After Song Yixiao finished breakfast that day, she intended to send Qiaoqin out to inform the Wei Family as she said, “You relay what Lu Guanlun said to Cousin Chan clearly. Tell her that I can"t do anything to help her out. If her family members are also at a loss as for what to do, she will have no choice but to do as Lu Guanlun said, finding a random excuse to break off the marital engagement!”

Fearing Wei Chan would take her words to her heart, she added, “Fortunately, she is not of the hairpin age yet, who can afford to wait for another two or three years before officially getting married. As always, gossips prevail in this capital city constantly. However awkward she feels right now, n.o.body will remember what happened to her two or three years later. Even if someone does, she won"t be affected at all since the time will be different then. After she overcomes the difficulty this time, she may find someone that respects her much in the future. Anyway, please let her keep a saying in her mind that every cloud has a silver lining.”

There was nothing else Song Yixiao could do now. After all, currently, she couldn"t beat Wei Mengying. Even if she could, she might not necessarily offend her biological mother for the sake of her cousin.

Qiaoqin obeyed her order and left. It was not until in the afternoon that she came back to report to Song Yixiao. According to her, Wei Chan had reacted somewhat calmly and expressed her grat.i.tude for her cousin"s kindness. As for what she would do next, she would think about it and make up her mind after discussing it with her seniors.

As Song Yixiao heard Qiaoqin"s words, she felt concerned for Wei Chan in secret. Even so, she couldn"t do anything at all.

As Jinxun sensed that she was down-hearted, she fumbled for something to say, “Several pots of chrysanthemum are blooming in the hall. Madam, I think of Miss Yuan, who liked chrysanthemum the most while living in the Shibi Building.”

“If you didn"t say so, I almost forgot her due to many issues in recent days.” As expected, after Song Yixiao heard Jinxun"s words, she was distracted and came to the courtyard in person, checking on the chrysanthemum for a while. Picking several pots of flowers out, which were precious as well as good-looking, she said, “Send them to Marquis Boling"s mansion so that Xue"e can appreciate them. By the way, inquire about how she is doing recently on behalf of me. We haven"t seen each other for a long time!”

Hardly had Jinxun left when another servant came forward and reported to her, “Madam, there is a housemaid at the entrance, saying she serves Seventh Young Lady Su and she is here to relay a message to you.”

“Back when I met Su Shaomo and Su Shaoling last time, they promised me that they would help raise the issue related to my honorary t.i.tle to the Empress. Is the housemaid here today to update me about that?” As Song Yixiao thought in secret, she said, “Let her in!”

A moment later, a charming housemaid at her middle age walked in and performed the ceremony. After that, she smiled gently and said, “Madam, Her Ladyship Miss Shaoling sent me here to inform you that Her Majesty the Empress had sent her closest palace maid to expedite the relative officials in Ministry of Rituals as well as Ministry of Personnel. It is estimated that you should be conferred by the imperial mandate with an honorary t.i.tle within a few days!”

Previously, Song Yixiao had been angry with Jian Xubai, making her get close to the Su Sisters on purpose. Since she was more likely to make peace with her husband now, she inevitably put herself in Jian Xubai"s shoes. Consequently, as she heard the housemaid out, instead of feeling happy, she felt mysteriously diffident.

“Thanks so much for your lady"s help!” Knowing she couldn"t show any signs of remorse unintentionally, she forced a smile and expressed how she was grateful for the Su Sisters" and the Empress" help. After that, she added, “Thanks for your specific visit this time!”

She glimpsed at the maids by her side. Qiaoqin got her point, took out a pouch filled with small ingots of gold, and handed it to the housemaid.

The housemaid accepted the pouch gladly and expressed her grat.i.tude to Song Yixiao"s reward gracefully. She left after exchanging a few formalities.

