Even if Old Madam Song disliked Song Xiuxiu, she wouldn't show it.
She nodded, signaling for the three to enter the mansion.
The old madam walked ahead, with Song Chaoyu following behind, observing the trio.
As the rumors had it, Song Jiaxing was a steady and dignified person.
Though dressed in simple, plain clothes, he seemed indifferent to such matters.
Along the way, he relayed his family's greetings and situation to the old madam, expressing his utmost gratitude. He promised to study diligently in the mansion and never disgrace the help the Song family was providing today.
However, the impoverished scholar Zhang Tianqi behind him was different.
He seemed to be new to the capital, and naturally, new to the Song mansion.
His eyes were filled with curiosity as he gazed at everything in the Song mansion, looking around and occasionally showing a hint of envy.
Compared to the more reserved Song Jiaxing, Zhang Tianqi seemed more eloquent.
His words were witty and humorous; he even complimented the old madam, saying she didn't look like an old madam at all, and that at first glance, he mistook her for Madam Song, the mistress of the mansion.
Even knowing his words were insincere, the old madam was still amused.
In her previous life, Song Chaoyu remembered that these three caused quite a stir after arriving at the mansion.
Song Jiaxing was fine; he was as honest as he appeared, perhaps even a bit dull.
Song Chaoyu recalled that in her previous life, Song Jiaxing never got to participate in the imperial examinations.
Just three days before, he was found to have colluded with an examiner at the examination hall, having secretly hidden the test papers for that year.
Song Chaoyu remembered that in her previous life, Song Yuan was eager to distance himself from Song Jiaxing as quickly as possible. Later, both Song Jiaxing and the examiner from the examination hall, now the Director of the Imperial Academy, Master Tang Yongyuan, were sent directly to the Ministry of Justice.
Master Tang was eventually stripped of his official post and dismissed, with Deputy Director Master Li taking his place. In her previous life, Master Li later became a crucial pillar for Prince Ning Mu Hansu's power grab, leading Song Chaoyu to suspect that Mu Hansu was behind the incident.
Song Jiaxing, in her previous life, committed suicide in prison before a verdict was reached. As he died, he left a blood-written message on the wall, stating that his integrity throughout his life was never that of a sycophant and that posterity should clear his name.
Alas... after his death, he was hastily thrown into a mass grave. Song Yuan, in his haste to disassociate himself from Song Jiaxing, didn't even claim his body. Within a few months, everyone forgot about Song Jiaxing's blood-written message. He became an innocent victim caught in the power struggle and died.
In this life, if possible, Song Chaoyu wanted to help her cousin. It wasn't out of any grand sense of justice, but rather because she felt that even if this matter had nothing to do with Mu Hansu, Song Jiaxing, with his integrity, pride, and talent, could one day become a pillar of the court and benefit the people.
If the matter was related to Mu Hansu, then helping Song Jiaxing would mean undermining Mu Hansu's influence, which was precisely what Song Chaoyu would be most pleased to see.
As for Zhang Tianqi, he was quite interesting.
His arrival at the Song mansion seemed to have a purpose.
Initially, he was indeed as he appeared on the surface, an admirer of Song Yuan, revering Song Yuan as his teacher. But after Song Jiaxing's incident in the previous life, he also failed the examinations. However, under the guise of being a "student," he remained by Song Yuan's side to assist him, and was eventually sent by Song Yuan to Mu Hansu to become his retainer.
Until Song Chaoyu's death in her previous life, she never understood Zhang Tianqi's true objective.
She only knew that his talent surpassed Song Jiaxing's, and by all accounts, he should not have failed the examinations.
Therefore, his coming to the capital and entering the Song mansion through Song Jiaxing must have a reason. But whether he came to pledge allegiance to Mu Hansu or had some other intention, Song Chaoyu truly did not know.
Finally, there was her cousin Song Xiuxiu.
From the moment she entered, Song Xiuxiu seemed somewhat absent-minded. Her complexion was poor, and she appeared frail, showing no interest in the conversations of those around her.
But Song Chaoyu knew what had happened to her.
The incident in her previous life had thrown the entire Song family into chaos. Song Xiuxiu's reputation was also completely ruined as a result.
However, Song Xiuxiu's disposition was something no one could have predicted.
Although she was delicate and affected, and perhaps a bit ostentatious, her heart wasn't bad. Moreover, she was decisive in her actions and had her own goals.
Most importantly, her relationship with Song Yanjiao was very poor.
In the end of her previous life, even though her reputation was in tatters, she managed to cling to the "big tree" that was Lin Muyang. Although Song Xiuxiu's status absolutely prevented her from being Lin Muyang's main wife, and at that time Lin Muyang was still engaged to Song Yanjiao.
Yet, Song Xiuxiu in her previous life managed to be brought into the Lin mansion as a "maid" before Song Yanjiao, becoming Lin Muyang's concubine, waiting to be elevated to a proper concubine or姨娘 after Song Yanjiao married Lin Muyang.
Therefore, this Song Xiuxiu was by no means simple. Song Chaoyu felt that her cousins who had come from their hometown Jiangzhou this time might be able to become "friends" with her.
At the very least, they shouldn't become enemies.
—
As Song Yuan had taken others to a banquet in the palace, Old Madam Song simply settled the three of them first.
For Old Madam Song, her attention was naturally focused on Song Jiaxing.
After everyone was settled, Song Chaoyu, while escorting the old madam back to her courtyard, smiled and said, "Grandmother, I noticed that my cousin's complexion is not very good. Later, I'd like to bring Physician Fan to see her and check if her maids are diligent. What do you think?"
Old Madam Song didn't think much of it. "I know you mean well. It's good to check on her today. Just don't let them think we're neglecting them, but don't be overly enthusiastic either. And don't let them think we're trying to curry favor."
"Yes, your granddaughter understands."
Song Chaoyu nodded, and after seeing off Old Madam Song, she called Fan Jiangyue and went to Suixing Pavilion together.
Suixing Pavilion was the smallest courtyard in the Song mansion, now specially designated for Song Xiuxiu.
Seeing Song Chaoyu arrive, Song Xiuxiu was still quite polite.
Song Chaoyu asked Fan Jiangyue to wait outside for a moment, then waved away the maids, and personally closed the door before turning to Song Xiuxiu. "Cousin, I have something to tell you."
This was Song Xiuxiu's first time interacting with Song Chaoyu. Seeing this setup, she became somewhat wary. "You are the fourth sister of the mansion, aren't you? It seems this is our first meeting. Is there something that cannot be discussed with others present?"
Song Chaoyu watched as Song Xiuxiu stepped forward to pour them both a cup of tea, but she stopped Song Xiuxiu. "Cousin, I mean no offense. I've come to help you. I fear you've encountered trouble."
Song Xiuxiu frowned, looking at Song Chaoyu's somewhat unwelcoming actions, and sneered, "How can I come to your Song mansion and not even be allowed a cup of tea?"
Song Chaoyu was not annoyed. "It's not that you're not allowed to drink tea, but your current condition is not suitable for drinking tea."