "hmm" and ran her fingertips across the pages of the book.
Her good mother must be worried sick right now, right? After all, Granny Qian knows too many of her shady secrets.
Just then, Song Shenshi's deliberately affectionate voice came from outside the door:
"Is Yiqiu inside?"
Bai Mei pursed her lips and lowered her voice:
"Tsk tsk, speak of Cao Cao and Liu Bei will appear."
Song Yiqiu glanced at her:
"What Cao Cao and Liu Bei? Go open the door!"
The door opened, and Madam Song walked in with a beaming smile.
Song Sangyu's reputation has soared in the past few days, and as her mother, she is naturally proud of it, which has even made her complexion look better.
As soon as she entered, her eyes kept scanning the furnishings in Song Yiqiu's room. Finally, her gaze fell on Qingzhu, who was fiddling with a tattered rag doll in the corner, and her brows suddenly furrowed.
She stepped forward, feigning concern:
“Yiqiu, it’s not that your mother is criticizing you, but it’s not good for you to always have this crazy girl by your side.”
"Not only is it unsightly, but what if she goes crazy one day and hurts you? In my opinion, it would be better to move her to a quiet place, such as the woodshed, where someone can keep an eye on her."
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly. A woodshed? She feared that if she nodded, Qingzhu would die "accidentally" in the next second.
She looked up, her face showing just the right amount of confusion:
"Didn't our mother teach us from a young age to value relationships, be kind, and prioritize goodness?"
“Qingzhu and I grew up together. Now that she is ill, I cannot abandon her. If I keep her by my side and take good care of her, wouldn’t that be a good example of Mother’s skillful management of the household and her kindness to the servants?”
Song Shen was taken aback by these words and could only manage a couple of dry "ohs" before awkwardly saying:
"You...you have a point."
She quickly changed the subject, took a bowl of steaming bird's nest soup from the maid behind her, and personally served it to Song Yiqiu, her tone loving:
"Come, Qiu'er, this is freshly stewed bird's nest, it's very nourishing. Have you been getting used to everything since you came home?"
"Sigh, it's only been a little over two months since you inherited the title. Once you move to Zhaohua Mansion, it will be difficult for your mother to even see you."
As she spoke, she picked up a handkerchief and wiped away non-existent tears.
Song Yiqiu took the bird's nest, casually placed it on the table beside her, and said in a flat tone:
"It's too early to discuss inheriting the title; the outcome is still uncertain. Mother, you've come here today, surely not just to bring a bowl of bird's nest soup? If there's anything you need, please speak frankly."
Song Shen's face broke into a smile, and she stopped beating around the bush:
"Oh, Qiu'er is so clever. Actually, it's about... the matter of your elder brother's official position that I mentioned to you before... It's been quite a few days, why is there still no news? Is it... that he's encountered some trouble?"
Song Yiqiu sighed, her face showing difficulty:
"As for official positions... it's not that difficult to obtain them. It's just that, Mother, you saw it yourself at the tea party. My elder brother's mind was not on his career at all; he was engrossed in cockfighting and other amusements all day long."
"Even if I swallow my pride and beg for an official position, I'm afraid my elder brother will have no intention of taking the post. In the end, I would be letting him down and losing his favor for nothing."
Song Shenshi immediately defended herself:
"Oh dear, it's common for boys to be playful. What's so bad about cockfighting? Which scion of a noble family doesn't have a hobby? Your older brother just hasn't settled down yet!"
"Once he's given a proper position and has something to do, he'll naturally become more ambitious and won't go off to do those things anymore."
She spoke with absolute certainty, as if Song Tianhan could change his ways at any moment.
Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but her expression grew increasingly troubled, and she began to plead poverty:
"Mother makes it sound so easy. But all of this—greasing palms and smoothing things over—doesn't it all cost real money? This..."
Madam Song immediately chimed in, complaining:
"Didn't Mother give you a thousand taels of silver to calm your nerves on the day of your homecoming banquet? It hasn't been that long."
Song Yiqiu blinked and spoke innocently:
"Mother is joking. A daughter always needs to acquire some decent clothes and jewelry, and there are so many servants in the courtyard who also need to be bribed and rewarded. That little bit of silver... is almost gone. I can't possibly go empty-handed to ask people for favors, can I?"
Hearing this, Madam Song felt a pang of heartache. Gritting her teeth, as if she had made a great decision, she took out a silver note from her sleeve and stuffed it into Song Yiqiu's hand.
"Qiu'er, it's not that your mother is stingy, it's just that your father's birthday banquet is at the end of the month, and the whole household needs money."
"Here's what we'll do. I'll squeeze out another hundred taels for you. You need to think of a way to get your older brother into the job as soon as possible."
One hundred taels? You think you can buy an official position? Song Yiqiu looked at the thin silver note and almost laughed.
Ultimately, this "good mother" still wanted to get something for nothing, wanting to gain benefits without spending any money, and even hoping that she would give favors and money.
However… Father's birthday banquet? Song Yiqiu had a sudden inspiration. At the end of the month, everyone in the mansion would be busy preparing for the birthday banquet. This was the busiest time for managing the household, and it was also… the best opportunity to regain control of the household!
She would never let anyone touch the dowry her grandmother left her.
She grasped Song Shenshi's hand in return, her tone firm:
"Mother, rest assured! Yiqiu will do her utmost to secure an official position for my elder brother as soon as possible, and will never let you down!"
Hearing her promise, Madam Song realized she had achieved her goal and didn't bother pretending to be a loving mother any longer. She offered a few perfunctory words of concern and then hurriedly left, citing busy affairs at home.
As Song Shenshi disappeared through the door, Song Yiqiu's smile instantly turned cold.
She casually tossed the one hundred tael silver note to Bai Mei:
"Keep it safe."
Bai Mei took the silver note and pouted.
"Is the madam treating a beggar like this... Miss, what do we do next?"
Song Yiqiu stood up and stretched her limbs:
"Bai Mei, what has your elder brother been up to lately?"
Bai Mei immediately replied:
“I came to see you once, but you turned me away. After that, I’ve been spending all my time at the cockfighting arena in the east of the city. I heard I’m gambling quite heavily. I haven’t been home for the past few days.”
Song Yiqiu nodded:
"Let's go to the cockfighting arena. It's time to give our good brother, who's about to settle down, another boost."
...
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