Chapter 35 A Rare Family Feast

Song Mo's eyes were full of arrogant arrogance, as if he were mocking Si Niannian's self-righteousness.

Si Niannian listened and gave a calm "oh".

Song Mo almost jumped up on the spot: "Do you really think that you can rest easy just by climbing up to the Duke's mansion?!"

“Si Niannian, I’m warning you, you better…”

"Xiao Wu".

Madam Song appeared just in time to interrupt Song Mo's rage. She glanced at Si Niannian indifferently and said, "We have guests at home today. You must not lose your composure."

Song Mo, seemingly lost in thought, snorted disdainfully and, supported by someone, walked to Si Niannian's side. He said meaningfully, "What makes you think you can compare to Han'er, you ugly, withered woman?"

"Someone like you isn't even worthy of carrying Han'er's shoes!"

Si Niannian's heart skipped a beat for no reason, but when she turned her head, she met Madam Song's cold gaze.

Madam Song said coldly, "You too, don't cause any more trouble today."

As soon as Madam Song finished speaking, an unfamiliar maid walked up behind Si Niannian with a stern face.

Niannian subtly observed the maid, then asked, "What is the meaning of this, Madam?"

“You’ve lost a maid in your courtyard,” Madam Song said, forcing back her disgust. “From now on, Jingyun will serve you.”

"The banquet is about to start, let's go."

Unlike the deceased Qiu Shuang, Jing Yun was a capable maidservant of Madam Song and held considerable influence among the servants of the Song family.

It's less about having Jingyun serve her and more about having her monitor her.

Si Niannian couldn't understand why Madam Song had suddenly made this arrangement, and gave a flattered smile: "Then thank you very much for your generosity, Madam."

Thinking about the arrangements to come, Madam Song didn't bother to care about how she was addressed and turned to leave.

Si Niannian followed slowly, only to discover that today was a rare family dinner.

Zheng Yunliang, as expected of the outstanding man praised by Lord Song, sat next to Song Qinghan with the demeanor of a gentle and refined gentleman, and chatted happily with Lord Song.

Seeing that Si Niannian not only did not show any surprise at being impolite, but even stood up and took the initiative to greet her.

Si Niannian nodded in greeting, noticed the people behind Zheng Yunliang but didn't think much of it, found her seat and sat down directly.

This was the first time she had sat at the same table with the Song family. She ate without saying a word throughout the meal, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

After finishing their meal, the Song couple left early, giving the opportunity to speak to the younger people present.

Si Niannian originally wanted to leave, but before she could even stand up, Jingyun pressed her back into her seat.

Madam Song winked at Jingyun and said kindly, "Yunliang rarely comes here. Niannian, you are the older sister, so please sit with him for a while."

"If you need anything, just send someone to get it. I'll get back to work now."

Zheng Yunliang made a gesture to stand up and bow, but Madam Song waved her hand and smiled: "We're family, no need to be so formal. You all have fun."

With a charmingly girlish expression, Song Qinghan glanced at Song Wen and Song Mo, who were constantly gesturing to her, and blushed as she held up her wine glass to Zheng Yunliang, saying, "Thank you so much for helping my fifth brother with his matter, Brother Yunliang."

Zheng Yunliang said gently, "Han'er, why are you being so formal with me?"

“We are all family, so I will definitely do my best to help Brother Mo.”

A simple apprenticeship certificate might be difficult for the Song family, but for the Zheng family, it's something they can easily obtain with a little effort.

He was happy to do a little favor to make the lady smile.

Song Qinghan lowered her head shyly at his unspoken meaning.

Zheng Yunliang finished his drink with a smile, his gaze falling on Si Niannian. He spoke gently, "I've heard that you grew up in Guanbei, so you must be quite familiar with the situation there?"

Si Niannian was surprised that he would talk to her, and after a moment of surprise, she nodded and said, "It's alright."

“That’s quite a coincidence,” Zheng Yunliang said, pointing to the people he had brought. “My distant cousin also spent some time in Guanbei, so I imagine he can talk to the young lady.”

Si Niannian glanced at the person he was pointing at, and a strange feeling inexplicably arose in her heart.

This person didn't even get a seat when he arrived at the Song family's residence. He stood behind Zheng Yunliang like a servant the whole time, which shows that his status was lower than that of the people present.

Why bring him up on purpose?

Si Niannian lowered her eyes and replied, "Actually, I'm not a very talkative person."

She has nothing to say to people she doesn't know well.

Zheng Yunliang was met with a rebuff, but he didn't lose his composure. He simply smiled and said, "It's alright. As we get to know each other better, we'll naturally have things to talk about."

“Yes,” Song Qinghan winked playfully and said meaningfully, “Sister, you don’t need to be so shy.”

"From now on, we're all family, so there's no need to be formal."

A family?

Si Niannian met her innocent-looking smiling eyes and subtly pursed her lips.

Why did you specifically call her to say this?

Si Niannian's eyes flashed and she fell silent, but Song Qinghan wouldn't let her off the hook: "Sister, why don't you take this cousin out for a stroll?"

Song Wen didn't say much throughout, but he didn't voice any objections either.

Song Mo, on the other hand, looked on with amusement and said gloatingly, "Yeah, you shouldn't just focus on eating. You should also show some hospitality as the host. After all, you'll be spending a lot of time together in the future. How can you always act like you don't know each other?"

Si Niannian's eyes narrowed sharply at the malice in his words. She put down her spoon and gave a helpless look: "Fifth Brother, aren't you making things difficult for me?"

"How could you be..."

"I've only been back at the Song family's place for a few days?" Si Niannian said with a wry smile. "I can't even recognize where I am anymore, how can I fulfill my duties as a host?"

Madam Song forbade her to run around, and Si Niannian was too lazy to wander off.

She was indeed unfamiliar with the Song family.

Seeing Song Mo's dark face, Si Niannian sighed and stood up in compromise: "If you really want me to take him for a walk, that's fine too."

"But let me make this clear first, if I accidentally wander into some shady place I shouldn't be in, then that's not..."

"This is your home, what place can't you go?" Song Wen said, displeased. "Don't talk nonsense!"

Si Niannian slowly uttered an "oh".

Seeing this, Zheng Yunliang smiled and tried to smooth things over: "Since you're not familiar with us, why don't we go for a walk together?"

"What do you think, Han'er?"

Song Qinghan naturally agreed to her fiancé's suggestion.

No one cared about Si Niannian's rejection.

As everyone left the flower hall, Zheng Yunliang's cousin followed at the very back with his head down.

Zheng Yunliang casually instructed him: "It's windy in the lakeside pavilion. Go and put up a windproof curtain, set up a few more incense burners, and then go and get the cold rock tea I brought."

“I remember Brother Wen likes this tea,” Zheng Yunliang said, looking at Song Wen. “I specially asked someone to get some for me this time, and I’ll save them all for you in a bit.”

Song Wen was overjoyed and immediately agreed. Zheng Yunliang also did not neglect Song Mo: "I have also brought a pair of Wencai Crane ink sticks. When the invitation arrives, they will be perfect for congratulating Brother Mo on entering the academy."

Upon hearing this, Song Mo couldn't hide his smugness and secretly cast a triumphant glance at Si Niannian.

Si Niannian remained silent, pretending to be mute, only watching the retreating figure as it went to get the item, a silent coldness gradually emerging in her eyes.

She roughly knew what these people were planning to do...