Song Yunzhao went to the maids’ room and saw Jiangxiang lying on the bed. Seeing her enter, Jiangxiang scrambled to sit up, covering her face with both hands. "My Lady, what are you doing here? Don’t let my appearance frighten you. You should go back right away."

Song Yunzhao saw that Jiangxiang’s eyes were red and knew she had been crying. She said, "Take your hands away. Let me see what’s happened to your face."

"It’s a frightful sight. My Lady, it’s better if you don’t look." Jiangxiang didn’t want to frighten her lady, so she kept her face covered and refused to let go.

"Let go."

Startled by her lady’s tone, Jiangxiang instinctively dropped her hands.

The moment Song Yunzhao saw Jiangxiang’s face, her expression changed. Qiancao’s description had been far too mild; Jiangxiang’s face was covered in a dense rash of small welts.

’She had eaten dishes with Perilla before and never had a problem. Why now?’

"Don’t scratch it with your hands. Even if it itches, don’t scratch. The doctor will be here soon. If the itching becomes unbearable, have one of the junior maids bring you some warm water to wash your face. It might look scary now, but you’ll be fine once the doctor prescribes some medicine." Song Yunzhao advised her, worried that Jiangxiang would scratch her face and leave permanent scars.

’If a girl’s face is scarred, even one of my head maids will have a difficult time with marriage prospects.’

’Jiangxiang is suffering because of me. Of course I have to protect her.’

Jiangxiang quickly nodded in agreement. Only then did Song Yunzhao, her expression grim, turn and walk out. ’This was definitely no accident.’

The First Madam arrived quickly. Song Yunzhao went forward to greet her with a curtsy.

The First Madam quickly helped Song Yunzhao up, saying, "Good child, I’ve already sent someone to fetch the doctor. Let your aunt see, is your face alright?"

Song Yunzhao’s eyes reddened as she slowly shook her head. "Aunt, thankfully I wasn’t feeling well today and only had a single sip. I was thinking that the soup was a token of your kindness and I couldn’t let it go to waste, so I gave it to my maid. I never imagined something like this would happen."

The First Madam carefully examined Song Yunzhao’s face. Seeing only a slight redness, she finally relaxed and said angrily, "Yun Zhao, rest assured. Your aunt will get to the bottom of this and give you a proper explanation."

"I know you care for me, Aunt, so of course I trust you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had Qiancao secretly inform you when this happened."

"Your aunt knows you’re a good girl, so don’t worry. Thank goodness you’re alright. Otherwise, how could I ever face you again?"

"Aunt, you’re being too serious. This isn’t your fault. You went to the trouble of having the kitchen prepare soup for our own good."

Seeing that Song Yunzhao truly held no resentment, the First Madam inwardly sighed in relief. ’If anyone from this family is to enter the palace, Yun Zhao is definitely the most promising. I can’t afford to make an enemy of her. If she becomes successful, I’ll need to rely on her favor.’

At this thought, the First Madam seethed with anger. She offered a few more words of comfort to Song Yunzhao before taking her leave.

After the First Madam left, Song Yunzhao said to Qiancao, "Close the courtyard gate. If anyone comes to visit, tell them I’m not feeling well and won’t be seeing anyone."

"Yes." Qiancao quickly turned to give the orders, telling the older female servants to close the gate and the junior maids to keep a sharp ear out for any goings-on.

Song Yunzhao returned to her study and sat down at her desk. ’In this entire estate, the only one who wishes me ill is Song Qinghan.’

’This is most likely her handiwork, but I have no proof, so I can’t make accusations. I can only hope the First Madam comes through.’

When afternoon came, Song Jinxuan arrived. Qiancao met her at the gate and sent her away. Following her lady’s instructions, she was vague, not revealing that it was Jiangxiang who was harmed, but letting it be known that something had indeed happened in the courtyard.

Song Jinxuan wore a solemn expression on her way back. Upon entering her own courtyard, she had the gate closed and spoke in hushed tones with Aunt Che. "Mother, do you think something has really happened to Yun Zhao?"

Aunt Che’s hand, holding a needle, paused slightly. "A premeditated plot against an unsuspecting person... it’s hard to say."

Song Jinxuan’s expression soured. She gritted her teeth and said, "Mother, do you think *that* person did this?"

Her gaze shifted toward Song Qinghan’s courtyard.

Aunt Che shook her head. "There’s no proof. Don’t speak recklessly. If someone overhears and reports it, do you think the Madam will spare you?"

"Then what should we do? Just watch?" Song Jinxuan asked with a frown. "We’re supposed to be allies. We can’t just do nothing."

"Our every move in the rear courtyards is watched by the main courtyard. Have one of your inconspicuous junior maids secretly take a message to your younger brother. Tell him to quickly send someone to deliver a letter to the Master."

Song Jinxuan’s eyes lit up. "Of course! How could I have been so foolish? What use am I? We need to get Father back."

Meanwhile, Song Yexi also came to visit Song Yunzhao. Song Yunzhao didn’t see her either, but they exchanged a few words through the courtyard gate. After expressing her concern, Song Yexi left.