An idea sparked in her mind. She looked at Xie Linlang beside her and said, "Cousin, let's go with them and help get Third Sister settled. The poor girl is in such a pitiful state."
'I have to cement this narrative,' she thought. 'That way, when Father returns, I can give him a detailed account of how our mother is cruel even to her own biological daughter, to say nothing of a concubine's daughter like me.'
'If I plan this right, I might be able to ride Song Yunzhao's coattails and escape from our mother's grasp as well.'
'I've got to do this!'
'I have to pull off this grand plan!'
Song Jinxuan was lost in her daydream, but Xie Linlang gently reminded her, "Second Miss, you still have to go to the Uncle Mansion."
Song Jinxuan's face fell instantly. 'Oh, right. I got so caught up in the drama that I completely forgot. I can't afford to mess up this important trip. What a shame. It's a real pity I can't stay and add fuel to the fire.'
Meanwhile, Mrs. Cai was so furious with the First Madam that her mind went blank. The First Madam, however, paid her no mind, assigning tasks with crisp, clear instructions.
She ordered someone to fetch a doctor for Song Yunzhao, told Jiangxiang, Qiancao, and the others to hurry over and attend to her, and had a carriage prepared for the trip to the Uncle Mansion. Once the major tasks were mostly assigned, the First Madam had her personal housekeeper warn all the servants who had witnessed the scene and handle the subsequent cleanup.
The servants born into the household, whose servitude contracts were held tightly in hand, were not a concern. The ones hired temporarily, however, had to be dealt with properly. A broker would be found to sell them off to some remote place far from the Capital City. That way, there would be no fear of today's scandal spreading and disgracing the Song Family.
Having managed the household for many years, the First Madam handled these matters in a mere fifteen minutes. Then, she turned to the Third Madam with a smile and said, "Third Sister-in-law, we can't delay any longer, or we'll be late and it will be rude. Let's get going."
Mrs. Cai felt extremely stifled, unable to even muster a smile as she looked at the First Madam.
'This is a matter for our third branch of the family. What right does an aunt from another branch have to interfere?' But the First Madam was invoking her husband's name to pressure her, and she was genuinely intimidated.
"You've gone to so much trouble, Eldest Sister-in-law. Let's go now," Mrs. Cai said with a cold expression, taking her eldest daughter's arm as she walked out.
The First Madam paid it no mind and left immediately with the other young ladies.
Before leaving, Song Jinxuan shot a glance at Xie Linlang, but Xie Linlang didn't meet her gaze, pretending not to notice.
Once everyone had left, the residence instantly grew quiet. Xie Linlang immediately headed to the East Courtyard to check on Song Yunzhao.
The doctor had just finished taking Song Yunzhao's pulse and writing a prescription. Jiangxiang gave the prescription to a young servant boy and sent him to fetch the medicine, while a red-eyed Qiancao poured a cup of water for her mistress to wet her lips.
Mrs. Luo took some broken silver coins to tip the staff in the First Madam's courtyard, since they would be staying there for a few days.
When Xie Linlang arrived, she saw Song Yunzhao with a pale little face, her long hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes red. Her usual lively and spirited demeanor was completely gone. Seeing such a small, frail figure was truly heartbreaking.
"Yun Zhao, how are you feeling now?" Xie Linlang was very worried. 'She had a fever and still caused such a huge scene; her body must be very weak right now.' "What do you want to eat? I'll have someone buy it and bring it in."
Song Yunzhao did indeed feel awful at that moment. Although she had transmigrated more than a decade ago, she had never really felt the original owner's emotions in all those years. But today, she had.
It was a very strange sensation. Her own emotions seemed to have been stripped away, and she was overwhelmed by the original owner's grievances, helplessness, stubbornness, and frustration. She felt it all as if it were her own, to the point where she wanted nothing more than to pin Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan to the ground and beat them senseless.
