Chapter 672 - 450: Sounding Out Xu Mingying

Chapter 672: Chapter 450: Sounding Out Xu Mingying

Song Qinghan listened to Ye Xi’s words, which carried a hint of doubt and accusation. She felt a flicker of annoyance, but then considered her current situation, suppressed her anger, and said, "I’m doing very well now. See? My relationship with my mother-in-law has eased a lot. It was all that little bitch Yan Liu’s fault for sowing discord before. Now that she’s gone, my life is naturally much easier."

Ye Xi only half-believed her. She looked at Song Qinghan and said, "I hope you’ll be a little smarter this time."

Song Qinghan’s face darkened.

Ye Xi pursed her lips.

Since they were here to burn incense, they naturally went to the main hall to pray to Buddha first.

Ye Xi was very devout. Having already given birth to a daughter, she was now hoping for a son to have one of each. That way, she could truly secure her position in her husband’s family and avoid being taunted for not being able to produce a male heir.

Song Qinghan certainly found common ground with Ye Xi on this. She also hoped to get pregnant soon and have a son. ’With a son, what use would Xu Anxing be? I would never have to look at his foul expression again.’

After praying to Buddha and listening to the high monks of the temple chant scriptures, both families made donations to the temple.

Marchioness Wu Xin was going to visit Xu Ji, so Lady Yue naturally didn’t tag along. She took Ye Xi to have a vegetarian meal before heading down the mountain, and the two families parted ways there.

Xu Ji had no desire to see Song Qinghan. She truly had no favorable impression of this third sister-in-law of hers. But since she had come, Xu Ji had to see her for her mother’s sake.

Song Qinghan didn’t care whether Xu Mingying’s expression was pleasant or not. She was only here to complete the task Song Yunzhao had given her. She just had to treat Xu Mingying’s face like a block of wood. When she thought about how she’d be able to get the upper hand on Xu Anxing after achieving her goal, she knew there was nothing she couldn’t endure.

When Marchioness Wu Xin saw Xu Ji, she was first struck by a pang of heartache. Her daughter had grown even thinner, and who knew how long it would be before she could get through this ordeal.

’In the middle of summer, she still has to attend morning and evening services, chant scriptures, and copy sutras. It’s so arduous.’

With this in mind, Marchioness Wu Xin couldn’t help but ask, "When are you planning to return to the palace?"

Xu Mingying’s expression stiffened slightly before returning to normal. "I haven’t been out for long. It will be at least a few more months. Mother, you don’t need to worry. I have my own plans."

’It’s not as if I can return just because I want to. A message has to be sent to the palace, and someone will only come for me after the three concubines give their approval.

However, when I left the palace, I caused the three concubines to lose some face, so I fear they will make things difficult for me when it’s time to return.

But I’m not worried. At worst, they’ll just make me stay here a little longer. They can’t possibly keep me at the Imperial Awakening Temple for the rest of my life. If they did, what would become of the three concubines’ reputation?’

With that thought, she was no longer afraid.

"You always say that. Right now, everyone in the palace has gone to Jincui Garden to escape the summer heat, yet you’re still here suffering. How can I bear to see this?" Marchioness Wu Xin said, her face full of sorrow.

Hearing Jincui Garden mentioned, Song Qinghan looked at Xu Mingying, who had been treating her like thin air, and said casually, "Mother, you don’t need to worry about Xu Ji. Going to Jincui Garden isn’t necessarily a good thing. I’ve heard that things are troubled over there."

"What do you mean by that? Could it be that Third Sister-in-law knows about matters in the palace?" Xu Ji couldn’t help but sneer. ’Given the relationship between Song Qinghan and Song Yunzhao, what could she possibly know?’

But as soon as the words left her mouth, she saw her mother’s expression was a little strange. Then she heard her mother say, "You wouldn’t know, being here at the Imperial Awakening Temple, but Lady Ming and your third sister-in-law have already put their past grievances behind them. She even had your sister-in-law take over the Baozhuang Building’s business in Guangning Prefecture. From now on, our family will only do better and better."

