The second concubine’s heart was left with only a chill.
She knew the Old Madam was resolute, and perhaps even Song Yuan felt the same way!
She began to recall.
If she were sent to a nunnery outside, she would truly have nothing left!
But she could do nothing more, as the Old Madam would no longer offer her any explanations.
“No! Old Madam, I don’t want to go!”
As the second concubine was dragged away, she continued to shout.
Unfortunately, in the Old Madam’s eyes, there would be no more chances for the second concubine.
Regardless of whether this matter involved the second concubine or not, from this day forward, the second concubine would no longer exist in the Song family!
Seeing the second concubine being dragged out, Song Chaoyu also closed her eyes.
Many things could now come to an end.
—
With the birth of little Qing’er and the approaching New Year, the entire Song family was enveloped in a joyous atmosphere.
It seemed that even Song Yanjiao’s marriage was not as significant as the birth of little Qing’er.
The Huashu Academy was bustling with congratulatory visitors, but Song Chaoyu also maintained a degree of “strict defense.”
Before the New Year, when little Qing’er had her full moon celebration, a major event occurred in the Song family: the sixth concubine entered the household!
In her previous life, due to the consecutive deaths of Concubine Liu and her unborn child, and Song Chaoyu being sent to the Ning King’s manor, she had no contact with this sixth concubine of the Song family and had no idea what kind of person she was.
Therefore, on the day the sixth concubine entered, Song Chaoyu specifically went to the main hall, ostensibly to accompany the First Madam and the Old Madam in meeting this sixth concubine, but in reality, she was very curious.
This sixth concubine was a gift to Song Yuan from someone else. Although the sixth concubine’s origins were not honorable, having been a dancer.
However, she was incredibly beautiful, and she also had the bloodline of a Hu (Central Asian) woman, giving her features more profound than ordinary Da Yue people. Thus, Song Yuan could not easily refuse such a rare beauty entering the household.
As a concubine, she naturally had to enter through a side door.
From afar, Song Chaoyu saw a bright, vibrant pink color approaching from the courtyard.
Even though Song Chaoyu herself was a woman, she had to admit that the woman gracefully approaching was exceedingly beautiful!
Just her serpentine waist, twisting and turning, was enough to make countless men fall at her feet.
But clearly, heaven did not seem to favor such a seductive and radiant woman.
The Old Madam murmured her name: “Ruiji? Isn’t this name a bit too common and worldly?”
“Isn’t it?”
The First Madam naturally disliked this Ruiji even more: “But the Master said that no matter how bad the name is, it cannot be changed. It was a name bestowed upon her by someone superior. I look at this woman with her foxy demeanor; can she truly serve the Master well?”
As they spoke, Ruiji had already arrived at the main hall.
She bowed gracefully, exuding a thousand charms.
Her appearance strongly reflected her Hu heritage, with deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge, making her look like a foreigner.
Yet, her Da Yue dialect was no different from that of ordinary people: “Your concubine greets the Old Madam and the First Madam.”
The maidservant brought the tea, and her etiquette was flawless: “Please, Old Madam, have some tea. Please, First Madam, have some tea!”
The Old Madam’s expression softened slightly.
She accepted the teacup and took a gentle sip: “Since you have come to the Song family, you shall stay with peace of mind from now on and serve Minister Song. You also know that your status should not have been removed from servitude. It is the Master who pities you and has raised you to the status of a concubine; you must be grateful to the Master.”
“Yes.”
That Ruiji looked extremely obedient: “Your concubine thanks the Old Madam, thanks the Master, thanks the First Madam, for giving your concubine a place to stay!”
The Old Madam nodded, thus acknowledging her status.
However, the First Madam was not as polite to this Ruiji.
She looked down on Ruiji immensely and, without taking the teacup, began to admonish Ruiji: “This household already has an actress, and now you, a dancer, have arrived. From now on, you must always be careful in serving the Master, and do not let anyone disgrace the reputation of our Song manor because of it, do you understand?”
The “actress” referred to Concubine Liu, of course.
Song Chaoyu’s expression turned displeased, but she saw nothing improper about Ruiji.
Ruiji knelt on the ground, her knees feeling somewhat cold. The First Madam did not tell her to rise, looking at Ruiji with even greater arrogance: “And your name. The Master said it cannot be changed, but you yourself know that this name is so worldly, what kind of propriety is that? In the future, you must speak to the Master yourself, consider the Song manor in everything, and change this name as soon as possible!”
She gave Ruiji a sideways glance. Seeing Ruiji remain silent, she assumed she was easy to bully and then accepted the teacup: “Finally, our Song manor has few descendants. The few young ladies who are to be married will not remain by our side in the future. Currently, the Master only has Yang’er, and the infant Qing’er. After you arrive, you must expand the Song family’s lineage and fulfill your duties. Do you understand?”
Ruiji knelt for a long time, her eyes showing no change: “Your concubine understands. Thank you, First Madam, for your teachings. Your concubine will certainly keep everything in mind!”
The First Madam nodded then, slowly sipping her tea, showing no intention of letting Ruiji rise.
“Why is she still kneeling to serve tea?”
The First Madam was focused on the tea foam in her cup but did not expect Song Yuan to walk in from outside.
The first time he saw Ruiji, he was amazed by her devastating beauty, a beauty that carried the bloodline of a Hu woman.
Now that the person he was thinking about was finally before him, he noticed the First Madam was making things difficult for Ruiji and frowned: “Why is she being made to kneel like this?”
The First Madam coughed lightly, not expecting Song Yuan to be so impatient, and quickly told Ruiji to rise.
After Ruiji stood up, she cast a coy glance at Song Yuan, and her sweet voice spoke: “Thank you, Master!”
This one word, “Master,” made Song Yuan’s heart flutter.
Song Chaoyu watched Ruiji’s eyes dart around, feeling a strange sense of unease.
She did not like this Ruiji, and even felt this person seemed somewhat dangerous.
The Old Madam knew that Song Yuan’s attention was now solely on Ruiji. She stood up and took Song Chaoyu’s hand: “Yu’er, come, take me to see Qing’er. I miss him so much after not seeing him for a day! The full moon banquet is about to be held, right? Is your Huashu Academy ready?”
Song Chaoyu nodded and smiled, turning to leave with the Old Madam.
As expected, after they left, Song Yuan impatiently asked the First Madam: “Have you made arrangements for Ruiji? Tonight, I will stay at Ruiji’s place!”
The First Madam’s expression turned ugly, but she had to put on a virtuous appearance.