The man didn't reply. He turned his head and stared steadily at Song Jinyu. She couldn't make out his expression beneath the silver mask.
His eyes were clear and bright, piercing straight into one's soul. Nothing in the world could escape the scrutiny of these eyes. It seemed that under his gaze, all her thoughts were laid bare.
"What, what are you looking at?"
"You'll need this..." There was a strange undertone in the other's voice when saying this, as if scoffing at her over - confidence.
When she looked up, his eyes weren't fixed on her. However, the coldness in them seemed to have diminished a bit, gaining a touch of earthly warmth and becoming more real. Moreover... why did it feel like he was smiling?
That rare smile lent an indescribable charm to his eyes, making Song Jinyu almost unable to look away.
The poisonous powder on the food box had corroded the wood, leaving it pitted and scarred. The cruel reality was like a sharp sword, ruthlessly piercing through her disguise.
Embarrassment...
When Song Jinyu, with a slightly flushed face, looked back, the silver - masked man had already left without a trace.
He came quietly and left gracefully, like a celestial being descending to the mortal world, leaving no mark. Only those cold eyes remained in her heart.
Bang!
The door was kicked open, and Niaoniao stormed back in a fit of rage.
"Miss, I'm so angry! Those scoundrels from the weaving workshop actually said that you had already picked up the clothes." Niaoniao imitated their tone perfectly. "They dared to mistake Song Wangqiu for the legitimate daughter of the Song Mansion!"
Seeing Niaoniao plop down on the chair and gulp down the tea in one go, looking as bold and unrestrained as a heroic outlaw, Song Jinyu's eyes twitched wildly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Song Jinyu calmly put away the three signal smokes. "Don't worry. Since I'm back, I won't let the Second Uncle's family cause any more trouble."
Her father was a paragon among the officials in Liuzhou City. But if there were problems in the inner courtyard, it might well affect his official career.
As they were talking, the door was kicked open again with the same brute force. The gust of wind blew the hair of Song Jinyu and Niaoniao. Both of them were stunned and involuntarily turned to look at Cheng Song, who rushed in angrily.
Poor door...
"Where were you just now, Cheng Song?" Just thinking of the silver - masked man made her angry!
"When the master ordered us to drive away Mrs. Li's husband, I led the guards to search the entire Prefect's Mansion but couldn't find him." Cheng Song sat on the stool, hesitating to speak, with a strange look on his face.
Song Jinyu felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze. Sure enough, his next words confirmed her premonition of bad luck.
"Finally, we found him... in the eldest miss's courtyard. He was half - naked and delirious, as if he had been drugged with some... strange medicine."
After saying this, Cheng Song blushed at the tips of his ears. It was really hard for him to say such vulgar words in front of a woman.
Song Jinyu was an expert in medicine. Combining the symptoms Cheng Song described, how could she not guess what kind of drug Mrs. Li's husband had been given.
If you're looking for death, don't blame me for being merciless!
Meanwhile, in the Second Lady's courtyard.
Song Wangqiu lovingly caressed the invitation card in her hand. There was a hint of spring in her eyes. After being lost in thought for a moment, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a faint look of worry appeared on her beautiful face.
"Is my daughter smitten with that young master from the He family?" The Second Lady could naturally tell what was on her daughter's mind. Seeing her clutching the invitation to the flower - viewing banquet sent by the He family, she knew that her daughter must be thinking about her sweetheart again.
"Mother..." Caught out, Song Wangqiu's cheeks flushed. She shyly covered her face with her hands and pouted coquettishly.
"But what's the use of liking him? I'm not worthy of him. The He family has Concubine He. I'm just the daughter of a concubine. If I could become the legitimate daughter one day, there might be some hope."
By the end of her speech, Song Wangqiu's eyes casually drifted towards her mother. Her expression was desolate, and her eyes seemed filled with tears. This wronged look only fanned the Second Lady's anger.
If it weren't for Song Jinyu's sudden return to disrupt things, she would probably have already taken control of the inner - courtyard affairs.
In the final analysis, it was all that damned Song Jinyu's fault!
"It's all your father's fault, that good - for - nothing who doesn't strive for progress. Humph, no need to talk about him."
"Don't worry, daughter. I'll make Song Jinyu's life a living hell. The position of the legitimate daughter will surely be yours in the end..."
The venomous words, combined with the Second Lady's hideous face full of fat, were extremely terrifying. But Song Wangqiu looked at her mother with a smile in her eyes. Hadn't she been waiting for this very sentence from her mother?
Song Jinyu, the position of the legitimate daughter will surely be mine, Song Wangqiu's. And you will end up under my feet. So what if you're engaged? Sooner or later, everything will be mine!