"What?" Xu Ji could hardly believe her ears.

Song Qinghan smiled smugly. "It’s understandable that Xu Ji finds it hard to believe. After all, we sisters really didn’t get along in the past. But my eldest uncle has come to the Capital City. With him here, even Ming Fei has to show some respect. Besides, I am now a daughter-in-law of the Marquis Wuxin Mansion. And as they say, blood is thicker than water. We are blood sisters, after all. What grudge can’t be overcome?"

"Ming Fei really forgave you?" Xu Ji still couldn’t believe it.

The smug look on Song Qinghan’s face deepened. "Of course. Otherwise, how would I know that things are troubled at Jincui Garden? This just goes to show it was right for you to come to the Imperial Awakening Temple, Xu Ji. Although we sisters-in-law didn’t get along before, we are family now. Naturally, I have to share any news with you, lest you return to the palace knowing nothing and get bullied again."

Marchioness Wu Xin was very pleased to hear this. "Yes, that’s exactly how you should think. We are one family, and we should work together. Third Daughter-in-law, you said things are troubled at Jincui Garden. What exactly is going on?"

Song Qinghan adopted a casual air. "I just heard a messenger from Lady Ming’s side mention it. They said that when the Empress Dowager punished Xu Ji, it was because she was framed. Now, they’re trying to find the culprit. I don’t know if it’s true or not." She then looked at Xu Mingying. "Xu Ji, is this news true? If it is, why didn’t you tell the family? We could have stood up for you."

Xu Ji’s expression turned a little unsightly. She stared at Song Qinghan and asked, "Why would someone from Ming Fei’s side tell you this for no reason?"

Song Qinghan said with an innocent look, "What’s wrong with saying it? This is all over Jincui Garden; it’s not a secret. Not only that, but people are also saying that while An Fangyi is supposedly recovering from heatstroke during the summer retreat at Jincui Garden, the rumor is she’s just faking it. I was about to say it’s all nonsense, but when others gossip, I just half-listen. Who’s going to go and verify if it’s true? One just listens to palace affairs for a bit of entertainment. If it weren’t for the fact that you have to return to the palace, Xu Ji, I wouldn’t even be telling you these rumors."

Marchioness Wu Xin’s heart skipped a beat. "Why didn’t you tell me any of this?"

Song Qinghan looked surprised. "The palace gossip has nothing to do with us, so why would I mention it? If I hadn’t seen Xu Ji, I wouldn’t have even remembered to bring it up."

Marchioness Wu Xin looked at her and asked again, "What else have you heard?"

"That’s all. It was just a little eunuch accompanying the messenger from the palace who exchanged a few words of gossip with my maid. The official messenger would never say such things. Matters without proof can only be discussed privately to pass the time."

Xu Mingying stared at Song Qinghan, unable to read anything from her face, except for a hint of impatience. She was clearly dissatisfied with the attitude she and her mother were showing.

She breathed a small sigh of relief. ’Now this is the Song Qinghan I know.’

"You say An Fangyi is faking her illness. There must be some proof, right? Even gossip can’t be based on nothing," Xu Mingying asked.

Song Qinghan replied, "They say medicinal dregs were found in the flowerbeds behind An Fangyi’s room. Tell me, if she poured out her medicine to water the flowers instead of drinking it, could she really be sick?"

"How could someone have discovered something in the flowers behind An Fangyi’s room?"

"Who knows? The palace is bustling with people, so many pairs of eyes. Heaven knows where a pair might be hiding," Song Qinghan said with a sneer. "That’s why people shouldn’t do things they’ll regret. I’d say there’s a good chance this business with An Fangyi is true."

Song Qinghan’s eyes discreetly swept over Xu Mingying’s face, and she saw a flicker of gravity and guilt in her eyes.