Chapter 132 Auspicious Attire
She gritted her teeth and said fiercely:
"Fine! Fine, the Song family! Song Sangyu can come in, but she can forget about becoming the Crown Prince's principal wife."
"At most, one concubine for the heir apparent. If you still disagree, even if my Fu family's reputation is completely ruined, I will never allow such a wicked woman to become the matriarch!"
Madam Song Shen quickly agreed:
"A concubine or not. But... everything else can wait, but this pregnancy can't. What do you think about the wedding date... how about setting it after the succession ceremony? At that time, I will definitely prepare a generous dowry for Sang Yu, and I will make sure the Fu family doesn't suffer any losses. Don't worry, Madam!"
Upon hearing this, Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly:
Even now, they are still scheming how to bleed her Yongjia Marquis title and dowry dry.
Let's wait and see if they have the ability to take even a single penny from here.
Fu Yangshi finally turned and left.
After hesitating for a moment, Fu Langxing moved closer to Song Yiqiu, attempting to explain:
“Yiqiu, listen to me… I really only felt sorry for Sangyu as a younger sister. Even if… even if I had consummated our marriage, it was just a moment of confusion.”
"You have always been the one I love most in my heart. If you are willing, I will always reserve the position of the principal wife for you."
Song Yiqiu found it utterly absurd and ruthlessly exposed his hypocrisy:
"Young Master Fu, love between men and women is all about mutual consent. If you truly do not wish for it, who can force you?"
"Since you've already done it, why pretend to be a love saint in front of me? It's disgusting. In my life, Song Yiqiu will never share a single thing with anyone, especially a man."
"Since you've made your choice, treat Sang Yu well, my... good brother-in-law."
Song Yiqiu didn't look at him again and turned to leave.
Song Sangyu timidly stepped forward and tried to grab Fu Langxing's sleeve, but he suddenly shook her off.
Fu Langxing looked at her:
"This whole thing, from beginning to end, was a trap you set, wasn't it? Song Sangyu, you're not as innocent as you seem!"
Song Sangyu: "Brother Langxing...it's not like that..."
Before he could finish speaking, he stormed off in anger.
Watching his departing figure, Song Sangyu didn't feel much sadness.
Love? That's something ethereal and intangible.
What she wanted was power and wealth within her grasp, and now, she was a foregone conclusion that she would become the concubine of the Fu family; her goal had been achieved. What did it matter what he thought?
That night, all was quiet.
Song Sanchun carried a heavy wooden box and quietly entered Song Yiqiu's courtyard.
As soon as she entered, she bowed respectfully to Song Yiqiu.
Song Yiqiu quickly stepped forward:
"Sister Sanchun, why be so polite? What brings you here today?"
Song Sanchun placed the wooden box on the table and opened it. Inside were neatly stacked silver notes and some gold and silver valuables.
“Sister Yiqiu, over the years, thanks to your secret support for Furong Garden, Aunt Yun and I have been saving this money. In fact, the money I earned from selling paintings is enough to support everyone in the garden.”
"This time, I am especially grateful to you. Otherwise, my young sister would probably have been sold to that shameful place by Madam. Now, although our reputation is damaged and we are staying at home, we are able to enjoy peace and quiet."
Song Yiqiu said gently:
"Keep this money for yourselves; it is more useful to you than it is to me."
Song Sanchun did not retract her words. She raised her eyes and asked softly:
"Yiqiu, this Song family...it seems like things are about to change drastically?"
Upon hearing this, Song Yiqiu was taken aback, and a sense of interest arose within her:
"Oh? What makes you say that, sister?"
Song Sanchun smiled faintly:
"The manor appears calm on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath. First, you inquired about the old records of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquets from previous years, and then you secretly asked my maid for the genealogy charts of the direct and collateral branches of the family. This is clearly preparation for clarifying the bloodline..."
"Furthermore, the huge sum of money you sent to Furong Courtyard the other day was enough to ensure our livelihood for several years. If you weren't planning to end things completely, why would you make such arrangements to protect us, who are insignificant?"
Song Yiqiu smiled and praised:
"Sister Sanchun is indeed clever; nothing can be hidden from you."
Song Sanchun, with a solemn expression, curtsied again:
“Sister Yiqiu, I apologize for my previous prejudice against you. You… are indeed more kind and capable than we imagined. If you ever need my help in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Song Yiqiu shook her head and gently pushed the wooden box back to Song Sanchun's side:
"Sister, there's no need for that. Your taking good care of yourselves is the greatest help you can give me. If possible... leave the Song family mansion as soon as possible, this place of trouble. I've heard that Aunt Yun's family seems to have an ancestral home in Jiangnan?"
Song Sanchun looked puzzled:
“Ancestral home? My mother’s family is poor, where would she have come from…”
Before she could finish speaking, Song Yiqiu gave her a look, and Bai Mei beside her presented her with a land deed.
Song Yiqiu shoved the land deed into Song Sanchun's hand, her tone leaving no room for refusal:
“Now I have it. This is a small courtyard in Jiangnan that my maternal grandmother left me. It has a quiet and secluded view, but I don’t need it now.”
"Take advantage of these few days to pack and prepare, and leave under the pretext of going back to your mother's hometown for a short stay. You can officially move in after the succession of the title, and that will not arouse suspicion."
Song Sanchun's eyes instantly reddened:
“Sister Yiqiu, this…this is too precious, how can I…”
Song Yiqiu raised her hand to stop her from speaking:
"No need for further words. The journey to Jiangnan is long and arduous... Take good care of yourself, and take good care of Aunt Yun and your sister-in-law."
Song Sanchun, with tears in her eyes, bowed deeply:
“Sister Yiqiu, I am deeply grateful and cannot express my thanks. If you ever need my help in the future, I will gladly die for you.”
Before she could finish speaking, the head maid's voice came from outside the door:
"Is the young lady inside? Madam has instructed that the auspicious attire for the succession ceremony has been rushed out. Please be sure to check it immediately. If there are any ill-fitting parts, we will take it to be altered right away. There must be no delay!"
Upon hearing this, Song Sanchun immediately composed herself:
"Sister, please attend to your business first. Sanchun will take her leave now."
She carefully put away the land deed, lowered her head, and hurriedly left through the side door.
The door opened, and several matrons and embroiderers filed in, carrying the incomparably magnificent marquis's auspicious robe.
Under the candlelight, the brocade shone brightly, with patterns of phoenixes and auspicious clouds embroidered with gold and silver threads, adorned with various rare gemstones, shimmering and sparkling with every turn, exuding the utmost nobility and luxury.
Song Yiqiu only glanced at them indifferently. She had never been particular about her clothes; as long as they were wearable, that was enough. Just as she was about to wave her hand to let them put them down, Qingzhu let out a soft "Eh."
She stepped forward and carefully brushed her hand along the waistline of the dress:
"Granny Li, are you sure you're not mistaken? The size of this auspicious robe... doesn't look like it belongs to our young lady at all."
"Miss has a slender figure and a straight back, but the width of the shoulders, the bust, and especially the amount of fabric around the waist and abdomen of this dress... are just too much, aren't they?"
"It's so spacious, you could probably fit a little baby inside!"
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