Chapter 20: Really Biased
This was beyond everyone's expectations. Even though Song Yunhe was talented, no one thought he could be among the top three.
Madam Zheng paused for a moment after hearing the news, and exclaimed in astonishment, "He's not like those children from aristocratic families who receive instruction from great scholars, but he attends a second-rate academy, yet he's still ranked in the top three?"
She knew about Song Yunhe's family background. After his parents died one after another, although his family still had some land to support him, it was barely enough to have enough food and drink, and it was impossible for him to enter the best academy.
Because of these reasons, even though she saw that Song Yunhe was interested in her daughter Qingtong, she did not show any intention of getting married.
After all, she raised her daughter to be so outstanding, not to let her become the mistress of a poor family.
The only thing Mrs. Zheng didn't expect was that Song Yunhe would be chosen as the third place.
The nanny beside her smiled and flattered, "Isn't this a good thing? Your son-in-law has been selected as the third place in the imperial examination, and with the support of our master, Madam Qingwu will also be able to receive an imperial decree and enjoy a life of glory in the future."
Hearing the word "son-in-law", Mrs. Zheng's face paused slightly, and she suddenly remembered that she had married her other daughter to him.
A trace of shame surged in my heart, but it was immediately suppressed by another wave of joy.
She also thought of the benefits of Song Yunhe being selected as the third place winner. "Indeed, when Yunhe becomes successful and establishes a firm foothold in the court, it will be another help to Tong'er..."
However, this benefit is not for Qingwu, but for the daughter in the East Palace.
Seeing Madam Zheng's overjoyed look, the nanny sighed in her heart. She was clearly talking about the benefits of Madam Qingwu, but Madam was only thinking about Madam Qingtong. How could there not be a rift between the sisters and the mother and daughter being so partial?
But she had tried to persuade her before. Although the lady agreed, she forgot about it after two days.
The old nanny was not someone else. She was Madam Zheng's wet nurse when she came with her dowry. After the twin sisters were born, she was naturally the one who took care of them. Later, Qingwu was lost and she didn't have a good meal for three whole months. When she saw the remaining one, the nanny couldn't help wiping away her tears.
To be frank, Qingwu was like her own granddaughter in her eyes. Fortunately, she was found later. According to her, she must have loved and spoiled her well, but Mrs. Zheng's behavior was completely different from what the nanny expected... to the point that the mother and daughter became estranged.
The nanny couldn't bear to see the mother and daughter, whom she had both raised, become estranged, so she had been secretly dealing with them all these years.
The nanny here was thinking about how to ask Madam Zheng to pay more attention to Madam Qingwu so that the relationship between mother and daughter would be better. But Madam Zheng on the other side remembered the news from her old friend, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared and was replaced by worry.
"I heard that the Crown Prince, despite his leg injury, knelt down and begged His Majesty to spare Master Yao, which in turn caused His Majesty to become furious... Really... Tong'er has to bear the burden of taking care of him."
She wanted to blame the prince for being too irrational, but she couldn't criticize the crown prince, so she could only feel sorry for her daughter. However, she couldn't hide the resentment in her words.
Madam Zheng dared to say a word, but the nanny didn't dare to say a single word. She first guided Madam Zheng to think positively, and then subtly turned the conversation to Qingwu.
"The sick are the most affectionate. If Consort Liang can work harder and take good care of His Royal Highness, perhaps His Royal Highness will remember it. There is a kind of affection that no one else has, even if the principal consort enters the Eastern Palace in the future, it will not be comparable... What is Madam Qingwu's gift? Does Madam have any plans?"
In fact, the gifts to congratulate Song Yunhe on winning the first place in the imperial examination had been prepared as usual long ago, but Song Yunhe was ranked first, which was more honorable than second or third place, so the gifts needed to be carefully considered. Of course, the nanny also had some thoughts in mind.
There are many men in this world who look down on their wives once they gain power. Although the nanny felt that Song Yunhe would not dare to look down on the young lady of the Xi family just because he had won the third place in the imperial examination, he still had to give him a warning.
How to pressure him? I have to use this gift. I will give him some treasures that he can't get even after ten years of official service. On the one hand, I will give him enough face, and on the other hand, I will make him dare not bully his wife...
Mammy was about to speak to Madam Zheng about her thoughts, but Madam Zheng seemed to have only heard the first sentence. She suddenly stood up and clapped her hands, saying:
"Yes, she's sick... Although the palace has a wealth of precious medicines, our Xi family can't fail to show that the Eastern Palace is looking down on her. We've taken out all the precious medicines in the palace and sent them to Liangdi, including the century-old ginseng and the Ganoderma lucidum sent by the Ruyang Marquis's Mansion last time... And General Li's tiger bone, which is an excellent medicine for treating bone injuries!"
After reciting five or six medicinal herbs, until she had mentioned all the good ones available in the mansion, and thinking again and again to make sure there was nothing missed, Madam Zheng looked at the nanny and asked, "Have you memorized everything?"
The nanny nodded and waited for Madam Zheng to talk about Song Yunhe's situation. However, after waiting for a long time, Madam Zheng did not speak. She had no choice but to ask again.
"Madam, how do I send the gift to Mr. Song?"
The nanny changed her words, and Madam Zheng patted her forehead and laughed, "Look at my head. I'm getting old. I forget what I said..."
Madam Zheng blamed herself, but her tone returned to normal. She was no longer as excited as when she mentioned the concubine. She took a sip of tea before saying:
"Haven't we already prepared this? Now that you've won the third place, we can just add two more points. It's up to you."
In an instant, all the words in the nanny's heart were stuck in her throat. She couldn't spit them out, and it was difficult to swallow them. She felt sorry for Qingwu.
Although she was a wet nurse and had some respectability, she couldn't say anything and make her master dislike her. After a moment's stalemate, the wet nurse sighed and turned to leave.
But before she walked out of the door, she couldn't help but turn sideways and persuaded him one last time:
"If it were normal, a little more would be enough...but since my son-in-law has won the third place in the imperial examination, Madam Qingwu will probably hold the wedding at the Song Residence and invite relatives to a banquet.
My uncle's parents are both dead, and the family is not wealthy. We are the only relatives left. If the wedding is not done properly, it will not only make Madam Qingwu look bad, but it will also make our family look bad, right?"
She thought that Madam Zheng valued her reputation the most. If she used her reputation to pressure her, Madam Qingwu would probably get more benefits. She would also remember Madam Zheng's good points. Over time, the friendship between mother and daughter would be restored.
But no matter how much Madam Ma tried to scheme, it was no match for Madam Zheng's deep-seated prejudice. After listening to such a long speech, Madam Zheng only grasped one key point.
"Her sister is deeply distressed and has been toiling all night. How can she celebrate with such grandeur and happiness?"
"Besides, why would she hold a banquet? I'm afraid she'll embarrass herself in front of her relatives again. Go to the Song family and tell her to cancel it!"
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