Song Chuyi had just lifted her skirt to step inside when she heard the booming voice of Old Lady Xiang resounding from the inner room: "I don't care about any 'leaving the family' nonsense! Whether she's officially out or not, by the principles of morality and propriety, I am her true grandmother! Even if she doesn't acknowledge me, she has to acknowledge the marriage contract her parents left behind!"

  The room fell silent as a pin drop. As Song Chuyi walked past the screen, she saw Ziwei and Zin biting their lips, their faces full of anger. Old Lady Song sat at the head, her expression calm.

  "This must be Sixth Miss?" Third Lady Chen rose to greet her with a smile that was neither cold nor overly enthusiastic on her round, fair face. "Such beauty—no wonder everyone says the Old Lady raises her girls well; they're all so lovely."

  Old Lady Song's expression remained indifferent as she nodded at Song Chuyi. "This is Third Lady Chen, the granddaughter-in-w of Grand Secretary Chen."

  Yet another retive of Grand Secretary Chen, who had helped bring the Xiang family to the capital. When Xiang Mingzi's situation arose years ago, it wasn't without its share of commotion; the family had gone to the ancestral hall and even temples. Those long-established in the capital weren't blind or deaf—how could they not know? But despite this, they not only assisted Old Lady Xiang in coming to the capital but also brought her directly into the residence without any prior notice.

  Third Lady Chen personally removed a gold, open-ended bracelet engraved with lotus flowers from her wrist and warmly extended it to Song Chuyi. "This is our first meeting, so take this as a small gift. Please, Sixth Miss Song, don't find it cking—just take it as a keepsake."

  Before she could finish, Old Lady Xiang's gaze was already fixed squarely on Old Lady Song. She raised her voice another notch: "I don't care! This marriage contract was settled when her parents were still alive. Now that the other family has come forward, there's no reason to back out! She was raised by our Xiang family—does she really mean to deny these years of nurturing?"

  Spittle flew as she gripped the so-called marriage contract tightly, nearly lunging towards Old Lady Song. "If she doesn't acknowledge it—if she dares to deny it..." She sneered, spitting as she spoke, "Hmph... then this old woman will bash her head right in front of the stone lions at your Marquis of Changning Residence!"

  Third Lady Chen gnced awkwardly at the grim expressions of Old Lady Song and Song Chuyi, hastily trying to calm down Old Lady Xiang. "Oh, my! We're nearly at the end of the year—why say such unlucky things about life and death? You're of an advanced age, Old Lady; even if you have something to say, it should be said more calmly..."

  If it hadn't been for Third Lady Chen's insistence, Old Lady Xiang wouldn't have had a chance to set foot in the Song residence. And if Third Lady Chen hadn't insisted on having Xiang Mingzi come to acknowledge the names and seals of her parents, Old Lady Song would never have allowed Old Lady Xiang to see Xiang Mingzi.

  Old Lady Song cast a sharp look at Third Lady Chen, smiling with veiled meaning. "It seems Lady Chen is quite familiar with this Old Lady Xiang."

  Third Lady Chen's slender fingers trembled slightly, and her eyes darted to the right before she covered her mouth, bowing slightly. "I was bitten by a poisonous insect on the way to the capital, and if not for Old Lady Xiang's folk remedy, I might not have survived..." She looked at Old Lady Song with bright eyes, smiling as she continued, "I happened to hear that Old Lady Xiang had family ties with the Song household, so naturally, I took on the task of helping her..."

  Old Lady Song didn't spare a gnce at Old Lady Xiang, but she made a meaningful "oh" and then smiled. "Unfortunately, Lady Chen, this favor cannot be fulfilled; our family severed ties with them three years ago. Magistrate Xiang was imprisoned for some crime; surely you've heard of this, Lady Chen?"

  Song Chuyi moved closer to sit beside Old Lady Song, tilting her head as she looked at Third Lady Chen. "Lady Chen, I believe, went with Third Master Chen to take office in Shuzhong three years ago. That was just when my grandmother took my cousin in. I remember the case made quite a stir in the capital, and my cousin was registered under my eldest uncle's name, with a banquet held to celebrate. You were there, Lady Chen. And yet, just like that, you seem to have forgotten."

  How could anyone forget such a matter? For someone managing a household, it was crucial to be mindful of such things to avoid offending others. But Third Lady Chen, fully aware of the Song family's position, still brought Old Lady Xiang here.

  Third Lady Chen, put on the spot by Song Chuyi's words, awkwardly lowered her head. "That... it was several years ago, and my memory has faded. I only thought Old Lady Xiang was pitiable, and regardless of what mistakes Lord Xiang may have made, the elderly are innocent. She came with a marriage contract..."

  Old Lady Xiang immediately spat on the ground, her wrinkled, skinny face twisting. "Enough with those useless words! Here's the marriage contract, and this engagement is hers no matter what! If she doesn't acknowledge it, then today I'll make good on my word and smash my head against the stone lions at the Marquis of Changning's residence. Let's see how long you all can stay so smug!"

  Just then, Third Lady Song entered, eyebrows raised at the commotion. "Who's so thoughtless to speak of death right at the New Year? Don't you know that's taboo?" She had been sent by First Lady, and sometimes, when dealing with an unreasonable country woman like Old Lady Xiang, the intelligence of Old Lady Song and Song Chuyi was of no use.

  Third Lady Chen seemed flustered, her eyes reddening with anxiety. "How did it come to this... I truly didn't know that the Xiang family had such a strained retionship with your household." She tried to tug on Old Lady Xiang's arm. "Please, settle down, ma'am! If only you had told me beforehand... I... I wouldn't have dared to bring you here. Now, my good intentions have turned into trouble."

  Old Lady Song leaned against the divan, shaking her head in a low voice. "I know nothing of any marriage contract, and Linng never mentioned it to me. When our family discussed breaking ties with your family's patriarch, no one from the Xiang family spoke up. Now that the formal documentation for severance and Mingzi's registration under the Song family are all in order, how does the Xiang family's marriage contract find its way before our Song family?"

  Old Lady Xiang let out a few harsh, mocking ughs, her eyes gleaming with calcuting greed. "So what if the family patriarch agreed? Neither I nor my son agreed! Besides, this marriage contract bears not only my son's seal but also that of your fine daughter. They even have the longevity locket given to Mingzi on her hundredth day as a keepsake..."

  Third Lady Song sneered, looking disdainfully at Old Lady Xiang. "The people who arranged this marriage are dead, so of course you can say whatever you like. And even if it was Linng's wish, we no longer acknowledge it. Mingzi is now a daughter of the Song family—what does she have to do with the Xiang family?"