As it stands now, the Song Family is like an iron barrel, especially since the arrival of Song Xi, with hardly any point of penetration, making it difficult for even Mu Houchu’s scouts to make a move.
Now that she had suddenly learned of the relationship between the Sun family and the Song family, Ji Xinhe felt that in this world, there was probably no better point of access than the Sun family.
After all, she knew too well what kind of people the Sun family was; internally, they were already hopelessly corrupt. They merely appeared golden and jaded on the outside. From the ease with which their old patriarch could die, it was evident that the Sun family was all too easy to take advantage of.
Xin He pointed to a crescent-white and pure skirt: "This one, it need not be too eye-catching."
"Yes."
Xin He is now more than five months pregnant. Her belly is quite noticeable, but she is slim in build. Apart from her belly, she is not chubby anywhere else. This skirt is loose in style. When she wears it and looks from the back, she hardly appears pregnant at all.
Concealing the pregnancy seemed quite appropriate and still maintained her dignity. Ji Xinhe nodded in contentment.
Her hair was wound into a cloud bun with three golden hairpins, revealing her slender neck. She originally found it uncomfortable to put her hair up like she did when she got married. But now, she felt that a bun was more comfortable, and it made her seem more refreshing.
Xin He had everything ready and then proceeded to the Sun family with Madam Song.
Madam Song was not the only one going today; naturally, Song Yalin and other young noblewomen were also going. There were three or four carriages in total— one for Xin He and Madam Song, one for the three young ladies, and another for the maids and women. They set off from the Mu family in full swing.
——
The Sun family was extraordinarily busy today. The sound of firecrackers at the entrance never ceased. The carriage stream was endless, turning the entrance into a market.
Xin He, from her distant horse carriage, moved aside the canopy to glimpse at the boisterous sight, and she chuckled softly: "Indeed, the Sun family children are dutiful. Madam Sun’s birthday hasn’t even arrived, and they are already making such grand preparations. Their filial piety is admirable."
If you look closely, you could perceive a trace of light sarcasm on the corners of Ji Xinhe’s lips as she spoke.
Grandpa Sun passed away less than a year ago, and the Sun family had already emerged from mourning. They were throwing a birthday feast grand enough that almost everyone had forgotten that the Sun family had just lost a member.
So it goes to show that there was no such thing as ’blood is thicker than water’ in the Sun family. In their eyes, all that mattered was money and self-interest.
She wondered if Grandpa Sun, down in the underworld, would rest in peace knowing this.
Apparently, Madam Song was also aware of these twists and turns. She merely pursed her lips, her contempt growing.
As they were speaking, their carriage arrived at the entrance of the Sun family’s main house.
The boy who was welcoming guests at the entrance, upon seeing the Song family’s carriage, began to yell in a hurry: "Ah! Madam Song is here! Madam Song, please come right on in!"
His yelling was so loud that he seemed to want the whole world to hear it.
At present, the Song family has a significant influence in Yu State, primarily because the main branch of the Song Family is enjoying exceptional favor in the capital. Who wouldn’t want to climb up their ranks?
The Sun family did have ties with the Song family, but Madam Sun’s daughter was merely married to a illegitimate son of the Song family, which does not represent the Song family in any way.
Now that the head lady of the Song family had come to visit in person, doesn’t it mean that the Song family had come to visit? The Sun family would naturally want to publicize it and show off their social prestige, wouldn’t it?
Madam Song, who had not yet descended from the carriage, paused and her face darkened. But she still endured and descended from the carriage with the assistance of a maid.
The valet’s loud calling indeed had an excellent effect. As soon as Madam Song got off the carriage, she received all the attention she could take. Not to mention anything else, just the fact that Madam Song had arrived today to wish Madam Sun a happy birthday in such a "high-profile" manner, the reputation and status of the Sun family were bound to be boosted a notch or two.
Xin He curled her lips in a smile, so no wonder that Song Yalan ran off to the Sun family, and the Sun family refused to let her go. They even asked Madam Song to come in person. This indeed added a lot of prestige to their face.
When Xin He got down from the carriage, Madam Song was already waiting outside: "Let’s go in together."
Xin He nodded with a smile: "That sounds good."
Young ladies like Song Yalin seemed to have anticipated this scene, so they all brought their veil hats to cover their faces before leaving home. The outside world is chaotic, with men and women from all walks of life. It would problematic if the girl got bumped into someone, being still unmarried.
Standing by Madam Song, Xin He was looked at curiously by many people, wondering who she was. Still, no one dared to ask more questions. Xin He, on the contrary, was quite indifferent and didn’t care about being examined by others.
Today, without Madam Song’s support, she would probably have a hard time getting into the Sun family.
So, she was mentally prepared for this.
She was welcomed like a movie star and led all the way in, through the front yard and into the inner courtyard, finally reaching Madam Sun’s Fushou Courtyard.
The Fushou Courtyard was already buzzing, with a lot of laughter coming from inside.
"Please come inside, Second Madam Song! Our old lady has been waiting for you." declared one of the young maids, her smile filled with flattery.
The Sun family was a business family, and in the end, they still had to rely on the power of some official families. And in this Yu State, what official family could be bigger than the Song family?
It’s not strange for the Sun family to want to draw closer to the Song family.
Madam Song said faintly: "Hmm."
Then, turning her head to Xin He, she whispered, "Once we go in to give our birthday wishes, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get away right away. If you find it boring, you can come out."
She looked again at Song Yalin, who stood quietly behind her, paused, and then turned to Xin He, "Take these children with you."
She did not want her precious daughters to be influenced by these vulgarities.
Xin He naturally understood what Madam Song meant, so she nodded: "Okay."
Only then did Madam Song feel relieved. She gave Xin He a grateful smile, then headed towards the Fushou Courtyard.
Upon entering the Fushou Courtyard, crossing the garden filled with rare and exotic plants, and then passing through a long, winding corridor with elaborate architecture, it was apparent that the place had been recently renovated.
Xin He couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Grandpa Sun had passed away less than a year ago. Madam Sun was making grand preparations for her own birthday and had her courtyard renovated. Her restless behavior made Xin He suspicious; perhaps Grandpa Sun’s death wasn’t as simple as it seemed.
A mere Ji Xiulan could easily poison the old patriarch of the Sun family. Initially, she thought the internal affairs of the Sun family were chaotic and the family’s corruption had reached its peak. But now, she felt that perhaps many people had turned a blind eye to this event, even cheerfully viewed it while secretly pushing it along. Who knows?
If that were indeed the case, Madam Sun might not be blameless.
Madam Sun always felt cold and still stayed in the warming room, even though it was already spring. Moreover, this warming room was somewhat stifling, unlike the one at Ji Xinhe’s home, which had started to open its windows for ventilation and was quite cool.
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