Volume 1, Chapter 7: I Am Not Worthy of Second Cousin

The next day, Song Xianwan received a delivery from Qin Zhi at Haitang Court, her eyes clouded with mixed emotions.

Fuling held the items in her hands, glancing at Song Xianwan and then at Madam Song, clearly uneasy.

“Fifth Master keeps sending gifts every now and then, always in secret. If Fifth Madam finds out, wouldn’t that bring trouble upon our Miss?”

With that, Fuling, a bit annoyed, placed the items on a chair.

Fifth Madam disliked Song Xianwan, yet Fifth Master persistently sent gifts. Their intentions were truly baffling.

“Madam Song, you accompanied my mother to Liuzhou, where the Marquis’s family was born, correct?” Song Xianwan turned to Madam Song standing nearby and asked.

Madam Song sighed before replying, “Second Master and Fifth Master, as well as our lady, are all born of concubines.”

“But Madam was raised by the Old Madam and greatly favored; both Second and Fifth Masters have received many benefits from her.”

After hearing this, Song Xianwan hummed softly. It seemed Fifth Master’s kindness was, in a way, a repayment of her mother’s favor.

“These things left here are like hot potatoes,” Fuling grumbled, worried that if Fifth Madam discovered them, no amount of explanation could clear it up.

Unexpectedly, Song Xianwan showed no concern. Instead, she said, “Keep all the things. Sooner or later, they will come in handy.”

After all, who would ever say no to more money?

With Song Xianwan’s words, Fuling dared not act on her own. After reporting to Song Xianwan, she had her people store the items in the warehouse.

There were few servants at Haitang Court. Song Xianwan had already cleared out all the informants Gu Shuya had planted there.

Now, those remaining were all chosen by Song Xianwan herself.

After lunch, Song Xianwan planned to visit the Old Madam at Jinghe Court.

The Old Madam treated her kindly, and both out of affection and duty, Song Xianwan felt she should stay by her side at this time.

Fuling still draped a heavy cloak over Song Xianwan and accompanied her.

As they reached the corridor, they saw a young servant holding a white cloth wrapped around something.

Jet-black feathers peeked out from the cloth, standing out conspicuously.

Song Xianwan frowned slightly and stepped forward, asking, “Is that the bird Master Eldest raised?”

Startled by the sudden question, the servant quickly turned around.

Seeing it was Song Xianwan, he bowed and said, “Greetings, Miss Biao. Yes, this is indeed the Sunbird Master Eldest raised, but it has passed away.”

“Strangely, this Sunbird never eats recklessly. I don’t know what it ate yesterday, but it suddenly died today.”

The servant shook his head, speaking as if he’d encountered a ghost.

Yet, after reporting to Master Eldest that morning, the young master didn’t seem overly upset, only saying coldly to bury it.

The servant’s words left Song Xianwan stunned, standing frozen in place.

Only when the servant left with the bird’s body did she come back to herself.

That Sunbird belonged to Qin Songting. Everyone at the Marquis of Yongning’s residence knew its background and were familiar with Qin Songting’s temperament.

So even in his absence, the servant would take good care of the bird, and no one would dare harm it.

Yet now, the bird was dead, and Qin Songting showed little reaction.

It was as if he had long known the bird would die.

Song Xianwan glanced to the side; the jeweled hairpin the Sunbird had carried away was nowhere to be found, and she didn’t know where Qin Songting had discarded it.

Could the poison in the Sunbird have come from that hairpin?

Recalling how Qin Songting had avoided the jewel on the hairpin when he took it yesterday, Song Xianwan’s brow furrowed tightly, anxiety creeping in.

That hairpin was a gift from the Old Madam when she first arrived at the Marquis’s residence.

However, the one given to her at Haitang Court was delivered by Li Mama, who served beside Gu Shuya.

Song Xianwan rarely wore that hairpin and had only put it on yesterday when she went to see the Old Madam.

“Fuling, find someone trustworthy and have them search the lake for the hairpin I lost yesterday.”

With that thought, Song Xianwan gripped Fuling’s wrist tightly.

Although Fuling didn’t understand why, she did not object.

“I will go immediately,” she replied.

Having given the instruction, Song Xianwan took several deep breaths and headed toward Jinghe Court.

The Old Madam seemed in relatively good spirits today. According to Nurse Kang, a doctor had come yesterday and prescribed many medicines.

“Grandmother.”

As the heavy curtain was lifted, Song Xianwan’s voice came from outside.

Hearing this, Old Madam Qin immediately smiled, “Ah Wan, come, sit by your grandmother.”

Song Xianwan reached out to remove her cloak, handing it to Fuling, then took a few steps forward and sat down.

“Has Grandmother’s health improved?”

“You’re not well yourself, yet you keep wandering outside,” Old Madam Qin chided her affectionately.

Afterward, she smiled and said, “I heard your Fifth Aunt brought a lot of things to Haitang Court yesterday?”

Her flamboyant manner seemed almost desperate to show how much she cared for Song Xianwan.

“Fifth Aunt brought many things for Ah Wan.”

Song Xianwan replied calmly, then looked up at her grandmother. “Grandmother, I came today because I have something to discuss with you.”

A flicker of hope shone in the young woman’s eyes. Without her speaking, Old Madam Qin already knew the reason for her visit.

“You mean the marriage between you and your second cousin?”

Old Madam Qin reached for her tea cup and took a sip.

Song Xianwan nodded. “I know Grandmother means well, but you also know Fifth Aunt dislikes me.”

“My second cousin is accomplished and well-mannered, now working at the Hanlin Academy with a bright future. I am not worthy of him.”

Her reasoning was sound, and it gave Old Madam Qin some pause.

Originally, she had proposed Song Xianwan marry Qin Yuanjue precisely because of his character.

Qin Yuanjue was gentle and refined, the best-tempered among Old Madam Qin’s grandsons.

If Song Xianwan married Qin Yuanjue, Gu Shuya would surely show some respect for her son and stop harboring murderous intent toward Song Xianwan.

Moreover, Old Madam Qin could tell Qin Yuanjue to protect Song Xianwan carefully.

Old Madam Qin knew her years were limited.

Her only concern was Song Xianwan.

“It’s my fault for not considering carefully and causing you trouble, Ah Wan.”

After a long sigh, Old Madam Qin seemed to give up on the idea.

Song Xianwan breathed easier and shook her head, telling her grandmother it was she who had caused her worry.

“Master Eldest? Second Master? Why are you standing outside?”

Nurse Kang’s voice came from outside, and upon hearing those titles, Song Xianwan’s brow furrowed again.

Had Qin Songting and Qin Yuanjue overheard her conversation just now?