“Congratulations! Madam!” After the housemaid left, lighting up with pleasure, the maids, including Qiaoqin, all gathered around her and offered their congratulations. Song Yixiao would become an official lady with an honorary t.i.tle conferred by imperial mandate sooner or later after she was brought into Duke of Yan"s mansion. Even so, as long as the official imperial mandate wasn"t issued yet, she would be a madam rather than an official lady, which surely was a great disappointment.

Since the maids were now given a definite message, they certainly felt quite happy. After all, there was a huge difference between the social status of a close maid serving a lady from a rich family and that of one serving a highest-ranking official lady.

“I just got an update today. It"s a bit early for you to congratulate me!” At that moment, Song Yixiao was not as relieved as the maids. Although the Su Family had helped her readily, they wouldn"t do it for free. Song Yixiao wondered how she should return the favor this time in the future.

As she contemplated in secret, she said instead, “After it is finally set, I will reward you with some lucky money!”

The maids, including Qiaoqin, thanked her for her promise with a smile, asking whether they should add a few more dishes for celebration. In Song Yixiao"s opinion, Jian Xubai had been angry with her previously because of her communication with the Su Family. Although they were inclined to get back together due to Ji Su"s mediation last night, they were not uninhibitedly harmonious. If Jian Xubai knew what had happened today, he probably would make a big scene!

If she went on with the celebration, she certainly would make herself suffer.

Consequently, she stopped them from doing so resolutely, stressing that everything should remain the same. After that, she reminded them that never should they leak this piece of news to Jian Xubai.

Even so, Song Yixiao was still somewhat disturbed.

After all, Jian Xubai had known about what had happened in Taoli Restaurant last time in a blink. The current situation in Duke of Yan"s mansion was just like a sieve. As so many people had seen the housemaid of the Su Family walking in, Jian Xubai certainly wouldn"t be kept in the dark.

“I can"t just keep all the people in the mansion all the time.” As Song Yixiao thought of this point, she was more determined. “Based on what Jian Xubai implied previously, only after I chase all the disloyal servants out can I recruit more manpower and cultivate some devoted ones! Although he didn"t like me to interfere in the business of the royal court, he promised to leave the issues of the back hall to me. As long as I am dedicated to monitoring the back hall, I can be a.s.sured that my order will be executed without fail. That"s what a decent mistress should do!”

At that time, it wouldn"t be easy for Jian Xubai to know everything about her well.

In that case, even if her husband would be unreliable or they would either go separate ways or compete against each other in the future, she would at least have something to count on.

The situation at that time would be different from the current one where Jian Xubai had known everything about her in advance, including how she had enjoyed dinner with others out of courtesy before she had arrived home. On the contrary, as for where Jian Xubai had gone, whom he had met, what he had done in his daily hanging out, she was kept in the dark. While Jian Xubai called all the shots.

She had been fed up with the kind of life like this in her previous life when her life and glory had been dependent on others and she had been too feeble to fight back!

“I should have a good conversation with Jian Xubai in the future if there is a chance. If he consents, I should chase those disloyal ones out as early as possible!” She thought in secret, “Since we will transfer these people to Jian Yiyou sooner or later, it"s unnecessary for us to live an uncomfortable life in order to make them suffer for a while.”

After Song Yixiao made blind and disorderly conjectures, she felt somewhat wearisome and planned to go back to the internal room to have a rest. At that time, Jinxun happened to come back and reported to her as she said, “Madam, Miss Yuan liked the flowers you had sent her quite much. According to her, since she currently didn"t have anything appropriate at hand as a gift in return, she would just skip it this time. When I retreated, Sister Meiyan forced a pouch into my sleeve, which I simply couldn"t refuse. It was not until I went out of the door that I opened the pouch and found out there were a pair of solid-gold colored pendants inside.”

As she spoke, she took out the pouch and the pendants.

“Since Xue"e gave them to you, you can just take them!” Knowing that the financial situation of the Yuan Family was not hard-pressed and Yuan Xuepei loved his sister dearly, Song Yixiao understood that rewarding a maid with a pair of golden pendants was a piece of cake for Yuan Xue"e. So she just nodded unconcernedly, “If the maids of Xue"e come to visit us next time, we shouldn"t be too stingy about what will be inside the pouch then.”

