If not for his current inability to walk, Third Master Song would have already rushed over, grabbed Third Aunt Song by her clothes, and fiercely interrogated her.
“How can someone be in the Song Mansion one moment and gone the next? You just leave me with that one sentence?” Third Master Song pushed himself up from the table, the ache in his legs less painful than the throbbing in his head.
“Tell me clearly, did she go out to play, or did you drive her away?”
Third Aunt Song took a step back, her voice trembling, “I don’t know where she went. But I haven’t been upsetting her lately.”
“You haven’t been upsetting her? You’re trying to upset me to death!” Third Master Song felt a tightness in his chest, as if his blood was no longer flowing. He gasped for air, forcing himself to calm down. He asked, “What do you know then? I told you to apologize yesterday, did you go?”
Third Aunt Song said, “I sent the gifts to her yesterday, but she wouldn’t accept them.”
“Why wouldn’t she accept them?” Third Master Song was agitated, his anger escalating at her hesitant demeanor. He roared, “Can you just tell me everything at once? Do I have to ask you every single thing before you utter a word? Can you leave me with a single breath left?”
Tears welled up in Third Aunt Song’s eyes, “She probably suspects we took something from her gifts, so she made an excuse to delay, saying she wanted the servants to register the items before accepting them.”
Third Master Song: “Then did you return them?“ by carpreads.pages.dev
Third Aunt Song cried out in grievance, “I did! But your precious niece and your own mother wouldn’t return them! I urged them, one said the things were lost, the other insisted on waiting until today. What could I do? Could I fight them for it? Who knew that when I went to check this morning, she was gone!”
“You, you…”
Third Master Song deeply regretted it.
This unsettling feeling had been gnawing at him for almost two days, and hearing Third Aunt Song’s words, his premonition had become a reality.
He had never regretted anything as much as this. How could he have married such a woman, one who was good for nothing but causing trouble?
He flicked his sleeve, calling out to the steward standing nearby, “Get me the rattan cane!”
Third Aunt Song shrieked, “What are you going to do?”
Third Master Song: “You’re trying to kill me! I told you clearly, why did you delay for a day? Don’t you know I’m still under Fu Changjun’s control? Why can’t you think for me?”
Third Aunt Song’s grievances reached their breaking point.
They had been married for so long, Third Master Song had never once mentioned hitting her, let alone using such a humiliating punishment.
She felt a deep, gnawing pain in her heart.
Seeing that Third Master Song had actually grabbed the rattan cane, she cried out, ignoring her appearance, “It’s not my fault! Did I want to delay? It was your own mother who wanted to delay!”
Third Master Song: “Why did I ask you to do this? Because I thought you were someone who understood the urgency of the situation! My mother is old and dotes on Second Girl, I knew she wouldn’t be clear-headed. But you’re the same. My mistake was trusting you!”
He raised the cane in his hand and, in his anger, lashed out at Third Aunt Song.
“Ah—”
Third Aunt Song cried out in pain, clutching her bottom as she scrambled away.
The blow wasn’t actually that painful, Third Master Song couldn’t bring himself to hit her hard, and his hand was weak anyway. But Third Aunt Song felt as if her face had been stripped bare, her resentment towards Second Miss and Old Madam Song reached its peak.
She leaned against the door, wailing. Her voice rose and fell, filled with sorrow. It was like a funeral dirge.
The servants in the mansion had already retreated as far as they could, only a few who couldn’t escape remained standing, wishing they could burrow into the ground to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Third Master Song raised his head and slapped his forehead, then threw the rattan cane to the ground with a thud, “Stop crying!”
Third Aunt Song said, “Just vent your anger on me, everything is my fault. Ever since I married into your Song family, I’ve been trying to please your old lady.”
Third Master Song frowned, “What are you talking about?”
Third Aunt Song said, “How can you say I’m talking nonsense? You don’t know, you don’t know what kind of grievances I suffer in this house, and you don’t care. You’re all so high and mighty, while I’m the bad guy. Whenever something happens, it’s all my fault, right? Why, as soon as Third Girl Song comes back, I have to be the villain who’s wrong on both sides? Is that what I want?”
Perhaps she couldn’t bear to listen anymore, afraid that Third Aunt Song would continue crying and say something unpleasant. Finally, Old Madam Song appeared.
