Song Yihuan had worked as a copyist for the bookstore owner for many years. The owner was very familiar with her. If she could get a job copying books, it would relieve her current predicament and allow her to save some silver for her future departure from the capital.
Although she was now in a difficult situation with no way out, Song Yihuan never lost confidence. She was determined to get out of this mess.
However, Fuling was shocked by Song Yihuan's difficult situation. Before, when she was by Song Nanxin's side, Fuling was used to Song Nanxin's extravagance and luxury. Over time, she got used to the grandeur of a marquis's daughter in terms of food, clothing, and daily necessities. But after she was assigned to Song Yihuan's side, all she saw was frugality and austerity.
A legitimate daughter of a marquis's mansion was living such a hard life. She even had to embroider and copy books to earn some silver to make a living. And this was when the Prince Ning's Mansion didn't treat her badly in terms of food and drink. How was she different from them, the servants?
Fuling bit her lip. She took out her money - pouch and handed it to Song Yihuan. "Fourth Miss, I still have some silver here. It can help for a while."
Song Yihuan didn't take it. Instead, she smiled and said, "That's your silver. You'd better keep it for yourself. It's okay. I'll always figure out a way."
Seeing her insistence, Fuling gave up. But in her heart, she felt more and more pity for the siblings.
Just now, Song Yihuan thought she was fine after the adventure in the market. But when she got up, she felt a dense stabbing pain in her waist. Although it wasn't severe, it still bothered her.
She noticed something was wrong. Avoiding Chunxing, she called Fuling to take a look. Fuling looked surprised. "Fourth Miss, there's a bruise on your waist. What happened?"
A bruise on her waist? Song Yihuan was stunned. After thinking for a while, she guessed that it was caused by accidentally bumping into a roadside stall when she saved the child today.
She was in a daze. She only bumped into something and got a bruised waist. What about Ji Lingchuan?
Unconsciously, the scene of Ji Lingchuan standing in front of her and blocking the hooves of the crazy horse appeared in Song Yihuan's mind. The man's figure was so tall and imposing, firmly protecting her and the child in her arms.
She had spent several nights with him in bed. She clearly knew how strong his body was under the clothes and how powerful his arms were. It made people involuntarily rely on him in that moment.
His shoulder was obviously injured. She just didn't know how serious it was.
Biting her lower lip secretly, Song Yihuan scolded herself in her heart. Why should she care about his life or death? If it weren't for him, she would have had a wonderful marriage long ago. How could she have fallen into this predicament?
Moreover, he didn't need her concern. Maybe if she went in front of him, he would drive her away with disgust on his face.
In his heart, she was a scheming woman who would do anything to climb up the social ladder. Why should she go and make a fool of herself in front of him?
Song Yihuan lowered her head and remained silent, which made Fuling misunderstand.
Thinking that Song Yihuan had gone out shopping with Song Nanxin today, Fuling said suspiciously, "Could it be that the eldest miss punished the fourth miss while they were out?"
Otherwise, where did the fourth miss's injury come from?
Song Yihuan came back to her senses and found that she had misunderstood. She said, "I got this injury by accidentally bumping into something. It has nothing to do with the eldest sister."
But her denial sounded like an admission to Fuling. Fuling felt a mixture of emotions in her heart.
The fourth miss was really too kind - hearted. She was being used by the eldest miss like this, but still thought about the eldest miss. Why did she believe what the eldest miss and Baizhi said before, thinking that the fourth miss was a scheming and coquettish woman?
The fourth miss was obviously simple, kind - hearted, and tough - minded.
As sisters, the fourth miss and the eldest miss were completely different. If the fourth miss were the legitimate daughter of the marquis's mansion, the concubines' daughters in the mansion would surely be treated well.
Song Yihuan didn't know what Fuling was thinking. She took out some ointment and asked Fuling to rub it on the bruise.
Lying on the quilt, the pain in her waist made Song Yihuan inhale sharply. However, even though it hurt, she never cried out, for fear that her younger brother next door would notice and have a heart attack.
In a daze, Song Yihuan suddenly heard Fuling say, "Fourth Miss, actually..."
Song Yihuan opened her eyes.
"Actually, the eldest miss didn't fall into the water at Princess Xiuling's birthday banquet." Fuling lowered her voice so that only they, the mistress and the maid, could hear.
Song Yihuan propped herself up and looked at Fuling behind her. Her deer - like eyes were full of suspicion. "What you just said, is it true?"
Fuling nodded. "Absolutely true."
"Then the eldest sister..." Song Yihuan's heart started beating fast. She unconsciously tightened the brocade quilt in her hand, as if it could give her some support.
Fuling said, "The eldest miss does have continuous menstruation and can't get pregnant. But I don't know the specific reason. Although I'm the dowry maid the eldest miss brought into the Prince Ning's Mansion, the eldest miss trusts Baizhi the most."
Song Yihuan looked at Fuling and probed, "Since you're the eldest sister's dowry maid, why are you willing to tell me this?"
Fuling suddenly got up and knelt in front of Song Yihuan.
"I can't bear to see the fourth miss being kept in the dark all the time. I thought that maybe if the fourth miss knew this, she could find a way to get out of the eldest miss's control. If that day really comes, I hope the fourth miss can get my indenture from the eldest miss. I'm willing to follow the fourth miss all the time and also willing to deal with the eldest miss for the fourth miss."
There was a hint of meaning in Song Yihuan's eyes. She reached out her hand to Fuling and said softly, "Fuling, good girl, get up quickly. If that day really comes, I will surely fulfill your wish."
Fuling stood up and sat down on the edge of the bed. Song Yihuan thought about what Fuling had just said and asked, "Tell me in detail what you know."
Fuling leaned over Song Yihuan's ear and whispered everything she knew.
...
In Shulan Courtyard, Song Nanxin returned to Yixiang Pavilion and sat down at the table.
Since she met Cui Ying'er outside, she had been a bit absent - minded. She didn't even respond when Baizhi called her several times.
"Miss?"
Song Nanxin came back to her senses in a daze and saw Baizhi holding a brocade box, looking at her worriedly. "Miss, are you okay? Why do you look so absent - minded?"
Song Nanxin quickly said, "I'm okay. Maybe it's too hot and I've got some heatstroke. Why did you call me?"
Baizhi said, "I wanted to ask you where it would be appropriate to put this jade pendant?"
Remembering that the jade pendant in the box was a gift she bought for Ji Lingchuan, the Prince Ning, and the Princess Ning, she said, "Put it on the dressing table for now."