Chapter 16 : Whose dog is not tied up

Song Ying raised her eyebrows slightly. After entering the studyroom, she asked Xiaomi, “Did she say anything?”

Xiaomi replied, “No. Madam Hu was very mysterious, she didn’t even show her face. She looked terrified and was desperate to see you. But I knew you didn’t like her, so I found an excuse to send her away.”

Song Ying nodded approvingly. “You did the right thing. Go close the main door, and no matter who comes knocking even if it’s someone from the Marquis’ Mansion don’t open it. Also, tell everyone not to go out for the next ten days.”

Xiaomi. “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Then Song Ying turned to Faer and said, “Go find out what happened at Madam Hu’s house.”

Faer was skilled at gathering information. She first returned to the house to change her clothes, then put on a hood and slipped out quietly through the side gate.

Song Ying sat in the study, drinking tea and reading. When she grew tired, she returned to her room to rest until Faer came back.

Her face was flushed with excitement. As soon as she stepped inside, she downed the tea Song Ying had prepared, then burst out laughing. “Madam Hu’s household—hahahaha…”

Song Ying gently brushed aside Faer’s messy bangs and said, “Don’t rush, start from the beginning.”

Faer drank another cup of tea, took a deep breath, then said cheerfully, “I don’t know which great hero did it, but not only did they dig up Madam Hu’s long-buried scandal, they also exposed how her son and her husband were fighting over a prostitute at the brothel. It won’t be long before their whole family becomes the talk of the capital.”

Song Ying. “Even the beggar at the end of the alley knows about it?”

Faer clapped her hands gleefully. “Forget the city, even the folks in the suburbs probably know! Madam Hu is really famous now!”

Song Ying covered her mouth, laughing. “Are these rumors about her family true or not?”

Faer replied, “They’re true! At first I thought it was all gossip, but then I went to see Uncle He. You know how he’s even more informed than I am. He said every word of it is true.”

Uncle He was an old beggar whom Song Ying had once helped. Although he spent his days begging, he knew more about the goings-on in the capital than most officials.

Faer continued, “Miss, now that everyone’s focused on gossiping about Madam Hu’s family, no one’s talking about us anymore. It’s perfect!”

Song Ying nodded and said, “You’ve worked hard. Go ask Aunt Dong to make your favorite dishes tonight.”

Faer. “Hehe, then I’ll go now!”

Song Ying got up and walked toward the backyard, her thoughts still on Madam Hu.

She had originally planned to deal with that woman in a couple of days, but unexpectedly, someone else had beaten her to it.

Upon entering the backyard, she paused and glanced up at the wall.The ivy on it had been cleaned up, and even a few bricks and tiles on it had been peeled off. This must have been done by that man.

Without stopping further, Song Ying entered the house.

Huo Zhen hadn’t shown up for three days in a row, but Madam Hu had already visited twice. Because of Song Ying’s orders, no matter how hard she knocked, no one opened the door or acknowledged her presence.

In the study, Xiaomi reported, “Miss, this is the third time Madam Hu has come.”

Song Ying sipped her newly bought tea calmly. “Hmm. Let her be.”

Xiaomi added, “I was listening behind the door. It sounded like Madam Hu was crying.”

Faer looked puzzled. “Miss, what’s wrong with Madam Hu? Why is she so desperate to see you? You’re not even close to her.”

Song Ying asked, “What’s the latest gossip about Madam Hu’s household?”

At this, Faer became animated.

“There’s a new twist! It’s said that Madam Hu’s son isn’t even Mister Hu’s biological child. Mister Hu wants to divorce her. And, and…”

Faer remembered every detail vividly and relayed everything she’d picked up over the past few days even imitating the gossipy way others told the story.

“Miss, it’s not just Madam Hu they’re dragging through the mud, her whole extended family is being talked about! Sit anywhere in the city and you’ll hear people talking about them.”

“Oh, and the street storytellers are already planning to make money by turning their family drama into tales for the public!”

Song Ying said, “That’s good. Madam Hu always loved gossiping about others. Now let her experience what it feels like to be the one gossiped about.”

Faer stomped her foot. “I knew it! She must’ve been the one badmouthing the young lady. She’s so disgusting. We’re not even close to her, yet she spreads rumors everywhere. Bah!”

Xiaomi asked curiously, “Who leaked the news about Madam Hu’s family?”

Faer rolled her eyes, then looked at Song Ying. “Could it have been General Huo? If it weren’t for you, he would’ve already beaten up those gossipers. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen General Huo climbing the wall recently.”

Xiaomi said, “General Huo went to the military camp.”

Song Ying and Faer both turned to look at her. “How do you know?”

Xiaomi scratched her head and replied, “Yesterday, Deputy Mo was lying on our side yard’s wall and told me to pass the message to the young lady but I forgot because I got busy.”

Wow, they’re all from the same camp, and they all love climbing walls.

Two days later, the scandal surrounding Madam Hu’s family not only remained hot but continued to evolve with new updates every day. The storytelling venues were always full.

Song Ying lounged comfortably on a couch, listening to the latest gossip Faer had gathered.

Then Xiaomi came in to report, “Miss Ruoer is here.”

If it were someone from the Marquis’ Mansion, Song Ying could easily ignore them. But Song Ruoer…

Song Ying asked Xiaomi, “Did you respond?”

Xiaomi shook her head. “I’ll do whatever you say, Miss. So I just pretended we weren’t home.”

Song Ying was very pleased. “Good, we’re not home.”

Faer asked, “Miss, although Miss Ruoer is annoying, she’s still the Princess Regent. She came without notice, she must have something important. If she finds out we’re deliberately avoiding her, wouldn’t that cause trouble…?”

Song Ying poked Faer’s chubby cheek and asked, “Are you scared?”

Faer straightened up and said proudly, “There’s nothing to be afraid of when I’m with you, Miss. Worst case, I’ll lose my head. I’ll follow you anywhere.”

Good girl, you’ve thought it through.

Song Ying said to Xiaomi, “Tell everyone to keep quiet. I’ll go take a look.”

Xiaomi asked, “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No need, just follow behind me.”

Xiaomi. “Okay, I’ll go now.”

They reached the gate.

Song Ying pressed her ear against the door, listening to the noise outside.

There was a knock first, followed by a palace servant’s voice. “Miss Song, the Princess is here to visit you. Please open the door.”

Faer pulled a sour face and made mocking expressions. ‘Who cares if she’s here? She probably just came to watch the show.’

After a moment of silence, the servant spoke again. “The Princess knows Miss Song has been sad because of recent events, so she came specifically to see you. Please don’t reject her kindness, Miss Song.”

Faer muttered quietly: ‘Tch, now she suddenly cares? She didn’t speak up when it counted. She knows exactly why the young lady divorced.’

After another pause, the servant’s tone turned cold with obvious irritation. “Since Miss Song refuses to come out, we shall return. However, please remember: the Princess came out of sisterly concern. Don’t push your luck and damage the bond between sisters.”

Faer couldn’t hold back, what that servant said was truly infuriating.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from outside.

“Hey, Whose dog is not tied up and is running wild around here?”