Chapter 21

After that incident, Madam Song became even colder toward Director Song.

Director Song wanted to soften his stance, but his wife was stubborn by nature and refused to forgive him no matter what. These days, husband and wife were harmonious on the surface but estranged at heart, only managing to treat each other with courtesy.

Song Jianshuang linked arms with Madam Song and said with a bright smile, “What I said to Elder Brother was the truth. Mother is wonderful in every way. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have to trouble Mother again. Please instruct the servants to bring the person who comes to visit directly to me.”

Madam Song nodded. “You found that person? Male or female?”

If it was a man, then no matter how important he was, he could not be brought to her daughter. At worst, she would receive him herself.

“A woman. She’s one year younger than me. Mother, aren’t you going to ask what divine ability she has?” Song Jianshuang thought of Qiu Liang, and the smile in her eyes deepened a little.

Although the process had been somewhat tortuous, thankfully, she had brought the person back to the capital.

Madam Song said faintly, “I don’t care. It would be better if you hadn’t found anyone. Let that rotten old man stay locked up in prison for the rest of his life. I’d have peace and quiet.”

A woman, then. She could rest assured.

Song Jianshuang hugged her arm and shook it. “Mother really isn’t curious what divine ability she has?”

Madam Song smiled without saying anything. No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Even if she did not ask, would her daughter really not tell her?

Song Jianshuang then told her how she had found Qiu Liang, as well as the three-thousand-tael contract.

After hearing everything, Madam Song nodded repeatedly. “Shuang’er handled it well. Don’t draw those three thousand taels from the accounts. I still have some savings. I can gather enough for you, so your short-sighted sister-in-law won’t make a fuss again. It’s just that my Shuang’er has suffered. When your father gets out, make him reimburse you.”

Mother and daughter spoke a few more private words. Madam Song felt sorry that her daughter had traveled so far and worked so hard, so she did not stay long. She reminded Song Jianshuang to sleep early.

The next day, as soon as Song Jianshuang woke, she instructed the maidservant to spread the word that her illness had recovered.

But the person who was supposed to come early in the morning did not appear, no matter how long she waited.

Song Jianshuang could not help growing uneasy. That fool Qiu Liang had not run away overnight, had she? She did not even want the house deed and household registration anymore?

Meanwhile, Qiu Liang was dragging a large bundle around asking for directions. That damned Song Jianshuang had left with such elegance, throwing all the luggage to her. Most importantly, she had forgotten to tell her where the Song residence was.

Qiu Liang asked around while searching the entire way. It was almost noon by the time she finally dragged the bundle to the entrance of the Song residence.

The house servants had received instructions from Madam Song, the mistress of the household, the night before. As soon as they heard Qiu Liang say she was from Song Family Village, they led her directly to Song Jianshuang.

In Song Jianshuang’s courtyard, Madam Song and her eldest son, Song Wanglei, were both present.

Seeing Qiu Liang being led inside by a servant, Madam Song began shooing her son away. “All right, let your wife properly nurture her pregnancy. It’s better that she didn’t come, lest she catch the lingering illness. Shuang’er has only just recovered and should not see people for too long. Hurry and go attend to your own matters.”

Song Wanglei glanced at this so-called old acquaintance from their ancestral home, who had been led over by the servant, and felt utterly speechless. Was this not a person?

However, it was indeed somewhat improper for a man like him to remain here while the women talked.

Song Wanglei did not think too much of it. He merely looked Qiu Liang over, inwardly muttered that he had no idea where this poor relative had come from, then obediently left.

Only then did Song Jianshuang introduce them. “Mother, this is Miss Qiu. This is my mother. Miss Qiu, you may call her Auntie.”

Qiu Liang naturally followed along and greeted her. “Auntie Song.”

Madam Song looked Qiu Liang over. The young girl was thin and delicate, with a pair of large, bright eyes. Her manner was not restrained either; there was a carefree air about her bearing. Looking at her, she seemed like someone who easily made others feel fond of her.

“Liang’er, don’t treat us like outsiders. Now that you’ve come to the Song residence, treat this place as your own home. Come, let’s go inside and talk.”