Jinxun obeyed her order with a smile and said, “Madam, there is one more thing. When Miss Yuan asked me about how you were doing recently, I told her that the Pei Family had sent three boxes of treasures to our mansion for you to take care of, among which there were many high-cla.s.s hairpins and bracelets made up of pearls and jades. She asked whether you could list out a few items for her to have a look.”

Song Yixiao asked curiously at first, “Does she intend to purchase more make-ups?” After that, she was enlightened and said, “She will get married soon. It"s true that she should prepare some special treasures in advance!”

Originally Pei Yourui had sent these items to her in order to sell them out.

If Yuan Xue"e took a fancy to some of the items, it would be to the satisfaction of all.

So Song Yixiao said right away, “It"s boring for her to check out the items on the list nominally. Send someone to inform her that she should be here to check on the items by herself if she is available. Feel free to purchase whatever she likes. All the prices are subject to me, which will be set up according to the market quotation!”

Qiaoqin said hurriedly, “Madam, if we sell these items out in this way, although Fifth Young Lady Pei may agree to, how could we explain to His Highness?”

It was clear that Jian Xubai sympathized with Pei Yourui and her father very much. Fearing he might hurt their dignities, he had not offered to purchase these items inside the three boxes. Even so, it might not necessarily mean that he would refuse to make it up to the Pei Family with the selling price of the items.

So Song Yixiao certainly could not sell these items to Yuan Xue"e according to the market quotation. In any case, the selling price should be somewhat above the market standard!

“Although I will sell these items to Xue"e at a price based on the market quotation, it doesn"t mean I will report the same price to Sister Yourui!” Song Yixiao stared at Qiaoqin with a smile as she said, “At that time, I will make up the price difference to Sister Yourui by adding another 20%. You should keep your mouths shut at that time. Never should you leak it!”

Every accessory inside the three boxes, which the Pei Family had sent over, was not ordinary. It was said that every item was priceless.

Song Yixiao decided to sell the items to Yuan Xue"e at a price based on the market quotation, which seemed to be without any discount at all. It turned out she would do Yuan Xue"e a great favor by doing so. After all, as rich people prevailed across the capital city, they were ready to buy the authentically good items at a high price, let alone choosing their favorite ones out of several boxes of treasures.

Moreover, based on the character of Yuan Xue"e, she would be unwilling to gain an extra advantage like this.

Originally, in Song Yixiao"s opinion, only after she figured out the market quotation a few days later that she could start selling these items out. Surprisingly, she had opened up a new prospect after sending flowers to Yuan Xue"e.

What had happened enlightened Song Yixiao that she should pay attention to the wedding and birthday celebration party held by those rich and powerful families in the future.

As people purchased items for these two occasions, they were more likely to spend big, which would be a good chance for her to sell the items out at a high price.

“From tomorrow on, prepare some cakes and drinks in advance, which Xue"e likes.” After that, Song Yixiao called the chefs in the kitchen to her side and ordered as she said, “As for the details, feel free to ask Jinxun. Knowing the maids of Xue"e quite well, she knows what Xue"e likes the best.”

As Jinxun heard her words, she replied smilingly, “Madam, as your humble maid, it turns out I know what"s your favorite the best!” After that, she turned around and led the chefs out as she advised them.

Jian Xubai happened to be off work at that time. Holding a wrapping made up of baking paper in his hands, he said, “According to one of my colleagues, the rice cracker of this shop is excellent, which his female family members all speak highly of. I bought some for you conveniently on my way home. Try it out and see whether it is to your liking or not.”

“You don"t need to be so concerned about me since you have a tight schedule.” Of course, Song Yixiao was quite happy about her husband"s consideration. After she took the wrapping over, she didn"t open it right away. Instead, she came forward and helped him take off his outer garment. After that, ordering the maids to dip the handkerchief in the hot water, she applied the handkerchief on his face by herself to wipe the sweat off. After everything was set, she opened the stake rope of the wrapping and smiled radiantly as she said, “It smells so good. Would you like to try it out?”

