Chapter 100

No need to stay in touch, Yao Yao. Tell that teacher of your music group to just give up—say it's what Pei Muyin's grandmother said, that Pei Muyin won't go.

Madam Song spoke righteously, speculating maliciously: "Can she even understand if she goes? It's probably because she used money to bribe the teacher—such an underhanded tactic—that's why people are speaking up for her."

That teacher is probably not exactly professional.

……

Shi Yao felt a bit embarrassed, unable to stop herself from saying that the teachers in the Berlin Su International Orchestra are all world-class, already having fame and fortune—how could they possibly be easily bought by money?

Moreover, Madam Song's remark inadvertently belittled her as well……

Yet seeing Madam Song's obvious displeasure, plus the disapproving glance from her mother Shi Qing, Shi Yao still kept her mouth shut.

…

At that moment, inside the carriage.

The air was silent to the point of dead stillness.

Zhou Zhi could not describe his astonishment at that moment with disbelief.

He even doubted whether his hearing was malfunctioning; otherwise, what the heck had he just heard?

Those nearly vicious remarks aimed at the Eldest Young Lady actually came from the old lady's mouth?

Is this still the same old lady he knows—who, whenever he accompanies Mr. Pei to the main residence, full of kindness, repeatedly recounts the Eldest Young Lady's recent situation to Mr. Pei in every detail?

It's as if they were two completely different people.

Compared to Zhou Zhi's shock and unease, the man in the back seat appeared extremely silent.

It's not that they were unmoved; rather, they keenly realized that what they heard was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sure enough—

Moments later, another laptop transmitted the voice again.

It wasn't the conversation between Madam Song and Shi Qing mother and daughter, but rather the 'idle chat' of a servant below the balcony of Pei Muyin's bedroom on the second floor.

"The old lady truly likes Miss Shi Qing and little Miss Shi Yao; every month on the fifth, she unfailingly summons people to come eat at home, and each time they arrive, the old lady is so happy she could eat two extra bowls of rice."

"The Eldest Young Lady's return is truly ill‑timed—she knows the old lady won't welcome her, yet she insists on coming back today. Isn't that unfilial, or is she deliberately causing trouble for the old lady?"

"The Eldest Young Lady doesn't realize, but during her absence the old lady's anger has eased a lot, her complexion has become ruddy; fortunately the Eldest Young Lady isn't completely oblivious—if she hadn't skipped dinner, the meal would have been spoiled by her presence."

"Yes." Someone curiously asked: "Hey, do you think Miss Shi Qing will become the mistress of the next generation of the Pei family?"

"I think it's very possible—the old lady's attitude toward Miss Shi Qing is no different from how she treats a future daughter‑in‑law. Besides, Miss Shi Qing is sensible and gentle, looks fine, speaks well, and little Miss Shi Yao is also outstanding."

"Perhaps the old lady has privately arranged for Miss Shi Qing to meet Mr. Pei many times; maybe they've already made progress. Mr. Pei must be interested too—otherwise, think about it: if he didn't consent, how could Miss Shi Qing come to the main residence so often?"

"What if Miss Shi Qing and the two young ladies and young master move in later—what will the Eldest Young Lady do?"

"What do you mean, what to do? If it were me, I'd definitely move out—otherwise, being a burden stuck in the middle is just an eyesore."

"Isn't that not so good?"

"What's wrong with that? Anyway, Mr. Pei doesn't even want to see the Eldest Young Lady; if he truly cared, he wouldn't have avoided the main residence for all these years. Maybe once Mr. Pei and Miss Shi Qing are together, the Eldest Young Lady will move out and Mr. Pei will be willing to return to the main residence."

"That's what…"

Night fell, the garden corner grew still, and the servants' talk was transmitted "accurately" to the balcony above.

One servant nodded toward Madam Song at the nearby dining table, as if indicating the task was done.

Madam Song's expression turned pleased.

Dinner ended, and dessert was promptly served.

Still in the garden.

Shi Qing personally brewed flower tea beside her.

Madam Song happily lifted her cup to drink; out of the corner of her eye she saw that the light in Pei Muyin's upstairs bedroom had never been turned on—but even if it hadn't, she was sure she had heard everything.

Perhaps someone who's upset right now is hiding, secretly wiping away tears.

Madam Song simply doesn't like her granddaughter Pei Muyin.

There are many reasons.

The strongest of them is a feeling of hatred and loathing.

Whenever she sees Pei Muyin's peach‑blossom eyes, she thinks of her mother; thinking of her mother, Madam Song cannot help but recall that humiliating scene from years ago——

No servant could stop her; the girl dragged her from the living room to the bathroom, pressed her head down into the toilet with one hand, and despite her struggling, she inevitably swallowed several mouthfuls of toilet water.

In that instant, all dignity and nobility were soaked away in the toilet water; Madam Song felt like she was about to snap and scream, wanting to kill.

Since she became the Second Young Lady of the Song family, no one had ever dared treat her like that—yet the girl who easily held her head said lazily, "What sort of lady's airs do you think you have? Do you think I'd fear you? Remember this: I'm not someone you can provoke."

……

Afterward, Madam Song dismissed all the servants who knew of this incident, as if doing so could cover up her embarrassing, stifling moment.

Just thinking about it made the fire in her chest flare up; Madam Song's eyes instantly darkened, she set her teacup down hard on the table, the cup and saucer scraping together with a shrill screech that made Shi Qing and Shi Yao jump a little.

All one heard was Madam Song ordering: "Go call Pei Muyin down here."

She can't do anything about Pei Muyin's mother, so surely she can't do anything about Pei Muyin either?

No matter how many years she lets out this breath, she will never feel at ease.

Yes, old madam.

The servants all knew full well that the old madam had suddenly flared up again, preparing to summon the Eldest Young Lady downstairs to give her a hard time.

Not long after.

All that could be seen was Pei Muyin's figure appearing at the corridor leading to the garden.

Before she could even get close, Ms. Song's reprimand rang out: "Are you a block of wood? All you do is hide upstairs; when guests come to the house, you don't even know to come out and receive them? Where have your studies gone?"

Pei Muyin had her hair short and wore a mask, her face completely covered, yet no one doubted it, since the Eldest Young Lady often looked like that; all that could be seen was her silently listening to the old madam's words.

And Ms. Song, for some unknown reason, was even more irritable than usual today.

So irritable that she had to do something to vent her anger—