How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Song Yuanliang was so exhausted that he fell asleep again after a short while.

Seeing this, the second concubine could only secretly wipe away her tears. She quietly asked Ah Quan, who served her closely, and Ah Quan dared not say that he had not served her well. He could only say, "Young Master has been working very hard since he came in, all because he wants to get first place in the year-end exam. Recently, he has been locking himself in his study and will not let anyone serve him. He said he was afraid of disturbing him, so I wait in the outer room."

No one knows a son better than his mother. The second concubine was not entirely convinced by this explanation. After all, Song Yuanliang's despondent look just now was undeniable, and there was probably some reason she didn't know about.

The second concubine had many doubts, but she held back her anger, fearing that Song Yuanliang had suffered some kind of blow. Many thoughts flashed through her mind, but she dared not make a conclusion easily. She called Yingluo over and asked her to find a few reliable people to inquire at the school about who Song Yuanliang usually associated with.

Hopefully, this wasn't a scheme orchestrated by people in this mansion.

Where there are people, there is conflict, let alone in the inner courtyard of the Song family. In these days when even having enough to eat was a problem, being able to enter the Song family as a concubine meant not only a life of comfort and wealth, but also the opportunity to network with all sorts of powerful and influential people—something many people would kill for.

When they go out into the world, people will look at them with more respect because of the Song family. They can provide women with great security in terms of both material wealth and status. However, no matter how wealthy the Song family is, there is only one person in charge. Favor, finances, and the right to manage the household are all reasons for competition. Therefore, even though Master Song has set many rules for the family, the inner courtyard may seem peaceful on the surface, but in reality, it is not without its unrest.

The rule that concubines wouldn't be allowed to leave the boudoir until they gave birth was also a way for Master Song to temper their temperaments. Getting pregnant wasn't as simple as just conceiving. It involved evading schemes, maintaining one's health, and, as some might say, luck. To stand out among so many "boudoir ladies" required more than just a willful and stubborn nature.

The second concubine once scoffed at this, but in order not to fall behind, she eventually had to compete with the other women and get pregnant before she could officially become the second concubine.

With a long sigh, the second concubine looked at Song Yuanliang's pale face and tenderly wiped his fever with a damp cloth over and over again, without relying on anyone else.

Seeing that Song Yuanliang had grown up, gone to university, and was the eldest son, I'm afraid that his hard work might have offended someone, so they harmed him.

Song Yuanliang had no idea what his second concubine was thinking. He stared blankly at the snow-white ceiling, his mind a complete blank, with only a dim, burnt yellow color remaining.

Yanru was content in the small building. She wondered what Master Song had been busy with these past few days, as he hadn't come over for several days.

The little thing was extremely anxious about this, fearing that Yanru would lose Master Song's favor, but Yanru seemed carefree and unconcerned about anything all day long.

She couldn't help but say, "How can you be so unambitious? Master hasn't come for days." Ever since Yanru saved the little one in front of Master Song last time, she has gradually become more loyal day by day.

Although he still didn't speak kindly to Yanru all the time, at least he started to care about her.

"What's the rush? Master has so many women, even if they each have their own, it won't be my turn for days." Yan Ru had just dried a newly painted painting, not caring at all, and even called the little thing over to take a look, "What do you think of this painting?"

The little one had no appreciation for paintings, nor the inclination to do so, but since Yanru called her, she had no choice but to go over and take a few glances.

"Hmm, it's better than the last painting. It has flowers, birds, and a moon, but it lacks color, which makes it look rather ugly."

"Pfft," Yan Ru couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, it's so beautiful, what a pity."

"What's a pity?" The little thing didn't understand what was funny, and what was there to regret.

Upon seeing this, Dujuan quickly put down her work and came over to take a look. After careful consideration, she boldly said, "This is a traditional Chinese ink painting. The sparrow perched on the cassia branch and the moon high in the sky are both very auspicious symbols. However, although the moon is full, it hangs high in the sky, unreachable, cold and desolate. The little sparrow, perched on a lonely, slender cassia branch, seems... somewhat melancholic?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" The little thing saw that Yan Ru hadn't refuted Du Juan's long speech and was afraid that she would take away her position in the building, so she hurriedly retorted, "What nonsense are you talking about? What you're saying is nonsense. What kind of elegance are you trying to achieve?"

Yan Ru looked at Du Juan with newfound respect. She had never paid close attention to her before, but upon closer inspection this time, she discovered that Du Juan was quite beautiful.

She is a beautiful woman with a quiet, scholarly air about her. At first glance, she may seem ordinary, but after a few more glances, one feels a strong sense of intimacy with her.

