After the three sweltering days, the fragrance of osmanthus flowers gradually wafted out from the mansion, and the sweet scent that was everywhere seeped into people's nostrils with the breeze, as if even the air itself carried a hint of sweetness.

  Young girls gathered in twos and threes in the Qingyiyuan Garden, picking osmanthus flowers, making osmanthus cakes or keeping them to make hair oil, their joyful voices and laughter never-ending.

  The mistress hastily led the way through the osmanthus forest and into the room, suddenly scolding the maids: "I suppose it's because I've always been too kind that you all dare to be so unruly! Today, those who sneaked out to pick osmanthus flowers will all be fined half a month's wages!"

  She had always been lenient and kind to her subordinates, never losing her temper like this before. The people in the house were momentarily stunned, scratching their heads in confusion, each one lowering their head, not even daring to raise it.

  Jin Ling quietly looked over at Jin Nainai and saw that both she and Zou Mama were busy waving their hands and shaking their heads.

  Mrs. Deng sat down, and Jin Huan hurriedly brought up the tea, carefully smiling: "Madam has had a hard journey, although it's already autumn, there's still an autumn tiger, I'll get Xiaoyu to bring up some iced buns?"

  The madam pushed slightly impatiently and ordered Jin Yutai: "You go to Old Lady's place to take a look, ask if Yu Shu old lady has calmed down."

  Jin A'niang responded with a "yes" and hurriedly went out to Ning De Yuan to look for Yu Shu.

  Mrs. Zou saw that the old lady was willing to talk, so she felt relieved and nodded at Jin Huan, then gently massaged the old lady's temples: "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly so angry for no reason? This has never happened before."

  Mrs. Song is not a powerful person, nor is she a difficult mother-in-law to get along with. Madame Li's family background was not good in the past, and marrying into the Ningbo Mansion was considered a serious high climb. However, after entering the mansion, Mrs. Song never made an issue of this and never gave Madame Li trouble because of it. Even when the second wife, Madame Cui from a prominent family, entered the household, Mrs. Song never showed favoritism or distinguished between the two daughters-in-law.

  After all these years, Mrs. Song probably saw the color of Madam's face for the first time.

  Whenever she thought of this matter, Mrs. felt even more annoyed in her heart, and she let out a sigh, feeling stuffy and frustrated, closing her eyes and not knowing what to do.

  Today, Old Lady Song scolded her severely. She had only advised a few words, but was unexpectedly reprimanded by the old lady. This is the first time in nearly thirty years since she married into the Song family. She really felt that she had lost all face for half of her life.

  Someone outside is looking for us, Jinling went out and came back, reporting to the madam in a low voice: "The young master's side has sent someone over, asking if we have served dinner yet."

  Although the old lady was annoyed in her heart, she also missed her grandson. Upon hearing this, she immediately changed her expression and instructed: "Go tell her that there's no need to come over for dinner today. The weather is hot, don't move around carelessly, be careful not to catch a heat stroke."

  Jin Ling saw Madame's expression soften, as if she had been granted a great amnesty, and nodded slightly before quickly turning around and leaving.

  "Mother Zou followed closely and advised: 'You shouldn't be too anxious, Old Lady was probably just momentarily flustered. After all, there are some things that children don't understand, we have to know what's good and bad for them. If we really do as our eldest miss says, then Sixth Miss's situation will be worrying indeed! Old Lady values Sixth Miss like the apple of her eye, it's understandable that she can't calm down immediately.'"

  "I also know that Xiaoliu is lovely and I also know that Xiaoliu has been tolerant lately. The old master and mistress both dote on her and like her." Song Dafuren's tone was low: "But what does it matter? After all, she's just a little maid. In the palace, Your Majesty finds it difficult to take a step, in the end, it's still because the Empress Dowager is dissatisfied with our family for bringing up Wangshi."

  After saying this, Mrs. Song stopped talking and paused for a moment before sighing again: "Although Wang was wrong to do this thing first, it was Xiao Liu who made the trouble in the end. If Xiao Liu hadn't caused trouble, the old master and mistress wouldn't have been so cruel to Wang either. Now that you're in the palace, what's become of you? You can't even tell the truth to Empress Dowager?"

  There's something that the madam has been holding back from saying, what if it wasn't Song Chuyi's fault anyway? A noble consort in the palace and a nine-year-old little maid, anyone would know how to choose between them.

  In the past, I thought that Song Chuyi's cleverness and intelligence would not hinder the affairs of the main house, nor would it affect the interests of the main house. However, now it seems that this is not the case.

  Mr. and Mrs. Song's doting on Song Chuyi was really excessive, they could actually get so angry with the Imperial Concubine for her sake, and get so angry with themselves for her sake.

  Their private hearts made them unable to see the current situation, unable to see the difficulties of the noble consort, and also unable to see the situation between the noble consort and the Song family. They actually wanted the noble consort to continue to bear the anger of the empress dowager, wanting the noble consort to swallow this grievance herself.

  But this is not just some small gifts and jewelry, nor the usual indulgence and pampering. This concerns her own daughter's interests! Madam Song cannot watch such a thing happen.

  Mrs. Song put down the ice bowl in her hand and whispered to Zou Mama: "You go find familiar eunuch Xia, let him pass a message into the palace, tell him to tell Concubine Jing that everything will be done according to what she said. As for Old Lady's side, I'll help persuade her not to worry."

  Zou's mother didn't dare to delay, and replied: "Is his appetite good? Last time he came to enjoy the autumn breeze, he took two thousand silver coins. This time we have something to ask of him."

  "Prepare two thousand taels of silver, and give it to him along with the IOU from last time." Madam Song sneered: "Isn't this kind of person only looking at money? Just feed him full and that's it."

  The old man and the old lady have private thoughts, she also has them.

  Song Chuyi is also good, but she is also the daughter of the second house, what relationship does she have with their main house? In the future, if they separate and leave, it will be just a friendship that calls herself "Big Aunt".

  They wanted to protect her, but they couldn't let their own daughter suffer for it.

  Jin Lao Lao cautiously entered, seeing the mistress with her eyes closed and meditating. Noticing that Zou Mama was not around, she thought for a moment before walking up to her and softly saying: "Yu Shu said that her temper is quite fierce today, at noon she only ate a few mouthfuls of food before stopping. She also ordered the young servant from the outer courtyard to wait, and as soon as Old Master and Master return, they will be told to go to Ning De Yuan."

  The madam still had her eyes closed and didn't move, it wasn't until after a long time that she slightly raised her hand to indicate that she knew.

  She wanted to tell this to Lao Taiye and Lao Ye, although she hadn't opened her eyes, her heart was not calm.

  The old master is the head of the family, and he shouldn't be as emotional as the old lady. As for the old man, it's even more unnecessary to mention him; he knows how to choose between his own daughter and his niece.

  Although she said so, she still made up her mind and couldn't pretend to be deaf and blind, but had to go over there.