When it was about dark, Wei Changying returned to the mansion. She estimated that Madam Su was still having dinner at that time, so she let someone send the parrot and the fish tank back to Jintong Courtyard first, and then she went to the main room to see the situation by herself.

When Wei Changying got to the main room, the granny keeping the door had been told before and said to her as soon as she arrived, "Madam said that since third young madam had been out today, you could just return to the third branch when you came back. You may come again to serve tomorrow, so there is no need to disturb Madam right now."

Wei Changying thanked them and asked Qin'ge to give a pouch for each. Seeing that the two grannies accepted her pouches smilingly and treated her respectfully, Wei Changying thought that Madam Su had not felt her being disobedient or coming back too late so that the latter deliberately turned the back on her. Maybe Madam Su really felt it was too late and didn't want to be disturbed. Wei Changying breathed a sigh of relief, and then went back to her yard with ease.

The moment she entered the courtyard where she lived, the first sound was a young girl's sweet voice, saying "Paying respects to young master" and "Wishing First Miss all happiness." When Wei Changying was about to laugh and said to the maids besides her that Song Zaishui had trained the parrots really well, she saw Shen Cangfeng, who dressed in an ultramarine suit, standing at the porch and teasing a pair of flower-feathered parrots with a pink rose in his hand.

Seeing that Wei Changying was back, Shen Cangfeng left the parrots behind and greeted her. Then he asked her with a smile, "Where did they come from? Did you get them from elder cousin?"

"Wasn't it?" Wei Changying complained mischievously, "She had a lot of parrots and fish. I didn't know what she was thinking and she got another chausie. Today as soon as I stepped into her yard, I met a cat who was holding a parrot in its mouth. She was worried that the cat would ruin all the parrots, so she jammed them into our carriage."

Shen Cangfeng conveniently inserted the rose into the hair of her temples and said with a smile, "That's fine. Our yard was just cleaned up. Although it was tidy, it wasn't very lively. It would be fun to have a pair of parrots in the porch. Just find two people to take care of them. Such little things would not be difficult to serve."

At this time, some maids had been attracted by the parrots. The pair of parrots had been trained well. They were good at flattering and they knew how to greet people and how to pay respects. Besides, they had bright and beautiful plumage, which were endearing. Maids of Zhu Lan and Zhu Shi's age couldn't help loving the parrots when they saw them and they all expressed their willingness to take care of them when they heard Shen Cangfeng's words.

Wei Changying casually ordered Zhu Lan and Zhu Shi to take over them. The two young maids thanked her happily and hurried to tease the parrots.

Wei Changying and Shen Cangfeng then ignored these playthings and entered the house. Wei Changying did not see the fish tank sent by Song Zaishui, so she asked, "Where is the fish?"

"I asked someone to send the fish to the small study and put them next to the writing desk." Shen Cangfeng said.

"Ah, that's good as well." Wei Changying originally wanted to put the fish on the porch as Song Zaishui said and they could take a look when they went in or out. But if there was an extra tank of fish in the small study, and there were bowls of lotus in the tank, it would also be nice to look at it when they read.

At this moment, Mrs. Wan came to ask if she could take the meal. Wei Changying was surprised and asked Shen Cangfeng, "Haven't you eaten yet?"

"You have had the dinner at elder cousin's?" Shen Cangfeng understood and said, "Then you could have a rest and wait for me."

Wei Changying saw that he had waited for her till so late in order to have dinner with her, however, she returned after having the meal at Song Zaishui's house. Therefore, she couldn't help but feel a bit sorry and said, "I ate hastily at elder cousin's, and I could have some more with you."

After having the meal and taking a bath, the two made love as usual. Wei Changying thought that the birthday of Princess Linchuan was just in a few days and Song Zaishui had analyzed today...Then she asked Shen Cangfeng, "After a few days, it would be Princess Linchuan’s birthday. I’m going to the palace to visit the Honored Consort. Since you enter the palace every day, what should I pay attention to first in your eyes?"

Shen Cangfeng snuggled down on his arms and embraced her waist, then he said in a lazy tone, “You don't need to worry too much. Our maternal grandmother is the aunt of Honored Consort of the same family, and our family hasn't offended Honored Consort before. Therefore, she won't embarrass you. I later thought that maybe Honored Consort wanted to talk about Princess Linchuan in front of His Majesty, and she just mentioned you to make fashion."

Wei Changying seemed to understand, "I heard elder cousin say that both the Empress and the Honored Consort wanted their nephews to marry Princess Linchuan." It was apparent that Honored Consort Deng sent the seasonal fruits to His Majesty with an intention of mentioning the marriage of Princess Linchuan. Because she saw Shen Cangfeng, she just proposed to invite his newly-wedded wife to enter the palace to pay a visit at the birthday of Princess Linchuan to turn the topic to Princess Linchuan.

