The Spring Banquet was held in the Flower Hall of the Chengwang residence's rear garden. The hall was vast, with corridors connecting the east and west sides, accompanied by a nearby water pavilion.
Outside, greenery flourished, with blooming flowers, while the hall's eaves provided shade from the subtly warming spring sun, allowing the delicate guests to enjoy the scenery without being scorched.
Inside, guests gathered, creating a lively atmosphere. Many were discreetly observing the haggard Madam Song, Zou shi, whose complexion had grown somewhat pallid, and their gazes shifted to the young, pale gentleman accompanying her, eliciting various reactions.
“Why did the Song family come?”
“I heard the Chengwang residence sent them an invitation personally, and that Song girl from Jiyun Alley is here too.”
Some expressed surprise: “Is this a move toward reconciliation?”
“It seems so. The Song family has been in turmoil for a while now. Old Madam Song lost her title, and the eldest son has lost his position at court. The turmoil in the Song Guogong's residence must have vented some of Miss Song’s frustrations; it’s only natural she’ll want to return to the Song family.”
One person gestured toward the elderly matriarch of the Lu family: “Did you see? The Lu family is here too. That Third Young Master Lu is quite the catch in the capital. If Song Tangning continues to make a fuss, she might end up ruining her prospects. The Lu family won't indulge her forever.”
“Exactly, I heard even the Empress has taken an interest in the Song family's situation, and the old matriarch of the Lu family is dissatisfied. How can Song Tangning dare to cause trouble now?”
The speaker glanced at Lu Zhinian, who was standing next to Old Madam Lu and conversing with Song Jinxiu with his head tilted aside, feeling a twinge of jealousy. This was the legitimate son of the Grand Secretary's family and the Lu family was the head of the aristocratic families. How did such a good match fall to that overbearing Song Tangning?
However, they had heard she had previously injured her face at the mountain. If she truly became disfigured, the Lu family might refuse the marriage. They couldn't possibly have a future mistress who was unattractive.
“Such sour grapes!”
*Qian Qiyue, the youngest daughter of the Minister of Revenue, looked on with disdain. “Listen to their tone; they practically wish for Song Tangning to be jilted by the Lu family so they can take her place…”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Madam Qian shot a reproachful glare at her daughter and turned to the wife of the Marquis of Wenxin beside her, quietly asking, “What do you think this banquet is about?”
Earlier, when the Song family was mentioned, she had been seething with resentment, wanting nothing to do with them. The ruckus with Song Tangning and Old Madam Song had even made waves in the court.
She had assumed there was no way to ease tensions, yet the Chengwang residence had suddenly held this banquet and invited the Song family…
Madam Qian murmured, “Could Song Tangning really be planning to reconcile with the Song family?”
The Marquis of Wenxin’s wife’s expression was mild: “I’m not sure.”
“Didn’t the Chengwang princess say anything to you?” Madam Qian asked, surprised.
The Marquis of Wenxin’s wife pressed her lips together. It wasn’t that she hadn’t spoken; she just recalled something her friend had mentioned a few days prior, her brows furrowing slightly. She didn’t answer Madam Qian but instead glanced at the entrance, pretending to change the subject. “The Chengwang and his wife are here.”
Many in the Flower Hall noticed the commotion outside and turned their attention toward the entrance upon sensing the arrival of the Chengwang and his wife.
The Chengwang and the princess consort walked in together, behind them was a somewhat pale-faced Xie Shizi*, and following him was a graceful young lady, supported by someone and wearing a veil.
Her red dress was striking, and the color of her brows matched the vibrancy of her gown, but that veil…
Many wondered, could this Song girl have really ruined her face?
The Chengwang stepped forward with a smile to greet the elderly dowager. She glanced at Song Tangning and then back at the princess consort. “Why did you arrive so late?”
The princess consort replied softly, “Tangning was feeling unwell, so I stayed with her a bit longer.”
“If she’s unwell, she should rest on her own. Today’s banquet is your responsibility, yet you arrived the latest. There’s not a hint of the host about you,” the dowager lightly rebuked.
Seeing the princess consort's expression grow a bit colder, the Chengwang quickly added, smiling, “This Spring Banquet is all about enjoying the scenery and leisure, whether it’s early or late doesn’t matter. Yue Niang has been worried lately and looks quite worn out; it’s good for her to accompany Tangning and rest a little. With my mother present, and with me and Yin Er here, we wouldn’t neglect our esteemed guests.”
The dowager's expression darkened upon seeing his defense of the princess consort, but with the crowd watching, she didn’t say more.
The Chengwang turned to the princess consort with a reassuring smile, leading her to her seat.
Those around them couldn’t help but sigh. The Chengwang truly cared for the princess consort, unwilling to let her suffer even a bit of grievance. No wonder he hadn’t taken a concubine for many years, remaining loyal to the princess consort alone.
Lu Zhinian had fixed his gaze on Song Tangning ever since she entered. He watched as she was helped inside, her veil covering most of her face.
The little girl was afraid of pain; even a minor scrape would bring her to tears, her delicate fingers reaching out to him, saying, “Lu Gege, it hurts so much.”
When he turned to look, he’d see her tear-filled eyes looking at him pitifully, as if the tears could fall at any moment. But every time he comforted her, she would instantly smile sweetly, saying, “With Lu Gege here, Tangning doesn’t feel pain.”
Lu Zhinian’s expression softened, a hint of guilt showing in his eyes.
“Tang…”
He intended to call out to her, to ask how her injury was, but as the breeze swept by, Song Tangning, who had always been attached to him, passed by without even a glance.
The ends of her hair swayed as she moved, and she didn’t spare him a second of attention, as if she hadn’t seen him at all.
Lu Zhinian was stunned: “Tangning?”
Song Tangning stopped and turned back: “What does Lu Langjun wish to say?”
Lu Zhinian’s expression faltered. She called him Lu Langjun?
He looked at Song Tangning, who had furrowed her brow slightly. She had always been obedient, her eyes like crescent moons, and her cheeks dimpled with sweetness.
She never refused him; even when she was angry, it was just a playful pout. A few comforting words would bring back her radiant smile.
But now, her eyes held no warmth, only cold detachment.
Seeing Lu Zhinian staring at her, she tilted her head and said softly, “If Lu Langjun has nothing to say, I’ll take my leave.”
Without looking back, she walked away, causing Lu Zhinian’s heart to leap uneasily.
Those who had been observing Song Tangning couldn’t help but look at each other in surprise.
The marriage between the Song and Lu families had always been pursued by the Song family. In the past, it was said that Song Tangning clung to Third Young Master Lu, fearing anyone would steal him away, and Lu Langjun had treated her fairly. But now, it appeared entirely different from the rumors.
Old Madam Lu watched her grandson approach only to be met with such coldness, her expression darkened immediately.
What kind of person was Song Tangning? Who was she trying to impress with this demeanor? How dare she treat her grandson with such disdain when he made the effort to approach her? Truly, she had overstepped!
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*The Qian family was where the scandal was exposed in earlier chapters. The wife of the Qian Family and the wife of the Marquis of Wenxin are close friends of the princess
*Xie Shizi is Xie Yin, Shizi means Heir
[You can read ahead to chapterr 100 here]
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