Chapter 327 - 130: Not an Arrogant and Domineering Little Vixen

Chapter 327: Chapter 130: Not an Arrogant and Domineering Little Vixen

At this thought, Mrs. Qin looked at Madam Song and asked coolly, "Madam Song, why is your Third Madam absent?"

Mrs. Qin’s voice was not low. Everyone nearby instantly looked over, and all eyes fell upon Madam Song. Just then, Madam Ding Nanbo stepped into the hall and happened to overhear the question.

Her gaze toward Madam Song was filled with mockery. She was eager to hear how Madam Song would explain herself.

Madam Song thought, ’Yun Zhao told me I must make her relationship with Mrs. Cai public knowledge. If no one asked, it would be difficult for me to bring it up myself. Well, this is perfect. A gift from heaven.’

"And you are, Madam?" Madam Song genuinely didn’t recognize the woman. Seeing that she was much older, Madam Song knew it would be difficult to frame her response without first understanding her background.

Mrs. Han was furious. ’Isn’t Mrs. Qin deliberately looking for trouble? To ask such a question to her face, knowing full well that Song Jieyu doesn’t get along with her birth mother?’

But she had to suppress her anger. She said to Madam Song, "Madam Song, this is Duchess Qin."

’So, an enemy!’

Now that she had her bearings, Madam Song spoke at once. "Forgive my poor eyes for not recognizing you, Duchess. Please don’t take offense. As for your question about why my third sister-in-law isn’t at the banquet, that is a difficult question for me to answer. After all, the guest list for the palace banquet is determined by imperial decree."

’If you have the guts, go question the Emperor. Are you cornering me here because you think I’m an easy target?’

After hearing Madam Song’s reply, Mrs. Qin thought, ’This one has a sharp tongue. No wonder the Song Family raised someone like Song Jieyu.’ Her gaze darkened as she stared at Madam Song. "You certainly have a way with words, Madam Song. I was merely curious, that’s all. After all, everyone attending today is the birth mother of an imperial concubine. It’s the first time I’ve seen an aunt-by-marriage attending, so one can’t help but be a little curious."

Madam Song smiled instantly. "I’ve heard that Grand Tutor Qin is a man of vast and profound knowledge. I’ve also heard the Grand Tutor once traveled over half the country on foot. I deeply admire you, Duchess, for accompanying him on his travels back then. That such a small thing could take a person like you by surprise... well, that truly astonishes me."

Mrs. Han nearly burst out laughing. She pressed a handkerchief to her lips to hide her smile. ’This Madam Song is quite interesting,’ she thought. ’She really knows how to insult someone without using a single foul word.’

Seeing an opportunity, Mrs. Lu stepped forward and smiled at Mrs. Qin. "It’s been a while, Mrs. Qin. I heard you caught a cold some days ago. Seeing your healthy complexion today, you must have fully recovered. I had wanted to visit, but I was worried I might disturb your rest. I’m so relieved to see you looking well."

Hearing Mrs. Lu’s words, Madam Song recalled how Mrs. Lu had previously given her a vague excuse for something. Now, toward Mrs. Qin, she was full of "worries." ’This Mrs. Lu is certainly a smooth operator,’ she thought.

Since Mrs. Lu was clearly trying to smooth things over and change the subject on her behalf, Madam Song knew to take the hint and wisely kept her mouth shut.

For her part, Mrs. Qin hadn’t expected Madam Song to be so relentless, her sarcastic retorts coming so easily. Since it was a palace banquet, she couldn’t afford to make an ugly scene. Swallowing her anger, she began to converse with Mrs. Lu.

Seeing that Madam Song still looked troubled, Mrs. Feng leaned in and said softly, "Don’t pay it too much mind. The list was decided by His Majesty. No matter what others may think, they wouldn’t dare question it."

It was rare to find people like Mrs. Qin who would deliberately dredge up painful subjects. Mrs. Qin had always been so tactful in her words and deeds; it was unexpected to see her be so reckless today.

At these words, Madam Song gave a soft sigh. "It isn’t proper to air family matters in public, but... it’s true that the Concubine and my third sister-in-law lack a certain mother-daughter affinity..."

