Lord Zhongyong hadn't slept all night. He felt his mother and daughter's words held much truth.
After finishing his midday meal, he went to Jun Jiuli.
"Shu'er, your uncle has a very fine estate. It's filled with all sorts of flowers and plants that young ladies like to admire. There's also a bayberry forest on the back mountain, which should be ripe now."
Seeing that Jun Jiuli didn't respond, he continued, "There have been many matters at home these days. Why don't you go and stay at the estate for a while? Once I've sorted out the family affairs, your uncle will send someone to fetch you."
"Does everyone have to go?"
"Just you."
"Am I in the way of my paternal uncle in any way? If Uncle has matters to attend to, then attend to them. I won't delay you."
Lord Bo was infuriated and presented a piece of yellow paper.
"To be frank, you and our family's eight characters are incompatible. I had a fortune teller calculate this today. Everyone in the household is sick, so can't you just stay away for a while?"
"How long will this 'staying away' last? Does Uncle take me for a three-year-old, trying to trick me like this?"
"When your elder brother and the others recover from their illness, they will naturally bring you back. You will not be mistreated while staying elsewhere."
At this moment, a maidservant rushed in, followed closely by Madam Song.
Time rewound to half an hour prior. Madam Song's carriage stopped in front of Lord Bo's residence. The servants, as usual, were about to collect the calling card and ask the Song family to return.
Unexpectedly, Madam Song alighted from the carriage herself, ignoring the sweltering heat, and stood directly before the gate of Lord Bo's mansion.
The servants found it difficult to invite her in, nor did they dare to turn her away, which drew the discussion of passersby.
"Madam Song is a second-rank noble lady. How can they let her stand outside the mansion gate?"
"The second daughter of the Zhao family is engaged to her son. It seems she heard about yesterday's events and came specifically to visit."
"Lord Zhao has already passed away. The Song family is showing great righteousness."
"Everyone in the capital knows that Lord Song is the most upright official."
Madam Song said, "I sent calling cards several times before, and each time they said that people in the mansion were ill and could not receive guests. I am not afraid of illness. Hurry and report to your Lady Bo that I am waiting at the gate."
Soon, a maidservant from Lady Bo's side arrived and politely welcomed her in.
Madam Song paid a visit to Lady Bo and then, seizing a young maidservant, made her way directly to Jun Jiuli's courtyard.
Madam Song asked, "Shu'er, is it convenient for Auntie to come in?"
Jun Jiuli quickly rose to greet her, and only then did Madam Song step into the main hall of her courtyard.
"I'm so sorry. I arrived in a hurry just now and overheard some things. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Uncle won't mind, will he?"
"Of course not. Please, Madam Song, have a seat."
"Continue speaking. Is there anything I can't hear? Although it's still early, Shu'er will eventually be a member of our Song family. It's possible for me to offer some advice on certain matters."
"No one can predict what will happen in the future. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't keep you company. Shu'er, please entertain Madam Song well."
He said this and was about to leave. Madam Song hated this kind of person who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
"Wait a moment. There are some unpleasant truths I must speak. Shu'er is young and doesn't understand your convoluted schemes, but I don't want to beat around the bush with you. You want to get rid of Shu'er, and it's up to you when your children will recover from their illness."
"This is a matter of my Zhao family, and it's not for your Song family to interfere."
"When it concerns Shu'er, our Song family has the right to speak. We cannot allow your entire household to bully a young girl."
"Hmph, she hasn't even married yet, and you're already coveting her inheritance."
Madam Song slammed the table, her finger almost poking Lord Zhongyong's face.
"Let me tell you, don't think everyone is as despicable as you are." After speaking, she turned to look at Jun Jiuli, as if afraid she might misunderstand.
Jun Jiuli looked at her with tears in her eyes and admiration, and Madam Song immediately felt her resolve strengthened.
"Uncle, if you want me to live at the estate, then why don't you let me live in my father's residence in the capital? I don't want to be an eyesore to you here any longer."
"No, do you mean to divide the family?"
"Zhao, why not? The second branch has long been separated from you. Although Shu'er is a woman, she can inherit her parents' property and establish her own household independently."
Shui Wa exclaimed, "Damn, this place has such a mechanism? How did I not think of this before?"
"Our Zhongyong Lord's mansion is also her home. Since my second brother is gone, she should live with me."
"If you're driving her out, what kind of home is that? Besides, establishing her own household doesn't mean she won't acknowledge you. She can still come back to visit. If you want to drive her out, staying at the estate is no different from staying in her father's mansion."
"You... you're being unreasonable. That estate is mine, that's the difference."
"Hmph, I understand now. You just want to send her away to gain a reputation as a good uncle, and at the same time, swallow Shu'er's parents' property."
"Vulgar. I don't even fancy her meager possessions."
"Don't fancy them? If you don't fancy them, then let Shu'er move everything out, so they don't remain in your mansion and offend your eyes."
"She is a weak woman, how can she manage a household? Having me shelter her is enough. It's only when she marries that your family can intervene. You get out now."
"Shu'er, what do you think of Auntie's suggestion? Don't worry, our Shangshu Mansion will protect you from now on. You won't have to endure his ill-treatment."
"Shu'er, they are outsiders after all. I am your paternal uncle, and I would never harm you. Blood relations are the most precious thing in this world..."
"Thank you for your care during these times, Uncle. I wish to establish my own household and live independently. Didn't you say that my eight characters are incompatible with the household? This way, it will be perfect, as you won't be affected by my ill fortune."