Just now, Fu Zhou led a group of kids back to the Pine and Crane Courtyard. In front of the Princess of Ningqin, the Marquise of Ding'an, and many other guests, he recounted exactly what had happened in the garden as Ji Lingchuan had instructed.
After learning what Song Nanzhe had done and said, the smile instantly vanished from the Princess of Ningqin's face.
The Marquise of Ding'an also turned deathly pale and didn't dare to mention taking Song Yihuan and her younger brother away.
No matter how harshly they treated the concubine - born children in the Marquis's Mansion, it was only within the mansion. Outside, they still needed to maintain a good image.
Moreover, not long ago, the Princess of Ningqin had praised the Marquise for having such a large and happy family, giving her great face. Who would have thought that Song Nanzhe would cause such a big problem right after.
As the saying goes, one can tell a person's future at the age of three and their character at the age of seven. Song Nanzhe was the young heir of the Ding'an Marquis's Mansion. His unrestrained speech was also due to the lack of proper guidance at home.
But Song Nanzhe had no idea what he had done wrong. In front of the Princess of Ningqin, he loudly defended himself, calling others "seductress" one moment and "vixen" the next. At such a young age, he was so vicious that he almost fainted the Marquise of Ding'an.
Seeing that the Princess of Ningqin was in a bad mood, Song Nanxin proposed to take her mother and younger brother to rest and have a heart - to - heart talk. Other noble ladies also got up with their children and bid farewell.
A wonderful gathering was thus ruined by a mere child.
In the Shulan Courtyard, after dismissing the servants, Song Nanxin was scolding the Marquise of Ding'an and Song Nanzhe.
"Song Nanzhe, why did you push that sickly kid for no reason? Do you know where this is? This is the Princess of Ningqin's Mansion! Do you know you've made me lose all my face today!"
"I finally managed to create an image of a kind and loving elder sister in front of my mother - in - law and the heir. But you, calling others 'seductress' and 'vixen'. If they start to suspect me because of your actions today, I will never forgive you!"
Song Nanzhe had never seen his elder sister so angry. He hid in the Marquise of Ding'an's arms and cried as if he was about to choke: "I... I just don't want to see that sickly kid call someone 'brother - in - law'."
The Marquise of Ding'an couldn't bear to see her youngest son wronged. She gently comforted her son in her arms and glared at Song Nanxin. "Zhe'er is still young. What does he know? Besides, it's just a fight between kids. Who would take it seriously? I think you're just making a mountain out of a molehill."
"Making a mountain out of a molehill?!" Song Nanxin was extremely angry. She didn't want to say harsh words to her mother, so she just turned around and sulked.
The mother and daughter sat back to back without saying a word for a while.
As for Song Nanzhe, he was already sleepy after all the commotion. Leaning against Mrs. Meng, he fell into a deep sleep.
Remembering the act they had put on in front of the Princess of Ningqin, the Marquise of Ding'an handed Song Nanzhe to the maid, pulled Song Nanxin into the inner room, and whispered:
"I'll ask you. In front of the princess just now, why did you speak up for that little slut Song Yihuan? And why did you want to leave her and that sickly kid in the princess's mansion?"
"Do you know that the Wu family has been urging me to hand her over? If I don't send that little slut to be the concubine of the Second Master Wu soon, the Meng family's business routes in Jiangzhou will be in jeopardy!" There was a hint of anxiety in the Marquise of Ding'an's voice.
Song Nanxin stammered and didn't dare to look her mother in the eye. "Aren't there still two concubine - born daughters at home? You can just send one of them there. As long as you insist that the one sent is that little slut Song Yihuan, in the dark, once it's done, it'll be too late for them to go back on their word."
A mother knows her daughter best. Song Nanxin's words immediately raised the Marquise of Ding'an's suspicion.
She firmly grabbed Song Nanxin's wrist, her face gloomy. "You little brat, tell me honestly. What on earth have you done, and what are you secretly planning?!"
"Mom, you're hurting me!"
"I'm your mother. If you still hide things from me, when things come to light, who else can protect you? Tell me, and I can still try to help you!"
Hearing this, Song Nanxin was finally touched. She bit her lip and whispered, "Mom, promise me you won't beat me after you know."
The Marquise of Ding'an felt dizzy for a moment. She had a hunch that she was about to hear something that would make her vomit blood in anger from Song Nanxin.
Sure enough, when Song Nanxin leaned over and whispered everything in her ear, the Marquise of Ding'an slumped into the chair and blurted out, "You're crazy! Do you know—"
Song Nanxin quickly covered her mouth. "Mom, why are you shouting so loudly? Are you afraid I won't die soon enough?"
The Marquise of Ding'an took a few deep breaths to calm down the anger in her heart.
Looking at Song Nanxin's belly, she gritted her teeth and asked, "How's your pregnancy going?"
Song Nanxin looked worried. "I'm still having some bleeding. I don't know why it hasn't gotten better for so long."
Mrs. Meng's voice was filled with suppressed anger. "If I had known this, you shouldn't have done that in the first place! Now, not only can you not give birth to the child, but you've also let that little slut gain favor. Her face is so alluring. If she catches the heir's eye, I don't know what you're going to do!"
Song Nanxin held her mother's hand and lowered her head, looking extremely aggrieved.
The Marquise of Ding'an asked, "That little slut is really willing to be manipulated by you? Are you sure she'll always be obedient and give birth to the child for you?"
Song Nanxin looked a bit proud. "Mom, don't worry. That little slut cares most about that sickly kid. I sent Fuling to take care of her. She's not only keeping an eye on her but also holding that sickly kid's life in her hands. I'm not afraid she won't be obedient."
The Marquise of Ding'an narrowed her eyes. "To really control that little slut Song Yihuan, it's most appropriate to bring Song Yixuan back to the Marquis's Mansion."
But this possibility had been ruined by Song Nanzhe.
Taking Song Yixuan away at this time would only arouse suspicion.
Patting Song Nanxin's hand, the Marquise of Ding'an said, "Don't worry. Mom will help you."
...
When Song Yihuan brought her younger brother back to the Tinglan Courtyard, she saw two figures as anxious as ants on a hot pan. Chunxing and Fuling rushed up from either side. When they saw that Song Yixuan was injured, Chunxing looked heart - broken.
"What happened to Young Master Five? How did he get injured?"
Fuling also asked, "Where did Fourth Miss find Young Master Five?"
Song Yihuan sighed. "He said he fell in the garden of the Princess of Ningqin's Mansion. Just as I was about to bring him back, it started to rain, so we had to take shelter in the garden for a while."
Because Fuling was there, she subconsciously concealed the fact that she had been alone with Ji Lingchuan in the garden.
"Fuling, go fetch some water. Chunxing, go get a clean set of clothes and check if there's any wound medicine in the house. I'm going to treat Xuan'er's wounds."
Song Yihuan arranged things methodically. Fuling didn't suspect anything and immediately turned around to do as she was told with Chunxing.
Song Yihuan placed her younger brother on the bamboo chair in the courtyard. She wanted to take out her handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her brother's face, but suddenly realized—
Her handkerchief seemed to still be with Ji Lingchuan.