Even though Song Chaoyu's heart was in turmoil, she dared not show it in front of the old madam.
She merely leaned her head gently against the old madam's shoulder, "Grandmother, it's so good to have you now!"
She had almost never acted so spoiled towards Madam Song. Madam Song was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and patted Song Chaoyu's hand, "You girl, you've always been so strong. Here in this manor, you and your aunt never cause trouble, how could I not protect you?"
Yes, not causing trouble was a good thing.
What Song Chaoyu could now confirm was that in this life, due to Mu Hanxu's "preemptive action," at least concerning the marriage between Mu Hanxu and Song Yanjiao, no one in the Song family would want to push Song Chaoyu aside.
—
When Song Chaoyu returned to the Painting Scroll Courtyard from the old madam's residence, she began to feel restless.
If the old madam was telling the truth, what should she do?
Mu Changxi… Hanxi…
What did he want?
Song Chaoyu felt she had to find a way to see him.
With this thought, Song Chaoyu called for Tiaohong.
She handed Tiaohong the sea jade pendant that Mu Changxi had given her, "You must deliver this to the Crown Princess. When she sees it, she will naturally understand my intentions."
Tiaohong nodded, but glanced at Xunlü, who was dozing outside, "Miss, Sister Xunlü… what do you plan to do with her?"
Song Chaoyu nodded and sneered, "It will be within these two days."
Tiaohong understood Song Chaoyu's meaning, put away the jade pendant, and went out.
Xunlü, who was dozing, saw Tiaohong leave and stood up, "Tiaohong, where are you going? Did the miss ask you to do something?"
Tiaohong winked at Xunlü, "The miss wants to rest. I'm taking advantage of the break to send this month's wages to my brother. Sister Xunlü, why don't you come with me?"
Xunlü shook her head, "Your family only has your brother left, let him earn his own money. Are you still supporting him every month? I'm not going. The autumn heat is fierce right now! It's very sunny in the afternoon, so I'll stay with the miss."
Tiaohong didn't say anything more and went out on her own.
Song Chaoyu lay on the bed fully clothed and rested for a while.
She only woke up in the afternoon.
She was woken by the commotion from Concubine Liu's side.
When she got up, she realized that Concubine Liu had already invited the First Madam.
It was said that something had been lost from the courtyard, a pearl the size of a pigeon's egg that Song Yuan had given to Concubine Liu as a gift to celebrate her pregnancy.
When the First Madam entered, she naturally had to grumble, "If this thing was lost from your courtyard, it must be that the people in your Painting Scroll Courtyard have sticky fingers. You can't even manage your servants, and you've lost something bestowed by the master. Tell me, what's going on with your Painting Scroll Courtyard?"
"It is this concubine's fault."
Concubine Liu lowered her head and sighed, looking wronged, "If it weren't for the item the master sent, this concubine would not dare to make such a fuss. Now this concubine has truly lost her composure, please give this concubine a way forward, so I know how to proceed."
The First Madam felt like she had punched cotton, not knowing whether to speak or not.
"What is it? What's going on in the Painting Scroll Courtyard?"
Before the First Madam could finish speaking, Song Yuan's voice came from behind them.
It was Song Chaoyu who had asked Tiaohong to invite Song Yuan. Today… was a grand day for their Painting Scroll Courtyard!
The First Madam turned around and saw Song Yuan, her sharp gaze softened, "Why has Master come? Master has worked hard all day, let me handle the affairs of the inner chambers."
Song Yuan had been annoyed by the matters of Song Yanrou and Song Xiuxiu these past few days. Seeing Concubine Liu's bulging belly at this moment, he felt slightly better, "What, I can't come? I heard something was lost?"
"Yes."
Concubine Liu, who had always been obedient, now looked up at Song Yuan with a hint of grievance, "Master, the pearl you gave me the day I entered the manor is gone! I thought the weather was getting cold, so I had the house cleaned. Today, when I was tidying my dressing table, I discovered that the pearl was missing!"
Song Yuan naturally had to uphold justice for Concubine Liu. He looked around and then asked Concubine Liu, "What do you mean it's gone? Did you put it somewhere and forget, or what?"
Concubine Liu sighed and said to Song Yuan, "It is this concubine's incompetence. I fear there is a thief within the courtyard! That is why I sought out the First Madam to ask her to be the judge. Among the things in my dressing table, other items are fine, only this pearl is the most valuable. Nothing else was lost, only this pearl. I saw it yesterday, and today it's gone, so it can't be that I misremembered."
"Hmm!"
Song Yuan nodded and immediately understood, "Then someone must have taken it. That pearl is precious, and if someone wanted to sell it, they wouldn't find a buyer in just one day. So, I believe it's still within the Painting Scroll Courtyard, and this matter is quite simple. Search the rooms of all the maids and servants in the Painting Scroll Courtyard, and you'll know who did it."
The First Madam also nodded in agreement, "That house thief should be beaten to death! Our Song family must not have any more incidents of loose family morals!"
Song Yuan also looked at Concubine Liu, "I will have the servants surround your Painting Scroll Courtyard and not allow anyone to leave. Then we will search. What do you say?"
Concubine Liu looked hesitant, as if reluctantly agreeing, "Alas… very well. If it weren't for the item being so important, I truly wouldn't want to make such a fuss."
Song Yuan smiled, signaled for the maids to bring chairs, and then instructed the servants beside him, "Surround the Painting Scroll Courtyard. Search the rooms of all the maids and servants, leave no corner unchecked. Search the small kitchen too, even the outhouse! I don't believe this thing can't be found!"
The First Madam and Song Yuan sat on the side without any doubt, and Concubine Liu, due to her pregnancy, also sat down.
Song Chaoyu stood behind them, watching the servants beside Song Yuan enter the maids' rooms.
She glanced at Tiaohong, and Tiaohong nodded at her.
Indeed, not long after, a servant holding two pieces of paper walked towards Song Yuan with a troubled expression, "Master, this…"
"Found it?"
Song Yuan did not see the pearl in his hand.
The servant knelt before Song Yuan and then presented the two pieces of paper with both hands, "No, but we found something else. Please have a look, Master."
Song Yuan looked suspicious, "What else could there be in this Painting Scroll Courtyard?"
He took the two pieces of paper, and just by seeing the handwriting on them, his brow furrowed.
After he finished reading what was on the paper, veins bulged on his forehead, "Bastard! How did this get into your Painting Scroll Courtyard!?"
Even the First Madam didn't know why Song Yuan was so angry.