Chapter 55 Song Jinxiu, do you have any shame?
Prince Cheng couldn't help but frown, but since he was still at the table, he couldn't say much. He forced a smile and spoke to the Song family.
"Tang Ning injured her legs earlier, and they haven't fully recovered yet. Jin Xiu, why don't you help your sister and tell her to sit down quickly, so she doesn't get leg pain from standing for too long."
Upon hearing this, Song Jinxiu stood up and walked forward with a complicated expression, wanting to help Song Tangning.
Who knew that before she got close, she heard Tang Ning's voice: "Aunt, I want to sit next to you."
Song Jinxiu's body stiffened.
Princess Cheng said, "Come over here, there's a spot reserved..."
"Mother Yue!"
Prince Cheng's voice sank slightly, and his brows furrowed as he looked at Princess Cheng. They had clearly agreed to let Song Tangning reconcile with the Song family, but what were they doing now?
"It's just a place to sit. We're all in the same hall. Tang Ning can sit next to me if she likes. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Princess Cheng said this casually and then looked at Song Jinxiu.
"Tang Ning was frightened after the mountain, and has been in a state of panic for a while. She had nightmares every night a few days ago, and I had to accompany her to sleep. Although she is better now, she is still frightened. Today, there are many people and it is noisy. Tang Ning wants to sit at the table with me. Shouldn't Mr. Song have any objection?"
Song Jinxiu moved his lips: "As long as Tang Ning likes it."
Upon hearing this, Princess Cheng's expression softened a little, and she waved Song Tangning to her side.
Prince Cheng saw her mention the mountain and used it as an excuse to mock Song Jinxiu, but he stopped at the right time and did not go too far. He just thought that his princess was angry and wanted to embarrass Song Jinxiu on purpose, but as long as they did not directly tear each other's faces and ruin what they had agreed upon, it would not be a big deal. He could not help but turn his head away.
"You are so narrow-minded."
He laughed softly, full of intimacy.
Princess Cheng's expression was cold: "I have always been stingy."
Upon hearing this, Prince Cheng thought she was joking and didn't take it seriously. He smiled and said a few words to comfort Song Jinxiu and let him return to the table. On the contrary, Xie Yin, who was sitting not far away, was worried.
His legs hurt badly. Tang Ning's kicks earlier had broken his knee. Even though some time had passed, he could still remember what Song Tang Ning looked like just now.
Her father clearly said that today was the day for her to reconcile with the Song family, but could Song Tangning, who could say "I want you to die" so coldly, really forgive the Song family?
Madam Song looked at the pale Song Jinxiu and felt her heart ache: "Jinxiu, are you okay?"
Song Jinxiu pursed his lips: "It's okay."
He had lost a lot of weight, and his originally clean and handsome face was now stained with gloom. His eyes were dark and no longer had the gentleness of Yu Tailang.
He knew Song Tangning was cruel, and he also knew that coming here today to submit was to admit his mistakes and coax her back home. Song Jinxiu whispered, "Tangning is angry, just let her vent."
"Hasn't she vented enough anger? She has harmed you so much. She has also disturbed the peace in the mansion. She..." She is simply a disaster!
"Mother!"
Song Jinxiu interrupted Madam Song and looked around with a frown.
Mrs. Song finally swallowed back the words she hadn't said yet, but she couldn't keep the smile on her face.
Everyone at the banquet had different thoughts, but Princess Cheng was too lazy to pay attention to them. She just waited for Tang Ning to take a seat and then ordered the banquet to begin.
Servants from the palace came in one after another carrying delicious food and fine wine. Everyone pretended not to notice the embarrassment of the Duke of Song's mansion and admired the dancing girls who came in one after another from outside.
In the flower hall, there was music and drums, and the originally awkward atmosphere was heated up in a short moment. After the song ended, there was more talking and laughing as people toasted each other.
Song Tangning leaned beside Princess Cheng and could feel that Lu Zhinian was always looking at her. She did not look back, but just lowered her eyes and waited for the Song family to speak.
She stroked the dragon-patterned pendant hanging around her neck through her clothes, and her racing heart calmed down.
After a while, after a few drinks, Prince Cheng felt that the time was almost up, so he smiled and said loudly, "We are holding this Spring Festival banquet today. We want to celebrate the Shangsi Festival with everyone, and we also want to use today's excitement to get rid of the bad luck for my niece who had an accident. But I didn't expect that it would actually alarm the Queen."
"Tang Ning, these musicians and dancers all came from the palace. The Empress was very worried when she learned that you were injured, and she specifically told you to take good care of your injuries. And as for the Duke of Song's Mansion..."
He raised his eyes and said to Song Jinxiu:
"The Empress Dowager also knows about the incident on the mountain. Jin Xiu, you are already such a grown-up, how can you be so careless?"
Song Jinxiu stood up, looking guilty as he whispered, "It's my fault. That day, we were just angry with each other. Tang Ning and I had a quarrel. As the eldest brother, I should have protected her, but I left her on the mountain in a fit of anger. I didn't even notice that the servant had taken the initiative to follow her and left. As a result, she got scared and injured her horse."
He came forward with the drinks on the table.
"Tang Ning, it's my fault. I shouldn't have left you there."
"I've been regretting this constantly these days. I wish I could go back to that day and beat myself up. Seeing your injuries, I wish I could take your place. Brother, I know I was wrong. I just hope you can forgive me this once."
The robe Song Jinxiu wore was a little too big for him, making him look exceptionally thin. His eyes were red and his voice was low and hoarse, revealing a pleading and pitiful tone for no reason.
Everyone at the banquet could only sigh. The eldest son of the Song family used to be such a proud man. He was a young talent who entered the officialdom at an early age. At a young age, he was already a clerk in the imperial court. He only needed to accumulate some political achievements in a few years and he would be able to rise to the top. But now he was dismissed from his official position and lost the emperor's favor. Even his words were humble and pale. It was indeed enough for him to pay such a huge price for a momentary mistake.
Madam Song stood up with tears in her eyes: "Tang Ning, it's because of your aunt's poor parenting that your brother got confused for a moment. When you return, he will definitely let you punish him, and your aunt will never protect him."
Song Tangning didn't say anything to the two of them.
The banquet was extremely quiet. The old concubine of Prince Cheng's palace spoke up, "It is said that admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. I see that the eldest son of the Song family has also admitted his mistakes."
Prince Cheng also said: "Tang Ning, Jin Xiu is your brother after all, why not forgive him this time?"
Song Tangning listened to the words of advice and could feel that everyone was looking at her. She slowly raised her head and looked at Song Jinxiu.
"Brother, do you really admit your mistake?"
Xie Yin, who had been asked this question once, felt his heart skip a beat.
Song Jinxiu lowered his head and was about to say he understood when he heard Tang Ning's voice, as clear as the sound of snow in a mountain stream, "Then, brother, can you tell me what you and Song Shulan did when you entered Shi'an Garden at night six days ago?"
Song Jinxiu's face turned pale.
"Why, brother, don't you remember?"
Song Tangning looked at Song Jinxiu, who was anxious and wanted to speak, with a cold frown between his brows:
"Then should I remind Mr. Song that the dignified Master Yutai helped your illegitimate sister steal my father's relics while I was away from home, pretending that Song Shulan was a token of her life experience and trying to force her to be my father's bloodline?"
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