Song Yongnian walked out of the room carrying his book box.
Seeing that both children were ready, Oldest Song pulled his hand away from Second Song's grasp. "Whatever it is, wait until I drop off the kids."
Now that Song Yongnian had passed the tong sheng exam, and with Song Qiming's shining example right there, the eldest branch had put all their minds into supporting their son's studies.
Yesterday, when they heard that Song Jinzhao was going to take the two elders to the capital, it wasn't that they hadn't entertained the idea themselves.
But after returning home at night and discussing it, they felt it wouldn't work.
Not to mention that Song Jinzhao hadn't planned to take them in the first place, even if they went, they would have to come back early next year.
The round trip would take four or five months, and without guidance, their son's study time would be wasted.
The capital was so far away, and if they went and upset the third branch, they wouldn't have anywhere to go and would offend people.
Seeing Oldest Song drive the ox cart away with the two children, Second Aunt Song thought about it and walked up to Elder Aunt Song to fan the flames.
"Sister-in-law, the third branch is enjoying life in the capital now, don't you want to go and see?"
"If Mom and Dad go to the capital this time and don't come back, it'll be hard for us to contact the third branch in the future."
Elder Aunt Song cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the table.
"When Sanlang and his wife passed away, we discussed having Shixue marry Shitou to ward off bad luck, and adopting Anhao out to Master Zhao. Jinzhao and Qiming both know about these things, and they hold a grudge."
"Jinzhao might not care about small things, but she's bothered by the big things. She won't take us to the capital, and Dad wouldn't agree either."
Second Aunt Song waved her hands excitedly to defend herself.
"In the end, neither the marriage nor the adoption happened. We had no choice back then, the family was too poor to support them. If Jinzhao had said earlier that she could hunt and make money, we wouldn't have brought it up."
Elder Aunt Song took the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen and came out to continue: "I say it's good that Mom and Dad aren't going to the capital. With the two elders staying in the village, our connection with the third branch won't be severed. Besides, Sanlang and his wife's graves are still at the foot of the back mountain, they can't stay away forever."
"The third branch is living a wealthy life now. If we really go to the capital and upset them, it'll be hard to ask them for help in the future. I think you should stop thinking about going to the capital."
When Yongnian passed the xiucai exam, he would definitely have to go to Anyang Prefecture to study. The third branch had a house in Anyang Prefecture, and they would have to ask to borrow it.
Right now, Elder Aunt Song didn't want to upset Song Jinzhao at all. If she did, she'd end up with nothing, and the loss would outweigh the gain.
Seeing that Elder Aunt Song remained unmoved and even advised her not to go to the capital, Second Aunt Song turned and walked away in anger, muttering curses.
When Oldest Song returned from Xining City after dropping off the children, the couple went to the new house together.
"Dad, Second Brother said you and Mom aren't planning to go to the capital?"
Old Man Song nodded, his eyes fixed on Oldest Song's face, observing his attitude.
"Yes, the capital is too far. Your mother and I are getting old and afraid our bodies won't be able to handle it, so we're not going."
Oldest Song shook his head.
"It's good not to go. It's hot on the way to the capital now, and it'll be cold in the winter when you come back. It's better to stay at home."
Hearing him say this, Old Man Song's eyelids relaxed a lot.
The second branch couple sitting on the stools felt tired and helpless seeing that Oldest Song really didn't object.
Mom and Dad weren't going, and the eldest branch wasn't going either. Now there was absolutely no way.
How could people be so stupid, not knowing how to enjoy the blessings delivered to their door? It was maddening.
After everyone left, Chunxing stood in the middle of the main room to introduce the two elders.
"This is Hu Sanluo. He can read and write some simple characters. In the future, if the Old Master and Old Madam want to write a letter to the County Princess, just hand it to him."
"This is Zhou Yagu. He's a good cook, and you can leave the kitchen matters to him."
"They are both servants who have signed indentured servitude contracts. The County Princess will be responsible for their monthly allowance from now on. You two just need to order them around."
Old Man Song nodded. "They look like honest people. You've gone to a lot of trouble."
After explaining everything, Chunxing pulled Hu Sanluo and Zhou Yagu to the small path outside the enclosing wall.
"In the future, if the Old Master and Old Madam have any issues, write a letter and send it to the capital promptly. Especially keep an eye on the eldest and second branches, don't let anything happen."
Zhou Yagu nodded: "Don't worry, Sister Chun, we'll pay attention."
Chunxing: "The residence in Anyang Prefecture will be handed over to Manager Lu later. If you need anything in the future, write to him promptly, and he'll send someone over."
Hu Sanluo, Zhou Yagu: "We've memorized it."
Chunxing left, and the Song family's third branch house gained two servants to wait on people.
The villagers who came to chat saw Old Man Song and Old Lady Song staying at home doing nothing, with people serving them tea and water, and their hearts were filled with envy.
Some also asked Old Man Song why they didn't go to the capital, and they were all dismissed with a single sentence: 'The journey is far, too lazy to travel.'
The villagers discussed this after meals for several days.
Some said Old Man Song and Old Lady Song didn't know how to enjoy their blessings.
Others said it was because of Oldest Song and Second Song that Old Man Song didn't want to go to the capital; after all, grandchildren couldn't compare to sons.
The day Chunxing left Songjia Village, she wrote a letter to Song Jinzhao in Xining City to inform her of the situation, but it would take at least two months to arrive.
After Xiao Rongche and Xiao Rongyan left the capital, the court completely quieted down.
Seeing that there would be a new prince born in the palace, and the Emperor was in good health, the throne might not necessarily fall to the First Prince and Second Prince.
The ministers who had previously taken sides also began to waver, thinking of waiting and watching a bit longer.
In the study of the County Princess's Residence, Lan Xi, who had just returned from Shiquan Estate, handed a bottle of pale yellow rose essential oil to Song Jinzhao.
"County Princess, this is the sample produced by the factory today. It has been extracted once with high-concentration alcohol as you instructed."
Song Jinzhao pulled out the wooden stopper and poured a little into her palm.
Compared to the first batch, the fragrance finally had layers.
It wasn't as strong and heavy as the first time, which lacked the agility of natural floral scents.
Song Jinzhao stood up and walked around the courtyard for a while.
The fragrance faded, and the middle and base notes appeared more natural, not too conspicuous, but very obvious when close, allowing those who wanted to smell it to do so.
"This standard is acceptable. Follow this from now on, and immediately speed up the progress for the corresponding perfume."
Hearing Song Jinzhao say there was no problem, Lan Xi's tense nerves finally dared to relax.
Ever since the County Princess asked him to make perfume and essential oils, his mind hadn't relaxed, afraid he wouldn't be able to finish.
At first, Song Jinzhao taught him theoretical knowledge in the residence, and later they experimented with small distillation tools.
During that time, Lan Xi's brain almost exploded, and he didn't even dare to relax when sleeping at night.
Now it was finally completed.
"Yes, this servant will arrange for people to start making it as soon as I return."
Exiting through the main gate, Song Shixue happened to be getting off the carriage with a medicine chest.
"This servant greets the Second Miss."
Song Shixue stopped in her tracks and looked him up and down in surprise.
"We haven't seen each other for just a month, how did you lose so much weight, Lan Xi?"
His cheeks had no flesh, and even his light blue eyes had dimmed a lot, not as pretty as Xuetuan's eyes.
