Chapter 132: My Fourth Brother Relies on the Eldest Brother

Inside the theater pavilion, gasps of wonder rippled through the air.

The magic tricks performed by the Fourth Young Master of the Song family were a true eye-opener for these sheltered ladies. To them, this was far more entertaining and novel than any stage play.

Only Song Ci offered an awkward smile. These ancient noblewomen rarely ventured beyond their inner courtyards, so their experience was limited. Otherwise, the amateurish tricks of the Fourth Young Master would have been transparent to even a three-year-old in the modern age.

Seeing the crowd so captivated, the Fourth Young Master grew smug. Seizing his moment—and prompted by a subtle nod from his mother—he produced a pigeon from above the shoulder of the young lady sitting beside Grand Madame Wei, and placed it right in front of Wang Qiuman.

Wang Qiuman stared at him, blinking.

The Fourth Young Master stared back, his expression clearly saying, "Are you surprised? Are you shocked? Aren't you curious?"

Wang Qiuman pointed to his sleeve. "Fourth Young Master, the net bag holding your pigeon is falling out."

The Fourth Young Master froze.

He glanced down, and sure enough, his movements had been too exaggerated; the net bag hidden in his sleeve, which contained the pigeon, was half exposed.

*Damn it, the jig is up.*

His face flushed with a spectrum of colors. He glared at Wang Qiuman. *Are you even a lady? Not only are you completely unimpressed and uncurious, but you had to go and expose me!*

*You don't just dismantle a performance like that!*

Wang Qiuman felt quite innocent. She had simply seen through the trick and wanted to remind him. What was the problem with that?

*Pfft.*

Song Ci couldn't help but laugh out loud. Grand Madame Wei joined in, and soon, one after another, the other ladies followed suit.

Oh, it was absolutely hilarious.

The Fourth Young Master released the pigeon and announced, "Ladies, please continue to enjoy yourselves. I shall take my leave."

*Hell, if I don't leave now, I won't just lose face—I’ll lose everything.*

Before departing, the Fourth Young Master shot Wang Qiuman a glare that clearly meant, "Just you wait."

Wang Qiuman: "..."

*I fear the Fourth Young Master of the Song family might be missing a few screws.*

The crowd was still giggling uncontrollably.

"Grand Madame, your Fourth Young Master is truly spirited. He’s already of an age to take a wife, yet he still acts like a child," someone said to Song Ci with a smile. "You must be very happy to have such a live treasure to amuse you."

"If he doesn't drive me to anger, that’s a blessing from the Bodhisattva. I’m just waiting for someone to keep him in line," Song Ci said, casting a sidelong glance at Wang Qiuman.

Wang Qiuman’s heart skipped a beat.

Madame Bai toyed with her handkerchief and remarked, "The Fourth Young Master is certainly handsome, but it is a pity he has no official rank or merit to his name."

*Heh. This woman surnamed Bai—is she here to test my patience again?*

Song Ci lifted her teacup and said, "A pity? Why so? Fortune tellers have declared our Fourth Young Master to be destined for wealth and prosperity. Whether he has an official rank or not truly doesn't matter, for after all, his own elder brother is the current Prime Minister."

Madame Bai’s smile stiffened.

To speak of having a powerful backer so blatantly and directly—that was truly worthy of you, Grand Madame Song.

"Some people are simply born with good fortune; they don't need to struggle for anything and can just enjoy a life of ease. Oh, by the way, Madame Bai, when is your youngest son planning to sit for his examinations? I tell you, you must keep a close eye on his studies. Don't let him end up like our Fourth Young Master—the youngest in the family, with no official rank, and forced to rely entirely on his elder brother."

Madame Bai: "..."

The crowd: "..."

It was impossible to perceive this as humble self-deprecation; it sounded purely like showing off. If it weren't, they wouldn't feel so bitter.

As if oblivious to Madame Bai’s embarrassment, Song Ci continued, "Oh my, the performance is over. It’s time to eat and drink. Shall we move to the banquet hall?"

The eldest Madame Wei gracefully took her arm. "I have been waiting for those very words. I hear the chef in your residence prepares authentic Jiangnan cuisine that is truly first-rate."

The eldest Madame Song gestured for the maids to lead the guests toward the floral hall, sparing a glance for the awkward Madame Bai. *Serves you right for being so talkative.*