These words also served to remind Song Yuan of two things: first, that Song Yanrou’s actions today were due to her happiness that Song Jiayang had woken up, which led her to drink too much and cause trouble.
Second, now that Song Jiayang had woken up, it would not be appropriate to punish Song Yanrou too severely, even for his sake.
As expected, Song Yuan’s tightly furrowed brow had relaxed slightly.
The old madam, however, let out a cold snort, seeing through the intentions of the second concubine and Song Yanrou clearly. "Third girl, did you truly do this to your fourth sister because you were drunk?"
Song Yanrou nodded, "Grandmother, please see clearly, your granddaughter would never dare to have any other thoughts!"
The old madam did not press further and looked at Song Yuan with a cold smile, "How do you think this matter should be handled?"
Song Yuan knew that the old madam had her own ideas and quickly lowered his head, "Mother, what do you think?"
The old madam stared at Song Yanrou, who was kneeling below, "I, this old woman, usually do not manage household affairs. You have caused much trouble before, but I always thought that in this deep mansion, no one has an easy time. But today's incident has damaged the Song family's reputation, and third girl actually harbored murderous intent towards fourth girl. Then I cannot simply ignore it!"
Seeing Song Yanrou’s body tremble with fear, the old madam rubbed her forehead. "In the past, when you made mistakes, it was merely copying the 'Nü Ze' and 'Nü Xun', at most kneeling in the ancestral hall for a day or two, and it would pass. But today, third girl's mistake is likely not something that can be easily forgiven with just these."
Song Yanrou looked up at the old madam with some fear.
After some thought, the old madam said to Song Yuan, "In a few days, I wish to go to the An Yang Mountain Daoist temple outside the city to cultivate for some time. I will have third girl accompany me. At the temple, she will have to copy scriptures and kneel in prayer every day, and eat vegetarian meals with me for a month. This will temper her current impatient disposition. What do you think?"
In her previous life, Song Chaoyu had known that the old madam went to that Daoist temple on An Yang Mountain to cultivate for a month every year.
However, she had never brought anyone with her, not even Song Yanjiao. Song Chaoyu actually wanted to accompany her, "Grandmother, why don't you take me with you! I also want to go to the temple to pray for my concubine and her child in her womb!"
Song Chaoyu was somewhat tired of the endless struggles within the Song family.
"Silly child!"
The old madam patted Song Chaoyu's hand, "Is that temple a good place to go? Moreover, your concubine's belly is already large. You need to stay by her side, otherwise, how can she feel at ease?"
That was right. After saying that, Song Chaoyu remembered this matter.
She looked at the old madam gratefully.
But Song Yanrou below was extremely frightened.
She shook her head and looked at Song Yuan as if begging, "Father, your daughter can copy the 'Nü Ze' and 'Nü Xun'. You can let your daughter kneel in the ancestral hall until she dies! Or, your daughter can apologize to fourth sister, anything is fine! I beg Father, please don't send your daughter to that temple, okay?"
After she finished speaking, the second concubine pulled her arm, "Child, are you still drunk? Grandmother is taking you to the temple to teach you many things! Life at the temple is a bit bitter, but if your grandmother can endure it, why can't you?"
She glanced at Song Chaoyu, and increasingly signaled to Song Yanrou, "Look, your fourth sister even wants to go with Grandmother! Why are you saying you don't want to go? Quickly thank your grandmother and father. You don't need to worry about your concubine, I will be fine."
Song Yanrou did not want to go a thousand times over in her heart.
But she knew that if she could not get past this hurdle today, the old madam would likely completely detest her in the future, and Song Yuan would also detest her.
She could only nod with tears streaming down her face, "Alright, I will go with Grandmother. I will accept my punishment!"
This reluctant demeanor made the old madam frown even more.
She stood up and said to Song Yuan, "Alright, you handle the remaining matters. I have only one thing to say: this household cannot be a place where only fourth girl is constantly wronged. I have nothing else to say. You decide."
Song Yuan stood up and respectfully saw the old madam off.
Song Chaoyu felt that if she stayed here any longer, it would be equivalent to watching Song Yanrou make a fool of herself.
So, under the guise of escorting her grandmother back to her room, she also got up and left.
When she returned to the Painting Book Courtyard, she saw Xunlü excitedly telling her, "Miss, Third Miss has been punished! Master has confined her to her courtyard, and she cannot come out until the old madam leaves."
Song Chaoyu nodded, but felt no joy in her heart, "How is Tiaohong?"
Xunlü replied, "It's just superficial wounds. Physician Fan has treated her."
Song Chaoyu nodded, "Tell Physician Fan that although Tiaohong is a maid, use the best medicine for her. Girls should not have scars on their bodies."
Xunlü lowered her head, "Miss, Zhuzi can come today. Do you want to see him?"
Song Chaoyu raised her eyebrows slightly, "Yes. Arrange it, but make sure no one finds out."
Xunlü happily agreed, "Your servant will go now!"
Song Chaoyu frowned as she watched her run away, knowing that her mind was entirely focused on this matter.
Song Chaoyu didn't say much more, but personally went to the maids' room to check on Tiaohong.
Tiaohong's injuries were not serious, and she was chatting and laughing when she saw Song Chaoyu.
It was not until Xunlü brought Zhuzi over that Song Chaoyu met Zhuzi in the corridor of the Painting Book Courtyard.
The location of this corridor was very hidden, and it was mostly covered by climbing ivy, so others naturally could not see them.
Zhuzi carried a small bundle on his back and happily knelt before Song Chaoyu, "I never expected Fourth Miss to want to see this servant. This servant is overjoyed!"
Song Chaoyu's face also changed to a smile, "These days, I have seen your outstanding literary talent, and you are a considerate and enthusiastic person. I feel so helpless and lonely here in the Song mansion. I wanted to find someone to rely on, and I don't know if it was heaven hearing my prayers that sent you to my side. I am truly moved, but I fear you might be disloyal. So I have called you here today to ask you, what exactly is going on between you and my third sister?"
A hint of joy appeared on Zhuzi's face, mixed with some confusion, "Fourth Miss... this servant and third miss are not as Fourth Miss imagines."
"Then how is it?"
Song Chaoyu seized the opportunity, "You heard about what happened today, right? Third sister claimed she was drunk, but I know in my heart. She did this to me because she saw me getting too close to you. If you hadn't said something to third sister, would she have had such thoughts?"
Zhuzi's eyes darted around, "Fourth Miss misunderstands! In this servant's heart, there is only Fourth Miss. It is third miss who has been persistently entangled with this servant. This servant absolutely has no improper thoughts towards her."