Three days later, Xie Qingsong sent his steward with a small sedan chair to bring Song Yulian into the mansion.
Before getting into the sedan chair, Song Yulian meticulously dressed herself up.
As a result, she was directly sent to a small courtyard, without even meeting Xie Qingsong.
There were servants in the courtyard, all with downcast eyes. They did not show any contempt towards Song Yulian, but they were ignorant of everything. They only knew how to work.
Song Yulian sat by the bed, twisting her handkerchief in her hands, gritting her teeth.
This was a show of dominance.
It was also a way to tell her that she was not taken seriously.
However, Song Yulian had no recourse. When she proposed to see Xie Qingsong and the main wife, the servants said, "The master and madam have instructed that Concubine Song should rest well."
They said nothing more.
When she tried to leave on her own, they stopped her, saying it was against the rules.
Or they would say that as a concubine, she had to obey the master and madam, otherwise, it would be difficult for them, the servants. They asked her to be understanding of their difficulties and said they would be grateful.
Song Yulian had no choice but to give up dejectedly.
She encouraged herself, telling herself that there would be time in the future.
She also regretted not listening to Xie Qingsong earlier. When she wanted to enter the Xie mansion, he had forbidden her from bringing any of her former attendants, promising to arrange new ones for her.
Song Yulian now understood. This was intended to make her life in the Xie mansion impossible.
Without her own people, she couldn't even gather information.
It was as if her eyes were blindfolded and her ears were blocked.
She had eyes and ears, but she was like a blind and deaf person.
Song Yulian was left waiting for a full three days before being brought before Madam Xie.
Although Madam Xie was no longer young, she possessed an innate elegance and nobility that Song Yulian lacked.
It was as if standing before her would expose all of one's hidden calculations, leaving nothing concealed.
Despite her gentle smile, Song Yulian inexplicably felt a prickling sensation on her back and couldn't help but tense up.
"Concubine Song, I am truly sorry. Things happened so suddenly, and my health has been poor. I was afraid of passing on my illness to you, which is why I did not offer you tea at the first opportunity," Madam Xie said unhurriedly.
Radiant and exuding nobility, she looked nothing like someone who had just recovered from an illness.
She couldn't even be bothered to put on a pretense!
Song Yulian knew that Madam Xie was too lazy to pretend. Yes, I deliberately didn't see you. What can you do about it?
Song Yulian's hands under her sleeves clenched and unclenched repeatedly. Finally, she managed to compose her face into an expression befitting a concubine – a mixture of apprehension and timidity.
"If Madam is unwell, it is my duty to attend to you," Song Yulian said.
"Logically, that is the case. However, Concubine Song has only just arrived, and it would be improper to trouble you," Madam Xie replied.
"It is all my duty."
"Look, Concubine Song is so sensible," Madam Xie said, turning her head towards a screen.
A maid pulled open the screen, revealing Qin Tingxue. Another maid was arranging flowers in her hair.
"Mother, these flowers are too luxurious."
It was a flower woven with gold and silver threads, with overlapping petals adorned with small pearls, exquisite and beautiful.
"How are they luxurious? My child is accomplished, and you are his wife. You should dress more luxuriously. Am I right, Concubine Song?" Madam Xie said, her gaze shifting back to Song Yulian.
Song Yulian felt as if she had been stripped bare and thrown into a crowd.
Shame, anger, and helplessness washed over her.
"Mother, asking Concubine Song that question is putting her in a difficult position. She is merely a concubine," Qin Tingxue said. After speaking, she added deliberately, "Concubine Song, please don't take it to heart. Mother was just asking casually, she meant nothing by it."