The Shen family looked at the betrothal gifts, which were exactly the same. Although the style had changed, the items were correct, so Madam Shen couldn't say anything.

However, she still had doubts, but then she thought that the Duke of Jingguo's mansion was rich and powerful, so she happily accepted the betrothal gifts, and did not forget to praise Song Hengchuan. She also arranged for the two to get married on the agreed date.

Song Yue was astonished at the prospect of the two families getting married.

"The Grand Madam has gone all out, offending many people to raise this much money." Zhang Mama said, "This old servant heard that the Second Madam is very angry, and the Madam has also dismissed many servants and reduced expenses. The Second Miss has also made a big fuss. Because of this, the Eldest Young Master, the Madam, and the Second Miss have developed a rift."

It would be strange if they didn't cause a scene!

Some people only feel the pain when their own interests are threatened.

For the next two days, Song Yue stayed in Yuehua Pavilion to rest. She had been going to Ninghui Hall from dawn till dusk for the past two weeks, which had been quite boring.

The second branch of the family came to visit several times, but Yun Dong turned them away each time, citing her poor health.

"Isn't the young lady worried that she will offend the second branch of the family?" Granny Zhang asked anxiously. If things continue like this, the young lady will offend everyone in the household.

Song Yue yawned and said, "We have different paths, so we can't work together. I'm already lucky if the whole manor isn't implicated."

These words were too profound for Zhang Mama to understand, but she felt that the young lady was calm and composed, not in a hurry at all, which gave her confidence as well.

Because of the twenty-bearer betrothal gifts, Madam Tao complained a lot in the courtyard. After listening to a few words, the second master got annoyed and turned away.

On several occasions, when Lady Tao went to Ninghui Hall to pay her respects, she saw Duke Jingguo. Lady Tao looked resentful, which made Duke Jingguo feel somewhat awkward, and he left in a hurry.

Tao was seething with anger, but when the household started making new clothes and sent the fabric to Qionghua Courtyard, she finally had a pretext.

Rushing to Qionghua Courtyard, he berated the steward, "You blind fool! Don't you know who the master of this mansion is today? Do you really think you're some kind of rich young lady?"

Tao's words were a veiled attack, and Song Yao's eyes reddened with anger and resentment.

Upon hearing the news, Yuan Fuling rushed over and shielded Song Yao behind her. Tao Shi raised her chin and said, "If all else fails, go to the Grand Madam and ask for justice."

Upon hearing that they were going to see the Dowager Madam, Yuan Fuling took a deep breath and advised Song Yao to be patient, as the Dowager Madam was still angry about the betrothal gifts.

The reason she wasn't punished was because the family was about to have a wedding.

If the eldest son's family causes any more trouble, the matriarch will not let them off the hook.

Therefore, we must be patient until Shen Ruyun enters the room.

Seeing that Tao had taken all the fabric away, Song Yao cried uncontrollably, "Mother, are you just going to let your daughter be treated like this?"

“How could that be? Once the Shen family enters the household, Mother promises you’ll be back to your old life.” Yuan Fuling gently patted Song Yao’s shoulder: “Chuan-ge’er loves you, you can appease him.”

Song Yao sniffed: "Mother, don't worry. I apologize to my elder brother every day, and he has already let it go."

To coax Song Hengchuan, that would be a piece of cake.

If she just cries, the other party is guaranteed to soften.

These past few days, Madam Tao has been making headlines in the mansion. No one dares to provoke her, and even the Grand Madam turns a blind eye to her behavior.

evening

Sunset

Song Yue sat on the swing in the courtyard, swaying gently, smelling the fragrance of flowers, her eyebrows slightly raised, feeling the breeze on her cheeks with great pleasure.

"Miss, the Duke has arrived."

Song Yue raised an eyebrow.

Looking at the Duke of Jingguo standing at the entrance of Yuehua Pavilion, she hesitated for a moment, then nodded to Yun Dong.

A moment later, the Duke of Jingguo entered, barely suppressing his anger: "I have something to say to you privately."

"There are no outsiders here." Song Yue narrowed her eyes. What a joke! The Duke of Jingguo had previously tried to kill her. How could she possibly be alone with him?

What if I get so desperate that I hit myself?

"Yue'er, it's about your mother," the Duke of Jing said in a low voice.

Song Yue hesitated for a moment, then gave Yun Dong a look, and Yun Dong understood and led the others to a safe distance.

The Duke of Jingguo scrutinized Song Yue's eyes intently: "The other day you smashed your mother's memorial tablet in the ancestral hall?"

"yes."

How do you know your mother is still alive?

Song Yue raised an eyebrow and asked, "What exactly does the Duke want to say?"

Hearing the hurtful words from the Duke, the Duke of Jing was both angry and furious: "I am your father!"

"What kind of father are you if you don't give birth to, raise, or protect someone?" Song Yue's casual remark completely enraged the Duke of Jingguo. He clenched his fist, as if he was about to strike at him in the next second.

Song Yue smiled and said, "You've already hit me once, so we've cut off all contact. If you dare to make another move, I'll definitely cripple your hand!"

"You!" Duke Jingguo was stunned, unable to believe that Song Yue would be so bold as to threaten him. He was so angry that his chest heaved, and his fists clenched so tightly that they cracked, but he did not dare to actually make a move. Finally, he sighed: "Why don't you understand my good intentions?"

Seeing the Duke of Jingguo's feigned sincerity, Song Yue didn't bother to expose him.

Seeing that the other party was unmoved by either soft or hard tactics, the Duke of Jingguo had no choice but to say, "The Emperor has decreed that your mother has been cultivating diligently on Mount Tiantai for thirteen years. This is the decree of the founding emperor. Now that she has achieved perfect merit and the Northern Chu Kingdom is prosperous, he wants your mother to return. What do you think?"

Song Yue's eyes were indifferent; in her heart, the Duke of Jingguo had no credibility whatsoever.

"Mother's return is a great achievement for Northern Chu, and the Duke should feel honored."

The Duke of Jingguo's heart clenched: "But your mother didn't go to Tiantai Mountain at all, she went to..."

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