Chapter 80 The Crown Prince is Here

She knew that this group of noble ladies were chasing Pei Zhao, but that didn't stop her from getting angry. It was Pei Zhao who proposed marriage first, so why did it seem like she was deliberately seducing him?

"That's really funny. Do I have to report to you about everything I do?" Song Lingyi tilted her head slightly, her tone calm and composed.

The more they tried to irritate her, the more she would not do what they wanted.

Wang Jin was so angry that she was shaking. How could a girl from the countryside win the favor of Pei Erlang?

Seeing that Song Lingyi was about to leave, she said, "Your mother's regret for breaking off the engagement caused a huge uproar in the city. If it were me, I would have been too ashamed to face the Pei family long ago. I thought you were a man of honor, but I didn't expect you to hook up with Pei Erlang as soon as you arrived in Kyoto, and even attempted to discuss marriage with him!"

"Wang Jin, what are you talking about!?"

Lu Yu wanted to rush over and rip Wang Jin's mouth off, but Song Lingyi stopped her. She glanced at the noble ladies present and said coldly, "What's between elders is not something a junior can casually criticize. My mother broke off the engagement with the Pei family, but the Duke's Mansion and the Pei family are not at odds. Why can't I discuss marriage with Pei Erlang?"

"You..." A noble lady wanted to retort, but Song Lingyi did not give her a chance.

"The people of Dayuan are open-minded, and many divorce and remarry. Do you think that my mother's breaking off of an engagement is a disgrace, and that as her daughter, I should be ashamed to face the world and live a lonely life?"

Wang Jin was choked for a moment and couldn't speak, and the noble ladies gradually quieted down.

Today is her best friend's wedding banquet, and Song Lingyi doesn't want to make a big deal out of this little friction. These noble ladies just complained a few words, but actually didn't dare to do anything to her.

The atmosphere was silent for a moment, and then a lady with good eloquence came out to ease the atmosphere. She spoke in a warm manner and kept comforting them softly, saying, "We all know each other and are sisters. Don't have any conflicts."

Lu Yu was soft-hearted and not hard-hearted, and her anger gradually subsided. She was then pulled into the pavilion by a noble lady she knew and seated. Song Lingyi didn't want to stay any longer, so she found an excuse and quickly left the pavilion.

…

When the sun sets and the sunset dyes the sky red, the bride and groom, holding red silk ribbons, walk into the main hall amid the prayers of the ceremonial officer.

The guests watched the ceremony scattered on both sides, forming circles.

Seeing her best friend getting married, Lu Yu couldn't hold back her tears and cried like a child. Song Lingyi patted her shoulders to comfort her, but in her heart she was imagining what her wedding would be like.

After a long time, the ceremonial officer finished instructing on the wedding etiquette, and the matchmaker helped Huo Wenxuan back to the backyard. When passing by the two women, the bride, in her bright red makeup, winked at them playfully through her big red round fan.

Dusk is falling and the night is as cool as water.

The main hall was filled with the rumbling sounds of loud conversation and laughter, as well as the aroma of wine and the clinking of glasses.

Song Lingyi sat next to Lu Qian and drank two glasses of wine in a moment of joy. Her fair face flushed and her head felt dizzy.

Suddenly, a long salutation came from outside the main hall: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived——"

The tipsy girl sobered up instantly. Everyone in the room stood up in surprise, straightened their clothes, bowed their heads, and shouted in unison:

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Lu Qian's eyes fixed, and he pulled the dazed girl to stand up and kowtow.

Not long after, a steady and familiar sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet main hall. The girl lowered her head deeply, not understanding what had gone wrong. She wished she could get drunk to death on the spot, or find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

While I was daydreaming, the footsteps were getting closer and closer.

The hearts of the guests present were also in their throats. Queen Shen allowed the bride to marry out of the palace. She thought that the prince was busy with government affairs and would not attend the wedding banquet of the Chu family. She did not expect him to come so late.

The main hall was silent, and the words "Please stand up" were not heard for a long time. None of the guests dared to look up or stand up.

The girl raised her eyes slightly, and the pair of black boots with gold weaving were already in front of her. The deep gaze that could not be ignored fell on her, causing her body to tremble and bury her head deeper.

Lu Qian saw the girl's reaction with a complicated expression.

"Everyone, please stand up."

Until that gentle yet majestic voice sounded at the top of the main hall, everyone bowed again.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Song Lingyi sat at the banquet, not daring to look up. Fortunately, it was a happy day, and the groom and guests took turns to toast her. Except for the glance when she first entered the room, Xiao Mingyi seemed not to notice her again.

"Huh?"

Lu Yu leaned forward slightly, looking past Lu Qian in the middle at her cousin. Seeing that she was distracted and staring blankly at the table, she said, "Cousin, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Hearing this, Song Lingyi turned around and forced a relaxed smile towards her: "It's okay."

"That's good. This fruit wine is delicious and sweet. Come and try it, cousin." Lu Yu's eyebrows curved, and when she retracted her gaze, she glared at Lu Qian.

I really don't understand why my brother has to sit between them. It's hard for him to talk to my cousin! I'm so angry!

The main hall became lively again.

Song Lingyi felt depressed. She picked up the fruit wine recommended by her cousin and took a sip. It tasted slightly sweet, and the aftertaste of the wine still lingered on the tip of her tongue. The initial dizziness climbed up from the back of her neck again and began to sweep through her brain.

The scene in front of her was blurry and shaky. She closed her eyes and took a few seconds to calm down, gradually realizing that it was the aftereffects of the alcohol.

"Dead girl?"

The boy's voice seemed to be covered by a layer of mist and could not be heard clearly.

Song Lingyi slowly opened her eyes and found that she had fallen on Lu Qian's shoulder without knowing when.

A warm hand was placed on her forehead. After confirming that she was not sick, Lu Qian breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes were filled with rare concern, but he still said rudely, "If you can't drink, don't drink."

“…” I feel like vomiting.

Song Lingyi's brows tightened, and as soon as her mouth puffed up, Lu Qian knew what she was going to do. He immediately covered her mouth and threatened with gritted teeth: "I'm warning you, if you dare to spit on me, I will never let you go!"

“…”

Song Lingyi rolled her eyes at him, slapped his hand away, slowly closed her eyes, found a comfortable position and fell on Lu Qian.

"Hello!"

"Hmm..." the girl muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Hurry up and get up. Why are you leaning on me? Don't you think it's corny?" Although he said that, Lu Qian did not push her away and let her lean on him.

"elder brother."

The sound was as soft as a mosquito's, but it made Lu Qian's body stiffen. "What did you call me?"

The person leaning on his shoulder did not respond, as if the sound just now was just his illusion. The faint fragrance belonging to the girl rushed into his nostrils, like a feather tickling his heart.

The man sitting at the top took in the entire scene with a cold eye. His long fingers on the armrest couldn't help but clench, and his knuckles turned white.

The person he has been looking for for a long time is not only hiding under his nose, but also dares to be affectionate with other men in front of him. It's really great!

Xiao Mingyi's eyes were cold and he drank up the wine in the glass.

After a while, a eunuch entered the main hall and announced, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has prepared a fireworks display in the front yard. Please move to the front yard to watch."