Song Chaozong and Madam Ning exchanged a glance, realizing the matter was not as simple as it seemed.
Madam Ning let out a sigh, shot Song Chaozong a glare, and muttered, "Why didn't you inquire more thoroughly beforehand? What are we to do now?"
Song Chaozong then turned to Song Jiaojiao, "Or else... how about a noble concubine for you?"
Song Jiaojiao, accustomed to being wronged, had initially thought she finally had a chance to rise above her station. If she could accompany Song Chaoyu to the capital as a side concubine to Prince Chang, who would dare look down on her in the future!
Now, with Song Chaozong suggesting she become a concubine, Song Jiaojiao was reluctant. However, she dared not contradict Song Chaozong.
She could only lower her head, looking wronged, and agree, "As long as I can serve Fourth Sister and His Highness Prince Chang, anything is fine."
If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but it had to be Song Jiaojiao!
She had truly angered Song Chaoyu.
But before Song Chaoyu could speak, she heard the Old Madam let out a cold laugh, "You say anything is fine? Then why not be a mere servant girl? Wouldn't that be even better? As you wish, to work like a beast of burden for our Fourth Girl and His Highness Prince Chang, you are not afraid. Since you've gone to such lengths, we shall fulfill your desires!"
The Old Madam's words made Song Jiaojiao cast a frightened glance at Song Chaozong.
Song Chaozong stepped forward with a fawning smile, "Second Aunt, that's not what we meant! Why are you so angry? We were just thinking that if Fourth Girl marries into that prominent family alone, she might be very lonely. With her sister accompanying her, they can look out for each other in the future?"
Song Chaozong was determined to cling to them. "Besides, we truly pity Jiaojiao! Her parents passed away early, and she is the only one left in the Fourth Branch. Second Aunt, you've seen it yourself, our First Branch is now ruined! Is poor Jiaojiao truly destined to suffer with us in the future? If she can go to the capital, she can also forge a path for herself!"
Fearing the Old Madam would still disagree, Song Chaozong directly invoked their great-uncle's words. "Even if you don't think of Jiaojiao, you must consider what Great-Uncle said earlier, right? We are all one family and should get along harmoniously. It's not too much for Fourth Girl, as an elder sister, to help her sister, is it?"
His words had gone this far, and seeing the Old Madam still displeased, even the First Madam stepped forward and gently tugged the Old Madam's sleeve. "Mother, please don't be angry! Since we are not separating the family now, what they say is not entirely wrong. Moreover, isn't that girl Song Xiuxiu already in the capital? We don't lack Jiaojiao, one more person. It's just letting Fourth Girl bring her back, what difficulty could there be?"
"Very well!"
The Old Madam knew very well that the First Madam would not genuinely help Song Chaoyu; she was merely trying to placate the situation.
Thus, in front of the First Madam, she was about to lose her temper again.
But a thought suddenly struck Song Chaoyu.
She stepped forward, took the Old Madam's sleeve, and said to her, "Grandmother. It's alright. Since Uncle and the others have said so, and Sister Jiaojiao also thinks this way, I think perhaps it is for the best. Let's just bring Sister Jiaojiao back to the capital. After all, I will be alone in Prince Chang's manor, with no one to accompany me. If she has truly made up her mind, why should we stop her?"
Her eyes were clear, letting the Old Madam know she was serious about this matter.
The Old Madam also frowned, unsure of what Song Chaoyu was planning.
But seeing Song Chaoyu wink at her, the Old Madam's rising anger finally subsided a little. "Fourth Girl, is that what you think?"
"Yes."
Song Chaoyu smiled and stepped forward, pulling Song Jiaojiao up from the ground. "Sister Jiaojiao, have you thought it through clearly? Whether you become a concubine or a servant in the future, you are still a servant. The glory of a principal wife will forever be out of your reach."
Song Jiaojiao had heard before that Song Chaoyu was formidable, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to establish herself so quickly in the Song manor and even have Prince Chang disregard the dignity of the Southern Kingdom to marry her as his principal consort.
Now, seeing that Song Chaoyu had agreed to her idea so readily, she felt that Song Chaoyu was nothing special.
Thinking that she would have to "make a living" under Song Chaoyu in the future, she felt it wouldn't be difficult. The smile on her face was almost uncontrollable. "Sister, don't worry, I've thought it through! It's better to make a name for myself in the capital than to languish in obscurity here in Jiangzhou!"
"Heh!"
The Old Madam let out a cold laugh, her gaze towards them growing colder. "Since that is the case, do not forget what you promised. This ancestral home in Jiangzhou will henceforth belong to Fourth Girl. If you have time, you should move out as soon as possible. Lest the people from Prince Chang's manor see it and laugh at our Song family for being petty!"
The people from Prince Chang's manor would not be so idle as to come to Jiangzhou to see if the Song family's ancestral home was occupied.
Song Chaoyu knew that the Old Madam was simply angry that they had treated her this way.
But she already had a plan and was not afraid of anything.
Song Chaozong knew that he had angered the Old Madam today, and she would likely not show them a good face in the future. However, their goal of sending Song Jiaojiao to Prince Chang's manor had been achieved, so they naturally didn't care what the Old Madam said now.
Even the matter of moving, Song Chaozong pondered for a moment, agreed, and then signaled to Song Jiaojiao. "Now that we have agreed, we should indeed move out. After all, when Jiaojiao becomes successful in the capital, she can then purchase a larger residence for our Song family in Jiangzhou!"
They were also using Song Jiaojiao. It was a pity that Song Jiaojiao might not have thought about the future, and was only pleased with herself for being able to enter Prince Chang's manor at this moment.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Song Chaoyu looked at Song Jiaojiao. "From now on, we are all family. So, later, you can come to my room. There are some things I need to tell you."
Song Jiaojiao nodded in agreement, her heart filled with joy.
--
On the way back to the room, Song Chaoyu heard the Old Madam scolding the First Madam. "You agreed to this so readily, aren't you setting up Fourth Girl? She's already a concubine's daughter, and hasn't even entered the main house yet, and you're causing trouble for Prince Chang by bringing her in! Have you forgotten that she knelt in the Dengque Hall all night that day?"
For the First Madam, this matter had no personal gain or loss, so she merely placated the Old Madam. "Mother, please don't worry! Isn't Fourth Girl going to be registered under my name now, as a proper嫡女 (daughter of the principal wife)? How can she be bullied by a Song Jiaojiao? I thought, this matter shouldn't escalate further, right? They've even given the ancestral home to Fourth Girl, which is a good thing!"
Song Chaoyu sneered inwardly. Since you think it's a good thing, then I won't be polite!