Despite her comforting words, Old Lady Song couldn't help but worry. She sat in a daze for half the day, then instructed the First Lady, "Make sure the reward for the eunuchs is prepared for tomorrow."

  The First Lady replied softly and stayed to serve Old Lady Song until she finished her soup before leaving.

  As soon as she stepped out, she saw Song Chumi emerging from the side room, her eyes slightly red. Seeing her, Song Chumi curtseyed and greeted her as "Aunt," then quickly turned and ran off. The First Lady frowned, looking back, where Song Chumi's two maids had stopped and respectfully greeted her with lowered gazes, standing quietly by.

  "What's happened now?" The First Lady sighed, finally inquiring into the Third Household's affairs. "Who upset Fourth Miss?"

  Although Song Chumi was engaged, outsiders assumed her marriage was due to her poor health after more than three years of recovery. But the Song family knew the real reason. Since Song Chumi had returned, the First Lady had been on edge, fearing she might do something inappropriate again. After dismissing her previous maids, she had specifically assigned her two dependable ones.

  The maid in pink cast a hesitant gnce towards Ningde Courtyard, and the First Lady immediately understood the cause of Song Chumi's distress—though the summons was for the Song family's girls, Xiang Mingzi was included while she was left out.

  But at this critical time, who would dare to take her along? Everyone wished for her swift marriage and departure. Shaking her head, the First Lady instructed the maids, "Go inform Third Lady."

  The First Lady thought it best not to intervene in her niece's affairs, fearing it might cause resentment. Better to leave her own mother to discipline her.

  The next day, just before they were set to depart, Song Chumi did not come to pay her respects. Old Lady Song chose to ignore this, kindly repeating her instructions to the three girls and seeing them off.

  Turning around, Old Lady Song looked for the First Lady. "Last night, I heard that Fourth Girl left here crying?"

  The First Lady couldn't hide it and lowered her head, nodding slightly. "Perhaps she was a bit upset. I already sent the maids to inform the Third Sister-in-w. It's nothing serious."

  What could be bothering her? Wasn't it simply because she noticed she wasn't included in the pace summons? Truly, she couldn't tell the good from the bad. Others were eager to avoid going, yet she saw it as some kind of blessing. Old Lady Song sighed, feeling stifled. "Such shallow thinking."

  Third Lady had spent years accompanying her husband on his posts, and it seemed she hadn't raised her daughter properly, despite her good manners on the surface. In reality, she was still a fool. Even their six-year-old illegitimate child, Song Chuhuan, showed more promise than Song Chumi.

  With these thoughts, she sighed again.

  Shortly after, the Third Lady arrived hurriedly, her eyes still red. Standing by Old Lady Song's side, she served her some snacks, hesitating as she tried to bring up the incident with Song Chumi.

  However, Old Lady Song cut her off as soon as she started.

  Waving her hand, Old Lady Song's tone remained calm. "The heart of a parent is always concerned; I know it hasn't been easy for you."

  Tears welled up in Third Lady's eyes again as she nodded, lowering her voice. "Yes, thank you, Old Lady, for understanding."

  She felt heavy-hearted too. Last night, her daughter had run back to her room in tears. She'd assumed it was due to some grievance at Ningde Courtyard, not knowing Song Chumi hadn't even entered the main room there but had stayed in the side room, where she overheard that Xiang Mingzi and the others were to enter the pace.

  To the Third Lady, whether or not her daughter went to the pace was insignificant—especially since her marriage was settled. Remaining at home, embroidering her dowry, and preparing for her wedding was far better. Even if there were no engagement, she wouldn't dare send her daughter out.

  Three years of seclusion had dulled her previously impulsive nature, but it had also left her sensitive and distrustful. Now, if she spoke loudly to her daughter, the girl believed her mother looked down on her.

  Third Lady felt a lump in her throat, nearly coughing up blood. If she truly looked down on her own daughter, would she have pleaded with Old Lady Song for two years to secure her marriage?

  Fortunately, Song Yue had matured over the past few years, no longer blindly defending her sister as he once had. Often, he would scold Song Chumi with a stern face, saying, "Fourth Sister, you should calm down! Mother has given her all for you, and these compints of yours only break her heart!"

  She had cried bitterly while holding her son, and thus arrived te to greet Old Lady Song that day.

  Seeing her worn-down state, Old Lady Song swallowed her intended reprimand and sighed, telling her to rest. "Go back and roll an egg over your eyes. How can you go around looking like this?"

  The Third Lady murmured in response, then suddenly knelt beside Old Lady Song.

  It was rare for her to appear this way, as if she had returned to her early days of marriage when she would kneel and cling to Old Lady Song, pleading for help in times of trouble.

  The First Lady promptly rose, excusing herself to tend to accounts, leaving the room.

  Once the First Lady had left, the Third Lady held Old Lady Song's hands. "I would like to ask if the wedding date could be brought forward."

  Typically, wedding dates were set after consulting a fortune-teller to match the couple's birth details, with precise timings for departure, the direction of the bed, and the bride's exact arrival. Once decided, it was seldom altered.

  Old Lady Song raised her eyebrows, feeling sympathy for Third Madam's constant anxiety and asked directly, "Has Fourth Girl caused trouble again?"

  The Third Lady smiled bitterly. Last night, Song Chumi had returned crying, refusing to confide in others but venting to her, accusing Old Lady Song of favoritism and ciming she'd seen Song Chuyi sneak out and return only near dinner.

  Others might not know the truth, but after serving Old Lady Song for the past two years, the Third Lady was well aware. How could Song Chuyi come and go freely without Old Lady Song's or Old Master Song's permission? Every use of the family's horses, carriages, and drivers was recorded, and nothing could be hidden from the Old Lady or the First Lady.

  She'd expined this to her daughter countless times and no longer wished to repeat herself. Her greatest fear now was that her daughter would make another mistake. After much thought, she believed marrying her off sooner might be the best solution. With a husband and children, perhaps she would finally understand.