Therefore, Yan Ru smiled without saying a word. After the painting dried, she rolled it up and handed it to Du Juan, saying, "Since you can understand it, you can have it. You can hang it in your room or throw it away as you please."

Du Juan was overjoyed and thanked her profusely, "Thank you so much, Sixth Aunt. I will definitely cherish it and find a craftsman to frame it."

Yan Ru didn't seem to care much and still smiled and said, "Yes, whatever you say."

The little thing protested, "I've looked at so many paintings for so long, and you've never offered to give me one."

Yan Ru chuckled, "Didn't you think they were all ugly? Fine, you pick one, I'll give it to you."

The little thing rolled her eyes, quite matter-of-factly. She vaguely remembered that Yan Ru had flipped through an art exhibition in a magazine, so she started rummaging through the paintings, choosing one of shrimp playing among lotus leaves, and proudly put it away.

"I'll take this one. Don't be reluctant to part with it. I saw it in your magazine; the one with shrimp is valuable."

Yan Ru smiled and nodded, "Okay, here you go." Turning her head, she saw that Du Juan was also smiling faintly, so she turned away to avoid laughing out loud while looking at each other.

The three were chatting and laughing when someone came to report that Song Fu had arrived.

Yan Ru needed a while to figure out who Song Fu was, but Xiao Dongxi and Du Juan seemed to know each other well.

Needless to say, the little one had touched someone else's hand last time, but Du Juan also subconsciously touched her hair.

"Let him come up."

As soon as Yan Ru spoke, the little one hurried down to greet her.

Before long, Song Fu came up, still bowing respectfully, "Sixth Madam, Master is here today."

Yan Ru stared at him for a long time before realizing that this was the person who had saved her from the river. It was Song Fu who jumped into the river to give her air while she was drowning and pulled her ashore...

Thinking about this, Yan Ru unconsciously fell into a daze.

Seeing that she didn't reply, Song Fu didn't urge her. But the little thing couldn't help but tease him again, "Brother Song Fu, I wonder what time the master is coming? What do you need to prepare? Tell me properly."

Song Fu said, "It's just those patrolling the field; there's nothing else to prepare."

Hearing him speak, Yan Ru came back to her senses and said somewhat awkwardly, "Thank you."

It's unclear whether Song Fu understood or not, but he was bent over and his expression was obscured. "It's only right," he said.

Yan Ru remained silent, somewhat listless, and nodded. "Xiao Fang, go see him off."

Song Fu took his leave and went downstairs. This was only the second time Song Fu had seen Yan Ru since she fell into the water. However, last time Yan Ru was unconscious, and Song Ren was with his master and did not notice Song Fu.

And since that time, Song Yi, who took her home, has never been seen again. When asked, others only said that he was still working at the Song residence, but they had never seen him.

Yan Ru didn't know what to say. She should thank Song Yi and Song Fu, but she was currently penniless and powerless to help.

Song Fu went downstairs, and the little thing followed closely behind. "Wait a minute, Brother Song Fu, wait for me. I still have some things to ask you."

Song Fu turned his head, no longer as submissive as he had been in front of Yan Ru, but still smiling good-naturedly.

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

The little thing has no serious business. He looked down on others last time, but after seeing that Song Funeng could keep his face in front of the master, he changed his opinion a little.

She didn't want to marry him; she just thought Song Fu was good-looking and wanted to look at him more.

"Nothing much, I just wanted to ask if the other concubines are pregnant yet, and when will the sixth concubine in our building be able to move out?"

"How would I know? But I haven't heard of any concubine being pregnant."

"Oh," the little thing suddenly lost interest again, and after saying a few words, it turned around and left, seemingly lost in thought.

Song Fu, on the other hand, wore a gentle smile and greeted every servant of the Song family he encountered. Thinking of Yan Ru's thanks just now, he couldn't help but frown.

Yan Ru was still so thin, as if she was born so delicate and pitiful. Even when she smiled, there was no smile in her eyes, and her whole being was shrouded in a deep unease and sorrow.

Remembering what the steward had told him about the master's methods, Song Fu didn't know what to say. Yan Ru's downfall was inevitable, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Song Fu didn't think that becoming Master Song's concubine was some great fortune; it was simply that she had just experienced a brush with death and desperately needed someone to rely on.

But what will happen when she thinks things through, understands, and no longer needs to depend on others?

Song Fu didn't understand, nor did he want to understand. There were so many women in the mansion, he couldn't possibly sympathize with them all.