Chapter 79 Birthday
On the day of Mrs. Lin's 40th birthday, there was an unprecedented bustle outside the general's mansion. People who came to celebrate the birthday formed a long line, and the gifts sent by each family alone filled up several tables.
Zhuang Shihan accompanied Lin Tingfeng to welcome guests outside. The couple was handsome and beautiful, and their behavior was intimate. If she hadn't worn her hair in a bun, everyone would have thought they were a couple.
Watching the grand spectacle from afar, the old lady was so happy that her teeth were not visible. She said with a face full of satisfaction, "Great, Feng'er has found a good wife. She is both smart and capable. I think she will be a good housekeeper in the future."
Zhou supported her and said with a forced smile, "Princess Shihan is truly filial. I heard that the banquet scheduled for today is from Juweizhai, with a total of sixty tables."
"How many tables did you say?" Mrs. Lin suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.
After receiving a definite answer, she almost lost her balance and muttered, "Five hundred taels per table, sixty tables, that's thirty thousand taels..."
"It's more than that!" Zhou supported her and introduced her attentively, "The wine used in today's birthday banquet is Qingfengzui, which is worth a hundred taels per jar. Ordinary people can't even afford it."
When Mrs. Lin heard this, her eyes went dark again and she almost fell down.
She recovered and asked, "As her sister-in-law, why don't you stop her? She's so extravagant. Even if your father and the eldest and second sons' salaries were added together, it wouldn't be enough for her to squander."
Zhou was surprised. "Didn't mother-in-law order you to have a grand celebration for your fortieth birthday?"
Without waiting for Madam Lin to refute, she continued, "Besides, Princess Shihan used her own dowry to prepare all this, how can I stop her?"
Anyway, they have plenty of money, so they can spend it however they want.
Madam Lin was so distressed that she almost fainted. Looking at the endless stream of guests at the door, she consoled herself by saying, "Fortunately, there are so many guests today. My money wasn't wasted."
As she spoke, she glared at Zhou with a warning and said, "Today is a big day for the General's Mansion. You'd better put away your little tricks and honestly take Tingxuan to get to know those ladies.
When she finds a good husband in the future, you, as her sister-in-law, will be proud of her."
"Yes, mother-in-law."
Madam Lin looked around, frowning and asking, "Where's Tingxuan? Didn't someone wake her up early in the morning to get dressed? Why is she still nowhere to be seen at this hour?"
Zhou said, "Younger daughters are always slower in getting dressed. It's still early before the feast starts, so there's no rush."
"That's easy to say." Old Madam Lin snorted sarcastically, "After all, you've never given birth, so how can you truly understand a mother's heart?"
After she said this, she pushed Zhou away and busied herself with greeting the guests, her smile brighter than a chrysanthemum.
Especially after listening to their praises, Mrs. Lin soon became elated, and her old face was almost broken by laughter.
When Song Yanxi arrived, she saw Mrs. Lin, who was dressed in rich clothes and was surrounded by a group of people. She looked several years younger.
She was praising Zhuang Shihan generously in front of others, praising her ability and business acumen, but she didn't mention her daughter-in-law at all.
Everyone present was smart and their eyes met. When they saw Song Yanxi appear, they hurriedly greeted her and went to find her.
"Hey, why are they all leaving?" Old Madam Lin was enjoying herself, but she couldn't help but frown when she saw a group of people leaving like that.
Following everyone's gaze, my good mood disappeared in an instant.
She gritted her teeth in anger. It was this Song family again!
Now, she, the daughter-in-law, is very popular in the capital, and many people are trying to curry favor with her with a shameless face.
The ladies greeted Song Yanxi eagerly, asking her about Yan Qing's recent situation and the health of the two elders of the Yan family.
Even Song Muen, who always had a bad reputation in the capital, was asked by some people without any tact, but no one asked her why she came in from outside at this hour.
As for the people who are planning the birthday party today, they are just here to give gifts and have a meal. What do other things have to do with them?
"Mrs. Qiu..." Zhuang Shihan saw the ladies who had arrived late and walked forward to greet them with a smile.
The few people led by Mrs. Qiu acted as if they didn't hear anything. They walked straight past her, entered the door, and headed straight for where Song Yanxi was.
The voice arrives before the person arrives.
"This guy is always worried about everything. When I left, I thought I must not be late, but I still was late. Princess, please don't blame me."
"How could that be? It's beyond my expectation that my aunt can come today." Song Yanxi had a faint smile on her face.
Madam Qiu smiled heartily and said, "I don't care about other people's face, but I still have to give you the face of Princess Yong'an."
Old Madam Lin listened from afar, her face looking very long.
Those who knew thought it was her birthday, while those who didn’t thought it was Song Yanxi’s birthday party!
Unable to swallow this breath, the old lady took a few quick steps forward and said with a smile: "Shihan has prepared tea and snacks in the flower hall. It's still early to start the meal. Please move and follow me."
For a moment, the expressions of everyone in the courtyard became extremely subtle.
Before coming to the general's mansion, they thought that the rumors might be exaggerated. After all, Princess Shihan was the legitimate daughter of Duke Jingguo and a princess personally appointed by the emperor. She would not stoop to such a low level.
Now it seems that they are really short-sighted.
Mrs. Qiu was always warm-hearted. Seeing that no one responded to Mrs. Lin's words, she smiled and said, "Now that the birthday girl has spoken, we should not just stand there like idiots, or we might disappoint Princess Shihan's kindness."
When everyone heard her say this, they all looked at Song Yanxi.
Someone couldn't help but whisper, "This old lady of the Lin family is too foolish. In such an occasion, letting a concubine who hasn't even entered the family welcome guests at the door is simply a joke."
All those who can stand here today are the wives or daughters of their respective families. They all come from prominent families and look down upon such dirty things as unmediated adultery.
They even thought that the General's Mansion might have made such an arrangement intentionally to humiliate them.
Madam Xu came from a prominent family and was naturally proud. She said bluntly, "Princess Yong'an, we came to the General's Mansion for your sake. As the mistress of the house, how could you entrust such an important matter to an outsider?"
These words seemed to be directed at Song Yanxi, but in fact, they were scolding Zhuang Shihan for not following the rules, for putting her hand into the general's mansion before even entering the house, and for not having the slightest bit of decency that a girl from a noble family should have.
It's really a disgrace to the family!
Madam Lin was unhappy and frowned, saying, "Madam Xu, it's not right to say that. Princess Shihan and Feng'er are married by the Emperor, so how can they be considered outsiders?"
"The three letters and six ceremonials haven't been signed, and the person hasn't been brought in by a sedan chair carried by eight men. How can he not be considered an outsider?" Madam Xu asked coldly.
Without waiting for the old lady to speak, she sneered and continued, "Why don't you just keep it to yourself behind closed doors? It's not the place for outsiders to point fingers at you. Why do you have to pick a day like today to bring it out in the open and disgust people?
If I look at it any longer, I'm afraid it will pollute my daughter's eyes."
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