The flower - viewing banquet officially began. Many people who were familiar with Song Qinzhou came over to exchange greetings.
When they sized up Song Jinyu, whose appearance and temperament were astonishing, they couldn't help but feel that she was a bit unfamiliar. So they asked aloud, "When did Magistrate Song have two daughters?"
After Song Jinyu saluted the elders, she replied with a gentle smile, "I'm in poor health and rarely go out on weekdays. So I've troubled my second aunt and younger sister to attend the banquets on my behalf."
Only then did everyone understand that the so - called Mrs. Song was not Song Qinzhou's wife, but the second wife of the Song Mansion. When they asked about the identity and name of the second master of the Song family, they were surprised to find that he was a well - known figure.
"Wasn't he the one who went to the brothel a few days ago without any silver? He wanted to get something for free and was beaten out by the madam in the end."
Amid the loud laughter of the crowd, the second wife's mouth twitched with anger and her face turned ashen. However, she didn't dare to flare up.
Years of preparation had gone to waste. This time, all the officials in Liuzhou City knew their details. I'm afraid it would be difficult for Song Wangqiu to attend various banquets as the legitimate daughter in the future.
"Everyone, feel free to do as you like. Don't be constrained..." After the laughter and fun, everyone strolled through the flower bushes and focused on appreciating the flowers. The previous sense of restraint also diminished a lot.
While appreciating the flowers, everyone didn't forget to flatter. When Prince Yu and Song Jinyu were viewing the flowers, the latter stopped in front of the sasanqua and bent down to sniff it carefully.
"Does the young lady like sasanquas? If you like them, pick some and take them back." Prince Yu noticed Song Jinyu's small action and said casually.
"Flowers are fragile things. Once picked, they will die. Taking what one likes for oneself sometimes backfires." Song Jinyu raised her hand and stroked the petals, with an inscrutable look in her eyes.
"What the young lady said is quite right." Prince Yu chuckled a few times, then closed his folding fan and called a servant over. "Move all the sasanquas here, roots and all, to Miss Song's courtyard."
Hearing this, Song Jinyu turned to look at Prince Yu, confused.
"What one wants, one will surely get!"
The intimidating power of the man who held sway over the court emerged. Prince Yu raised his head slightly, looking arrogant.
Before his words faded away, several hornets suddenly appeared out of nowhere and flew straight towards Song Jinyu.
Song Jinyu held a black fog bomb in her hand and was about to throw it. However, she suddenly remembered the current situation. If she used poison, I'm afraid everyone in the yard would be in trouble. Grinding her silver teeth, she put it away.
Just as the hornets were about to sting Song Jinyu, with her eyes closed waiting for death, she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.
Prince Yu waved his palm to knock down the hornets. After a few rounds, all the hornets were lying on the ground. Only then did the servants rush over and trample on those still twitching.
Song Jinyu was still in shock when she saw that Prince Yu's left palm was swollen.
Unfortunately, the abscess grew bigger and bigger. Song Jinyu quickly stuffed an antidote pill into the man's mouth. "Swallow it!"
The familiar words reminded Prince Yu of the scene in the cave that day.
The burning gaze landed on her face. Song Jinyu pushed the man's chest away, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Coming back to his senses, Prince Yu looked at the dead hornets on the ground, his eyes gradually turning cold. "There's something fishy about this."
Madam Cheng, who had been observing from the side, saw the clue. "Miss Song, there's something wrong with your clothes!"
Everyone's eyes converged. Prince Yu knew the seriousness of the matter. "Go on."
With the order, Madam Cheng boldly continued. "Miss Song, the fabric of your clothes is not very good, but the stitches at the collar are much better than other parts."
Taking a closer look, it was really the case.
When they opened the collar, there were some dried flowers inside. Everyone gathered around to observe.
"This kind of flower attracts bees and butterflies. Applying a small amount on the body can attract butterflies. The current Empress Dowager once used this flower as a lure, applied it on her body, and danced with the butterflies, which won the favor of the former Emperor. However... if too much of this flower is used, it will attract a swarm of bees." Someone who recognized the origin of the flower explained to everyone.
"Where did these clothes come from?" Prince Yu asked Song Jinyu.
"They were made by the Song Mansion itself." Song Jinyu thought for a moment and then replied.
Prince Yu ordered the guards to bring up the steward of the Song Mansion. The steward knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, fearing that he might incur the death penalty. "My lord, all these things were arranged by the second wife."
I don't know which gossiper was so talkative and suspected, "How could the management of the inner courtyard be handed over to an outsider, and such a thing happened? Could it be that they want to frame Prince Yu under the guise of backyard grievances!"
Before the words faded away, Song Qinzhou bowed nervously, with cold sweat on his forehead. He quickly apologized to Prince Yu. "I will surely handle this matter seriously!"
"Help! Help!" Everyone's attention was drawn to the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
There were actually two women holding their hands up in the lake.
At first sight, Song Qinzhou saw Song Wangqiu, and cold sweat broke out!
The second wife wailed and cried with tears streaming down her face.
Zhongli Mingye ordered people to rescue the two young ladies to the shore. It turned out that Miss Deng Qingyun of the Deng family and Song Wangqiu had an argument over a handkerchief. Somehow, they both fell into the water. Fortunately, the water was not cold in early autumn, and neither of them was injured.
Miss Deng woke up first. "It was her! She pushed me first."
For a moment, everyone's eyes were filled with contempt.
Song Wangqiu shivered. "I didn't! It was Miss Deng who insisted on snatching my handkerchief. I didn't want to give it to her, but she pushed me into the lake. Please, my lord, investigate clearly." At the same time, she showed a blushing face and glanced at the lord from time to time, hoping that the lord would take pity on her.
The two women were soaking wet, and everyone was in the garden at that time. Naturally, they had no way of knowing the truth of their words. At this moment, the maids of both sides started to argue.
"Is this the handkerchief?" Madam Chang took the handkerchief from Wangqiu.
"Hey, there's also a poem: Among the hundreds of flowers, the fragrance fades away. Only waiting for thousands of chrysanthemums to bloom. The beautiful face is cold, looking at the autumn wind. Inviting the beauty to come back again."
"This poem also has Wangqiu's name in it. Which young master gave it?"
"No wonder she didn't want others to see it!"
Song Wangqiu's heart sank. The poem given by Young Master He was finally heard by others. Ashamed and angry, she immediately pretended to faint.
Everyone showed a look of contempt, especially having doubts about the family style of the Song family.
"Lord Song, the stability of your inner courtyard is related to your official reputation. Family unrest is closely related to your future." The words of Prince Yu Zhongli Mingye were seemingly mild, but they were as heavy as a thousand - jin cauldron.
Song Qinzhou hated the second branch in his heart. "I will surely manage my family affairs well!" After saying that, he glared at the second wife fiercely.