Triumph in Her Rise and Love

Song Jiyun looked at Song Tao and felt that the person before her was becoming more and more interesting.

Last night, she had fed mosquitoes all night, and early this morning, she had hurried over, reminisced about the past with her, shared her feelings, and then the topic began to revolve around Yuan Yunzhong again.

Was Yuan Yunzhong so important to her?

Or rather, was her fiancé so important to Song Tao?

Song Jiyun slowly withdrew her hand from Song Tao's.

Previously, she might have underestimated Song Tao.

Song Jiyun followed Song Tao's words, "Yesterday, when uncle and the Zeng Family had a dispute, I was also there and had already met Young Master Yuan. When he went to greet my mother, weren't we in a hurry to see Grandmother? We didn't really talk properly. However, I feel he seems like a decent person."

Upon hearing this, Song Tao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "That's good. Men fear choosing the wrong career, women fear marrying the wrong man. If he is not trustworthy, it's better not to marry at all!"

Song Jiyun's eyebrows raised.

Every woman she encountered spoke of 'marrying a chicken follows the chicken, marrying a dog follows the dog', yet none dared to say 'if he is not trustworthy, it's better not to marry'!

She calmly picked up the Tea Cup and took a sip, continuing the conversation, "Sister Tao speaks wisely."

These were words Song Jiyun had said in her previous life, but seeing that Song Tao did not show the excitement of encountering a confidante, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. Nonetheless, she said, "However, since you're going to marry, just drifting along and marrying without knowing anything is different from preparing in advance and marrying with confidence."

Those words sounded very familiar.

Song Jiyun listened intently.

Song Tao then asked her, "Where is Young Master Yuan staying now?"

So after going around in such a big circle, this was what she really wanted to know.

Song Jiyun smiled and candidly said, "He is staying at Yinyu Hall."

Song Tao looked very shocked, but she quickly composed herself and said like a caring older sister, "It's rare for him to stay at your place before you leave the family. Why not take this opportunity to occasionally send some tea snacks or food to Young Master Yuan, to let him know your goodwill. After getting married, it could also be considered a token of your relationship."

Song Jiyun couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Putting aside her previous relationship with Song Tao, in the eyes of the court ladies of this dynasty, whether a brother-in-law or a younger brother-in-law, they were considered outsiders and were not easily contacted.

It was like how Song Tao's older sister had been married for seven years, yet she still did not recognize her brother-in-law.

Song Tao was...not at all cautious about the distinction between men and women!

Song Jiyun once again observed her, whose face appeared much livelier than her memory, and ventured, "I heard that uncle had too much to drink last night and almost fell into the lake?"

Song Tao couldn't help but show a bit of disgust.

Her father, who had spent his life indulging in food, drinks, and gambling, had outlived them all, living longer, more joyously, and more unrestrainedly.

At the time of her death, her father was still alive.

Not to mention almost falling into the lake— even if he had, he would likely have been promptly rescued.

It was natural that Song Tao could not worry about Song Daliang.

She said with some disdain, "Which year does my father not get drunk several times? With so many people serving at the Water Pavilion, what could possibly happen to him?"

Song Jiyun slowed her tea-drinking movements.

Song Tao had always been very filial to Song Daliang.

Once, when Song Daliang got drunk, he hit his head on a stone railing at a restaurant, bruising it. Even he himself thought it was nothing, but Song Tao had been very attentive, sending soup and medicine for several days.

It was also because of these small matters that Song Daliang favored Song Tao more than his other daughters.

Of course, it was not ruled out that she just used these small acts to make her life at home a bit better.

But why, then, when Song Daliang almost fell into the lake, did she remain indifferent, even showing a sort of disdain for her own father?

Song Tao was still talking about Yuan Yunzhong, "Today's weather is even hotter than yesterday's. Wouldn't you like to send some mung bean soup or sour plum soup to Yinyu Hall to relieve the heat?" She teased, "If you're too shy, I can have Ding Xiang send it."

Song Jiyun looked at her deeply and said, "Young Master Yuan caught a cold last night; these foods are not suitable for him."

Song Tao was surprised and said, "Has Doctor Huang seen him yet? We must not let a minor illness turn into a serious one."

Song Jiyun said, "Doctor Huang has seen him and advised Young Master Yuan to rest in bed for a few days."

"That's good!" Song Tao said with a smile upon hearing this, "You should send someone to send regards as well."

Song Jiyun squinted his eyes.

After sending Song Tao away, he immediately called Nanny Zheng and said, "Arrange for someone to check on Miss Tao. What has she been eating and drinking these days? Are her favorite clothes and jewelry still the same as before? Check if there is any unusual behavior or actions."

"Investigate everything thoroughly inside and out!"

*

Inside Yinyu Hall, Yuan Yunzhong had not yet gotten out of bed.

He lay on the bed, eyes open, head resting on his arms and face up, motionless for a long while.

Song Jiyun felt confident in his hold, there must be a flaw in that marriage contract.

But where was the flaw?

Thinking of Song Jiyun's words from yesterday, he felt his ears burn once again.

Witch!

He cursed inwardly.

He pulled his attention back to the marriage contract.

Format, content, Xuan paper, ink, seal... nothing was amiss.

No! There was!

Yuan Yunzhong suddenly sat up, slipped on his shoes, and went to the study. He called Liu Zi to grind ink and, using the seal on the marriage contract, drew a pattern, then sent Liu Zi off to fetch a bowl of chilled plum juice, yelling "Shao Qing" in the empty room.

A figure jumped down from the big locust tree in the courtyard, climbed in through the window, and bowed to Yuan Yunzhong, calling out "Master."

Yuan Yunzhong handed the paper to the young man in brown coarse cloth, and said, "Who owns the Silver House and money shop in Liang County? Go investigate the seals Song Youliang has left at the Silver House and money shop."

Shao Qing was utterly confused but still respectfully agreed and left with the Xuan paper.

Yuan Yunzhong clenched his fist and struck his palm.

The flaw must be in that seal.

Even the Emperor sometimes changes the era name or private seal when he is displeased with the current year, much more so a seal used as a token of faith.

If he was not mistaken, the seal on this marriage contract should be the one Song Youliang commonly used in recent years.

Back then, ten years ago, Song Youliang definitely used a different seal.

She could invalidate this marriage contract whenever she no longer needed it.

No wonder she was so bold.

Yuan Yunzhong lay back down on the bed.

Song Jiyun, this cunning witch, though crafty, was still inexperienced and lacked insight.

Going to court at Yamen wasn't simply a matter of providing evidence.

It also depended on who she was fighting against in court.

After she loses both dignity and support, he would see if she dared to talk or strip boldly in front of him again.

Heat continued to rise in Yuan Yunzhong's ears.

Meanwhile, Liu Zi rushed in with the bowl of plum juice and signaled to him.

Song Daliang was visiting.