After a day out, it wasn’t until she returned to the Song Mansion that Song Yunzhao suddenly remembered Mr. Zhe Shan from the Three Yuan Building. He had certainly made a quick escape; by the time she came out, there was no sign of him.

’Yes, a model spectator.’

After washing up and changing into her day clothes, she flopped onto the soft couch to read, her mind mulling over how to write her novel.

She had been so ambitious before, but now that it was time to actually write, she had no idea where to begin.

In later generations, the tense relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law was always a hot-button issue, but that wouldn’t fly here. The concept of filial piety loomed over everything; no matter how shrewish a mother-in-law was, she had to be respected. If she dared to write about a daughter-in-law battling her wicked mother-in-law, the Xie family’s restaurant would probably be torn down.

The thought of writing about scholars and young ladies having secret rendezvous made her cringe. It just didn’t align with her values.

Supernatural tales were certainly original, but there wasn’t a large audience for them. How could that become a bestseller? It would be a waste of time and wouldn’t make any money. She couldn’t afford to get into a losing business.

As she considered this, she fell silent. It seemed there was nothing she could write about, and a wave of melancholy washed over her.

Her first pot of gold was probably a lost cause.

’So it’s true? Is cannon fodder just not fated to make money?’

"Miss."

Hearing Jiangxiang’s voice, Song Yunzhao snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. The maid’s expression was rather odd—a mixture of excitement and restraint.

Song Yunzhao immediately sat up straight. ’The gossip’s here!’

"What is it?" Song Yunzhao asked with a smile, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Jiangxiang cleared her throat. "Today, the Eldest Miss and Miss Xi from the East Courtyard went to the Uncle Mansion. They just returned."

"And then?"

"Miss Xi’s eyes were red; it looked like she had been crying. I hid in the shadows by the gatehouse and saw that the Eldest Miss had a joyous look in her eyes. I imagine she must have gotten what she wanted."

Getting what she wanted naturally referred to the matter of the palace selection.

Song Yunzhao smiled. "It has nothing to do with us. Just make sure everyone in our courtyard keeps to themselves."

Jiangxiang nodded immediately in agreement. She added, "Today, Hong Ying from the Eldest Miss’s courtyard came over to fish for information. I had our young maids give her some vague answers and send her away. However, I overheard Hong Ying casually mention that the Eldest Miss seems to be on good terms with Miss Chu from the Uncle Mansion, and that Miss Chu has even given her gifts."

’Chu Yuying gave Song Qinghan a gift?’

’What a joke.’

’Song Qinghan must have made that up to keep up appearances.’

Just as Song Yunzhao was about to speak, Jiangxiang continued, "Also, the housekeeper from the Madam’s side came by today. She was asking the young maids about your whereabouts, Miss. When Mrs. Luo heard about it, she saw her out."

"Miss, why do you think the Madam and the Eldest Miss are so concerned with your whereabouts? Do you think they’re planning something?" Jiangxiang was very worried. "Even though you have the Master’s support, the Madam is still your elder."

Song Yunzhao laughed. "They just saw me leave the mansion and wanted to know what I was up to. They’re afraid I’ll get in Song Qinghan’s way."

Jiangxiang couldn’t help but complain, "The Madam is so biased. It’s a good thing the Master is still here to ensure you’re treated fairly."

Song Yunzhao recalled something and looked at Jiangxiang. "Don’t worry about all that. We have one more day of peace, and then this household is going to get lively again."

Jiangxiang didn’t understand why, but seeing her miss pick up a book, she didn’t dare press the issue.

Song Yunzhao’s mind wasn’t on the book at all. She was thinking about how the Uncle Mansion had settled on Song Qinghan today. ’The real fun would begin in a day or so, when the court officially announced the start of the grand selection.’

’All the humiliation and anger Song Yexi suffered today would be thrown right back in Song Qinghan’s face. She couldn’t wait to see the looks on the faces of Song Qinghan and her mother.’

Just before dinner, Nanny Zhao, who served Mrs. Cai, came over in person. With a wide smile, she announced, "The Madam invites the Third Miss to join her for dinner."

Nanny Zhao had served Mrs. Cai for decades. Seeing that the Third Miss didn’t even lift her gaze and looked ready to refuse, she quickly added, "The Master and the young masters will be there as well. After leaving you, Miss, this old servant must also go invite the Second Miss."

Song Yunzhao thought, ’Mrs. Cai is really putting on a show for Song Qinghan.’ She sneered inwardly, but her expression was placid as she looked at Nanny Zhao and said, "In that case, I will be over shortly."

Nanny Zhao breathed an inward sigh of relief and hurriedly rose to take her leave. Mrs. Luo saw her out. Upon returning, she looked at her mistress and asked, "Miss, are you really going?"

"My father will be there, so of course I must go."

Qiancao and Jiangxiang went to find an outfit for her. Seeing this, Song Yunzhao said, "Don’t go to too much trouble. It’s just a formality."

Qiancao’s eyes darted slyly. She smiled and said, "You’re right, Miss. I think that lake-blue outfit you wore the other day would be perfect."

’Since the Master will be there, if the Miss wears an old dress, it will remind him of how the Madam has mistreated her.’

Just as Song Yunzhao was about to leave at the appointed hour, Song Jinxuan arrived.

As soon as she saw Song Yunzhao, Song Jinxuan said with surprise, "I thought you weren’t going, Third Sister."

"Why wouldn’t I?" Song Yunzhao adjusted a stray lock of hair at her temple. She noted Song Jinxuan’s glum expression and knew exactly why. ’With Song Qinghan so triumphant, how could Song Jinxuan possibly be happy?’

Seeing Song Yunzhao head out, Song Jinxuan immediately followed, lowering her voice. "You probably don’t know why the Madam is hosting a family banquet tonight, do you?" Without waiting for a reply, she continued, "Our dear Eldest Sister was chosen by the Uncle Mansion. They’re about to recommend her."

With Song Qinghan gaining the upper hand, Aunt Che’s branch of the family would have no choice but to swallow their pride and submit. They would likely have to spend the rest of their lives groveling, so of course they were unhappy.

Song Yunzhao looked at Song Jinxuan and said, "Nothing is certain until the very last moment. She’s only being recommended, that’s all."

Though Song Jinxuan found those words comforting, she remained dejected. "You wouldn’t know, since you’ve been recovering in the East Courtyard all this time. Once the Uncle Mansion recommends someone, it’s basically a sure thing."

Of course, Song Yunzhao couldn’t reveal that circumstances were about to change. She simply looked at Song Jinxuan and said slowly, "Then we can only congratulate her, I suppose."

Song Jinxuan was so frustrated she could barely speak. "With your looks, if you had been willing to visit the Uncle Mansion, would she have even stood a chance?"

Song Yunzhao didn’t take the bait. Instead, she looked at Song Jinxuan and asked, "How has Aunt Che been lately?"

Hearing Song Yunzhao change the subject, Song Jinxuan replied listlessly, "How do you think?" Her tone then grew heavy. "I heard Mother intends to find another concubine for Father."

Song Yunzhao stopped in her tracks. ’This wasn’t in the book.’ "Who told you that?"

"Mother told Father herself. My own mother overheard by chance."

Song Yunzhao’s gaze slowly sharpened. First, Xie Linlang’s feelings toward Ji Yunting had changed, and now, something else that wasn’t in the book had happened.

"What does Aunt Che plan to do?" Song Yunzhao asked, her expression unruffled.

’For Song Jinxuan to bring this up, she must want something from me.’