Lady Luo’s face hardened. She turned to Song Zhaoyang.
“Let her in,” Song said.
Nanny Yu arrived with a maid, the maid carrying a steaming bowl of soup and smiling as she entered.
“Your servant greets the madam—ah, Madam Song, you are here too! Have the young masters returned?” Nanny Yu’s face wore a look of surprised concern.
Song watched the practiced shock on Nanny Yu’s face and a thin line of scorn flashed in her eyes. The Wen family had sent someone to probe. Of course they had.
“What does Nanny Yu want?” Song asked calmly.
Nanny Yu abandoned her feigned astonishment at once. “The Old Madam had this ginseng chicken soup specially prepared for you, madam. She said you should take it to rebuild your strength.”
Song’s gaze dropped to the soup in Nanny Yu’s hands. The warmth in her eyes froze; a chill spread beneath her calm.
In her previous life, after giving birth she had accepted a bowl of ginseng chicken broth sent by the Wens without suspicion. After she drank it she had hemorrhaged badly. The bleeding had eventually stopped, but her body had been left grievously weakened. Back then she had never suspected the soup.
“Tell my mother I appreciate her concern,” Song said lightly.
A smile creased Nanny Yu’s lips. “Madam, it is just the right temperature now. May I serve you a bowl?”
She was about to ladle a bowl when Song and Lady Luo exchanged a look.
Lady Luo cut in quickly, “Nanny Yu, no need. Madam Song has just eaten; she will take it later.”
Nanny Yu stiffened. “Is that so? Then—”
“Has my mother also sent a bowl for the Second Madam?” Song interrupted, her voice cool.
Nanny Yu answered, “Not yet. This was the Old Madam’s special restorative for you, madam.”
Song’s mouth tilted. “My mother is very kind, but it would be unfair if only I had it. The Second Madam is not only a daughter-in-law but also her niece. If the Old Madam is seen as favoring one over another, she will be displeased.”
“Magpie,” she added, calling to the servant at her side, “take a bowl to the Second Madam and tell her it is the Old Madam’s kindness.”
Magpie, whose nickname suited her fleet steps, acknowledged the order with a short “Yes.”
Nanny Yu faltered. She had personally brewed that soup—and she knew what had been put into it: herbs that encouraged blood flow. She hurried to stop the plan. “No, that cannot be—”
Lady Luo watched Nanny Yu’s agitation and glanced at the soup, narrowing her eyes. Could there be something wrong with it?
“Why are you so worked up, Nanny Yu?” Lady Luo asked, voice level.
Nanny Yu forced a laugh. “It is nothing. If the soup is given to the Second Madam, it would seem we have betrayed the Old Madam’s kindness.”
Song laughed softly. “We certainly would not want to betray my mother. Magpie, bring out a bowl. The rest we will divide and send to my sister-in-law. Good things should be shared.”
Magpie hurried and ladled a bowl. “Madam, I will take it to the Second Madam at once.”
She turned with the remaining pot, but Lady Luo called to Nanny Yu, stopping her.
“Nanny Yu, stay. I need to speak with you.”
Nanny Yu hesitated. “Madam Song, the Old Madam is expecting my return—”
Lady Luo sneered, handing the little toddler in her arms to the wet nurse. “Perfect. I shall go with you to pay my respects to the Old Madam and ask directly how my daughter came to deliver so early.”
Nanny Yu’s face went pale. “Please forgive me, Madam Song. The Old Madam has already begun an inquiry. She will give Madam Song a full explanation in due time.”
Lady Luo snorted. She had seen enough of the dirty tricks hidden behind latticed doors. The Wen family had abused her daughter and expected her to be placated with excuses—she would not be fooled. “My husband expects a report. Lead the way.”
Nanny Yu’s steps were tentative. Song watched the worry in her eyes and said coolly, “Nanny Yu, I trust the Old Madam will be fair. But my natal family is anxious—take my mother to see the Old Madam.”
Nanny Yu bowed deeply. “Yes, madam. I will take Madam Song to the Old Madam now.”
Magpie followed into the second household’s courtyard and handed the pot of soup to a maid who served the Old Madam’s rooms. “Bring it in,” she ordered.
The maid, hesitating, whispered, “Magpie sister, I’m afraid.”
Magpie rolled her eyes. “Afraid of what? Afraid the soup is poisoned?” The maid paled and almost spilled the bowl. Magpie steadied it. “Your courage is worse than a mouse’s. Hold it carefully. If you spill it, you will be the one to answer. Come on— I’m going in with you.”
Nanny Yu’s frantic protests against giving the soup to the Second Madam had revealed everything: the bowl was dangerous. Magpie would make sure the Second Madam drank it with her own eyes.
The Second Madam, overhearing the visitors, refused at once. “She will not be seen!”
The maid turned to leave.
“Wait!” the Second Madam snapped. “Bring them in.”
She intended to see what Song planned.
Magpie walked in expressionless, gave the proper greeting, and then said, “Second Madam, my lady sent me over to press you—what have you found? Has the culprit been discovered?”
The Second Madam scoffed. “When the wrongdoer is found, the household will inform the elder relatives. I am in confinement now. If my sister-in-law thinks I have done poorly, she may go and complain to the Old Madam herself.”
Magpie gritted her teeth at the Second Madam’s arrogance. Her voice tasted sour when she spoke. “How fortunate the Second Madam is to have the Old Madam’s protection. My lady went into early labor and risked her life to give birth, yet she would be refused even a bowl of restorative soup.”
“I see the Second Madam looks vigorous enough—why not let my lady have the Old Madam’s soup?” With one swift motion, Magpie snatched the ginseng soup from the maid.
Only then did the Second Madam notice the maid standing beside Magpie was one of the Old Madam’s attendants. She barked, “Stop her!”
Her women rushed forward and wrenched the pot away. The Second Madam sneered. “My things—how dare my sister-in-law take them! Ladle me a bowl at once. If it is the Old Madam’s gift, I shall drink it hot.”
A bowl was hastily served to her. She drained it and then flaunted it. “What a rich broth. Too bad my sister-in-law will not taste it. Unless—shall I ask Mother to have another pot made for her?”
Magpie’s eyes burned with anger; she stormed away in tears. Once out of earshot she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, a bitter smirk curling her lips as she spat toward the Second Madam’s courtyard. “With that little wit, she dares challenge my lady!”
—
Nanny Yu’s nerves frayed as she led Lady Luo into the Wen residence. The moment she crossed the threshold she hurried, “Madam Song, I will go to report to the Old Madam.”
Lady Luo stared at her. “Hold it. Is this how you treat guests in the Xue household? You have shown me your hospitality.”
“If you will not welcome me, fine.” Her voice sharpened. “Then I shall take my convalescing daughter back to the Song household and wait for your family to present the divorce papers.”
Nanny Yu’s face flushed with alarm. The courtyards fell silent; the Old Madam’s household had been pricked awake. The confrontations that followed would decide more than a bowl of soup.