Chapter 1107: Chapter 1107

The Duke’s Mansion on this side.

Song Chongqi had cried herself almost into a faint, and she and Lady Yuan were both dragged to the side room by the old women under Lady Gao’s command.

Everyone was worried that if they let them stay here, they might end up being scolded and driven to despair.

As for the second and third young ladies in the house, being young ladies, this sort of occasion wasn’t suitable for them to remain, so they were quietly led out of the courtyard by nannies.

The two sisters were born to the same concubine and had a close bond, even their living quarters were adjacent.

Once they returned to their own courtyard, the maids helped them change clothes and brought hot tea and snacks, and the third young lady, Song Chongxiu, waved the maids away.

Then she said with a mischievous smile, "Sis, that in-law old lady is really amusing, especially when she made our elder sister cry—"

Their concubine’s surname was Meng, and among the few concubines with status, she was the only one who had two daughters.

Because she had no sons, Maternal Aunt Meng always kept a low profile in the mansion. Though their temperaments differed, the two daughters she raised were not of an arrogant disposition.

Song Hong had these three daughters, and since there was no legitimate daughter, Lady Gao was generous, and the treatment of the three sisters was almost the same as that of a legitimate daughter.

However, Song Chongqi, relying on her status as the eldest daughter, and having a slight pettiness, lacked the demeanor of a big sister. She would harbor resentment over the slight differences in the rewards given to the three sisters by Lady Gao, and then subtly criticize her two younger sisters.

Song Chongjuan was gentle by nature and disliked disputes, always smiling away at such minor matters, exhibiting more of an elder sister’s demeanor instead.

Song Chongxiu was lively and couldn’t stand Song Chongqi’s attitude; the two had long been at odds, maintaining a façade of sisterly affection before the elders, but exchanging veiled insults once out of their sight.

Seeing Song Chongqi suffer such a setback today left Song Chongxiu indescribably pleased.

Song Chongjuan was, after all, more composed, merely glancing at her sister: "You should speak softly, don’t let others hear these words. Now, this newly arrived big brother, sister-in-law, and this in-law lady, we still don’t know their background. We are just girls, destined to marry out eventually, and the future of this house isn’t up to us. We better not get involved, you understand?"

Song Chongxiu, however, pursed her lips: "I think otherwise. Our concubine always says that whether a married daughter’s back can be straight depends on her natal family. If Father is still around, there’s nothing to fear, but Father can’t protect us forever. If one day he’s gone, who will we rely on?"

"And what about our concubine? Once we are all married off and she has no support, how will she live in this manor? Those brothers of ours, they maintain only superficial ties with us. How can we count on them in the future?"

"I feel now is our opportunity. Although we haven’t met this newly recognized big brother, the sister-in-law and that in-law lady are formidable people. They’re new here and still unaware of the workings of the manor. Isn’t this the perfect time for us to offer help in times of need and build a good relationship? If such a day comes, with this goodwill, we sisters won’t be without support, and our concubine can also peacefully enjoy her old age."

Song Chongjuan knew her younger sister had many thoughts despite her young age, and she herself was somewhat moved by her words.

However, being older, she could remain composed: "Don’t be too hasty to make a decision so early, let’s wait until Aunt comes back, and we’ll discuss it. Besides, we haven’t even seen this big brother, so it’s too soon to talk about this."

Song Chongxiu acknowledged this point as reasonable. After all, they were still young and not good judges of character, and their aunt’s agreement was necessary for such significant matters. So, she smiled and changed the topic, teasing Song Chongqi instead.

The maids and old women outside, who initially couldn’t hear what the sisters were saying, later heard laughter from inside and finally relaxed.

The two sisters were happy but unaware that Lady Gao and the concubines, after much effort of apologies and conciliations, had finally managed to appease Old Granny Zhang and her daughter. Lady Gao felt exhausted, more so than attending palace banquets in previous years.

The other concubines shrank back, wishing they were invisible.

The maids and old women in the room dared not even breathe heavily.

Lady Gao took a deep breath, forced a smile, and took Wang Yongzhu’s hand, "Brother Jin’s wife, originally today you should have gone to pay respects to the old ancestor, but the old ancestor, being of advanced age, has a chronic cough every winter, and can’t be exposed to wind or cold."

"She just stays inside to recuperate and only comes out on New Year’s Eve. We, as juniors, bow to her then, and she goes back to rest. It’s not that she doesn’t want to see you; she simply can’t withstand it physically. I hope you understand, and you can bow to the old ancestor on New Year’s Eve instead!"

Wang Yongzhu was secretly relieved, having managed to avoid kneeling and bowing to Lady Gao, but knowing she couldn’t escape the Old Duchess. Delaying it even a single day was welcome.

Therefore, she replied with understanding, "What you’ve said, Madam, leaves me as the junior unsure of what to say. The old ancestor’s health is paramount, naturally deserving careful care. We as juniors only wish for the old ancestor’s health and longevity, meeting us is not important at all."

Lady Gao rubbed her temples; see how eloquent she is? Why was she so unyielding just now?

As she pondered, a trusted old woman signaled her, and then someone reported from outside, saying the steward’s sister had something to report. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs N0velFire.ɴet

The trusted old woman whispered into Lady Gao’s ear, and Lady Gao quickly called them in.

In came an old woman who knelt down and reported: "Madam, the courtyard prepared for the eldest young master and eldest young lady is ready, and the maids and old women are on standby. According to the mansion’s rules, the eldest young master has four young servants, four chief attendants; the eldest young lady has four first-class maids, four second-class maids, and the courtyard also has eight little maids for cleaning and running errands, and six old women."

"Moreover, the antique furnishings in the eldest young master’s courtyard have been cataloged. The clothes you ordered for the eldest young master and young lady, the fabric is ready, just waiting for measurements. However, with many tasks during the year, the clothes for the other young masters, misses, and concubines have not all been completed. If Madam needs it urgently and wants them done before the year-end, the embroideresses may have to work overtime and still may not finish."

Lady Gao quickly said, "Put off making clothes for others, we’ve made more in previous years, missing one or two isn’t an issue. Focus on the clothes for the eldest young master and young lady first. Also, have someone measure the in-law lady, and take a few rolls of suitable good fabric from the treasury to make her new dresses for the New Year."

The old woman nodded and left in agreement.