King Cheng couldn't help but furrow his brow. However, since they were still at the banquet, he refrained from saying too much and forced a smile as he spoke towards the Song family.
“Tang Ning was injured in her leg earlier, and her wounds have not fully healed. Jin Xiu, hurry and help your sister so she can take her seat, or else standing for too long will hurt her legs.”
Upon hearing this, Song Jin Xiu stood up with a complicated expression and moved to help Song Tang Ning.
However, before he could get close, Tang Ning called out, “Aunt, I want to sit next to you.”
Song Jin Xiu froze.
Princess Cheng spoke up, “Come over, there’s a spot reserved for you…”
“Yue Niang!”
King Cheng's voice turned slightly heavy, and his brow furrowed as he looked at the princess. They had clearly agreed to help Song Tang Ning reconcile with the Song family, but what were they doing now?
“It’s just a seat; we’re all in the same hall. If Tang Ning wants to sit close to me, then let her. Why are you so anxious?”
After casually saying this, the princess looked at Song Jin Xiu.
“After the incident on the mountain, Tang Ning was frightened and has been uneasy for some time. A few days ago, she had nightmares every night, and I had to accompany her to help her sleep. Although she is better now, she is still somewhat apprehensive. With so many people around today, Tang Ning wants to sit with me. Surely, Master Song doesn’t mind?”
Song Jin Xiu moved his lips, “As long as Tang Ning is happy.”
Hearing this, the princess finally softened her expression and waved for Song Tang Ning to come to her side.
King Cheng noticed her mention of the mountain incident and used it to mock Song Jin Xiu, but he stopped short of being too harsh. He assumed his wife was upset and deliberately wanted to make Song Jin Xiu uncomfortable. As long as they didn’t openly break their prior agreement, it wasn’t a big deal, so he couldn’t help but lean his head slightly.
“You, with your small-mindedness.”
He whispered with a smile, full of affection.
The princess’s expression was cold. “I’ve always been petty.”
King Cheng took this as a joke and didn’t take it to heart. He exchanged a few words with Song Jin Xiu to comfort him and let him return to the banquet, while nearby, Xie Yin felt uneasy.
His leg was hurting severely; earlier, Tang Ning's kick had caused him to scrape his knee. Even though some time had passed, he still vividly remembered how Song Tang Ning had looked just now.
Clearly, his father had said today was for her to reconcile with the Song family, but could the cold-hearted Song Tang Ning, who had so casually said, “I want you to die,” truly forgive them?
Madam Song looked at the pale Song Jin Xiu and felt her heart ache. “Jin Xiu, are you alright?”
Song Jin Xiu pursed his lips. “I’m fine.”
He had lost a lot of weight; the once clean and handsome features now bore a gloomy expression, his dark eyes no longer held the warmth they once had..
He knew Song Tang Ning was ruthless and also understood that coming here today meant admitting fault, lowering his head to appease her and coax her back home. Song Jin Xiu said softly, “Tang Ning is angry; let her vent.”
“Is she not angry enough? Look at what she has done to you; the household has been in chaos because of her. She…” she is simply a disaster!
“Mother!”
Song Jin Xiu interrupted Madam Song’s words, frowning as he glanced around.
Madam Song finally swallowed the words she hadn’t spoken, but she could not maintain the smile on her face.
Everyone at the banquet had different thoughts, but the princess couldn’t be bothered by them. She just waited for Tang Ning to sit down before directly signaling for the feast to begin.
The servants of the royal residence brought in exquisite dishes and fine wine in succession, and everyone pretended not to notice the awkwardness of the Song family, enjoying the graceful dancers entering the hall.
In the flower hall, musicians played, and the sound of drums filled the air. The awkward atmosphere warmed up in no time, and after a piece ended, laughter and clinking glasses filled the space.
Song Tang Ning leaned beside the princess, sensing that Lu Zhi Nian had been looking at her the entire time. She didn’t turn around but kept her eyes lowered, waiting for the Song family to speak.
She gently stroked the dragon-pattern pendant hanging at her neck, calming her racing heart.
After a while, King Cheng, having drunk a few cups of wine, felt it was about time and smiled as he announced, “Today’s spring banquet is to celebrate Shangsi together, and also to help clear the bad luck for my unexpectedly troubled niece. I hadn’t expected it would also attract the empress’s attention.”
"Tangning, these musicians and dancers were all sent from the palace. The Empress heard of your injury and was quite worried. She specifically instructed you to take good care of yourself. As for the Duke of Song’s household..." He glanced toward Song Jinxiu and continued, "The Empress is also aware of the matter at Mount Qi. Jinxiu, you're a grown man now—how could you have been so careless?"
Song Jinxiu stood up, his expression filled with guilt. In a low voice, he admitted, "It was my fault. That day, it started as a petty argument between siblings. I quarreled with Tangning and, in a fit of temper, left her on the mountain. As her elder brother, I should have protected her, but instead, I abandoned her. Worse, I didn’t notice that our servants had left without permission, which led to her being injured in a horse-riding accident."
He picked up a cup of wine from the table and approached, saying, "Tangning, it was my mistake. I should never have left you there."
"These past few days, I’ve been filled with regret. I’ve wished a thousand times that I could go back to that day and give myself a good beating. Seeing your injuries only makes me wish I could trade places with you. I know I was wrong and I hope you can forgive me."
Song Jinxiu’s robe was slightly oversized, making him look particularly gaunt. His eyes reddened as he spoke, his voice hoarse and filled with an inexplicable plea for pity.
The guests at the banquet sighed inwardly. The eldest son of the Song family had always been a proud figure—young, accomplished, and already holding a prestigious official position at a young age. He had been well on his way to a bright political future, but now, after one mistake, he had lost his position and fallen out of favor with the Emperor. Even his tone was now humble and bleak. The price he had paid for a moment of folly was indeed steep.
Tears welled up in the eyes of the Song Madam as she stood and said, "Tangning, it was my fault for not raising my son properly, which is why your brother acted so thoughtlessly. When you return, you may punish him as you see fit. I promise I won’t protect him."
Song Tangning remained silent, looking at the two of them.
The banquet hall grew deathly quiet until the elderly Dowager of the Cheng household spoke up, "They say to err is human, but to rectify one's mistakes is virtuous. It seems to me that the eldest son of the Song family has realized his mistake."
Prince Cheng added, "Tangning, after all, Jinxiu is still your brother. Perhaps you could forgive him this once?"
Song Tangning listened to the words of persuasion around her, feeling everyone’s eyes on her. She slowly lifted her gaze and looked directly at Song Jinxiu.
"Brother, do you truly realize your mistake?"
At this, Xie Yin’s heart skipped a beat.
Just as Song Jinxiu was about to respond, he heard Tangning’s voice, as cold and clear as snow from a mountain stream: "Then, brother, could you tell me what you were doing six days ago, when you and Song Shulan snuck into Shian Manor at night?"
Song Jinxiu’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.
"What’s the matter? Brother, don’t you remember?" Tangning's cold expression deepened as she looked at her visibly distressed brother.
"Shall I remind you? You, the esteemed Master Yutai , helped the younger sister of your mistress steal my father’s belongings while I wasn’t at the estate. You then pretended those items were evidence of Song Shulan’s noble birth, intending to force her into my father’s household and claim her as his daughter, didn’t you?"
Ohh is it time for face slapping? Can't wait 😊
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