Her own personality was one that rose to a challenge—if you didn't submit, you fight. She had held herself back for over a decade, choosing to lay low and power up. Now, swayed by these emotions, the way things had blown up today was both unexpected and perfectly logical.
Song Yunzhao now felt she could control her emotions again. She looked at Xie Linlang and smiled. "Linlang, have a seat."
Xie Linlang sat on the brocade stool by the bed. "You really scared me to death today."
"I had to take a gamble for myself."
Hearing this, Xie Linlang felt even more indignant on Song Yunzhao's behalf. She said softly, "Don't be afraid. It will all be better when the Third Young Master returns."
Song Yunzhao nodded. "I know. Even if Father dotes on me, I can't escape punishment for causing such a scene today. But... it might not be entirely a bad thing."
Hearing this, Xie Linlang's beautiful eyes lit up, and she nodded immediately. "Right. Every cloud has a silver lining. Maybe you can take this chance to gain your freedom."
"Great minds think alike."
The two exchanged a look and couldn't help but laugh.
Hearing the laughter from the room, Jiangxiang and the others breathed a small sigh of relief. 'They hadn't expected the cousin to be so capable, cheering up their mistress so quickly.'
Xie Linlang really did send someone to a restaurant to buy three or four dishes suitable for a patient. Although they were light in flavor, they tasted quite good.
Song Yunzhao was in a good mood now. Having caused a scene on an empty stomach, she ate with great satisfaction.
After the meal, Xie Linlang said, "I have to go back. Judging by the time, the First Madam and the others should be returning from the Uncle Mansion soon. You should be careful."
Song Yunzhao knew what she was worried about and nodded slightly. "I know what I'm doing. Thank you for the delicious extra meal today."
"'Delicious extra meal?' I like that phrase." Xie Linlang left cheerfully.
Song Yunzhao closed her eyes to rest, her mind calculating. 'Since I didn't go to the Uncle Mansion today, I wonder who Song Qinghan's scheme will fall on. Then again, the other girls' appearances might not be enough to displease Chu Yuying. Perhaps the plot from the book won't even happen.'
'If it doesn't happen, that would be for the best.'
'But Song Qinghan is no saint. She probably won't give up so easily.'
As Song Yunzhao's thoughts drifted, she fell into a deep sleep. Contrary to what Xie Linlang had predicted, the First Madam and the others didn't return soon; they only came back after the sky was completely dark.
The First Madam returned to the East Courtyard with a grim face. Only after entering did she remember that Song Yunzhao was staying in the East Wing Room, so she summoned Mrs. Luo for questioning.
"Is your Third Miss any better?"
Mrs. Luo saw the First Madam's dark expression and thought, 'She must have run into trouble at the Uncle Mansion.' Her posture became even more cautious and respectful as she replied, "The young miss took her medicine and fell asleep. She hasn't woken up yet. After taking the doctor's medicine, her fever has subsided a bit."
The First Madam nodded slightly. "Look after your young miss well. Report to me when she wakes up."
Mrs. Luo quickly agreed. Seeing that the First Madam had nothing more to say, she bowed and respectfully withdrew.
Just as she reached the doorway, the Fifth Miss stormed in, flinging the curtain aside. Mrs. Luo quickly stepped to the side, slowing her pace as she left. Soon, she heard the Fifth Miss's voice cry out, "Mother, are we really going to let what happened today just slide?"
"What else do you want to do? It's a good thing it didn't blow up into a major incident. Otherwise, not a single one of you would have escaped blame."
The First Madam's voice was laced with suppressed anger. Mrs. Luo heard it clearly, and her heart clenched.
"Mother, it was clearly Song Qinghan causing trouble behind the scenes! Why don't you believe me?"
Mrs. Luo had already reached the veranda. Not daring to linger any longer, she hurried down the steps and left.
But inside, her heart was racing. 'Something major definitely happened at the Uncle Mansion today.'
She turned on her heel, and instead of returning to the East Wing Room, she cut through the East Courtyard and headed directly for the West Courtyard.