Qin Tingxue paid no mind to the subtle provocations in the words.
She sized up Song Yulian, thinking that if this girl were more sensible, her connection to the Qin clan would likely secure her a good marriage.
It was a pity, then, that her ambitions lay elsewhere.
"Miss Song, is there something you need today?" Wang Yue asked, maintaining a polite tone.
She hadn't been close to Song Yulian before, nor did she wish to be.
Before replying, Song Yulian glanced at Qin Tingxue, then spoke softly, "Second Elder Master told me that Lord Xie and Madam have arrived and mentioned that I should accompany them to the Xie manor. He said I should have come to meet Madam earlier."
"You've met me now. As for accompanying us to the Xie manor, that was discussed between Second Elder Master and Xie Chen," Qin Tingxue said unhurriedly.
The implication was clear: you don't need to tell me about your plans.
"Is Madam displeased?" Song Yulian looked at Qin Tingxue, her tone quite assertive despite the question.
"This is my first meeting with Miss Song. Don't you think you're being rather presumptuous?" Qin Tingxue asked, her tone indifferent, without even sparing Song Yulian a glance.
"Madam is right. Yulian was indeed presumptuous. Please forgive me," Song Yulian replied readily.
Qin Tingxue raised an eyebrow slightly. Her tone was far from friendly, even bordering on uncomfortable, yet Song Yulian seemed entirely unfazed.
This was rather interesting.
"Since you know you were presumptuous, you ought to apologize. What do you all think, sisters-in-law?" Qin Tingxue said.
Wang Yue and the others naturally echoed Qin Tingxue's sentiment.
Song Yulian clenched her hands beneath her wide sleeves, her smile becoming even more composed. "Yulian was presumptuous, Madam. I implore you to be magnanimous and not hold it against me."
"I am a woman, and I've never been one for magnanimity."
Song Yulian hadn't expected Qin Tingxue to say that and was momentarily speechless.
Qin Tingxue watched her with a half-smile.
Song Yulian understood the look in Qin Tingxue's eyes; she was mocking her for overestimating herself.
The way she looked at her was filled with disdain.
"Madam, why must you be so overbearing? Yulian is sincerely apologizing," Song Yulian suddenly said, her voice on the verge of tears.
Qin Tingxue's eyes flickered. She wasn't foolish; Song Yulian's sudden change in demeanor wasn't without reason.
As expected, Xie Chen and his party arrived.
Just moments ago, she had found Song Yulian somewhat intriguing, but now, her tactics seemed rather ordinary.
However, Song Yulian's hearing was quite sharp; none of them had noticed Xie Chen's approach.
"Madam, were you having a pleasant chat with the sisters-in-law?" Xie Chen asked, stepping past Song Yulian without a glance.
"The sisters-in-law are all interesting people, so yes, we were chatting quite well. However, Miss Song appeared out of nowhere and disturbed our mood," Qin Tingxue replied.
"Miss Song?" Xie Chen, at Qin Tingxue's subtle cue, finally glanced at Song Yulian, feigning realization. "Is she the Song Yulian that Second Elder Master mentioned? She looks so frail, like she'd fall over in a strong wind. What can she possibly do? No, Madam, I must go find Second Elder Master and ask him what he means! He said he'd find us someone to serve us, and he found someone like this? Who will be serving whom in the end?"
"Lord Xie, Yulian is in very good health," Song Yulian quickly interjected.
"Good? Do you think my eyes are faulty? You clearly look like a sickly person. It would be strange if you were actually well!" Xie Chen said with a look of disdain.
Xie Zhilan and the others struggled to contain their laughter.
Brother Xie Chen was something else; if he wanted to annoy someone, he could make them want to die.
It was Song Yulian's misfortune to target the wrong person, choosing to set her sights on Brother Xie Chen.
And all this, instigated by Second Elder Master. Tsk, tsk, if she was seeking trouble herself, no one could stop her!