She walked over with the help of a servant girl, interrupting Third Aunt Song’s words from afar.
“What’s all this commotion? Third Child, you just came back from the government office, and you’re already shutting the door and scolding people? Don’t you worry about what people will think?”
Third Master Song, his anger having nowhere to go, shouted at her, “Mother, Mother, you always favor Second Girl, that’s fine. But in such a serious matter, why can’t you be fair?”
Old Madam Song was displeased. “Are you saying I’m biased? Where am I biased? You come back and immediately accuse your mother, do you think you’re right?”
She sat down in the hall, still looking relaxed. She adjusted her robe with a practiced grace.
Seeing this, Third Master Song paced back and forth in the room, wiped his face forcefully, then knelt before Old Madam Song and asked, “Mother, do you understand the seriousness of this matter?”
Old Madam Song looked impatient. “How serious could it be?”
Third Master Song sneered, “The Song family has been thriving in the court these past few years. Big Brother has been promoted rapidly, and he’s already blocked the path of others. Our Song family’s foundation is not as strong as others, and there are many who resent us. They only dare not act because of the He family’s face. Now Third Girl Song has returned and is going to marry into the Duke Gu’s mansion. Do you know how many people are envious behind our backs?”
Old Madam Song held her teacup, unmoved.
Third Master Song continued, “The gossip spreading around the mansion is nothing. Third Girl Song is magnanimous and doesn’t mind. But now, someone is trying to use Eldest Sister-in-law as a weapon. Who knows if they’re friend or foe? If Song Chuzhao holds this against us, what do you think we should do?”
Old Madam Song glanced at him. “What do you want to do?”
Third Master Song was so anxious he clapped his hands. “Mother! Do you think just because Third Girl Song is a Song and lives in this Song mansion, she has to obey you in everything?”
Old Madam Song said matter-of-factly, “Of course she should! She’s an unmarried girl, shouldn’t she listen to her elders?”
Third Master Song said, “She’s different! Eldest Sister-in-law’s family is the He mansion! Even if General He doesn’t have a son, he has disciples. Even if he doesn’t hold office, he still has connections. Moreover, his adopted son is called Fu Changjun. Who is Fu Changjun? He’s the Emperor’s maternal uncle!”
Old Madam Song was annoyed. “What are you trying to say!”
Third Master Song’s eyes were red with anger, and he spoke recklessly, “I’m saying that when Eldest Sister-in-law married into our family, it was her marrying down! If she hadn’t married down, we wouldn’t be where we are today! Even though she’s a second wife, even though Song Chuzhao isn’t the eldest daughter, she’s more noble than you think! If you continue to disrespect her, you’re playing with fire and courting disaster!”
Old Madam Song trembled with anger.
These were the words she hated to hear the most, and now she had heard them from her own son.
Similar words were often heard from other officials’ wives when He Wan first married into the family.
Old Madam Song had always cared about appearances, how could she tolerate her daughter-in-law surpassing her, her son, and even the entire Song family? Besides, in her heart, Song Chuzhao might not even be a member of the Song family!
She found it unusual that He Wan was willing to marry into her family. At first, she didn’t pay much attention, but when everyone around her started making the same guesses, she realized the truth. What kind of humiliation did she endure to keep this a secret?
She felt deep resentment towards those who looked down on her and mocked her, but she also felt that the Song family had indeed benefited from He Wan, and even her rebuttals lacked confidence.
Later, as time passed, this feeling of insecurity gradually faded away with her eldest son’s accumulating military achievements and his rapid rise in officialdom.
In recent years, no one dared to speak like that in front of her. But her third son, her own son, was so useless!
Third Master Song continued, “The first slanderous words about Third Girl Song came from within the mansion. I don’t care who it was, but it must stop! Mother, go and explain to Third Girl Song that the rumors about Eldest Sister-in-law have nothing to do with us. They are all baseless slander. Someone is trying to sow discord between our families…”
Old Madam Song stood up, grabbed her third son, and slapped him repeatedly. She cursed, “Your big brother risked his life to bring the Song family to where it is today! But you only know how to scheme and curry favor with that Fu fellow. Remember this, the Song family is where it is today because of your big brother, you ungrateful wretch!”
