The first thing Song Yaozhu does every morning is to pay her respects to Xie Lu.
She tried her best to frighten Granny Qin, but with filial piety in mind, and the princess not overstepping any boundaries, Granny Qin could only worry unnecessarily.
"What has Song Si been doing these past few days?"
“Miss Song has accepted invitations from several mansions and has become quite friendly with many young ladies these past few days,” Caijin said.
"My mother is bedridden, yet she has the mind to go to other people's homes for tea," Song Yaozhu said casually.
"Where is Grand Tutor Song? Has he returned?" Before the Lunar New Year, Grand Tutor Song went back to his hometown to celebrate the New Year, leaving his entire family in the capital to entertain guests.
"It should be today."
The princes haven't started school yet; the important thing right now is the imperial examinations.
Once the fifteenth of the lunar month was over, the inns in the capital were full, mostly with students traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations. Even the side rooms of the temples outside the capital were full.
"Your Highness, how come almost all the jewelry in this makeup box is gone? Has it been attacked by a villain?" Granny Qin pointed at the items in the makeup box and found that quite a few were missing!
Song Yaozhu awkwardly scratched her chin with her index finger, her eyes darting around as she looked at Caijin and Caiyin.
Caijin and Caiyin forced smiles; they couldn't very well tell the nanny that the princess had told them to pawn it, could they?
"Alas, I must have accidentally left it somewhere. My memory isn't very good; I'll have the Prince get me some later!"
When Xie Liwei returned that evening, he gave her a wooden box.
When Song Yaozhu opened it, she found a silver note containing a full ten thousand taels of silver.
"If you don't have money, come ask me for it. I don't need to pawn your jewelry. If your things get out, won't people outside say I'm mistreating my wife? And if some fool tries to use your things to try and clear your name, how will you defend yourself?"
Song Yaozhu held the box of silver notes, her heart soaring with joy.
Oh, it feels so good to be showered with silver notes!
"Your Highness, you are my everything! From now on, if you tell me to go east, I will never go west!" She kissed the silver note hard, leaving a deep red lipstick imprint on it.
The striking red mark stung Xie Liwei's eyes for a moment, and he cursed her inwardly for having a conscience, but not much.
He's the one who gave the money, why the silver notes?
But he couldn't bring himself to do it, so he could only snort to express his dissatisfaction.
Song Yaozhu was already happily counting the money, and had no energy to care whether he was happy or not.
The next day, Song Wenyue came to visit her. Song Yaozhu was just about to go to the estate to take a look, after all, she had promised to help Princess Xuan with her appraisal, so she naturally had to go.
"Is my sister going out?"
Song Yaozhu looked at Song Wenyue with a smile, her gaze seemingly able to see through people's hearts, making Song Wenyue feel a little uneasy.
"Yes, what brings you here? Is Mother unwell?"
"Mother is fine, but she's a little depressed. The doctor said she needs to think things through herself. My sister came today because she has something to discuss with her older sister."
"Oh, unfortunately, I'm going out today. You should have had someone tell me sooner."
"I had an invitation sent yesterday, didn't you receive it, sister?" Song Wenyue's tone became suspicious. She didn't believe she hadn't received it.
"How would I know? I'm not the doorman. Maybe they saw it wasn't important and just let it slide."
Song Wenyue was so angry she wanted to slap her, but she didn't have the strength to do so, so she could only hold back.
"Where are you going, sister? If it's convenient, I'll come with you. It'll be nice to have company on the way."
Song Yaozhu nodded and let her board the luxurious carriage of the Prince's mansion.
As soon as she got into the carriage, she reminded her, "The jewels on this carriage are very valuable, so you mustn't touch them carelessly!"
Song Wenyue gritted her teeth and squeezed out a "yes" from her throat.
Once she becomes the Third Prince's concubine, she'll make her pay!
"Where are you going, sister?" she asked again, thinking that she was probably going to a lady's banquet so that she could broaden her horizons and expand her social circle.
Who knew that after Song Yaozhu got into the carriage, Caiyin put a pillow down for her and let her sleep.
Shh, don't make a sound.
Song Wenyue: !
So annoying!
Unable to get an answer, she could only look out the window dejectedly. As the carriage drove out of the city, she realized that Song Yaozhu was probably going to the temple.
Unexpectedly, when the carriage arrived at the gate of a manor, the person greeting them was a pale-faced scholar who looked somewhat familiar.
Song Wenyue looked him over, her brows furrowing deeply.
"Madam, this way please." Scholar Bai bowed respectfully.
As Song Yaozhu yawned, she was surrounded by a group of people and walked towards the manor. Bai Xiucai said from the side, "At Madam's request, the ages, hometowns and life stories of these people have been recorded."
As he spoke, he handed a booklet to Caijin.
The group rushed into the main hall of the manor. Naturally, some people came out to watch, but no one knew who they were, so they only dared to look from a distance.
After Song Yaozhu sat down, the servants of the estate served her tea and snacks with great respect.
"Our master previously ordered us to follow the instructions of Princess Xiaoyao. You may tell us if you have any requests," the steward of the estate said respectfully.
Song Wenyue, who was standing to the side, then realized that the owner of this manor was someone else.
"Yes, I won't stand on ceremony with you, sister."
As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Xiucai came over and said, "Madam, those people heard that you were coming today and all wanted to come over to pay their respects and thank you for taking us in."
Song Yaozhu nodded, and several rough-looking old women immediately carried a screen and placed it in front of the main hall.
Song Wenyue was unaware of what was going on when a large group of people came in, including both old and young men, all dressed in long robes and looking like scholars.
Song Wenyue looked at Song Yaozhu in confusion. What was she doing?
How dare she secretly meet with another man behind the prince's back!
"Greetings, Madam! We are deeply grateful for your generous hospitality. If we succeed in the imperial examinations in the future, we will surely repay your kindness today!"
Song Yaozhu looked at Caijin, who stepped forward and said through the screen, "There's no need for such formalities, everyone. These are just small favors for Madam. But nothing lasts forever, and we only hope that you will all achieve great success in the future. If Madam ever asks for your help again, please remember the kindness you have shown us today."
Everyone below agreed.
"If any of you find the food or things here unpalatable, just tell the person in charge. We will do our best to make things convenient for you."
"No, no, we are too kind. We are already grateful that you have given us a place to rest, even though we are of lowly status."
The man who spoke had a loud voice, and even through the screen, one could tell he was tall, strong, and exuded an air of arrogance. It seemed that in recent days, this man had become familiar with the other candidates taking the imperial examinations, and had unwittingly become their voice.
After sending them away, Song Wenyue asked Song Yaozhu in an innocent tone in front of the servants, "Does the Prince know that my sister is keeping so many men outside?"
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