Shen Cangfeng said it casually last time, which made Wei Changying suspicious until now, and she had a serious discussion with Song Zaishui— It would be a bit ridiculous to think of it right now.

"That's right." Shen Cangfeng said, "But it has nothing to do with our family. According to the imperial command, I asked Zhang Pingxu about his opinion before. Now he fell ill. Besides, the Royal Astronomical Observatory wrote a private letter to His Majesty, saying that Zhang Pingxu’s birth chart was not honorable enough, and they were afraid that he couldn't afford the glory of marrying the princess. When His Majesty heard it, he said that he wouldn't consider Zhang Pingxu anymore."

Wei Changying then asked, "Was it that Zhang Pingxu changed his mind and didn't want to be the husband of the princess, so he bought off the Royal Astronomical Observatory, or?" It turned out that when Shen Cangfeng mentioned this matter, he suspected that Zhang Pingxu had changed his mind by himself. However, Song Zaishui also said that it might be the Empress or the Honored Consort, with the aim of letting their own nephews marry the princess, putting pressure on Zhang Pingxu.... It was like looking at flowers in the fog, which became more and more obscure.

"I don't know." Shen Cangfeng pondered for a moment, and said, "Father told me not to intervene in it, so I did not inquire." He bowed his head and kissed her again, then he comforted her, "You would follow mother and sisters-in-law into the palace and you also have Cangning as a companion. Mother will decide for you what to do. Cangning has been at the palace since she was a little girl, and she is familiar with the princesses. I will tell her to follow you all the time."

"I just asked casually, but you answered in a way as if I was timid." Wei Changying pretended to be annoyed and said, "I see.... Get rest, you have to get up early tomorrow."

The next day, Wei Changying went to the main room again to serve. When she saw Madam Su, she naturally wanted to thank the latter for allowing her to visit the mansion of the Song Family the day before. Madam Su then asked her, "How was your elder cousin now?"

Wei Changying respectfully answered, "Mother, my elder cousin really appreciated that you allowed me to pay a visit to her house yesterday. Now, she was... alright."

Wei Changying couldn't tell the truth. After being withdrawn by the Royalty, Song Zaishui was so excited and cheerful that she could even hold an open-air banquet for three days and nights to celebrate. Now she had a very good life, and she wouldn't care about her elder sister-in-law who was not virtuous anymore.

Such behavior of Wei Changying, in the eyes of Madam Su, would have another interpretation— The Eastern Palace was not sagacious. Though Song Zaishui lost her identity as a Crown Princess, it was not a big deal on account that she was the First Miss of the Song Family. The problem was that her face had been disfigured, which was considered inauspicious by His Majesty.

"She is a girl of nineteen. What about her future marriage? Being young and beautiful of noble birth, it would be a great pity for her to have such an end." Madam Su thought to herself with sympathy. Then she sighed and comforted Wei Changying, "Mr. Song, Minister of the public, had only one daughter, who was also the lineal daughter of his first wife, therefore, he wouldn't treat her ungenerously. In the future, even if his daughter married a husband of a relatively lower status, as long as he was considerate, other things could all be ignored."

Wei Changying was still very grateful for her mother-in-law's remarks, so she thanked the latter respectfully. Then she said, "Elder cousin was lonely at home with doors and windows all shut, so she kept some parrots and fish. Yesterday I brought back a pair of parrots and a tank of fish. Because it was already dark, mother's servants told me that I shouldn't disturb you anymore, so I took them back to Jintong Courtyard first. Mother, I found that you didn't have these here.... Though the parrots were just ordinary flower-feathered parrots, my elder cousin had taught them to talk. Besides, it was very interesting to raise bowls of lotus and goldfish in the fish tank. They are all outside now. Mother, would you like to see where to put them?"

These words were still reminded by Mrs. Huang this morning. When Shen Cangfeng went out, Mrs. Huang said quietly, "I couldn't upset young master yesterday. Although Miss Song sent Madam an additional return present, it would be better for you to tell Madam about the parrots and the fish, which could show your respect to the elders. Originally, young madam, you didn't need these things. Why should we give first young madam and second young madam the chance of gossiping?"

Sure enough, Madam Su smiled slightly and said, "You are considerate, but you don't know why I don't have a parrot here. I'm afraid of noise. After all, I am older than you young people.... The fish are quiet enough. You can put them on the porch and I can take a look when I am free."

