Song Tao did not believe Song Jiyun's words, but then again, their relationship had always been mediocre, especially during this peculiar period, hadn't it?
The main reason was that she was too thrilled at the moment.
For the first time in her two lives, she had confronted someone like that, and it felt exhilarating!
No wonder Song Jiyun had spoken so harshly to people she disliked in her previous life.
She beamed and sat back down, and her mood remained very cheerful even after they had finished dinner and the maids had served tea, and Ding Xiang came looking for her.
"Did you find anything out?" Song Tao spoke with Ding Xiang beside the Jade Hairpin Flowers.
Ding Xiang whispered softly, "Young Master Yuan has lived in Jiangnan with his family since his early years. That year, when Lord Li was appointed as the Government Subprefect in Suzhou Prefecture, the Second Old Master went to visit Lord Li and met Young Master Yuan's father. Seeing that Young Master Yuan was bright and clever, the Second Old Master promised his eldest daughter to Young Master Yuan."
Song Tao did the math, and it added up.
"However, his family's ancestral business is in the Capital City, so his family gradually moved there," Ding Xiang said, "and that's how the two families slowly lost contact."
Song Tao said, "Did he not say what his family does for a living?"
Ding Xiang replied, "He didn't say. However, Young Master Yuan mentioned that among his four brothers, besides his second brother who serves by his father's side, the others have all followed in their father's footsteps."
Many have followed in their father's footsteps. One can inherit a business or even a pottery trade.
If the trade were favorable, what reason would there be to keep it hidden?
Song Tao frowned and said, "Did Young Master Yuan bring any attendants or servant boys?"
A rotten boat still has three pounds of nails. Traveling thousands of miles from the Capital City here alone is very dangerous; even a family in decline should afford a runner or companion.
Ding Xiang shook her head: "No, Young Master Yuan came alone."
"Do you know what belongings he brought with him?" Song Tao asked.
Perhaps they could glean something from his possessions?
Ding Xiang replied, "He only brought a bundle. He was still holding it when he went to see the Second Madam, but we didn't see it when he came to the old lady's room. It must have been left at Second Madam's place."
That was as good as saying nothing.
Song Tao pinched a cluster of Jade Hairpin Flowers and held it close to her nose to smell.
The more she thought, the more she felt that the fiancé Song Jiyun had brought up was suspicious.
It was not just because of the memories of her previous life but more so because of Song Jiyun's character.
At this time, Song Jiyun was still not well-known, and not many people knew about her.
But in her previous life, she had been famous for her cunning and reckless behavior, having committed far too many unconventional acts.
What most women regarded as vital—reputation and chastity—seemed trivial to her.
Yet, she did things even men couldn't achieve, making those men helpless and keeping them at a respectful distance.
Just like now. Most people would panic and not know what to do in such a situation, but Song Jiyun was different; she would definitely not concede defeat and would solve the matter in ways no one could expect.
After hearing Ding Xiang's words, Song Tao suspected that Yuan Yunzhong, even if not a fraud, might be an actor hired by Song Jiyun.
But where did Song Jiyun find him? What was he originally doing?
She even speculated that perhaps Yuan Yunzhong was originally a swindler who, unexpectedly, ended up in the unorthodox hands of Song Jiyun and was used by her instead.
If that were the case, then it would be intriguing indeed!
Song Tao felt an eager stir within her.
If she could uncover this person's background, she could turn him around or expose this marriage arrangement, and the things she could do were plentiful.
Song Tao bit her nails for a long while before eventually her expression turned serious. She threw the Jade Hairpin Flower onto the ground, crushed it underfoot, and said solemnly to Ding Xiang, "While the banquet over there is still going on, let's go have a look at Young Master Yuan."
Ding Xiang's face turned pale with fright and she hurriedly said, "That's not possible! This is the Second branch's area. What if we are found out?"
Song Tao suddenly felt a surge of annoyance in her heart.
At this time, Song Jiyun was just a little girl who had begun to emerge from the second house; did everyone already know how formidable she was?
Song Tao was not convinced.
In her previous life, she had wholeheartedly trusted and relied on her father, which is why she didn't resist and went with the flow. In this life, armed with the experiences and lessons from her previous life, she was calculating against the unsuspecting; could she really not outmatch Song Jiyun who knew nothing?
She straightened her back and said, "As a cousin, I am curious about what kind of person this suddenly emerged future brother-in-law is; anyone who knows this reason would think it makes sense, right?"
Ding Xiang thought the third young miss's reasoning made sense.
Song Tao returned to the small tea room and saw Song Jiyun talking with her mother, "… I'm not sure if my second younger sister has had her dinner yet while she's still at the ancestral hall. If grandmother needs anything, could you please send a maid to call us?"
Her mother probably didn't want to get involved between the second house and her grandmother either, only being nice in front of Madam Qian, "You just go; if mother-in-law asks, I will immediately send someone to call you."
Song Jiyun nodded at her, then supported Madam Qian as they left with their younger sister.
This made it easier for Song Tao to act.
Rather than stopping Song Jiyun, she said to her mother, "I don't want to be ordered around by third aunt later; I will take a walk outside, and you can send someone to call me when you are about to leave."
Madam Wang, a mother who doted on her children, nodded her head. She even handed a palm fan to Ding Xiang to fan off mosquitoes for her, warning her not to wander too far: "There are outsiders near the Water Pavilion."
Song Tao smiled in acknowledgment and, accompanied by Ding Xiang, she bypassed Madam Zeng's place and headed to the Water Pavilion.
The Water Pavilion was brightly lit, bustling with servant boys and maids, their movement incessant. From afar, Song Tao heard her father's hearty laugh as he encouraged others to drink.
Song Tao frowned in displeasure, wandering near the Water Pavilion for a long time without finding a spot to spy on the banquet.
Ding Xiang was still a bit frightened and persuaded Song Tao, "How about we find another opportunity next time?"
Thinking of Song Jiyun, Song Tao reluctantly said, "Let's think of another way."
The two of them circled around the Water Pavilion again, their arms and shoulders getting bitten by several mosquitoes, before they discovered a large bluestone concealed by willow trees opposite the pavilion.
Song Tao was delighted and instructed Ding Xiang to help her stand on it.
The window of the Water Pavilion was wide open, and a man suddenly walked to it, gazing out of it.
Moonlight shone on his face, and his eyes seemed to be filled with countless stars, making all the surrounding scenery lose its color.
Song Tao's heart beat wildly, and she slipped off the bluestone.
If it were not for Ding Xiang holding her from behind, she almost fell head over heels.
Who was that man?
Song Tao clutched her chest, taking a while to catch her breath, and leaned on Ding Xiang's hand to stand on the bluestone again.
The wide-open lattice was now empty, the Water Pavilion's shadows flickering, and the sounds of cups and chopsticks clinking softly carried over, making Song Tao doubt her eyes.
No, she had really seen him.
Song Tao crouched on the bluestone, ignoring the mosquito bites.
She had a bad premonition.
Could this man be Song Jiyun's fiancé?
*
In Song Jiyun's chamber, Nanny Zheng was personally wringing her wet hair, while she stared at the person in the mirror and softly said, "Did he really say that?"
Nanny Zheng's hand tightened a bit, her voice somewhat agitated, "Yes. He said he wants to take the marriage agreement to the governmental authorities to make a record. This way, no matter who comes questioning, everything will be legitimate and justified."
Song Jiyun remained silent for a long time.
What did Yuan Yunzhong mean?
Could he be thinking of turning a pretence into reality?