Although she had no love for Cen Yanran, she knew she absolutely could not let the father and son come to blows, nor could she let outsiders make a laughingstock of the Song family. She had to stabilize Lord Song first.
But at that moment, Lord Song could not hear a word of reason. He barked at Song Jingcheng, "Who is she?"
Song Jingcheng flinched at the shout, then stammered, "It is Yanran, Father. I had mentioned her to you before."
Lord Song was so enraged that he spat up a mouthful of blood on the spot. Gasps erupted around them, and Yao Yun'er rushed over to support him. Those with a keen sense of the situation sensed something was wrong and immediately found excuses to leave. Others, eager to stir up trouble, stepped forward to ask, "So, Lord Song was completely unaware that his eldest son was taking a concubine?"
This remark made the atmosphere even more solemn. Lord Song was so furious his face turned beet red; he kept pointing a finger at Song Jingcheng, unable to utter another word.
Yao Yun'er’s face was deathly pale. Knowing things had taken a turn for the worse, she scanned the surroundings and said to Song Jingcheng and Cen Yanran, "Your father is still unwell, so the tea ceremony shall be postponed. Now that Concubine Cen has entered the estate, there will be plenty of time for that later. Someone, escort Concubine Cen back to her quarters."
By calling her "Concubine Cen," she had officially defined the situation, effectively validating Cen Yanran and granting Song Jingcheng his wish. Cen Yanran did not dare push her luck; she offered a curtsy, acknowledged the order, and followed the maid away.
Song Jingcheng wanted to slip away as well, but Yao Yun'er held him back. She looked around at the guests and said, "There has been some misunderstanding today that led to a bit of a scene; I hope you will all be forgiving. Chenger is the legitimate son of the house, and his taking of a concubine is something known to the entire family, his father included. Otherwise, how would it look? The Song Estate is a household of rules and propriety; such a chaotic event would never occur here."
As she spoke, she signaled Lord Song with her eyes. Things had reached this point; further outbursts would only harm the Song family. She was reminding him to settle matters behind closed doors and not let outsiders revel in their shame.
Lord Song possessed enough remnants of reason not to argue and worsen the situation. He simply glared at Song Jingcheng, who had no doubt that had there been no guests present, Lord Song would have cursed him into the ground.
With Yao Yun'er’s explanation, the guests naturally chimed in with polite agreement. After a few pleasantries were exchanged, the steward arrived to invite the guests to the side hall for drinks.
As soon as the guests were gone, Lord Song lunged forward, raising his hand to strike Song Jingcheng. Song Jingcheng tried to dodge, and Yao Yun'er tried to intervene. In the commotion, Lord Song lost his footing, his knee struck a stool, and he toppled over, hitting his head on the stone steps before losing consciousness.
Yao Yun'er cried out, rushing to his side and ordering the servants to carry Lord Song back to his study.
Song Jingcheng stood deathly pale. Before Cen Yanran had entered the estate, he had felt like a hero rescuing her from fire and water by defying his family. Now that she was inside, he felt a belated sense of panic.
Seeing this, Yao Yun'er felt a pang of pity and consoled him, "You needn't be so terrified. He is your father, after all; what father and son hold true hatred for each other? But you were indeed in the wrong. That you are afraid now shows you have reflected on your mistakes."
"I took the blame and handled this whole affair for you, hoping only that you would learn from this stumble and stop being so foolish as to provoke your father’s anger. I hope you understand the pains I have taken for your sake."
Yao Yun'er seized the chance to lecture him earnestly, hoping that this experience might help him grow, making her own tarnished reputation worth it.
Song Jingcheng lowered his head. "Yes, I understand, Aunt. Please speak well to Father for me, and don't let him be angry with me. And please don't be difficult with Yanran in the future; she is a woman and her life hasn't been easy."
Yao Yun'er hadn't expected him to still be thinking only of Cen Yanran; she looked at him with frustration. "Enough. A new face brings a season of novelty, but now that she is in the estate, I will say no more. I only hope you will focus entirely on preparing for the imperial examinations. That is what matters most."
"If today's events get out, people will say you have lost your ambition to mere indulgence. But if you were to rank first in the examinations, even if you took ten women like Miss Yanran, people would only call you a romantic youth."
Song Jingcheng dismissed the mention of the examinations. "Aunt need not worry about that. Even if I don't pass, Mother will use the Yun family's connections to help me enter the bureaucracy."
"Oh, Chenger, you are young and don't understand. If you don't pass, even if your mother helps you, it will only be for a low-ranking position. But if you have your own merit, combined with the Yun family's support, you could rise through the ranks in the imperial court, saving years of wasted effort. That is a blessing many pray for but never receive."
Song Jingcheng didn't like being lectured. "Aunt is wrong. Even if I have no official title and do nothing, I will eventually inherit the title of Heir and live a life of comfort. Aunt is overstepping."
"Now that Father and Mother are both ill, Aunt should go visit them. Yanran is new to the estate and has been through so much today; she must be terrified. I must go see her."
With that, Song Jingcheng walked away. Yao Yun'er felt her strength leave her; she staggered back and collapsed into a chair. Chunxing rushed over to support her. "First Madam! First Madam, what is wrong?"
Chunxing rubbed her back in concern and brought her tea. Yao Yun'er took a sip, feeling slightly steadier, but the thought of what had just happened filled her with misery. How could Song Jingcheng speak with such a cold heart? Setting everything else aside, his own parents were lying ill in bed, and he thought only of a woman.
For a moment, she deeply regretted not raising the boy herself. She wondered if he would have turned out differently, or if Madam Yun had simply spoiled him rotten.
Suppressing her discomfort, Yao Yun'er steeled herself and called the steward, instructing him to entertain the guests well and ensure no one spoke out of turn.
But secrets never stay hidden. Soon, the story of the Song family’s legitimate son taking a courtesan as a concubine behind his parents' backs spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Capital.
Everyone whispered that the eldest young master of the Song family had lost his way. They said he had spent a fortune to redeem Miss Yanran from Yanlai Pavilion and even wanted to make her his primary wife, and that Madam Yun had been angered into illness over it. Yet, he had still brought her home as a concubine, and Lord Song and Madam Yun had been kept in the dark the whole time.
Others added that First Madam Song lacked judgment, compromising the family's reputation just to manage the affair, all to ensure the heir would take care of her in the future.
The rumors grew increasingly wild and scandalous. Even Song Jingcheng’s married sister, Song Jinxiu, heard the news. She was severely reprimanded by her in-laws, causing her great shame.
Song Jinxiu immediately sent word that she would be coming to visit the family in three days' time.