The carriage gradually disappeared into the distance, soon vanishing from sight. Princess Jiahua lingered, reluctant to leave, until her maid urged, "Princess, it's windy outside, let's go inside and wait."
Princess Jia Hua had just returned to her residence.
Anyone could tell that Princess Jia Hua was in a good mood today.
"Today, the eldest young master returned to the manor, and the princess generously rewarded the entire household."
"I think the eldest young master and the princess look alike. They are both very polite. When I saw the eldest young master kneeling down to the princess, I couldn't help myself."
The servants' discussion reached the ears of their masters.
After Yuan Fuling was beaten twenty times and woke up, she learned that Song Hengchuan was not the eldest son of the legitimate wife at all, but a concubine's son in disguise. She was shocked.
When Yuan Fuling heard that Fan Lianyi had also been assigned to the Rose Courtyard, she was quite agitated: "They really kept it a secret! They even had a son without making a sound."
"Auntie, in the end, Aunt Fan's efforts all came to nothing. She was disliked by the Fan family and by the Grand Madam. All that's left is the illegitimate young master Mao, who is happy." The maid pursed her lips and happened to see Song Mao's figure outside the window.
Yuan Fuling raised an eyebrow.
"The princess did not severely punish Young Master Mao, but simply ordered people to vacate Tingyu Pavilion and let Young Master Mao move out."
Yuan Fuling shook her head and sighed, her face showing a look of anticipation.
Now that the Duke of Jingguo has been demoted to a commoner and Song Mao has become an illegitimate son, their reputations have plummeted to the bottom of the mud.
Even without the princess's intervention, Song Mao's life wouldn't be easy.
Just as Yuan Fuling had predicted, Song Mao went to visit Fan Lianyi in high spirits, only to see two servants uttering insulting words. Enraged, Song Mao raised his fist and swung it at the two old women.
"**Slave, what nonsense are you spouting!**" Song Mao glared.
The two old women, despite being beaten, remained unperturbed: "Oh dear, Young Master Mao has quite the temper! You're no longer a master; you eat and drink all from the Song family. If it weren't for the princess's kind heart, she would have beaten you to death long ago."
Seeing that the two old women didn't even respect him after being beaten, Song Mao was furious and rolled up his sleeves to hit them again.
The old woman's face darkened: "Young Master Mao, don't be ungrateful!"
Song Mao's fist didn't land; instead, the old woman grabbed it, her grip tightening. Song Mao's expression turned grim.
"You're asking for it!" Song Mao was furious.
The old woman sneered and suddenly shoved Song Mao far away. She looked down at him and said, "Young Master Mao, you'd better know your place. Today is the day the eldest young master returns to the manor. If you offend him, don't blame me for not warning you. The princess will punish you severely."
"you!"
Song Mao's heart pounded, and he was about to speak again when Fan Lianyi stopped him: "Brother Mao, that's enough."
Helping him up, Fan Lianyi's pale and delicate face was full of tenderness. She gently waved her hand to smooth the wrinkles in his clothes: "The princess is still angry. It's not worth provoking her."
Song Mao gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger: "She's such a cold-blooded and ruthless person, she's just putting on an act for the world to see. Even if the real Song Hengchuan comes back, so what? She won't welcome him."
The old woman glanced at Song Mao and said, "Young Master Mao is mistaken. From today onwards, the eldest young master has changed his name to Song Zhen."
臻 means precious.
Song Mao's expression changed slightly.
"Mao-ge'er," Fan Lianyi pulled him aside, "How is your father now?"
“Father?” Song Mao sighed. Song Kaifeng had locked himself in the courtyard and refused to see anyone. He had asked to see him several times but had not been able to. He shook his head.
Fan Lianyi then asked, "What about the Grand Madam?"
He went to Ninghui Hall once, but the old lady only told him to take care of himself and did not see him.
"Mao-ge'er, you must humble yourself and beg the Madam to stand on your side. As for the eldest son, respect him and don't throw a tantrum. We have a long future ahead of us," Fan Lianyi carefully instructed.
She is now filled with regret. If she had known that going to the capital would lead to her being trapped, she would rather die than come. That way, at least Song Mao's position would have been guaranteed.
The sound of gongs and firecrackers outside the door filled the air, creating a cacophony that drew the two people's attention to the window.
"Today, the eldest son returns to the manor to open the ancestral hall and record the family genealogy. The princess has ordered that everyone must attend the ceremony and each person will be rewarded with three months' worth of monthly allowance."
The butler banged on the drums and shouted at the top of his lungs.
Song Mao scoffed.
He wanted to see what Princess Jiahua could recognize, and whether Song Zhen regarded Princess Jiahua as his biological mother.
At this moment, there was constant noise outside the Duke of Jingguo's mansion.
Princess Jia Hua personally sent out invitations, and every household that received one came to offer their congratulations. The long-silent Duke Jingguo's mansion was suddenly overwhelmed with visitors.
The Song family members were also invited.
The huge mansion became crowded with people, and people were everywhere you looked.
Princess Jiahua changed into a deep purple dress, with six small phoenix hairpins tucked into her temples. She looked dignified and elegant, exuding nobility. Just sitting there, she inspired awe in everyone.
The Dowager Lady arrived late; she had never seen so many guests arrive at the Duke of Jingguo's mansion in all her years.
All the important people were there.
"Madam, congratulations on the birth of your wonderful grandson!" someone congratulated her.
The old lady's smile froze for a moment before she smiled slightly: "Thank you."
She looked up at Princess Jiahua and obediently sat down in the lower right seat. A moment later, she saw Song Kaifeng enter with a livid face, followed by two Imperial Guards. Song Kaifeng sat down next to the Grand Madam.
Looking at so many people, Song Kaifeng wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground. He felt like everyone was laughing at him.
"Kaifeng..." The old lady advised him not to spoil the princess's enjoyment today.
Song Kaifeng moved his lips. He didn't want to come at all. It was the Imperial Guards who dragged him here. He was about to say something when he noticed Fan Lianyi in the crowd, with Imperial Guards standing behind her as well.
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