Song Wanning's face turned slightly cold as she watched Song Wanshi's retreating figure. She only spoke in a low voice, "I hope she didn't put any drugs in the wine. Otherwise, she will have to eat this bitter pill by herself."
Song Wanshi's methods weren't particularly clever. She'd been pampered since childhood, and Nan Hongqiu's doting had shaped her into such an arrogant and overbearing person. Even her methods of harming others were so foolish. If she didn't change, she was afraid she'd face a difficult time.
But Song Wanshi was unaware of all this, and she thought her plan was successful.
The next morning, Song Wanshi got up in a very good mood and asked her maid to help her wash and dress.
Song Wanshi sat in front of the bronze mirror, looking at her face. She felt that something was a little strange about it. She turned halfway to look at Shaoyao behind her. "Shaoyao, do you think there's something strange about my face today? Why do I feel a little different from yesterday?"
Shaoyao was stunned for a moment, then observed Song Wanshi's face but didn't find anything unusual. She only replied softly, "Miss, your face is fine, there's nothing strange about it. I'm afraid you didn't sleep well last night, so you look a little haggard."
Song Wanshi nodded suspiciously, but she couldn't think of any other reason.
Seeing that Song Wanshi's wedding day was getting closer, although she didn't want to get married, there was nothing she could do to change it now. It was just that because she had just caused Song Wanning to suffer a great loss, Song Wanshi was not as resistant as before, but became much more honest.
On the day Song Wanshi got married, Nan Hongqiu, because she favored Song Wanshi, specially prepared a lot of dowry for her. On the surface, it seemed to be comparable to the dowry Song Wanning had received when she married into the Zhongping Marquis's Mansion.
However, only those within the General's Mansion knew that many of Nan Hongqiu's dowry were empty treasuries, meant to give Song Wanshi face and prevent her from being bullied by the people in the Zhongping Marquis' Mansion. Many of these over one hundred treasuries contained worthless items like bowls, plates, and quilts.
Although the first and second wives in the general's mansion usually don't get along, they always have to put on an act of harmony on such a big day.
The maids in the general's mansion ran to see the bride, Song Wanshi, and even Zhuque, a subordinate of Song Wanning, went along to join in the fun. But after a while, Zhuque came back quietly and brought news to Song Wanning.
"Miss, I went with the servants from the General's Mansion to see Miss Shi. I saw Miss Shi wearing her bridal makeup, but for some reason, her face and figure looked a little strange." Zhuque squatted beside Song Wanning, talking about her own observations, and said in a low voice, "Although Miss Shi was not as beautiful as you, she was still the daughter of the General's Mansion, so she would have some style after dressing up. But for some reason, when I went to see her today, I felt that something was wrong, but I couldn't tell what it was."
Before Song Wanning could say anything, Zhuque, who was sitting on the other side of her, said, "Zhuque loves to make a fuss. I guess the makeup artist just didn't do it right. If Madam Nan finds out, she'll definitely scold the makeup artist and make her redo it."
"I'm not talking nonsense." Zhuque curled her lips. "I think Miss Shi has indeed changed a bit. I guess I was mistaken."
After hearing what Zhuque said, Song Wanning felt a little surprised. "All the girls in the mansion will go to see her off soon. If I can get a chance, I'll go and see what she looks like."
And now in Cuihua Courtyard, Caique's guess turned out to be correct. Nan Hongqiu flew into a rage upon seeing Song Wanshi's makeup. She turned to the expensively hired makeup artist and said, "I hired her because I heard she's a skilled artist. But how could you paint my daughter like this? How can I show myself to others in the Marquis Zhongping's residence with this makeup?"
The mother who was doing Song Wanshi's makeup also felt aggrieved. She looked at Nan Hongqiu and said, "Madam, it's not that I don't want to do it, but I've done my best to make her look like this. If you're not satisfied, just wait for me to wash off the original makeup and do it again."
Song Wanshi was now wearing her wedding dress but she felt very nervous. She just looked at Nan Hongqiu and whispered, "Mother, forget it. If you put on makeup again now, it might be too late."
Nan Hongqiu didn't know what to say, so she patted Song Wanshi's shoulder to comfort her. She whispered, "Our sister Shi is getting married today. She should be the most beautiful woman in the world. Who would have thought that the dresser we hired with so much money wouldn't do a good job? After your wedding banquet, mother won't let her spend so much money on luxury like that."
Song Wanshi could only force a smile. She felt that her face was getting stranger day by day, and her limbs were not as delicate as before. She really didn't know the reason.
There was another reason that Song Wanshi didn't dare to think about. She absolutely didn't believe that it was she who drank the Ju Rongfang drink that day. She didn't believe it.
Seeing that the time for her wedding was approaching, Nan Hongqiu took the red veil that had been prepared long ago and covered Song Wanshi's head with it. Following the mother's call outside, Song Wanshi left Cuihua Courtyard and boarded the sedan chair bound for the Zhongping Marquis' Mansion.
Song Wanning stood at the door. Although she couldn't see Song Wanshi's face, she found her walking posture a bit strange. The way she walked now didn't look like that of a strong young woman.
Song Wanning looked but could not see any clues.
The general's residence was very lively, but now the palace was in chaos.
Xianfei's Dehua Palace was in a state of commotion. Princess Xiangyu looked at her with a resentful expression and said, "Mother, I heard that a girl from the General's Mansion has already married. It won't be long before the Prime Minister and Song Wanning are also going to get married. Mother, please think of a solution for me."
"Now that the Prime Minister has requested an imperial decree from your father, what can I do?" Concubine Xian sighed and looked at Princess Xiangyu straight in the eyes. "You and the Prime Minister are not destined to be together. Just wait for your mother to find you a better one."
"Is there any man in this world better than the Prime Minister?" Princess Xiangyu sobbed twice and said sadly, "If he can't marry me, I would rather Song Wanning live a miserable life than let them live in harmony."
Princess Xiangyu suddenly had an idea and suggested to the virtuous concubine beside her, "Mother, if not, we can give the Prime Minister's Mansion a concubine to make their lives difficult."
"I'm afraid this matter is difficult to handle." After hearing what Princess Xiangyu said, Concubine Xian felt that this matter was feasible. "I heard that Song Jing from the General's Mansion was already dissatisfied with the Prime Minister. Now if he is allowed to take more concubines, I'm afraid whether this marriage can be successful is still uncertain."
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