Chapter 220 - 100: Shedding All Pretense
Hearing that his mother’s thoughts mirrored his own, Song Buran nodded. "Mr. An gave me his waist token," he added. "He said I can use it to notify him if I run into any trouble."
The Eldest Madam’s brow twitched. Her expression grew even more solemn as she looked at her son and said, "When you go out, you must have attendants with you. Take at least two."
Song Buran thought his mother was making a mountain out of a molehill, but not wanting to worry her, he nodded in agreement. "Then, should I go ask my tutor for a few days’ leave?"
"I’ll speak to him," the Eldest Madam said. "Speaking of which, the scholars who’ve come to the capital for the examination should all be staying near the examination hall. I’ll have someone make some inquiries first. You can go over tomorrow."
Song Buran agreed. Seeing that his mother had no other instructions, he rose to take his leave.
After watching her son leave, the Eldest Madam couldn’t shake the feeling that this matter wasn’t simple. ’That child, Yun Zhao, has always been cautious and careful. For her to now have Bo Ran interact more with the scholars... she must have her reasons.’
’But Yun Zhao didn’t say it outright, which means it’s something that can’t be discussed openly. What on earth could it be?’
The Eldest Madam was anxious. She hadn’t dared to show it earlier for fear of affecting her son, and with her husband away, she had no one to discuss it with. After turning it over and over in her mind, she summoned her housekeeper. "The Autumn Examination is in a few days, and I’m very worried. Nanny Qian, have your husband and son go and inquire about this year’s examination. The more detailed, the better. Especially in the places where the scholars gather—they should listen, watch, and ask as much as they can."
Nanny Qian didn’t think much of it, assuming the Madam was simply worried about the young master and the young master-in-law’s performance in the Autumn Examination. She smiled and said, "Rest assured, Madam. I will make sure my husband is thorough in his inquiries. He won’t let you down."
The Eldest Madam nodded. "Go on."
After Nanny Qian withdrew, the Eldest Madam thought it over and decided to make a trip to her maiden home.
’Yun Zhao isn’t a meddlesome person. The fact that she sent her steward to find Bo Ran instead of coming to see me means she doesn’t want too many people to know about this. There must be some hidden trouble.’
’But I don’t have much information. A trip to my maiden home to ask around is the right move.’
’Since Yun Zhao doesn’t want people to know, I naturally won’t bring her up at my maiden home. Fortunately, my son-in-law will be coming to the capital soon, so it won’t seem strange for me to ask about the Autumn Examination.’
The Eldest Madam changed her clothes and was heading out with her attendants when she unexpectedly saw Mrs. Cai approaching. Her brow furrowed. She really didn’t want to see her, but it was too late to avoid her now.
Mrs. Cai looked at the Eldest Madam’s attire and asked in surprise, "Eldest Sister-in-law, are you going out this late?"
The Eldest Madam gave a slight nod. "Third Sister-in-law, what brings you here at this hour?"
Seeing the Eldest Madam’s cold expression and her evasive words, Mrs. Cai felt a surge of displeasure that inevitably showed on her face. She said coolly, "Qing Han’s marriage to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion has been settled. I was thinking we need to send someone to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion to measure the rooms, so I came to discuss with you, Eldest Sister-in-law, who would be best to send."
Wealthier families would prepare a full set of furniture for their daughter’s dowry—tables, chairs, benches, beds, and the like. This required measuring the dimensions of the rooms to avoid the disgrace of furniture that was too large or too small.
Neither Song Lirong nor Song Hongjiao had received such furniture in their dowries. Although the Song Family was not poor, they had many children. With daughters to marry off and sons to find wives for, the Eldest Madam could not prepare the dowry of a concubine’s daughter to be as lavish as that of a legitimate daughter.
The Eldest Madam knew Mrs. Cai was preparing these things for Song Qinghan. But knowing was one thing; she still felt a deep sense of disgust and had no desire to get involved. She said directly, "Third Sister-in-law, Hong Jiao’s wedding is sooner than Qing Han’s, and I’m simply too busy to manage. You should see to Qing Han’s preparations yourself. You have many capable people around you; whoever you send will handle it properly."
Mrs. Cai had long expected the Eldest Madam to refuse her help. "Since you put it that way, Eldest Sister-in-law, I won’t insist. But there is another matter I’d like to ask your help with. I know you recently acquired a piece of high-quality Mutton Fat Jade. I was wondering if you could let me have it first? I’ll find another fine piece to replace it for you later."
At these words, the Eldest Madam’s expression soured even further. She never imagined Mrs. Cai would have designs on that piece of jade. She was planning to have a craftsman make a pair of bracelets from it to send to Yun Zhao for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
’The last few times she had seen Yun Zhao, she noticed she only had a few bracelets that she wore in rotation. Fearing she would look too plain and be mocked by the other imperial concubines, she had gone to the trouble of asking her maiden family to find this specific piece of jade. To think Mrs. Cai would actually have designs on it!’
The Eldest Madam suppressed her fury and looked at Mrs. Cai. "Third Sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m unwilling to part with it, but I have an urgent use for this jade. Qing Han’s dowry is already lavish enough; I don’t think you need to add anything else for her. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be on my way. You should head back early as well, Third Sister-in-law."