After the two Ladies Wen left, Nanny Xia said in puzzlement, "Madam, that Second Madam seems a bit strange. She appears overly enthusiastic towards our young miss but cold towards the Second Young Miss, as if the Second Young Miss isn't her own flesh and blood."
"Is that Second Young Miss really her biological daughter?"
Song Zhaoyang gave a faint smile, but on closer inspection, her eyes showed no trace of amusement.
"Of course, that child is her own!"
Nanny Xia shook her head.
"It's so odd."
"The Second Young Miss is so frail. I doubt she'll live to adulthood. And with Second Madam having trouble conceiving, it's unthinkable that she doesn't cherish her only daughter. She'll surely regret it in the future."
Magpie, standing nearby, gloated, "Second Madam named her daughter 'Bai Liu' (fallen willow). What a strange name! I suspect she wishes the Second Young Miss were dead."
Song Zhaoyang said calmly, "When we return to the mansion, be vigilant. Keep her away from Yaoyao. We don't want her to have a bad influence on the child."
"Madam, are we going back to the mansion?" Nanny Xia asked in surprise.
A cold smile played on Song Zhaoyang's lips. "Since she's willing to hand over the power to me, I'd be a fool not to take advantage of it."
Did Lady Wen really think that a few gold ingots in a small wooden box could make up for all the suffering she endured in her past life?
In her dreams!
In this life, she swore to exact double revenge for all the wrongs done to her in the past!
—
Inside the carriage, Lady Wen was scolding the younger Lady Wen.
"I've told you to be more discreet, yet you still tried to snatch the child. Don't you remember? We left the child in the care of the Song family so that we could inherit everything from the eldest branch. But look at you! You can't even control yourself. I don't know what to say about you."
The younger Lady Wen pouted, "Mother, I missed the child so much. What's wrong with giving her a hug?"
"How dare you talk back!" Lady Wen glared at her. "If you keep this up, you might as well confess that we switched the children."
This remark silenced the younger Lady Wen.
She tugged at her handkerchief in frustration, venting her anger. Just then, the sobbing of Bai Liu filled the carriage, and the weak cries annoyed her.
The maid holding Bai Liu was about to say that the child was hungry, but before she could speak, the younger Lady Wen slapped Bai Liu across the face.
Her expression was wild and her face contorted.
"Stop crying! If you don't shut up, I'll kill you, you little bastard!"
"Your mother always picks on me. You all deserve to die!"
As she cursed, she pinched Bai Liu hard.
Bai Liu was already too weak to cry from hunger, but the sudden slap made her face swell and bleed. She let out a heart - rending wail.
Lady Wen watched her niece vent her anger, initially planning to let her do so. But when she saw Bai Liu gasping for breath between sobs, she intervened.
"Enough! Behave yourself! If you kill her, how can we use her to control Song Zhaoyang in the future?"
The younger Lady Wen stopped reluctantly, a glint of malice in her eyes.
"One day, I'll make Song Zhaoyang pay!"
Lady Wen snorted, "If you'd use your brain and stop doing stupid things, one day, the eldest branch will surely kneel at our feet!"
Three days passed in a flash. Song Zhaoyang looked at the villa with a hint of regret. The days here were free from intrigue. All she did was play with the child and enjoy the idyllic scenery. It was truly carefree.
Nanny Xia noticed Song Zhaoyang's expression and asked with concern, "Madam, what's wrong?"
Song Zhaoyang shook her head with a faint smile. "It's nothing. I'm just a bit reluctant to leave. I've gained weight these days."
Nanny Xia laughed, "Not only you, but I've also put on some weight. How about staying a few more days?"
A hint of mockery flashed in Song Zhaoyang's eyes. "Forget it. They're so eager for me to return to the capital. If I stay any longer, they'll surely be furious."
"Let them be angry!" Nanny Xia shrugged. "Your happiness is the most important thing!"
Song Zhaoyang burst out laughing. "No. If I leave without settling the score, people might think we're afraid of them. I have to clear up all the accounts before I can cut ties with them."
Besides, she had an important matter to attend to, even more crucial than dealing with the two Ladies Wen.
Nanny Xia nodded. "Then we can come back for a short stay when we have time."
When Lady Wen learned that Song Zhaoyang was returning to the capital, she heaved a sigh of relief.
She was worried that she'd give away the money but Song Zhaoyang wouldn't return.
As soon as Song Zhaoyang entered the mansion and before she could even settle in, Lady Wen impatiently handed over the ledger and the keys to the storeroom.
Nanny Xia twitched her lips and couldn't help but mutter, "The old madam is really eager to be a hands - off manager!"
Song Zhaoyang smiled calmly. "She wishes I'd pay for everything."
Nanny Xia frowned and admonished, "Madam, don't be as foolish as before."
Song Zhaoyang gave Nanny Xia a sideways look. "Do you think I'm that stupid?"
Nanny Xia grinned.
Song Zhaoyang leaned back on the soft couch comfortably. Looking at the ledger in front of her without opening it, a mischievous smile played on her lips.
"Nanny, aren't there too many servants in the mansion?"
Nanny Xia immediately understood. "Do you mean to sell off some of them?"
Song Zhaoyang nodded, propping her chin on her hand. "The mansion is running out of money. Why keep so many idle servants? Let's start with my courtyard."
A glint of amusement appeared in Nanny Xia's eyes. "Yes, madam. I'll do it right away."
It would be a good opportunity to get rid of the spies in the courtyard.
Lady Wen was lying leisurely on the soft couch. One maid was massaging her back while another was rubbing her feet.
With her eyes closed, she said to Mingyao beside her, "Invite the opera troupe to the mansion tomorrow. It's been ages since I last enjoyed an opera."
Just then, an old woman rushed in in a panic.
"Old Madam, something terrible has happened!"
Mingyao's face darkened. She stepped forward and scolded, "How dare you be so reckless and startle the old madam! Do you want to die?"
Granny Guo from the kitchen knelt on the ground, on the verge of tears. "Old Madam, please forgive me. As soon as the eldest madam returned, she decided to sell off the servants in the mansion. My family has served the mansion for generations, but she showed no mercy. My daughter serves in the eldest madam's courtyard, and she wants to sell her. Please help my family, old madam!"
Lady Wen sat up abruptly, her good mood instantly vanishing.
She flew into a rage. "Go! Summon her here at once!"
Song Zhaoyang was busy with her work. When she learned that Lady Wen was angry and wanted to see her, she didn't even look up. "I'll go later."
By the time she finally arrived, the younger Lady Wen was already there, accusing her of "brutality".