Chapter 561 Humiliation
Song Zhiqing rode on horseback, looking at the golden lacquered characters carved on the gate of Shangjing, his heart surging with excitement.
Shangjing, he was back again.
"Heh."
He squeezed his legs and gently urged the horse forward, the carriage behind him hurriedly following.
Some commoners watched the ten or so carriages, whispering where they stood—whose noble family could have so many carriages and horses?
"Be careful, don’t go over there. Didn’t you see the family emblem hanging on the lead carriage?" Someone held back a man who was about to make a move and said, "That’s the Song Family emblem, the Song Minister’s family’s relatives. If you offend the nobles, could you get away with it?"
The man was immediately startled.
As the carriage passed by, the people inside heard the discussions, and a corner of their mouth tugged upward slightly.
When the carriage entered the city, the curtain was gently lifted, revealing a fair and beautiful face that briefly caught the attention of passersby.
Bai Shuilian’s eyes sparkled brightly; would the prosperous Shangjing be a new world for her?
Thinking of the woman in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, her lips pressed together, a flash of annoyance and restlessness crossing her eyes.
Song Zhiqing, guided by the steward who came to greet him, arrived at the grand entrance of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. He glanced at the vast plaza of the mansion, his thin lips pursed, the expression on his face complex and indecipherable, with a hint of something concealed.
"Third Master, the old Madam is waiting in the mansion." The steward smiled broadly and led the group to the eastern corner gate.
Song Zhiqing nodded, glanced at the carriage behind him, hesitated a bit, then dismounted and approached Bai Shuilian’s carriage, saying, "Lian’er, we’re home."
The curtain lifted open, Bai Shuilian looked at him and said, "Shouldn’t you first go pay respects to the old Madam, Third Master?"
"But you—"
Bai Shuilian gently rebuked him, "Third Master, I’m just a concubine, I haven’t even met Lady yet—how could I have the right to see the old Madam with you? It wouldn’t be proper, so you should go first. Once the old Madam summons, I’ll bring Yi’er and the others to kowtow to her, as is appropriate."
Hearing this, Song Zhiqing felt a twinge of guilt, wanting to say something, but then saw that Madam Lu’s attendant, Old Madame Zhou, had arrived.
Madame Zhou approached quickly, smiling broadly as she greeted Song Zhiqing, "Third Master, safe travels, this old servant pays her respects. The old Madam is waiting for you at Chunhui Hall to offer your respects."
Song Zhiqing looked behind her but didn’t see Madam Lu, there was a slight discomfort on his face, "I understand."
He glanced at Bai Shuilian, who nodded in response, and Old Madame Zhou followed his gaze, her pupils momentarily constricting as she took in the appearance of the person, yet her face continued to bear a smile.
Song Zhiqing looked at Old Madame Zhou and said with a feigned calmness, "This is Bai Yi-niang, take her to see Madam."
Old Madame Zhou acknowledged with a smile.
Only then did Song Zhiqing say to Bai Shuilian, "You and the children take your time."
Old Madame Zhou’s smile slightly stiffened, her hands placed firmly on her abdomen, the Third Master had been completely ensnared.
After he entered through the east corner gate, Old Madame Zhou bowed to Bai Shuilian, "Madam, you’ve had a tiring journey, please follow this old servant."
Bai Shuilian was momentarily stunned.
Beside her, her attendants Jing Shui and Shuang Lu frowned, with Shuang Lu, who was bold and forthright, saying, "Madame, why do you call my mistress Madam?"
This is the confidante of Madam, here to intentionally humiliate her mistress!
"Shuang Lu, don’t be rude." Bai Shuilian lightly rebuked, then softly apologized to Old Madame Zhou, "The maid is insolent, please do not blame her."
Old Madame Zhou didn’t mind, smiling as she replied, "Just to let this young lady know, the rules of the Prime Minister’s Mansion are strict, even for receiving a concubine, it has to be approved by the Lady, and one must drink the tea offered by the concubine before it’s considered official, so this old servant wouldn’t dare to overstep."
Humiliation, that was.