Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Awakening of the Love-Obsessed Third Brother

The day of the tea party.

Located in the meticulously maintained back garden of the Song Mansion, the garden was filled with exotic flowers and rare plants, attracting a constant stream of guests.

Today, Song Yiqiu chose a gray-blue brocade dress with dark patterns, and only a few plain silver hairpins in her hair. Although it was low-key, it made her temperament even more aloof and dignified.

Qingzhu muttered to herself:

“Miss, for an occasion like today, why didn’t you dress more formally? The second young lady…”

Bai Mei retorted, with an expression that said, "You wouldn't understand."

"You don't understand, do you? This is called 'a touch of white amidst a sea of ​​flowers'! Everyone is vying for attention, but our young lady goes against the grain. That's how you stand out and catch everyone's eye! Do you even know what a high-class fishing technique is?"

Qingzhu suddenly realized:

"Oh! Oh! That's amazing!"

Song Yiqiu: "..."

Helplessly, she sighed and thought, "Even if she had a pile of cow dung stuck in her hair, Bai Mei would still praise her as a beautiful flower."

His gaze swept across the garden.

Inside the pavilion, a group of noble ladies were chatting and laughing with Princess Xingrong.

Two people stood on either side of the princess.

On the right is Song Sangyu, dressed in her finest attire today. She wears a delicate lotus-pink blouse with a creamy yellow soft gauze shawl over it, and her golden hairpins and hair ornaments sparkle brilliantly. She is radiant with wealth and her smile is charming and lovely.

On the left is He Jianren, the daughter of the Minister of War. She and Song Sangyu were once companions to the princess and had a close relationship. In her previous life, she helped Song Sangyu deal with her quite a bit.

Song Yiqiu looked at He Jianren with a slightly cold gaze, then picked up her wine glass and took a sip.

Then, her gaze fell on her third brother, Song Haochu, who was sitting alone in the corner, absentmindedly drinking his wine.

His eyes kept glancing at Song Sangyu, who was the center of attention, his brows furrowed, clearly indicating that his mind had already wandered far away.

Song Yiqiu's lips curled slightly; the time had come.

She winked at the two maids standing not far away.

Those were 'actors' she had arranged in advance.

The two maids understood and stepped forward with the wine pot, pretending to change Song Haochu's wine. They deliberately spoke in hushed tones near him, just loud enough for him to hear:

"Look at what the Second Miss is wearing today! I heard it was made by the master craftsman of Longsha Pavilion, and the fabric alone is worth a hundred gold coins!"

"More than that! Look at that filigree gold phoenix hairpin in her hair, that's a style from the previous dynasty's palace, priceless! I bet the madam brought out all her most treasured possessions for her!"

"Tsk tsk, the second young lady is so lucky! If she marries the heir of the Earl's mansion, won't she be showered with all sorts of good things?"

"That's why I say women should be pampered and spoiled. Look how pampered the second young lady is, like a delicate flower, so lovable!"

"That's right... Some people, even if they're pregnant, so what? They could beg their hearts out, but they still wouldn't be able to get their sweetheart to buy them a single pearl for the Second Miss's hairpin!"

"Sigh, that's why if you truly love someone, you have to give them the very best! If you can't even give them the best... then what kind of true love is that?"

After the two maids finished speaking, they exchanged a perfectly timed glance and quietly withdrew.

These words were like a thorn, piercing Song Haochu's love-struck heart.

His face instantly turned ashen, and he slammed his wine glass heavily on the table, drawing the attention of several people nearby.

He stared intently at Song Sangyu, who was smiling sweetly in the crowd, and the resentment and discontent in his heart grew wildly:

Why? They're both her children, yet she gets to live a life of luxury and be the center of attention, while I can't even buy my beloved woman a decent piece of jewelry or give her a proper title!

Ying'er is pregnant with his child!

Just then, Song Yiqiu, carrying a glass of wine, gracefully walked over, her face showing just the right amount of concern:

"Third Brother."

Song Haochu was in a fit of anger and said in a fit of rage:

"What are you doing here? Don't think I'll be grateful just because you gave me some cheap jewelry last time. Compared to Sang Yu, you're nothing but a vulgar border woman! I'll always only have one sister, Sang Yu. Stop trying to sow discord here!"

Song Yiqiu's face immediately showed a hurt and aggrieved expression. She sighed and carefully took out a note stained with tears from her sleeve:

"Third Brother, your words about Yiqiu are really...heartbreaking for her."

Her tone was downcast:

"I've been worried sick about my sister Ying'er's inability to attend this banquet. But Mother has strictly forbidden her from showing up, fearing it would damage her reputation..."

"I saw how pitiful Ying'er was, so I agreed to help her... I secretly sent a letter to my third brother. If Mother finds out, I'm afraid I'll get another beating..."

She made a gesture as if to take the note back:

"Since Third Brother is so ungrateful, then... let's just forget about it."

"etc!"

Song Haochu jumped up abruptly, snatched the note, and asked urgently, "Is this a letter that Ying'er asked you to bring to me?"

Song Yiqiu lowered her eyes and said softly:

"I saw that Third Brother was distracted, and I couldn't bear to lie to him. The letter is right here; whether you read it or not is up to you."

Song Haochu eagerly unfolded the note.

The writing was messy, with several obvious traces of tears blurring it out:

To Hao Chu:

I am well, please do not worry.

I've only heard that there's a grand banquet in the manor today, and that my sister is absolutely stunning and the center of attention. I feel both happy for her and... ashamed of myself.

Thinking of myself, the difference between you and me has been like heaven and earth since birth. The thought that my unborn child might one day follow in my footsteps, walking a dark and hopeless path… Haochu, will you… disappoint me?

There was only a single ink dot at the end of the signature, as if there was endless sorrow that could not be expressed.

This letter, every word dripping with blood and every sentence filled with tears, struck a nerve with Song Haochu at that moment.

He was already upset because of the maids' gossip, and this letter was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The thought of Ying'er being weak and helpless in the other courtyard, constantly in tears, while Song Sangyu was enjoying boundless glory and pampering here, almost consumed him with a huge sense of injustice.

His gaze toward Song Sangyu was now filled with utter displeasure.

If she had been a little more generous back then and allowed Ying'er to stay in her courtyard temporarily, Ying'er wouldn't have been so wronged. She might even have had the opportunity to attend the tea party!

Seeing his irritable state, Song Yiqiu sneered inwardly, but feigned concern on the surface, adding fuel to the fire.

"Third Brother, what's wrong? You look so pale. Are you worried about Miss Ying'er? Don't worry, I've arranged for reliable people to take good care of her at the villa. It's just... Miss Ying'er seems to be overwhelmed with worry these past few days; she doesn't seem to be in good spirits..."

She deliberately turned around, glancing enviously at Song Sangyu, who was surrounded by people, and sighed unintentionally:

"Sigh, Sangyu, you look absolutely radiant today. It's probably worth several lifetimes' worth of food for an ordinary family... But I can understand, girls only have a few chances to be so glamorous in their lives."