Third Master Song dodged while shouting, “Mother, can you please be reasonable?”
Third Aunt Song also rushed to intervene.
Old Madam Song, it was unclear where she found the strength, but she grabbed onto Third Master Song’s clothes with all her might.
The more she scolded, the more she felt she was right.
This He Wan, as soon as she married in, took her eldest son away. Song Shiwen had never had a father since she was young, and could only grow up by her side. Who knows how much grievance she must have felt.
Now Third Girl Song has returned and taken her marriage away. The servants around her couldn’t bear to see it, and they went out and gossiped a few words. How could this become a sin that the heavens would not forgive?
Why did she have to raise her granddaughter with her own hands and endure Song Chuzhao’s temper?
Besides, what the servants said was indeed true. Wasn’t Song Chuzhao vulgar and savage?
She looked very savage!
“Whoever said it, go and find out who it was!” Old Madam Song said, “Anyway, our Song family has never spread rumors about He Wan!”
Third Master Song: “How can you be so foolish! Now it’s them who want to harm you, and you’re not even clearing your own house, you insist on getting into this muddy water with them, don’t you?”
Third Aunt Song also said: “Old Madam, my husband is right! Don’t just care about Song Shiwen, your granddaughter, and not even care about your son’s life or death! Is it that our husband is not a member of the Song family! If she really has the ability, let her go and fight with Song Chuzhao, why does she have to use our Third Branch to squeeze in the middle!”
Third Aunt Song: “Besides, you took Third Girl Song’s things, no matter where you go to reason, it’s wrong! That’s clearly stealing!”
Third Master Song pulled his hand back with a strong tug. Old Madam Song couldn’t stop herself, and she fell backwards, her head hitting the chair.
She let out a cry of pain, and then she stopped moving.
Third Master Song and Third Aunt Song were both startled, they looked at each other, and ran towards Old Madam Song.
“Mother!”
The two of them cried out in unison. They touched her back of the head and found that there was no bleeding. They also checked her breath and confirmed that she was still alive. She was just tilting her head, with her mouth open, she must have fainted.
Third Master Song said: “Quickly send Mother back to her room, and find a doctor to take a look at her!”
The servants nodded in agreement, and they hurriedly helped Old Madam Song towards the back courtyard.
The mess in the hall after the chaos was like Third Master Song’s mind.
Third Aunt Song grabbed her husband’s arm, sniffed, and asked: “What do we do now?”
Third Master Song: “Shut up, let me think!”
Third Aunt Song was silent for a while, then she raised her tearful face and said: “I’m telling you, today I and your mother have completely torn our faces apart. From now on, you still want me to serve her like this, I can’t do it. She’s a vengeful person, and she won’t let me go easily. What do you say I should do?”
Third Master Song looked at her, feeling helpless, and finally could only pat his chest and say: “It’s my fault, this is probably my retribution.”
He knew everything. He also knew about Song Shiwen’s little tricks behind the scenes. But he also thought that Song Chuzhao didn’t understand the affairs of the capital, nor did she understand interpersonal relationships, so she should be easy to bully, so he didn’t stop her.
He deserved it.
He lived in his elder brother’s mansion, wanting to climb the Song family’s ladder, but he ended up grabbing a thorn, almost throwing himself down.
Third Master Song suddenly made up his mind: “Mother is really confused, it’s impossible to reason with her. There will probably be more trouble in the future, we have to move out!”
Third Aunt Song was startled and asked: “Move where?”
Third Master Song: “It’s better to move anywhere than to stay here! If I still live in the Song Mansion, with Mother like this, will I even have a life to live? If I leave, it will also make her understand that I’m serious.”
Third Aunt Song pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked: “Then we’ll just leave it alone?”
“How could I leave it alone? Do you know what Fu Changjun said back then? He said he holds grudges! He won’t let me go until this grudge is settled! How would I know when Fu Changjun’s anger will subside?” Third Master Song stroked his fingers, almost muttering to himself, “She indulges Second Girl in this matter, I can’t cover for her… She can’t bring herself to be ruthless, I have to be ruthless! This is forcing me to be unrighteous!
This family is destined to fall apart.”
