CHAPTER 284: CHAPTER 281: CHAOS AT HOME

What Madam Rong is most worried about right now is Song Yu. With no eyes for sword or spear, she fears the Liao troops might inadvertently harm her Yu.

Song Qizheng led the troops to confront the Liao people, leaving Song Yu at the government office. This way, should anything happen to Song Qizheng, Song Yu would naturally be able to take charge.

The steward was ordered to find Song Yu, while Madam Rong headed straight to Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard.

"Madam."

Madam Rong and her entourage had just entered Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard when the housekeeper hurriedly approached and said, "Old Mrs. Song felt chest pain upon hearing the news. Someone’s already been sent to fetch the doctor."

Hearing this, Madam Rong quickened her pace into Old Mrs. Song’s room.

In the side chamber, Old Mrs. Song was reclining on a pillow, looking extremely frail.

Madam Rong felt a burst of joy in her heart as the image of Old Mrs. Song standing before her with a stern face flashed through her mind, causing a cold laugh to escape her heart.

Since marrying into the Song Family, Old Mrs. Song had constantly made things difficult for her, openly and covertly protecting Song Xian, sowing discord in front of the master, and had been reluctant to hand over the household management to her.

Her heart had always been full of resentment, and now she could finally witness Old Mrs. Song’s downfall.

"Mother," Madam Rong began, "what’s wrong with you? Hurry and inform the master to come back and take a look."

Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Song waved her hand: "No need... it’s an old ailment, let... Qizheng focus on his work outside without worrying about the household."

"How can that be," replied Madam Rong, sitting at Old Mrs. Song’s bedside, "I dare not keep this from the master."

Old Mrs. Song furrowed her brows: "At this... time... you still don’t know the importance..."

This time, Madam Rong said nothing and only spoke when the servant brought in the prepared broth, reaching out to take it: "Mother, have some hot soup first to regain some strength."

Old Mrs. Song did not move, so Madam Rong looked at the housekeeper beside her: "What are you standing there for, help Old Mrs. Song sit up."

As the housekeeper approached, Madam Rong glanced at the chef who delivered the soup. The chef looked slightly flustered but nodded at Madam Rong.

Feeling reassured, Madam Rong personally fed the soup spoon by spoon into Old Mrs. Song’s mouth.

After drinking the hot soup, Old Mrs. Song seemed even more drained, listlessly lying on the bed with even her breathing seemingly weaker.

"Mother," Madam Rong tentatively called out.

Old Mrs. Song only slightly lifted her eyelids.

Madam Rong’s face turned grim at once: "Better to have someone inform the master, saying Old Mrs. Song is seriously ill."

Seeing the situation, the servants did not dare delay any longer, responding and hurriedly going to arrange it.

Madam Rong looked at the nurse serving Old Mrs. Song: "All of you leave, I’ll stay here with her."

"How can we let madam stay here alone," the housekeeper said, "let the servant stay as well to assist..."

Before the words were finished, Madam Rong sternly said, "Previously, the household was managed by Old Mrs. Song, now that she is ill, naturally I will take charge. It’s ultimately because of your inadequate care that she’s in such a state, the master will not spare you once he returns."

"Someone," Madam Rong ordered, "take all the attendants serving Old Mrs. Song in her room and hold them until the master’s return."

The people in the room were all shocked. Although everyone knew there had always been discord between Old Mrs. Song and Madam Rong, they had maintained appearances until now. But today, Madam Rong was openly intent on tearing their facade apart.

On the bed, Old Mrs. Song was also startled by Madam Rong’s voice, struggling to open her eyes, apparently intending to stop her.

"You..."

Not waiting for Old Mrs. Song to finish, Madam Rong pressed down on her slightly raised arm, assertively saying, "Old Mrs. Song, you need to rest well and leave these matters to me."

Madam Rong used all her strength, rendering Old Mrs. Song immobile.

"Did you hear?" Madam Rong asked, "Is it possible you won’t even listen to the words of the mistress of the house?"

As soon as Madam Rong finished speaking, several women immediately stepped forward and took the steward from Old Mrs. Song’s room out.

The room was full of noise, and Old Mrs. Song’s nostrils flared with anger, her face full of rage.

Madam Rong appeared more patient than usual, suddenly speaking softly: "Mother, you are ill and should listen to your daughter-in-law. I will take good care of you."

Old Mrs. Song stared at Madam Rong, finally speaking after a long pause, "What... exactly... are you planning to do?"

Madam Rong’s voice was icy: "I’ve long advised you to listen to the Imperial Physician, but you insisted on having a rural woman make medicinal meals. I believe the problem lies with those meals."

Old Mrs. Song said, "It’s you..."

Madam Rong shook her head: "You didn’t allow me to step foot in your courtyard, how can this be blamed on me? Mother, you can’t be like this. Every time something happens in the prefecture, you suspect me, no matter what I do, you are never satisfied. Why is that?"

Old Mrs. Song seemed about to burst into flames from her eyes: "It’s... you... causing trouble behind the scenes."

Madam Rong straightened her back, her face full of mockery. She recalled when Song Min and Song Yu were captured, she begged Old Mrs. Song to persuade Song Qizheng to withdraw the troops and save her two children, but Old Mrs. Song was relentless.

What if this situation befell Old Mrs. Song?

She had someone administer medicine to Old Mrs. Song because she wanted to take over the household.

She had further plans.

Madam Rong’s lips curled slightly, she did not believe Song Qizheng would remain indifferent when Old Mrs. Song fell into the hands of the Liao people.

With Old Mrs. Song in such a condition, if she really fell into enemy hands, it would be neither living nor dying.

The very thought of it entertained Madam Rong.

"Rest well," Madam Rong said coldly, "I will be in the kitchen brewing medicine for you. Rest assured, the master is filial and will surely return to see you."

After speaking, Madam Rong turned and walked out of the room, now waiting for the drama to unfold.

Leaving Old Mrs. Song’s courtyard, Madam Rong went to the front yard, waiting for half an hour, when the steward came to report: "The master and the second master have returned."

Sure enough, Song Qizheng couldn’t leave Old Mrs. Song unattended.

Madam Rong ordered the people to withdraw, and at the same time, several figures silently leaped into the Song Family estate.

A moment later, the sound of fighting was heard, followed by a servant coming to report, "Madam, it’s not good, someone has infiltrated the house."

Madam Rong exclaimed, "What... who? Quick... quickly go check on Old Mrs. Song."

The inner house was in chaos, but Madam Rong remained calm. She knew who those people belonged to, and everything was part of her plan. Those people would only take Old Mrs. Song away, they would not harm her.

"Prepare the carriage," Madam Rong ordered, "escort Old Mrs. Song away."

Madam Rong quickly walked out, bringing people to carry Old Mrs. Song onto the carriage: "Escort Old Mrs. Song to the manor, there’s a hidden passage there, convenient for hiding, quick..."

Watching the carriage move forward, a smile appeared on Madam Rong’s face as she turned to signal Xiao Xingzong’s people to leave; after all, she had personally delivered Old Mrs. Song into their hands.

Suddenly, she heard a scream beside her, and a blade was pressed against her neck.

Madam Rong was taken aback, looking up to see that the one wielding the weapon was someone sent by Xiao Xingzong.

Madam Rong was utterly shocked.