Song Tao had found a way to seek an audience with Yuan Yunzhong, which, to Song Jiyun, was expected. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Because no matter whose connections were used, ultimately it all depended on Yuan Yunzhong’s approval.
What concerned her more was how Madam Wang had entered.
Nanny Zheng said stiffly, "She used the excuse of visiting the madam to enter."
Song Jiyun apologized to everyone present and went to see the Great Madam first.
Avoidance was not a solution.
Even if she could have the Great Madam "asked to leave" this time, her deep maternal love would surely prompt another attempt. Rather than letting her run around like a headless fly, it was better to clarify things.
Having not seen her for some days, the Great Madam had aged a lot.
Upon Seeing Song Jiyun, she began to wipe away tears, "Jiyun, no matter what, you must save your Sister Tao. She has been wronged. I’ve thoroughly investigated; the case involving Prince Ning is being handled by Lord Yuan. As long as Lord Yuan speaks up, your Sister Tao can be released."
As she spoke, she reached out for Song Jiyun’s hand, "Whatever the case, you all carry the Song Family blood. Even if your uncle has wronged you, your Sister Tao hasn’t wronged you."
Where did the formula for the Sacrificial White Porcelain come from?
Song Jiyun chuckled inwardly, but with someone like the Great Madam, who was beyond reasoning, it was impossible to explain. Rather than wasting her breath, it was better to reject outright, "Great aunt, don’t be anxious first."
She avoided the Great Madam’s hand, signaled for the maidservant to serve tea and snacks, and sat down with the Great Madam, guest to host, saying, "We are all anxious about Sister Cousin Tao being in jail. Like you said, we all carry the Song Family blood. Even the Eleventh Grand Master has come to me several times concerning her."
"But you must understand, although Young Master Yuan is in charge, as a Subject, he must follow the rules of a Subject. The first rule in handling cases is not to pervert justice for personal gain. If Cousin Tao is innocent, once it is cleared up, we, being relatives, will naturally restore her purity. But if she really was involved in Prince Ning’s smuggling case, and Lord Yuan knowingly frees Sister Cousin Tao, should he continue wearing his official cap? Young Master Yuan surely cannot jeopardize his own future for Cousin Tao, can he?"
The Great Madam was rendered speechless for a long while before she murmured weakly, "But, but these officials always protect each other, who doesn’t have some shady dealings? Even if he helps your Sister Tao..."
Song Jiyun interrupted, "I don’t know where you’re getting your information? You haven’t met these officials, so you don’t know the intricacies of the officialdom. Although Young Master Yuan is young, he is already a Third Rank official, but just like us merchants, everyone wants to grab a larger share and must fight and compete. If Young Master Yuan recklessly frees Cousin Tao today, tomorrow someone will surely accuse Young Master Yuan of using his power for personal gain."
She even directly asked the Great Madam, "Who sent you to find Young Master Yuan? I think they didn’t want to save Sister Cousin Tao; they wanted to harm Young Master Yuan!"
The Great Madam became tongue-tied.
Song Jiyun wanted to sever all contacts with Song Daliang, relentlessly pressing her to find out who had sent her to Yuan Yunzhong.
The Great Madam was unwilling to respond.
Seeing that she could elicit no answer, Song Jiyun feigned a serious and concerned tone, "Great aunt, I know your maternal affection is urgent, but even in anxious times, we must not lose our sense of judgment. I think it’s best for you to wait, wait for Young Master Yuan to investigate clearly what happened."
She even joked, "You see, Old Master Song is very calm; you are just a bit less so."
The Great Madam hesitated to speak.
Old Master Song was not calm; he was too angry to care, not only ignoring the matter himself but also preventing her from intervening.
Having found no solutions at Song Jiyun’s, she could only return dejectedly.
Unexpectedly, Song Daliang was not at home.
She couldn’t help but ask the maidservant and nurses around her, "Where is the Great Master?"
Ding Xiang, with swollen eyes, said, "Great Master has gone out. He said that now that the Hong Family has fallen, the Liangyu Kiln Factory, which was deceitfully taken by them, should also be returned by rights. He is going to seek justice from His Excellency of Heavenly Mandate and demand that the Liangyu Kiln Factory be adjudicated back to the Song Family."
"What?!" Great Madam was shocked by Song Daliang’s actions.
Ding Xiang continued, "Great Master also said that it was all because the third sister was unfilial, colluding with the Hong Family to cheat the Song Family. He is going to sue her as well."
Upon hearing this, Great Madam felt a rush of blood to her head, "That damned man, what is he trying to do? With him doing this, will Song Tao even have a life left?"
She then redressed herself to go out, saying, "I must go find him!"
"Mother!" Song Tianbao appeared in the main room where Great Madam stayed and said discontentedly, "Are you trying to get us all killed for the sake of the third sister?"
The hands of Great Madam, who was dressing, paused.
Song Tianbao went on, "Everyone is avoiding this situation, and yet you, having been deceived by the third sister into visiting the prison once, are doing everything possible to get her out. Do you realize why the elder and the second sisters, even knowing the third sister’s troubles, did not send anyone to inquire? The families of the elder sister’s husband and the second sister’s husband have stated that if they dare to return to their parental home at this time, they will be divorced."
After saying this, he glared at Ding Xiang, who had encouraged Great Madam to visit the prison, and said, "Some people just like to play both sides. I think such people cannot be kept. We had better call a broker and sell them off immediately!"
"Great Master." Ding Xiang trembled with fear.
Great Madam, however, found herself in a difficult position, stars in her eyes, and heavily slumped on the Arhat Bed.
A servant boy rushed in to inform that Song Daliang had returned.
Song Tianbao hurriedly went out to greet him.
The spring was bright and beautiful, the weather neither hot nor cold, but Song Daliang was covered in sweat.
Seeing Song Tianbao, he asked anxiously, "Where is your mother? Did she go to the Song Family to plead for that scourge, Song Tao?"
Before Song Tianbao could speak, Great Madam appeared at the doorway of the hall, leaning on a maid.
Song Daliang, pointing at Great Madam, scolded, "Do you think you’ve had too many peaceful days? How dare you go behind my back to seek Lord Yuan’s help for Song Tao? I tell you, the Yamen officials have made it clear that the evidence of the Hong Family’s smuggling is conclusive, and Song Tao was the one aiding the Hong Family in smuggling. From now on, forget visiting her, if you dare speak another word to her, I will divorce you right away."
He also told the people at home, "I have already declared in front of the people at the Yamen that since Song Tao went to work at the Liangyu Kiln Factory, I have disowned her. She is no longer my daughter, and her doings have nothing to do with our Song Family."
Great Madam could not hold back any longer and burst into heart-wrenching sobs, "Oh, my poor child!"
*
When the news reached Jiyun’s ears, she just smiled.
Logically speaking, Song Tao was a person of "fortunate encounters"; how could she end up living her life this way?
She wondered what might have gone wrong.
She sent people to keep an eye on Song Tao’s movements.
If Song Tao disappeared without a trace like this, she would no longer need to pay attention to her.
As for Yuan Yunzhong, she felt she still needed to make a visit. It would prevent others from taking advantage, claiming to act under the Song Family’s name to wield influence over others by using Yuan Yunzhong’s power.
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