"Tiao Hong looked at the wound on Song Chaoyu's neck and felt a little relieved. "What should we do now?"
Song Chaoyu knew that this matter might not be something she could solve on her own.
She made up her mind. "Father will surely go to her courtyard tonight. Let's go find Grandmother!"
She couldn't tell the old madam about her relationship with Mu Changxi yet. However, the old madam already knew that Mu Changxi had wanted to take her as a concubine, so only the old madam would not doubt her words. Moreover, the old madam also knew about the red plum jade pendant, so it would be best to tell the old madam.
---
In the evening, Song Yuan was still captivated by the beauty of the sixth concubine, wishing he could stare at her throughout dinner.
The sixth concubine dared not look at Song Chaoyu, pretending to be as usual.
After dinner, the old madam looked at Song Chaoyu. "Fourth girl, why do you seem absent-minded today?"
The sixth concubine's gaze suddenly shifted to Song Chaoyu. Song Chaoyu then smiled apologetically at the old madam. "I'm worried about Xiao Qing'er's health these past two days, and I can't feel at ease!"
The old madam nodded and sighed. "Isn't that so? The weather is cold, and children are prone to catching colds. Jiangzhou sent some good things yesterday. You can go back with me later and pick out anything that might be useful for Xiao Qing'er. If he doesn't get better after being sick, you can let the wet nurse drink the medicine. Xiao Qing'er is still so young; he might not be able to tolerate drinking the medicine directly."
Song Chaoyu quickly nodded. "Thank you, Grandmother."
So, after dinner, she naturally followed behind the old madam.
Unexpectedly, Song Yanjiao, for some reason, perhaps seeing Song Chaoyu and the old madam being close, also got up. "Grandmother, Fourth Sister, may I accompany you? Mother has also prepared some things to send to Grandmother's courtyard! I'm afraid the servants might not handle them properly, so it's better to deliver them to Grandmother personally."
Song Chaoyu thought it was good, lest the sixth concubine suspect the old madam and cause trouble for her later.
As the three of them, grandmother and granddaughters, walked towards the old madam's courtyard, Song Yanjiao affectionately linked her arm with Song Chaoyu's. "Fourth Sister, among us girls, you are the only one left in the Song family. Are you planning to stay with Grandmother until she is old? If you have any thoughts or fancy any young master, just tell Mother."
The old madam looked back at the two of them, feeling an indescribable emotion.
She used to dote on Song Yanjiao, but since when did she feel that Song Yanjiao had also learned the art of being sly and insincere?
Moreover, ever since she got close to Prince Ning, Song Yanjiao had not been as attentive to the old madam.
However, considering their grandmother-granddaughter relationship, the old madam said nothing, only telling Song Yanjiao, "You are all married off. Let your fourth sister stay with this old woman for a couple more years! Why the hurry? Anyway, your fourth sister doesn't want to marry some high-ranking official or noble. Just take your time and pick carefully. Let your mother also relax and not be too anxious."
"Grandmother is right!"
Song Yanjiao outwardly agreed with the old madam, but she still insisted on saying what she wanted to say. "However, Fourth Sister is also the daughter of a minister. Why can't she marry a high-ranking official or noble? Does Grandmother know about the Governor of Jingyi, who was transferred back from his post in Yizhou? I saw him from afar once, and he was so noble and elegant!"
This person was not only known to the old madam but also to Song Chaoyu, as he was currently in favor with the Emperor.
This Governor of Jingyi was named Guan Xingsi, and he was just turning thirty this year.
He was from the capital, but his family was not particularly prominent.
After passing the imperial examination as the third-ranked scholar thirteen years ago, he was transferred to Yizhou, where his career flourished.
Four years ago, he was appointed by the Emperor as the "Governor of Jingyi" to oversee the construction of the Jingyi Canal and handle civil affairs and cases along the Jingyi route.
It was heard that he was upright and had a stern demeanor, even the commander of Yizhou city feared him.
In the autumn, he was summoned back to the capital by the Emperor to report on his duties. It was heard that he would stay until spring of the following year before leaving.
The old madam frowned and replied to Song Yanjiao, "Of course, I know this Governor. However, he is already thirty this year. Isn't he too old for your fourth sister? I heard that he is married. Are you planning to have your fourth sister become his concubine?"
"What are you talking about, Grandmother?"
Song Yanjiao put on a virtuous demeanor. "How could I let Fourth Sister be a concubine? Fourth Sister is my sister; I wouldn't harm her! Grandmother, you don't know, but this Governor divorced his principal wife this summer! Prince Ning also inquired. His household is quite clean, with only three concubines and one maidservant. He is a good man!"
The old madam's frown deepened. "Divorced his wife? So you want your fourth sister to be his second wife?"
"Grandmother, listen to me!"
Song Yanjiao and Prince Ning likely intended to win over Guan Xingsi.
Therefore, they had inquired about everything about him. "Grandmother, his divorce was not due to any family issues. It was his principal wife who proposed it, saying that after marrying Master Guan for ten years, she had no children, and he was indebted to Master Guan and the Guan family. It is said that Master Guan kept her for a long time, but she was determined. She even said that if Master Guan did not divorce her, she would become a nun and not burden the Guan family!"
Song Yanjiao seemed to sigh for the Guan family. "Speaking of Master Guan, he is truly a man of great affection and righteousness. After repeatedly failing to persuade her, he granted the woman's wish. Although he divorced her, he sent her back to her maiden home with a carriage and sedan chair, without coveting her dowry. Such an upright gentleman is truly rare! He is older, but being older means he will also be considerate. If Fourth Sister marries him, he will surely treat her well."
The old madam also understood Song Yanjiao's intentions but still did not respond, instead asking Song Yanjiao, "According to what you say, he has no children in his household? Could it be that there is something wrong with him, and he cannot have children?"
"No, no, no!"
Song Yanjiao was anxious and did not realize what the old madam truly meant. She followed the old madam's words. "He has a庶子 (son born to a concubine) and two庶女 (daughters born to a concubine) in his household, and they are all raised very well. It must not be his problem, otherwise, he wouldn't have divorced his wife, would he?"
"Oh!"
The old madam nodded, understanding. "So if our fourth girl marries him, she will have to face a household full of young ladies and illegitimate children. She, a girl who has just reached adulthood, will become the mistress of three children. Is this the good family you have chosen for your fourth sister?"
Clearly, the old madam was not impressed with the Guan family.