Third Master Song thought of his mother’s wailing and couldn’t help but regretfully stomp his foot: “Oh, why did I join the Imperial Insignia Guards?”
Over at the He Mansion, Master He was inquiring about the Song Mansion.
Madam He patted his back to soothe him. Master He propped himself up on the table with one hand, the other hand on his chest, and said resolutely, “What else? Tell me, I can handle it!”
Song Chuzhao couldn’t quite remember either. She felt she should have brought Chundong with her. That little girl’s talent for storytelling was unmatched.
So she just talked about it casually.
“When I first arrived, the Song Mansion servants never came to call anyone for meals. Miss Song was unprepared and must have been hungry for several meals.”
“The courtyard was unswept, and the only maid didn’t listen to anyone.”
“She always criticized people for being unmannerly, speaking in a sarcastic and peculiar way…”
Just these few things were enough to leave the He family elders stunned. They wished they could grab the large saber used to ward off evil spirits in the back courtyard and personally teach the Song family what it meant to be mannerly.
If not for these frail bodies that burdened them, they could have fought back.
Master He asked, “Zhaozhao, did you receive the gift I sent you?”
Gu Fengjian said, “Third Aunt Song sent it to me last night, but I haven’t accepted it yet. My courtyard is too small, I can’t fit everything. I wanted to sort through it first, and return anything I couldn’t keep to you, but time was too tight, I didn’t have time.”
Master He asked, “Sent last night?”
Gu Fengjian nodded, “Yes.”
Master He looked at Fu Changjun, who nodded in acknowledgment.
“I see.”
Fu Changjun had already punished Third Master Song for concealing the He Mansion’s gifts. But he didn’t believe in punishing someone once and never again. After all, they were just unlucky, weren’t they?
He also knew that several women were behind this, but he couldn’t directly confront them. By putting pressure on Third Master Song, he could provoke his resentment towards Old Madam Song. In the end, their family would be in turmoil, which was a good outcome.
Old Madam Song doesn’t care about Song Chuzhao, but wouldn’t she care about her own son?
The lively scene suddenly fell silent.
Everyone was churning black water in their hearts, unable to find a suitable topic for a while.
Song Chuzhao came back to her senses, and after a moment, with Gu Fengjian’s encouragement and expectation, she spoke up, “Third Miss, if you’re truly unhappy living in the Song Mansion, why don’t you come stay at the He Mansion for a few days? Just in time, Master He’s not feeling well, you can consider it taking care of Master He for Madam Song.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Master He’s eyes lit up, and he and Madam He quickly turned to look at her.
Such a good thing… they hadn’t dared to dream of it before!
This Gu family boy is truly excellent!
Master He and Madam He both pushed pastries towards Song Chuzhao, urging her to eat, eat more, eat until she was full. The admiration and affection in their eyes were undisguised. It was a harmonious glow of sudden acceptance into the family.
Song Chuzhao suddenly felt uncomfortable being the center of attention.
Fu Changjun also spoke slowly, “You can stay at the He Mansion for a while before your mother returns. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Gu Fengjian said with a meaningful look, “I’m afraid it might disturb grandfather. He’s not in good health, and if he worries about me, what can we do?”
Master He wished he could demonstrate his martial prowess right then and there, but he remembered his frail body and said with restraint, “Your grandfather’s health has greatly improved. Now it’s just a matter of his heart. Once his heart heals, he’ll be as good as new. He can even go horseback riding and archery with you. Would you like that?”
Gu Fengjian said, “Then I’m relieved.”
Song Chuzhao sat there silently pondering, and suddenly a thought struck her, making her jolt.
There were many skilled fighters in the He Mansion. Even the gatekeepers were veteran soldiers who had seen battle. She imagined the walls in the back garden wouldn’t be easy to climb, would they?
Madam He reminded her, “If you’re going to move into the He Mansion, you should tell Old Madam Song first. After all, you are a member of the Song family.”
Fu Changjun smiled and said, “Old Madam Song should agree.”
He raised an eyebrow, and Master He knew what he was up to. Master He… smiled encouragingly at him.
Don’t hold back then.
This news was too joyful.
They all simultaneously took a sip of water, calming themselves down a bit.
Master He asked again, “When will you move in?”
