Chapter 103 Contradiction.
Pei Tingyou clenched his fists in anger, his chest heaving violently, his eyes piercing with icy coldness. He forced himself to remain calm and said, "As the mistress of the Pei family, do you think you are saying these things? I have never treated you harshly, nor have I had any other mistresses outside. I believe I have done you no wrong."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said tonight. Just calm down."
After saying that, Pei Tingyou strode out of the house, and even the sound of opening the door was full of anger.
The room was silent for a long time, and the only sound was the swaying of the branches and leaves of the flowers and trees in the courtyard in the night breeze.
Xiang stood in front of the basin stand with her head lowered. Her entire face was hidden in the shadows, and her expression could not be seen clearly.
Pei Ling, who had been hiding behind the corridor pillar, walked out slowly, pursed her pale lips, glanced in the direction her father left, and then walked lightly into the main house, stopping behind Xiang for a long time.
"Mother." The voice was timid after being frightened.
Xiang didn't turn around, "What are you doing here?"
“…”
Pei Ling stammered, not knowing what to say for a moment.
My parents are arguing about the marriage, so it would be inappropriate to discuss the engagement banquet with my mother at this time.
The mother and daughter were silent for a long time. Suddenly, Xiang said, "Did you hear everything I just said?"
Pei Ling was startled and hummed softly.
"Why did mother say those words to father? Sister Song is a very good person. She saved me. Father treated you well—"
Before she could finish her words, Xiang suddenly turned around and stared at her with sharp eyes. Pei Ling swallowed the rest of her words.
"good?"
Xiang's heart gradually grew colder, and she reached out to grab Pei Ling's arm, scaring the little girl so much that she suddenly shivered.
"Lu Yanxian and your father were childhood sweethearts, but their broken engagement caused a huge uproar. Your father didn't mind the shame and didn't care. He's been wearing that jade dragon-patterned piece for so many years because he's stupid!"
"How could I have such a useless daughter like you?! Just like your father! When Song Lingyi comes into the family, there will be no place for you in the Pei Mansion. Wait a few more years, and Song Lingyi will be the one in charge of the household!"
“…”
Pei Ling looked at her mother in front of her in disbelief, tears rolling down her cheeks and her eyes turned red from crying.
She didn't agree with her mother's words from the bottom of her heart, and thought that her mother was just angry, but her mother minded this marriage, and as a daughter, she couldn't remain indifferent.
"Your father is thinking about Lu Yanxian, and you are completely defenseless against her daughter. You two are deliberately trying to piss me off to death!"
These words were spoken with such weight, as if she were carrying a heavy burden. Pei Ling's face was covered in tears, and she felt an inexplicable fear as she looked at the anger in her mother's red eyes.
"Mother...I..."
Xiang's face was cold, and her daughter's hesitant and frightened look caught her eyes. She felt irritated and helpless. She took a deep breath and let go of Pei Ling's arm.
He said calmly, "Go out. Just pretend you haven't been to Xiyunzhai tonight."
"Mother..."
"go out!"
Xiang shouted sternly, then turned her head away and stopped looking at her.
Looking at her mother's resolute attitude, Pei Ling's face turned pale, her throat gurgled, and she lowered her head and turned to leave the main house.
The courtyard is quiet.
The nanny was standing in the corridor. When she saw her daughter coming out crying, she hurried forward to comfort her.
"Don't be sad, young lady. Madam is just angry and said those words out of anger. She will calm down in the morning and everything will be fine."
Pei Ling looked exhausted and shook her head gently: "I'm fine. I'll trouble you, Madam, to take care of Mother tonight."
After saying that, the little girl slowly walked out of the yard. Her steps were unsteady and even her back revealed a sense of loneliness.
…
At the same time, the Duke and his family had returned to the mansion.
Song Lingyi obediently went to the old lady's yard. While helping the old lady wash her face, she told her in detail the cause and effect of the fight that happened tonight. Considering the old lady's mood, she deliberately omitted the part about Song's mother.
“Well done!”
The old lady put down the porcelain cup in her hand, her expression calm. "If you don't teach those girls a lesson, they will bully you in the future. You are Erlang's fiancée. What are they thinking? Do you really think others don't know?"
After a pause, he continued, "But you were indeed a little impulsive tonight. Even if you want to teach them a lesson, you must do it cleanly and quickly to avoid giving them a chance to talk. You are the cousin of the Duke's mansion, so there are some things you don't necessarily have to do yourself. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hadn't intervened tonight, your uncle would have had a hard time protecting you."
Song Lingyi's heart skipped a beat, realizing that the old lady's words were referring to Xiang Shi. Her eyes flickered, "Grandmother, do you also think that Aunt Pei is making things difficult for me tonight?"
The room suddenly became silent.
The old lady looked at her granddaughter sitting on the crescent stool for a while, patted her little hands gently, and sighed, "You look so much like your mother."
"..." Song Lingyi did not comment on the old lady's words.
Xiang and Uncle Pei had been married for many years, and they treated each other with respect. Even if there was a grudge, he wouldn't have bothered with a junior like her. I still remember when I first met Xiang, I thought she had a gentle temperament and a calm and dignified demeanor. Even if her appearance wasn't as good as Mother Song's, she was still a rare beauty with a unique temperament. How could she be so internally conflicted?
"Don't blame Madam Pei. The root of this matter is not her fault." The old lady's words were confusing. "She is not unreasonable. It's just that there are some things stuck in her heart, like a thorn, which she can't swallow or spit out."
Song Lingyi nodded gently: "I don't blame Aunt Pei. Anyway, the matter has been resolved and the marriage has been decided."
The old lady touched the girl's head lovingly. It was already late, and after she finished drinking the calming soup in the porcelain cup, the old lady told the maid to take her back to the courtyard.
The night is cool as water, and the winding corridor is quiet.
The maid held a lamp to lead the way. Song Lingyi gathered her thick cloak and blew on it to warm her hands. Winter was approaching and the nights were getting colder.
When I reached the end of the curved corridor, I saw a figure standing next to the pillar. Hearing footsteps approaching from afar, he tilted his head to look.
"Young Master?"
The maidservant was surprised: "It's so late and the weather is cold, why is the young master still waiting here?"
The dark shadow moved, and Lu Qian walked out from the shadows. The dim light of the lantern reflected on the clearly defined face.
"I have something to say to her. Give me the lantern and I'll take her back to the yard."
The maid was stunned for a moment, then tilted her head to glance at her cousin, as if asking something.
"It's okay. We're almost at Zhilan Garden. You can go back now." Song Lingyi said.
The maid nodded and handed the lantern to the young master, then walked back.
The corridor was silent for a moment.
Lu Qian held the lantern and tilted his head towards the girl: "Let's go."
The two of them walked leisurely at a distance of half a fist between them.
"Why didn't I see you from the beginning to the end of the engagement banquet tonight?" Song Lingyi asked casually.
Suddenly she thought of Lu Qian's intense reaction when he knew she was getting engaged. What happened tonight might have something to do with him.
"What's wrong?" Lu Qian gave her a sly look, and curled his lips slightly, "Are you feeling unhappy because I didn't help you in the fight today?"
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