Qiu Liang almost could not help looking left and right. Who was Liang’er?

This Madam Song was truly not treating her like an outsider.

After they entered the room, Madam Song looked at Qiu Liang with burning eyes. “Liang’er, Shuang’er said you know how to read faces. Quickly take a look at Auntie and see what my fortune is like today.”

She wanted to test Qiu Liang’s ability. Her daughter was still young, after all, and might misjudge people. If she had found the wrong person, it could ruin an important matter.

Qiu Liang’s heart skipped a beat. Increasing the difficulty right away? How was she supposed to make this up—bah, how was she supposed to explain?

It was not impossible to make something up casually, but what if something happened to Auntie Song today? If they questioned her because the reading was inaccurate, would they not treat her as a fraud?

Song Jianshuang silently drank tea. She had only had Qiu Liang do this once before, [bailiantales.com]so she was rather looking forward to it too.

After pondering for a moment, Qiu Liang began making things up. “Although this face-reading art of mine is an ability I was born with, frequently revealing heavenly secrets damages one’s lifespan. I need to exchange a hexagram with someone of the same path so the two can suppress each other. Only then is it proper.”

Was she not incredibly clever? This way, she could justifiably have Song Jianshuang perform divination first.

No matter how unreasonable this mother and daughter were, surely they could not force her to shorten her lifespan.

After hearing this, Madam Song felt as if she were lost in the clouds and mist. Song Jianshuang, however, understood. No wonder this fool had insisted on exchanging with her before—one hexagram for one face-reading. It sounded rather mysterious.

Whether she believed it or not, this was someone she had personally found, so she had to take care of her somewhat.

Without hesitation, she directly took out three copper coins. “Cast the hexagram.”

Qiu Liang did not immediately toss the copper coins. First, she shifted her stool and sat closer to Song Jianshuang before she began casting.

In her heart, she silently asked: What is Auntie Song’s fortune today?

Song Jianshuang suspected nothing, only thinking that sitting closer made things more convenient. While watching the copper coins, she flipped through the book.

“Xun above, Qian below. The ninth hexagram: Small Accumulation. What did you ask?”

Qiu Liang said calmly, “Just interpret the divination words.”

She did not openly state that she had asked about fortune. Song Jianshuang was exceedingly clever. If she connected it to something, then Qiu Liang’s secret would no longer be a secret.

Practice made perfect. Since Song Jianshuang had seen that Qiu Liang was unwilling to say before, she did not force her this time either. She simply explained the divination words directly.

“In the greater image, dense clouds bring no rain; one has the will but lacks the strength. If asking about fortune, there may be disputes and arguments, and problems will be difficult to resolve. If asking about marriage, one’s hopes are in vain, and husband and wife are at odds. If asking about illness, there are signs of worsening…”

As Qiu Liang listened to Song Jianshuang speak, she showed nervousness on her face and, as if unsettled, grabbed Song Jianshuang’s hand.

…Song Jianshuang froze.

“What are you doing?” This fool was simply outrageously bold. If she wanted to take advantage of her, could she at least look at the occasion? Mother was still watching. No, wait, there was no occasion where she could take advantage of her!

Qiu Liang seemed startled and abruptly withdrew her hand, her tone flustered. “Those [Read on BaiLianTales]divination words sounded rather frightening. I got scared.”

Song Jianshuang frowned. “Read my mother’s face.” Why had she never noticed before that Qiu Liang was timid? The hexagram on the carriage had been far more frightening, yet she had not seen this fool afraid then.

But what exactly had this fool asked? Every time, the hexagram was bad.

Qiu Liang seemed to sense her suspicion and rolled her eyes: She had not been afraid before, but she was afraid now. Was that not allowed?

Song Jianshuang was speechless. You took advantage of me, yet you still think you’re in the right?

Madam Song watched their exchange of glances, her heart beating uneasily. Fortunately, Qiu Liang was a woman. Otherwise, she would have kicked her out long ago.

Was her Shuang’er’s hand something just anyone could touch?

Qiu Liang returned to herself and shifted her gaze toward Madam Song, only to see Auntie Song’s expression had darkened, as if she might throw Qiu Liang out in the next second.