Wei Changying wiped the sweat secretly, and she thought it was something of a fluke. If it were not for Mrs. Huang's reminder, Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu would whisper in front of Madam Su behind Wei Changying's back, saying that Song Zaishui had given her the parrots and the fish, yet Wei Changying took them directly to the third branch to enjoy. Moreover, Wei Changying didn't make any polite remark before her mother-in-law.

Although Madam Su seemed to be a reasonable elder, how could she be delighted when she heard this?

Wei Changying was shocked and warned herself that being a wife was not the same as being a daughter. When she was First Miss at home, the whole family, from Old Madam to brothers and sisters in her generation, centered on her. It was not that Wei Changying was reluctant to send away the pair of parrots and the tank of fish. She felt that it was nothing. If Song Zaishui didn't cram them into the carriage, Wei Changying would be too lazy to bring them back.

Wei Changying just thought that if Madam Su wanted the parrots or the fish, how could she not make it? In addition, when Wei Changying returned to Jintong Courtyard last night, Shen Cangfeng arranged the parrots and the fish while he was talking. Then Wei Changying tacitly approved it, and forgot to report this to her mother-in-law...

At this moment, Madam Su asked for the fish. Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu showed disappointment in their eyes. Obviously they had already waited for a long time. If Wei Changying didn't talk about it first, they were about to mention it.

Now that Wei Changying smoothed things over by herself, it was not appropriate for Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu to discuss it anymore. They said lightly that Wei Changying was really filial and she did not forget her mother-in-law when she went to the cousin’s house. Then they turned down Wei Changying's suggestion of giving them a parrot respectively and asked people to bring up the account books— This was what Madam Su had said the other day. She also wanted her third daughter-in-law to learn to manage the house. No matter how upset Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Duanmu felt in their heart, they couldn't pretend that they didn't hear it. Therefore, they had to take out all the things and explain the matters in the mansion to Wei Changying.

Madam Su pretended to be unknown to the dissatisfaction of her first daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law. She amiably praised them with a few words of friendship and said, "I'm a little tired at this moment, and I want to lie down for a while. You two take Changying to look at the account books elsewhere."

The daughters-in-law naturally expressed their desire to stay and serve. Madam Su insisted on sending them away, then the three of them showed their great concern for Madam Su and departed with reluctance.

When they went out of the main room, Mrs. Liu suggested, "How about going to my house? Today I asked the small kitchen to make crystal sugar ice cream balls and iced pearl juice."

Mrs. Duanmu smoothed her temple hair and said with a smile, "Then we are so lucky."

They both agreed. Wei Changying did not object and said, "I just follow you."

After arriving at the Xinyi Court, Shen Shujing, First Granddaughter Miss, was greeting her mother at the door. Seeing the two aunts, she hurried up to give a salute.

They all told Shen Shujing not to be so polite, then they entered the door, sat down, and took out the account books. Noticing that Shen Shujing still didn't retreat, Mrs. Liu felt very strange, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Shujing hurriedly said, "Mother, Aunt Gao's maiden home sent a message, saying that her mother had passed away. Aunt Gao wanted to go back and have a look."

Mrs. Liu frowned and said, "How could something like this happen?" Then she said mildly, "This is a big event. Aunt Gao's family is close to the capital. Of course, she should go back. It's just that your father is busy with business and he has no time to accompany her to return. Go and fetch five hundred tael for her, then find someone to send her. If she met some difficulties in her family, you could come to me."

Shen Shujing nodded and apologized to Mrs. Duanmu and Wei Changying. Then she left with dignity.

Mrs. Duanmu said, "First sister-in-law, you had taught Shujing very well. Compared with her, none of the three girls in my branch could match her."

Mrs. Liu was very proud of her son and daughter. Listening to Mrs. Duanmu's words, though she felt a sense of pride, she said, "You are too modest. When third younger sibling came to my room last time, she saw Shurou and praised her for being polite and righteous repeatedly. Then she complimented you on raising a good daughter!"

Mrs. Duanmu smiled faintly, "Yo, what's the matter? I don't even know." Then she said to Wei Changying, "Third younger sibling, you overpraised me. How could Shurou compare with Shujing?"

"I think my nieces are all good." Wei Changying didn't have a bad impression of these nieces. As for Shen Shuyan, even if she caught Wei Changying's gold hairpin and didn't give up last time, it was the nature of a child, which was not annoying. But the two sisters-in-law were unpredictable. Now that Madam Su was not in front of her, Wei Changying was too lazy to deal with them and directly said, "The concubine here is in trouble. We can't delay first sister-in-law too much. Let's get down to business first."