At Madam Song’s sigh, several ladies who had been eavesdropping moved a few steps closer. One of them asked, "Madam, your words seem to hint at a story you are reluctant to tell?"

Madam Song glanced at the person who had spoken. ’She certainly knows how to feed someone a line,’ she thought, before shaking her head with a resigned look. "There are a thousand kinds of bonds between a mother and daughter in this world. There will always be some that are simply not meant to be. I’m afraid that is the case with my third sister-in-law and the Concubine..."

Madam Song’s words were measured; she didn’t deliberately speak ill of Mrs. Cai. After all, no matter her faults, she was still Yun Zhao’s birth mother. If the mother’s character was flawed, would that reflect well on the Concubine?

Besides, the Third Young Master was an official in the capital. If the wife he married had a problematic character, wouldn’t he, as her husband, be guilty of failing in his duty to guide her?

"Teach a son before others, but a wife in the privacy of the bedroom." The Third Young Master had to bear a portion of the blame for Mrs. Cai’s faults.

After weighing all the factors, she couldn’t allow everyone to think Yun Zhao was unfilial, nor could she let Mrs. Cai’s reputation be completely ruined. The only solution was to say they were not fated to have a close mother-daughter bond.

Anyone who heard this would feel that Song Yunzhao had been greatly wronged. While it was true that Mrs. Cai had handled matters poorly, it didn’t paint her as a person of low character, merely one who showed excessive favoritism among her children.

Madam Ding Nanbo, who had been waiting on the sidelines to see Madam Song become a laughingstock, now shot her a look of great surprise. She truly hadn’t expected Madam Song to cover for her own sister at a time like this. It was more than surprising; it was utterly shocking.

Madam Song was so thoughtful and meticulous in her words and actions; trying to reconcile with her in the future would be even more difficult. Madam Ding Nanbo realized that if she wanted to salvage the situation, she would have to start with her sister.

Since Madam Song and Yun Zhao had left themselves an escape route, it meant the matter wasn’t beyond repair. At this thought, Madam Ding Nanbo stepped forward to speak in support of Madam Song. Her words echoed Madam Song’s account, subtly confirming Mrs. Cai’s preferential treatment.

Still, for the favoritism to be so severe that Song Jieyu didn’t even want to see her own birth mother at a palace banquet... The depth of that conflict was something everyone could only imagine for themselves.

"Lady Shufei has arrived!"

"Consort Zhuang has arrived!"

"Lady Wanfei has arrived!"

As the Palace Attendant made the announcements, the chatter and laughter in the hall immediately ceased. Everyone straightened their attire and stepped forward to offer their greetings.

The three concubines entered first, with Song Yunzhao and the others following. Qinghua Hall was warmed by heated floors, and the pleasant heat chased away the chill that had settled into her bones as she walked to her designated seat.

"I pay my respects to Lady Shufei, Consort Zhuang, and Lady Wanfei."

"Ladies, please rise. There is no need for such ceremony. Be seated," Consort Shu said, her face all smiles.

Previously, Consort Shu had always been the leader among the three concubines. After her title was revoked, she was relegated to the lowest rank among them. But luck was on her side, and her title was restored before the New Year’s banquet. Naturally, she took the seat of honor once again without a moment’s hesitation.

As for what Princess Consort Zhuang and Princess Consort Wan thought of it, Consort Shu couldn’t have cared less.

Once everyone was seated, Song Yunzhao kept her gaze forward, but she could already feel the weight of many eyes upon her.

’It was understandable,’ she mused. ’I am the Emperor’s favored concubine, after all. Who wouldn’t want to see what kind of woman could captivate him so completely?’

She sat as steady as Taishan, her expression perfectly serene, looking utterly composed.

Combined with the makeup and magnificent robes she had specially chosen for the day, many of the ladies who looked at her found that this version of Song Jieyu was quite different from what they had imagined.

They had expected an arrogant, domineering little siren, but that wasn’t her at all. Although Song Jieyu’s beauty was indeed striking, her aura was remarkably proper and dignified. She was nothing like those seductive coquettes who rely on their looks to serve men.

If Song Yunzhao knew what they were all thinking, she’d probably want to flip a table on the spot.

’I’m a respectable young lady from a good family, how did I get mistaken for one of those cheap seductresses?’