Chapter Thirty-Seven: Passing the Trouble to Jiang Lingyao

Jiang Lingyao had not attended such a bustling banquet for a long time, and for a moment, she felt somewhat out of place, though her expression remained completely composed.

Seeing her calm demeanor, the murmurs of criticism around her began to fade.

Ignoring them, she turned her head and gave a low instruction to Wenqiu: "Later, you will deliver the birthday gift to the steward."

Wenqiu was taken aback and instinctively asked, "But Miss, haven't you always handed it to Prince Pei personally in the past?"

As soon as the words left her lips, Wenqiu regretted them deeply. She quickly begged for forgiveness, "It was my loose tongue! Please, Miss, do not be angry; I shall go at once!"

Jiang Lingyao knew that Wenqiu was a loyal maid, merely straightforward by nature, and had no intention of holding it against her.

However, she feigned anger, pursed her lips, and said, "Trouble stems from the tongue; you must be careful with your words in the future!"

If Wenqiu remained this outspoken after she left, she would only invite trouble. She had to ensure the maid remembered this lesson.

Wenqiu’s face paled. At the thought of potentially bringing trouble upon Jiang Lingyao, she felt a pang of distress and replied solemnly, "Yes, Miss is right."

Jiang Lingyao sighed heavily to herself.

...

On the other side, the carriage of Song Lian’er and Jiang Xiuyuan was not as fine as Jiang Lingyao’s, and it had fallen far behind.

Upon arrival, they only saw the carriages parked in the distance; there was no sign of Jiang Lingyao at all.

Song Lian’er wiped away her tears. "Is Sister angry, which is why she made the carriage go so fast and didn't wait for us?"

Jiang Xiuyuan’s expression turned icy. "Pay her no mind! With a temper like hers, she will suffer greatly sooner or later. Since she refuses to listen to me, I shall see exactly what she intends to do."

As they entered, Song Lian’er—having already been introduced to high society by the Jiang family—was able to socialize with the noble ladies on her own. As soon as she walked in, familiar faces came over to greet her.

She masked her coldness with a look of naive innocence and stepped into the crowd.

"Miss Song, has that one from your family returned? Why didn't she come with you today?"

Song Lian’er’s eyes reddened as she pursed her lips. "Sister... Sister is angry with me."

The ladies she knew exchanged glances and immediately leaned in to ask, "Why is she angry with you?"

"Today, my elder brother, Prince Pei, and I were waiting for Sister to set off, but we waited for an hour, and she still hadn't appeared. She wouldn't even let her maid give us a definite answer. I couldn't bear to see my brother and the others waiting in the wind, so I intended to send a maid to ask if she was still coming."

"I never expected... I never expected that Sister would suddenly come out, hear that, and think I was rushing her, so she got angry."

The group was shocked.

"How could someone be so unreasonable? That is simply too much!"

"It is only because Miss Song has such a good temper. If it were me, I would certainly have scolded her!"

Song Lian’er feigned a look of grievance as she wiped her eyes, inwardly sneering.

By the time the banquet ended, all the noble ladies in the capital would know that Jiang Lingyao was throwing a tantrum.

Her smile deepened, but suddenly, an arrogant female voice rang out.

"Song Lian’er? Aren't you just an adopted daughter of the Song family? You are quite capable, to be able to sneak into a banquet like this."

She stiffened, lowered her eyes, and said in a low voice, "Greetings, Princess Wende."

Princess Wende was infatuated with Pei Xingzhi. During the year Jiang Lingyao was away from the capital, she had turned her hostility toward Song Lian’er, using blunt tactics that frequently left her unable to save face.

Song Lian’er was furious, but because Princess Wende was highly favored by the Empress Dowager, she had no choice but to bow her head.

Princess Wende wore a look that was half-smile, half-sneer. Even her naturally pretty face carried a hint of malice. "Not bad; you have finally learned some manners."

Song Lian’er replied respectfully, "Thank you for the compliment, Princess, but I am feeling a bit unwell and must take my leave."

Princess Wende scoffed, "You want to run off as soon as you see me? What is this? Are you trying to act the victim so that others think I am cruel?"

Song Lian’er gritted her teeth. "I would not dare to lie, Princess."

This wretched woman would not let her off easily!

In an instant, a spark of inspiration flashed through Song Lian’er's mind, causing her anger to subside slightly.

Jiang Lingyao was also at this banquet.

Thinking of this, she looked up with a wronged expression. "Actually, it is because my sister has just returned home. I am worried about her being alone and intended to go keep her company."

Princess Wende’s expression shifted slightly. "Jiang Lingyao has returned?"

Song Lian’er immediately said, "Yes. Today, Sister was invited personally by Prince Pei, who even went to the trouble of coming to the ducal mansion to pick her up for the banquet."

What? Jiang Lingyao was picked up by Pei Xingzhi himself?

Princess Wende’s face turned completely cold. With a dark expression, she said, "I haven't seen her in a long time either. Why don't you go and call her over? I would like to catch up with her."

Song Lian’er felt a surge of joy and feigned a fragile air. "Yes."