Madam He was eager, “How about tomorrow? I’ll have someone help you pack.”
Song Chuzhao thought, “That fast?”
But Gu Fengjian was even more decisive. He said calmly, “I don’t have much to pack. It’s still early today. Why don’t we go today?”
Master He was almost speechless. “To-today?”
Was happiness coming this fast?
He asked, “Really?”
Gu Fengjian nodded.
“I’ll need to trouble the He Mansion’s servants to help me move some things. Also, bring back the gifts the He Mansion sent,” Gu Fengjian said. “The things are all in the Song family’s warehouse. I don’t know what’s there.”
Fu Changjun’s fingers circled the rim of his cup, instantly understanding Gu Fengjian’s intentions.
He smiled, “Take the steward with you. Go through everything at the Song Mansion and make sure nothing is left behind. I’ll go with you. We’ll also inform Old Madam Song.”
Upon hearing this, Master He immediately stood up and urged, “Let’s go now. Hurry, hurry, it’s getting dark. You can take all the servants from the mansion. Tonight, your grandfather will have someone buy some vegetables and cook you a delicious meal. Oh, I’ll go borrow a chef! Zhaozhao, what kind of dishes do you like? What kind of flavors? Do you like spicy food? Are there any foods you can’t eat? Your grandfather can find you a chef for anything!”
Song Chuzhao shouted in her heart: I want to eat everything!
Gu Fengjian smiled, “I can eat anything.”
Master He then turned to Song Chuzhao, “Fifth Young Master Gu, I won’t keep you any longer. Thank you for accompanying Zhaozhao back today.”
Song Chuzhao: “…” You’re so heartless.
Gu Fengjian had been watching her, and seeing the word “miserable” written all over her face, he couldn’t help but laugh.
The chefs at his Gu Mansion were actually quite good.
Fu Changjun: “I’ll go prepare the carriage.”
Fu Changjun went to prepare a carriage and three large carts. He also brought ten strong servants.
When the group arrived at the Song Mansion in a grand manner, the battle at the Song Mansion had just ended. Third Master Song had not yet had a chance to catch his breath when he heard Fu Changjun calling at the gate.
Third Master Song came out to greet him, nearly collapsing from exhaustion. He saw Gu Fengjian getting off the carriage.
His voice trembled: “Third Miss… you really went to report a complaint!”
Fu Changjun dismounted, his smile devoid of any emotion, even appearing somewhat friendly. He greeted him casually: “General Song is not on duty today?”
Third Master Song replied softly: “Yes.”
Fu Changjun said: “I haven’t practiced in a while. How about you come to my place tomorrow and spar with me?”
As expected!
Third Master Song swallowed hard. He wasn’t surprised, only feeling a deep sense of despair. It was as if this body was no longer his own.
Fu Changjun said: “Oh, right. My adoptive father asked me to discuss something with Old Madam Song. He’s been ill recently and needs someone to take care of him. He also misses Third Miss very much and wants her to stay at his place for a couple of days. Is that alright?”
Third Master Song’s spirits lifted, thinking: No way!
If Third Miss left now, this feud would likely never be resolved! He still wanted to mend his relationship with Third Miss, to clear up all the past grievances. He had even thought about how to apologize and explain everything. How could he let her go now?
Third Master Song quickly said: “My mother is also sick today!”
Unexpectedly, Fu Changjun nodded: “Then I won’t see her. You can just tell her.”
Third Master Song: “I meant…”
Fu Changjun snorted: “Hmm?”
Third Master Song stammered: “No… nothing.”
Fu Changjun waved his hand. The ten servants behind him stepped forward in unison.
“Then I’ll help her move her things. Please ask someone to lead these servants inside, Third Master Song. We also want to take back the gifts sent from the He Mansion. You wouldn’t mind, would you?
Third Master Song was sweating profusely: “Of course not. They are Third Miss’s things anyway.”
Fu Changjun said: “I’ll wait here. Go ahead and get busy. You don’t need to entertain me.”
Third Master Song nodded, taking another look at him before turning and running inside.
Some of the gifts from the He Mansion were missing. He had to find something to replace them.
Author’s Note:
Master He’s inner voice: “Ah—ah—ah—” The king of ancient male high-pitched opera.
carp: get the popcorn ready