Volume One, Chapter 20: Seeking Zhang Million Once More

"She sells fine grains to the wealthy, while hoarding stale ones, and uses the 'Fu' brand to distribute porridge in the bustling business district of the capital."

The man before him remained silent for a long moment before setting down the book in his hand.

"Truly interesting." His voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

The person kneeling hesitated for a moment, then continued: "I also discovered something else..."

"Speak."

"On this person's wrist, I found the bracelet that you, Young Master, have been searching for all this time."

"What did you say?" At these words, he began to cough violently, an unnatural flush appearing on his cold, pale face.

"The bracelet you have been looking for is on the wrist of the Third Miss Song. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Continue to tail her." He fell silent for an instant, his voice regaining its cold indifference. "If necessary, you may step in to provide assistance."

"I understand, Young Master."

After the man left, in the dim study, Pei Ji's face remained half in light and half in shadow. His elegant features looked as if they had been meticulously carved, glowing like fine jade, flawless in every respect. His crow-feather-like lashes were lowered, and his pale, slender fingers slowly caressed a bracelet on his own wrist that was identical to the one worn by Song Ci, his expression one of noble detachment.

"Finally, I have found you."

The next day.

Song Ci went to her mother’s room for breakfast. As soon as she sat down, she caught sight of a new hairpin tucked behind her mother’s temple, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.

"I’ve never seen Mother wear this hairpin before. Is it new?"

Song Ci’s words caused a blush to rise on Qiao Xianglan’s face. She awkwardly touched a stray lock of hair that didn't exist by her ear. "It... it was a gift from your father."

"Father certainly has good taste; this hairpin looks lovely on you, Mother."

With that one sentence, Qiao Xianglan’s face turned even redder.

No sooner had the mother and daughter finished speaking than the Third Master Song followed the scent of food and arrived. He sat down with a thump and stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth. "What are you two whispering about?"

Song Ci was just about to answer when she received a playful glare from Qiao Xianglan, prompting her to hurriedly shut her mouth and offer a small smile.

"Nothing of note. Husband, you look like you've lost weight recently; you should eat more." As she spoke, she placed a pair of chopsticks laden with shredded meat into his bowl.

"My wife is the only one who knows how to pamper me!" Third Master Song ate with even greater relish.

Qiao Xianglan sat down, took a sip of porridge, and spoke slowly, "I wonder how Lan'er is doing."

Song Lan was Song Ci’s eldest brother.

Song Ci pondered. Based on the timeline, her eldest brother should be studying at the academy at this moment. When he returned at the end of the year, her grandmother and her two uncles would undoubtedly rack their brains to find excuses to make him abandon his studies and follow her father into business.

"Lan'er is smart; he will take good care of himself. I already entrusted someone to send some clothes and food to the academy. Don't you worry."

Qiao Xianglan finally set her mind at ease.

Food? So Father had done that, too. Yet, her brother had never mentioned it, only complaining that the food at the academy was unpalatable. In all likelihood, these supplies had fallen directly into the hands of the eldest and second branches of the family, just as one would expect.

Song Ci suddenly felt that, having lived a second life, the more she knew, the deeper her disgust for the Song family grew.

Yet, this blatant and shallow malice had never been noticed or suspected by her parents’ branch, which was why they had met such a tragic end in her previous life.

It was a pity for them, however, that heaven had given her a chance to live again. Those people would never again have the opportunity to run rampant and carefree as they had before.

"Xiao Ci, what’s the matter?"

Seeing her daughter’s strange expression, Qiao Xianglan asked with concern. Her daughter was in poor health, and Physician Lin had even mentioned that her life might be in danger; this had weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her unable to sleep or eat in peace.

"Mother, I’ve been much better lately. Even Wanxiang mentioned this morning that I’ve gained some weight, and my old clothes are getting tight."

Third Master Song laughed heartily and set down his bowl and chopsticks. "That’s perfect. I’ve found some fine fabric for you to make a few new outfits. Your eldest and second sisters love to dress up, but my little Ci is just as pretty, and you will surely look beautiful once you’re dressed up."

She didn't like to dress up? It wasn't that she didn't like it.

Whenever Old Madam Song saw that the third branch had anything of value, she would try to snatch it away, leaving no stone unturned to squeeze it out of her mother and father.

To avoid drawing unwanted attention, Song Ci had always been accustomed to being frugal.

"Good! Your daughter will listen to you, Father."

If they looked down on her, suppressed her, and treated her poorly, she would certainly not let them have their way. They wanted to see her live her whole life in a state of disarray and misery, but she was determined to live a glorious life, taking her parents and brother with her.

Since everything she did was considered wrong in their eyes, she might as well follow her own heart.

In any case, she had long planned to take her family and separate from the household.

After breakfast, Third Master Song brought out the fabric. Qiao Xianglan touched it and clicked her tongue in wonder. "This is an exceptionally fine fabric. Where did you get it?"

Such material was something an ordinary family in the capital could never afford.

Third Master Song scratched his head. "Brother Baiwan gave it to me before he left. He also gave me a tablet; I see the character 'Zhang' carved on it, so I imagine it belongs to the Zhang family."

Song Ci looked at the jade tablet and whispered a reminder, "Father, since they gave you such a tablet, keep it safe and don't lose it."

Third Master Song looked at the jade tablet nervously. "Is it such a treasure?"

"This kind of jade tablet is personal. If it were lost and fell into the hands of someone malicious, it might cause trouble for others."

After a careful admonition, Third Master Song promised repeatedly that he would protect the pendant, and only then did Song Ci feel at ease.

This item must not fall into the hands of the rest of the Song family.

"Master, Mistress, Third Miss..." Wanxiang walked in from outside, her expression somewhat unpleasant. "The main house sent word, asking the Third Master to go over."

"Did they say what it was about?" Song Ci asked.

Wanxiang shook her head. "No."

Even in these few short exchanges, Song Ci keenly noticed that since she had obtained her service contract, Wanxiang had become somewhat wary, her tone no longer as arrogant as before.

"Mother must have something to discuss with me; I will go and return shortly."

Qiao Xianglan frowned. Whenever there was a good thing in the house, it never reached their branch. If the matriarch was calling for her husband, it was certainly to assign him another burdensome task.

Song Ci shared the same thought, and she cast her mother a reassuring look.

"Mother, don't worry. When Father returns, we’ll ask him and find out."

At the main house.

"The situation is as follows: Third Brother, my official transfer orders haven't come down yet. I can only ask you to make a trip and find Brother Baiwan. See if you can find an opportunity to ask for his help and pull some strings so I can remain in the capital."

Second Master Song chimed in, "If Eldest Brother can stay in the capital, it will be much more convenient for everything in the future. After all, even an eighth-rank official in the capital is better than one stationed in the provinces."

Third Master Song remained silent, forcing a troubled expression. "But Brother Baiwan has already given us silver notes. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to go knocking on his door to ask for more favors?"

"Inappropriate? Why would it be inappropriate! You blockhead! You were never as good at studying as your eldest and second brothers, and now you’re just as stubborn in your dealings! You saved his life! Compared to his life, what are three thousand taels of silver? Even if the request were much more difficult, he would still have to help! Or does his life hold no value?"