As she spoke, she picked up a piece of rice cracker and handed it to his lips. It was not until Jian Xubai took a bite that she started enjoying the rice cracker attentively. To be honest, the rice cracker tasted just so-so, which was not as good as those ones baked by their chefs.

As Song Yixiao pondered on it, she found out although Jian Xubai held a n.o.ble social status because of the feudal t.i.tle he had inherited, it turned out his official position was only of fifth-ranking. So his colleagues might not necessarily be all rich and powerful. Consequently, although their female family members thought of the rice cracker as a delicacy, Song Yixiao, who had been brought up as a young lady in the prince"s mansion, might not necessarily think so.

However, since her husband had brought her the snack specifically, she spoke highly of the rice cracker verbally and enjoyed two pieces consecutively before she stopped taking more.

“Anything unusual in the house?” Jian Xubai ate almost half of the rice cracker as Song Yixiao fed him. Thinking that the rice cracker wasn"t delicious at all, he didn"t take more. As the maid handed the handkerchief over to him, he wiped his fingertips and said, “I seemed to see an imperial bodyguard of ours heading for Marquis Boling"s mansion on my way home. What was he up to?”

“He was going to Yuan Family"s mansion exactly.” Song Yixiao nodded and told him about how Yuan Xue"e had intended to purchase the accessories and make-ups of the Pei Family. “The way I see it, Marquis Boling will set up a marital engagement for Xue"e after the New Year Holiday. It is understandable that she intends to purchase some accessories in advance! So I plan to invite her to come here to pick out a few items by herself tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.”

Jian Xubai replied, “Just sell the items to her based on the market price.”

“I plan to make up the price difference to Sister Yourui by adding another 20%. What do you think?” Song Yixiao tucked the baking paper and ordered the servant to take it out. After that, she turned around and said, “If I offer her a higher price, she will be suspicious about it even if she is not here at that time.”

“It"s your call.” Jian Xubai took a sip of tea and added, “As for Xuepei"s sister"s favorites, you don"t need to sell them all to her. Based on the relationship between us, we certainly need to send some make-ups to her as gifts when she gets married in the future. Save a few items in advance so that we don"t need to take great efforts to prepare the gifts at that time.”

Song Yixiao agreed with him. As they talked about the wedding of Yuan Xue"e, of course, Sikong Yihan"s imminent wedding popped into her mind. She approached her husband, held his arms, and said cutely, “Prince of Liang will marry Sikong Yihan a few days later… “

“You are not familiar with Sikong Yihan!” Jian Xubai had been antic.i.p.ating this moment for quite a while. Although he was in a good mood now, he certainly would not let go of her easily. He said calmly, “It"s Sikong Yiluo who was your friend. She just pa.s.sed away. Since you just offered your condolences at her funeral, it is inappropriate for you to attend her sister"s wedding soon, isn"t it?”

Song Yixiao could tell that he did so to make her feel awkward on purpose. As she was about to argue with him, thinking of how he had treated her this morning, she was enlightened all of a sudden. Swallowing what she was going to say, she glimpsed around and indicated the maids to retreat.

As she saw the maids closing the door, leaving them alone in the room, she threw herself into Jian Xubai"s arms determinedly and threw her arms around his neck. Raising her head, she kissed his lips in an unskillful manner. Even so, a while later, Jian Xubai still didn"t change the look on his face. However, unexpected happiness filled his drooping eyes of almond-shaped. As she saw his hands holding her waist tightly, she felt happy in secret. Lowering her voice, she said glamorously, “Xubai, can"t you just allow me to go there?”

“OK, OK, OK!” Jian Xubai was so enticed by her behavior that he would give up everything he had and present what she liked in front of her, who certainly wouldn"t say no to her. He said promptly, “You can go wherever you like. If anyone dares to stand in your way, you turn to me!”