They returned to the Painting Academy amidst laughter, and Fan Jiangyue began preparing medicine for Song Xiuxiu.
Song Chaoyu also said to Xun Lu, "Go tell Grandmother that Physician Fan said my cousin has a lingering cold and is unwell from the journey. Tell her not to worry, as two doses of medicine will suffice."
Xun Lu, however, was puzzled. "What did the young lady say to my cousin in her room just now? Why keep it a secret even from me?"
Song Chaoyu glanced at Xun Lu, suppressing her displeasure. "Just some private matters. Go tell Grandmother, I need to rest. When Father and the others return tonight, there will be much to do."
Xun Lu nodded and withdrew.
---
With Song Yuan and the others away, Song Chaoyu accompanied the Old Madam for lunch and then enjoyed a comfortable nap.
By the time Song Yuan and the others returned in the evening, everyone's expressions were cheerful.
That evening, the family gathered for dinner, which was originally a welcome feast for Shen Jiaxing and Shen Xiuxiu.
Before she had eaten much, the First Madam announced that she had good news to share with the Old Madam of the Song family. Seeing her usually composed demeanor so unsettled, the Old Madam knew it must be excellent news.
The First Madam then revealed that during the palace banquet that day, the Empress had summoned her.
She said that His Highness Prince Ning had taken a liking to the Song family's second daughter, Song Yanjiao, and wished to marry her as his principal consort.
This was different from her previous life.
In her previous life, Prince Ning, Mu Hansu, had never revealed his intentions towards anyone until he succeeded in seizing power.
However, upon hearing this, the Old Madam frowned. "This is the good news you speak of?"
The First Madam nodded. "Of course, it's good news. I know what Mother is thinking, but after all, our Jiao'er's engagement with the Lin family was never finalized. Now that we have a better prospect in the royal family, isn't it our family's honor?"
The Old Madam frowned and looked at Song Yuan. "You think so too?"
Song Yuan nodded. "Although the Lin family is a prime minister's household, His Highness Prince Ning is of royal blood. The Lin family cannot be compared to Prince Ning. Moreover, from what I've observed in court lately, Prince Ning has made many contributions, and the Emperor intends to promote him. Therefore..."
"Foolish!"
The Old Madam put down her chopsticks and glared at Song Yuan. "You only see his status as a prince and feel immensely honored, but you fail to see anything else, don't you?"
Even though Song Jiaxing and Song Xiuxiu were present, the Old Madam did not spare Song Yuan and the First Madam. "That Prince Ning is only two years younger than His Highness the Crown Prince. If he were truly capable, why wasn't he promoted by the Emperor earlier? He's been dragged to this point without marrying anyone yet? It's common knowledge in the capital that the Emperor dislikes Prince Ning! Prince Ning's birth mother is still only a concubine, do you not know why?"
Seeing that Song Yuan and the First Madam remained silent, the Old Madam slapped the table. "She was originally a palace maid, of low status. Years ago, she even plotted against a favored concubine in the palace. If it weren't for the grace of bearing an imperial heir for the royal family, she would have likely not lived to see today! With such a vicious birth mother, who knows what kind of disposition His Highness Prince Ning truly possesses? Would you bear to send our child to him?"
"Mother, it's not as you say."
The First Madam, who had been happily anticipating this matter, felt her face burn from the Old Madam's scolding. She quickly explained, "Consort Li did indeed make mistakes, but Prince Ning was raised by the Empress since childhood. He likely wouldn't be too influenced by his birth mother, would he?"
Seeing the Old Madam's displeased expression, she continued, "And Father also said, didn't he? That the Emperor has been favoring Prince Ning recently. It's likely that his future will not be too bad, right?"
In fact, Song Yuan had seriously considered the Old Madam's words and had already frowned.
Seeing the First Madam's reaction, the Old Madam merely snorted. "If you feel that way, since the engagement with the Lin family has not yet been settled, if you are willing to let the girl marry him, I, an old woman, will say no more. You decide yourselves."
Sensing the Old Madam's anger, Song Yanjiao nudged the First Madam with her foot under the table. The First Madam then forced a sheepish smile. "Mother is right. This matter is not urgent anyway, we can take our time choosing. As parents, how could we watch our child walk into a wolf's den?"
Seeing the First Madam in an awkward position, the Second Concubine raised her wine cup and stood up. "Oh my, our second daughter is such a wonderful girl, she certainly won't have trouble finding a husband! Today, Jiaxing and Xiujie from our hometown have arrived. Let's all drink a toast! The Song mansion is prosperous, and it will only become livelier in the future!"
The Second Concubine appeared very enthusiastic at this moment, bringing the atmosphere back to how it was before.
The First Madam then looked at Song Jiaxing and Song Xiuxiu with a forced smile, asking them a couple of perfunctory questions, clearly not paying them much attention.
Under normal circumstances, Song Yanjiao would have observed all the proper etiquette.
But perhaps because the matter discussed that day was related to her marriage, Song Yanjiao also appeared absent-minded and didn't say much to Song Jiaxing and Song Xiuxiu.
As everyone left together after dinner, Song Yanjiao and the First Madam walked ahead, with the Second Concubine and Song Yanrou following behind them. They discussed the palace banquet that day.
Song Chaoyu noticed that Song Xiuxiu's complexion was not good and went over to express her concern.
She assured them that everything was fine, but she was a little afraid of drinking Fan Jiangyue's medicine that night.
Granny Yin came to inquire. Song Chaoyu quietly told her, "Tell Grandmother not to worry. It's likely that my cousin is about to start her menstrual cycle, and with the cold she caught these past two days, she's feeling quite unwell. It's alright, you accompany Grandmother back, I'll accompany my cousin."
Granny Yin nodded and then hurried to the Old Madam's side, quietly saying to her, "Old Madam, this should have been the eldest young lady's duty. Now, I see the fourth young lady is quite sensible; she has taken good care of my cousin all day."
The Old Madam also nodded, her gaze fixed on the direction where Song Yanjiao and the others had left. "Just a Prince Ning, and they've all lost their composure. Life must go on, we'll see what happens! Later, send some brown sugar and warm ginger to Miss Xiu's room. She's traveled a long way; we mustn't make her feel neglected."
---
Only after the maids and servants had tidied up did Song Xiuxiu's complexion begin to improve.
She held Song Chaoyu's hand, her fingers icy cold. "Thank you, Fourth Sister. It's getting late, you don't need to escort me back."
Song Chaoyu led her to her feet. "We're going the same way, let's walk together!"
Song Xiuxiu nodded, and the two walked towards the back courtyard together.
The lights in the back courtyard had already been lit. As they walked halfway, they heard voices from the water pavilion.
Song Chaoyu recognized the sound and quietly said to Song Xiuxiu, "It sounds like Second Sister is in the pavilion."