"My Lady, the Ji family sent a messenger. They've invited you for a visit today."
It was early in the morning. Ji Xiaosong had just finished planting all the seeds in her personal dimension when Uncle Chen suddenly arrived with the message.
"It has indeed been a few days since I've seen Mother, Father, and my brothers. I heard my sisters-in-law have also just returned home, so I'll go have a look."
As Ji Xiaosong spoke, she turned and instructed a maid to prepare the carriage, her eyes filled with anticipation and joy.
A few days ago, her three sisters-in-law had gone to White Jade Temple in Ningzhou to offer incense, and they had just returned, right on schedule.
Uncle Chen quickly replied, "This old servant will arrange it at once."
Before long, the carriage was ready.
With the help of her maid, Ji Xiaosong gracefully boarded the carriage, which then set off toward the Ji family estate.
Sure enough, her first sister-in-law was already waiting for Ji Xiaosong at the main gate with her maids and senior female servants. As soon as she saw the General Mansion's carriage, she immediately went forward to greet her.
"Song!" her first sister-in-law called out, her face wreathed in smiles.
The moment Ji Xiaosong stepped out of the carriage, her first sister-in-law grabbed her hand. "We've been so eager to see you! Was the journey tiring?"
Ji Xiaosong smiled and shook her head. "First Sister-in-law, I'm not tired. I just missed you all terribly."
Her sisters-in-law at home had always treated the original owner of this body very well. In her previous life, when she was having a hard time with the Song Family, her three sisters-in-law had even offered to bring her back to the Ji family.
The two walked hand-in-hand into the residence, their laughter and cheerful chatter echoing along the way.
Just as they entered the main hall, they saw the second and third sisters-in-law sitting together, talking. When they saw Ji Xiaosong enter, they both rose to welcome her.
"Song, come, sit over here," her second sister-in-law called out warmly.
Ji Xiaosong did as she was told and sat down. Looking around at her sisters-in-law, she asked, "Did your trip to offer incense go smoothly? Did anything interesting happen?
The second sister-in-law chuckled and said, "The journey was smooth, but White Jade Temple was incredibly popular. The line for fortune sticks was terribly long."
The third sister-in-law added, "Isn't that the truth! I also heard the fortunes from that temple are very accurate. Your second sister-in-law and I both drew good fortunes, so we're hoping everything will go smoothly for the family."
Ji Xiaosong blinked and asked curiously, "Then please tell me, what kind of good fortunes did you draw?"
The first sister-in-law laughed. "It said that our Ji family was facing grave danger, but with a lucky star descending upon our house, we will turn misfortune into good fortune, and our luck will prosper. At that moment, I thought, 'Could this lucky star be our Song?' After all, ever since you broke off the engagement with the Song Family, we haven't run into any trouble."
Hearing this, Ji Xiaosong blushed and said, "First Sister-in-law, you're just teasing me. How could I have such an influence?"
The second sister-in-law chimed in, "Song, don't sell yourself short. Ever since you married into the General Mansion, our Ji family has benefited quite a bit. Maybe it really is because of you."
The third sister-in-law nodded in agreement. "That's right. Song is intelligent and kind; she's sure to bring our family good luck."
Ji Xiaosong smiled shyly. "With all of you saying such things, I don't know what to do. I only wish for the Ji family to be safe, sound, and prosperous from now on."
As they were speaking, Mrs. Ji walked in, accompanied by a maid. "You girls, you can't stop talking the moment you see each other."
Everyone rose to greet her, but Mrs. Ji waved her hand with a smile, telling them to sit. "Song, come here and let Mother have a good look at you."
Ji Xiaosong went to Mrs. Ji's side. Mrs. Ji took her hand and looked her up and down. "Mm, you look well. That puts my mind at ease. It's been nearly ten days since General Xiao left. You've never been one for going out, so Mother was truly worried you'd be bored to death."
"Mother, I won't be."
Ji Xiaosong mulled over how to tell them she was planning to leave for the Northern Land tomorrow to find Xiao Shen. But after thinking it over, she realized they probably wouldn't agree, so she decided it was better not to say anything at all.
"In a little while, you and your three sisters-in-law should go to Qiong Jade Workshop to pick out some jewelry. It's a rare chance for you to get out and relax, so you must have a good time browsing."
Mrs. Ji smiled and pulled several silver notes from her sleeve, handing them to Ji Xiaosong and her three sisters-in-law respectively. She said, "Here, take these! It's not often you get to go out shopping, so don't hold back. If you see something you like, just buy it. The daughters and daughters-in-law of the Ji family must carry themselves in style."
The four of them took the silver notes, curtsied, and said, "Thank you for your love, Mother."
Mrs. Ji nodded in satisfaction and said lovingly, "Go on, have a wonderful time!"
Ji Xiaosong and her sisters-in-law once again bowed gracefully to Mrs. Ji in thanks, then headed toward Qiong Jade Workshop, their hearts full of joy.
The moment they stepped into Qiong Jade Workshop, they saw a familiar and repulsive figure.
At that moment, Song Yuxi was impatiently helping a plainly dressed woman choose a hairpin.
"What rotten luck. Why did we have to run into this heartless man here?" The first sister-in-law's brows knitted together, her expression full of disgust.
The second sister-in-law snorted coldly and said, "That Song Yuxi truly has no class. Look at how reluctant he seems; he shows no tenderness at all for the woman beside him."
The third sister-in-law covered her mouth and nose, her face full of contempt. "Let's not let such a disgusting person ruin our mood. Song, let's go somewhere else."
"There's no need to avoid him. The Capital City isn't that big, and there aren't many well-known shops. Besides, he and I are strangers now. There's no reason to let him ruin our good mood. First Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, let's just choose our jewelry freely and pretend he doesn't exist."
Hearing Ji Xiaosong's voice, Song Yuxi spun around.
His gaze found Ji Xiaosong's figure instantly, and his eyes lit up, a mixture of surprise, regret, and a hint of imperceptible longing.
His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin.
He subconsciously took a small step forward, only to be stopped when the plainly dressed woman tugged at him.
"Doctor Song, think of the Second Prince's grand plan. If you get involved with Lady Xiao in such a public place, the consequences will be more than you can bear."
Song Yuxi's body stiffened, and a dark cloud instantly fell over his face.
"I've known Miss Ji since childhood; our bond is deep. If she could be persuaded to stand with us, wouldn't the Xiao family be easy to take down?"
"So, Doctor Song, are you planning to make a play for his wife while General Xiao is away?"
The plainly dressed woman lowered her head slightly, a self-deprecating smile playing on her lips. In a barely audible voice, she murmured, "Then what does that make me, the woman who is about to marry you?"
Li Wanyu had admired Song Yuxi since they were children, but back then, he was engaged to Ji Xiaosong.
But even without the engagement, her humble origins meant she could never dream of being with him, so she could only bury those feelings deep in her heart.
When Ji Xiaosong broke off the engagement with Song Yuxi, his reputation was ruined, and everyone avoided him like the plague.
But Li Wanyu saw her chance. She took the initiative to contact the Second Prince's faction, and only then did she get the opportunity to become his legitimate wife.
"What are you? Heh, don't you already know?"
Song Yuxi ignored Li Wanyu, casually picked up a white jade hairpin, and strode quickly toward Ji Xiaosong.
'Xiao Shen has gone to quell a rebellion. Who knows if he'll even make it back, or how long that will take? I have plenty of opportunities.'