C19
Soong Xijiao walked around the screen placed at the entrance and saw that the yard was filled with flowers. For a moment, she thought that First Madame was indeed extravagant.
In the middle of the flowers, Song Liu-li and a few other ladies were sitting on chairs, talking and laughing while sipping tea. First Madame's personal maid had just finished looking at the tea when she saw Soong Xijiao walking over leisurely. She was stunned for a moment before realizing it was Third Lady Soong.
"Madam, Third Lady Soong went back to her room." When she retreated behind First Madame, she muttered in a low voice.
When First Madame heard this, she turned her head to look at the door. When she saw Soong Xijiao, she was slightly stunned, but then she happily waved at her mother, "Xijiao is back. Come, quickly, auntie, come and sit here."
Soong Xijiao nodded and then nodded her head. When she reached First Madame's side, First Madame looked at her with a surprised expression, "Ah, Xijiao will be back soon, what gift is she even bringing!?" Why are you seeing the aunt in person! "
Soong Xijiao covered her mouth and laughed. "How could I? Although Xijiao is the married daughter, how could I forget the etiquette? Furthermore, the aunt has personally treated Xijiao well, and everyone has seen that. As such, how could Xijiao not prepare well? "
According to the original owner's memories, First Madame was indeed very good to her, but it was only on the surface. However, Soong Xijiao still stuck closely to her and even fed her good character with even more pride.
Hearing Soong Xijiao's words, First Madame looked at the box in Soong Xijiao's arms expectantly. With just a glance, she had already curled her lips without leaving a trace. With such a crude appearance, what good stuff could there possibly be? All of the other madams started to discuss amongst themselves.
Although First Madame was a little angry, she still called out to her personal maid with a smile on her face, "Xijiao is really thoughtful. Spring Peaches, please accept Third Lady's wedding gift. We'll go watch it together with the other young misses!"
Soong Xijiao didn't say anything on the surface, but she was secretly relieved. It seemed that First Madame didn't recognize this Agarwood. She obediently placed the box in her hands into Spring Peaches' hands and followed her out the door.
First Madame and the other madams quickly returned to their previous cheerful and jovial expressions. Soong Xijiao just stood by the side, sipping some tea while listening. Occasionally, when she was questioned, she would answer a few questions.
After a while, First Madame turned her head and affectionately pulled her hand. "Xijiao, your elder sister and the rest of them are at the pavilion in the backyard admiring flowers and making poetry. Do you want to take a look?"
Soong Xijiao nodded without thinking. First Madame didn't want her to stay here. If she tried to force her to stay, it would make First Madame angry, so why would she look for trouble? " Xijiao has not seen her big sister for a long time, so she should be going to take a look! "
After she finished speaking, she stood up and bowed to First Madame before bowing to the other madams. "Xijiao will leave first to find elder sister. I don't think it's right for you to delay the madams." With that, he quickly left the room.
Walking along the long corridors inside the Soong Residence, although the current Soong Residence was a decoration, the patterns were all very different from the ones in the previous owner's memory. It became even more flourishing. Fortunately, this kind of fixed length and route did not change much.
In a short moment, Soong Xijiao arrived at the pavilion, and indeed, there was a group of men and women gathered together, as if reciting a poem in opposition.
Soong Xijiao tidied up her clothes before walking over. The man beside Soong Qinghan saw Soong Xijiao approaching leisurely. He rubbed his eyes and said, "Look, which family's Miss is coming from over there? She's really good-looking!" How come I have never seen it before? "
That was enough to attract everyone's attention. Those sharp-eyed men immediately sighed, "Hai, what a pity. He looks so good, but he has a woman's hair in a bun. I wonder which noble brother is so lucky."
Soong Qinghan looked over there and found it familiar. However, there really wasn't such a good-looking girl in her memory. He could only frown and did not answer.
Soong Xijiao walked to the front of the crowd and greeted Soong Qinghan. "Greetings, big sister. Long time no see. How is big sister?"
Soong Qinghan promptly supported Soong Xijiao as she took the opportunity to carefully examine her surroundings before realising, "It has been a long time since third sister came back. I didn't expect to come all the way to see eldest sister. She really didn't love you for nothing."
When the surrounding people heard Soong Qinghan's words, all of them opened their eyes wide. In their memories, Soong Xijiao was an incomparably sloppy young miss. Normally, she would not even bother with her appearance, so where could they find even a shadow of her on this beauty? A few of the young masters revealed an annoyed expression.
Soong Xijiao held Soong Qinghan's hand and said, "Look at how Elder Sister is. I presume that you've been doing quite well these days. How is it? Did Aunt ever force you to do anything?" Soong Xijiao was talking about First Madame's forced marriage with Soong Qinghan.
In order to raise her position in the Soong Family, First Madame would often choose some of the nobles for Soong Qinghan to choose from. However, Soong Qinghan was not happy with this, as she liked to pursue her own love. First Madame had no choice. After all, she was her own daughter, so she came every now and then to force Soong Qinghan.
Soong Qinghan shook her head and sighed. "Ai, mother is still the same. It's just that she seems to have been more diligent recently. She wants me to have a good look at her in the next few days."
Soong Xijiao gripped Soong Qinghan's hand tightly, "Sister, it's fine. As long as you're patient enough, there will be a day."
Soong Qinghan nodded. She looked at Soong Xijiao gratefully and nodded. He didn't expect that Soong Xijiao would support her idea so much after coming back from marriage and even comfort her. It seemed like this little sister had changed quite a bit.
The people at the side naturally could not understand. After all, this was a matter of the Soong Family. Some of them then said, "You two sisters don't play dumb anymore. Since Third Lady Soong is already here, then let's go together."
Soong Xijiao nodded and chuckled, "I won't keep delaying everyone, just add me. But let's first agree that the art of composing poetry is not my forte. Everyone, please don't laugh at me later."
"That won't happen. Just let her be. Today is the birthday of my mother, how can anyone come here to make fun of me?" Soong Qinghan pulled Soong Xijiao and started laughing and joking with the crowd again.
Although Soong Xijiao tried her best, she still made a few mistakes. Luckily, everyone was happy and didn't make any provocations.
Just as everyone was in high spirits, a sharp voice rang out from behind them, "Yo, Big Sis is here. Why don't you kiss with the aunt?"