The virtuous concubine was walking half a step behind the empress dowager on her left side. Seeing the current scene, she laughed out loud and said lightly, "What is going on? It's so lively. Now, this palace and the empress dowager have come to join in the fun."
Seeing this, Princess Xiangyu hurriedly stood up, stepped forward, and shook Concubine Xian's hand, saying coquettishly, "Mother, Madam Yin is playing with the zither player from the capital. Now that Mother and the Empress Dowager have arrived, it's a good time for us to listen together. Let's see who is more skilled, the Prime Minister's wife or the zither player from the capital. Zither player Tang from the capital is truly one of the best in the capital. If Madam Yin can't match him, I'm afraid it would be a laughing stock."
Upon hearing this, Consort Xian smiled and looked at Princess Xiangyu, saying softly, "Since you've said that, I really have to sit here and listen to how good the Prime Minister's wife's zither playing is."
Princess Xiangyu's comparison of Song Wanning with the zither player was an insulting act. She compared Song Wanning to the zither player for fun.
As soon as they entered the pavilion, all the ladies in the pavilion stood up to pay their respects to the Consort Xian and the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother, now living in the inner palace, had not seen these people for a long time. Seeing Song Wanning's appearance, she narrowed her eyes and asked in a low voice, "I have heard that the Prime Minister has married a beautiful woman. Seeing her today, I am sure it is true. But..."
The Queen Mother's voice grew even colder as she said calmly, "The dress you're wearing...wasn't it the one I gave to Xiangyu? Why is it on you now?"
Upon hearing this, Song Wanning hurriedly knelt down to reply, saying in a low voice, "Your Majesty the Queen Mother, this happened because a young maid accidentally got my clothes wet in the palace, and Princess Xiangyu took pity on me and allowed me to wear this dress."
"This dress was my dowry back then. Xiangyu is a young girl who is ignorant, and you, the Prime Minister's wife, are also ignorant? You dare to wear any clothes on yourself. I knew the Prime Minister was arrogant, but I didn't expect his wife to be so arrogant too." The Queen Mother was obviously angry now. She looked at Song Wanning and said in a low voice, "Why don't you change this dress quickly? You are not worthy of showing off in such a luxurious dress."
Song Wanning listened to the Queen Mother's words, then glanced at Princess Xiangyu, who stood silently to the side, and instantly understood. Now this princess still had a trick up her sleeve, and this Queen Mother was that trick.
The Queen Mother had always disliked the unruly Yin Yichen, and by extension, Song Wanning. Now that she'd made such a mistake, how could she let her off so easily? As the saying goes, it's easy to find a pretext for someone's crime. Now, Song Wanning had truly run into the Queen Mother's wrath, and she'd given her a good scolding.
Princess Xiangyu lowered her head and said in a hypocritical tone, "Grandmother, it was Xiangyu herself who wanted to put it on Madam Yin. It has nothing to do with Madam Yin..."
"She'll wear it just because you tell her to? If there was only one dragon robe in the room, would she dare to wear it?" The Queen Mother sneered and sat on the chair that Princess Xiangyu had previously sat on. Her eyes fell on Song Wanning and she spoke slowly, "Madam Yin, please be more vigilant in the future and don't do things like this and embarrass the Prime Minister in public."
Song Wanning was just listening quietly to the reprimand. When the Queen Mother finished, she looked up at her and said slowly, "The Queen Mother is admonishing me to be vigilant in the future and not forget my status. I will change out of this dress right now and will not overstep my bounds in the future."
The Queen Mother only snorted lightly upon hearing this, then glanced at the zither player in front of her and said calmly, "Now that you're wearing it, considering the Prime Minister is busy at the front court, I'll let you wear it for a while. Didn't you say you wanted to play the zither? Play now. If you play well, I'll forgive you for wearing the wrong clothes. If you play poorly, I'll punish you for all your crimes."
Now, all the ladies present knew that Song Wanning was being wronged, but no one dared to speak up for her. After all, the country now belonged to the royal family. If the royal family disliked someone, that person would have to hand over power obediently.
However, there are disputes in the court now. The empress dowager does not like the current emperor, but likes the current Prince An, so she is closer to Concubine Xian.
Song Wanning responded, sat down beside Tang Heng, and squatted down to play the piano.
Tang Heng and Song Wanning played a duet of Guangling San, their playing like the sound of a spring brushing against one's ears. Although Tang Heng was renowned for his qin skills in the capital, Song Wanning was no less impressive.
Song Wanning's melodies were graceful, perfectly complementing the more aggressive melody of qin player Tang Hengzhong. Her fingertips gently touched the strings, like fairies dancing on them, and the music was as clear and moving as spring water. For a moment, everyone present was immersed in the sound of the qin, a feeling that made them forget the mundane world.
After the song ended, everyone present slowly withdrew from the piano music and looked at Song Wanning and Tang Heng in amazement.
Tang Heng now looked at Song Wanning with a more intense burning look in his eyes, as if he had seen a close friend. If there had not been so many people present, Tang Heng would have probably been practicing piano skills with Song Wanning.
At this moment, Princess Xiangyu and Concubine Xian in the front both looked unhappy. Princess Xiangyu immediately laughed out loud, "I've heard that Madam Yin is a superb zither player. Now she is no less skilled than the best zither player in the capital. I really underestimated her."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. It is my great honor to have my humble skills catch the eye of Your Highness." Song Wanning lowered her head and replied slowly.
Song Wanning's manners, speech, and piano skills were impeccable, which made the Queen Mother and Consort Xian in front narrow their eyes. With Song Wanning's behavior, it was probably impossible to find fault with her now.
Because of this, the Queen Mother could only cough twice and slowly said, "You play quite well. In that case, I will keep my word. Since I said I won't bother with you about your clothes, I will let you go. Why don't you change out of this set of clothes quickly?"
Song Wanning responded and quickly left with Xique beside her, returning to the side hall of Dehua Palace to change into her own clothes.
Seeing Song Wanning like this, Xique frowned and looked at her, saying with some distress, "Madam, this banquet today is really difficult for you."
"Even if it's a Hongmen Banquet, I have to come." Song Wanning looked at Xique helplessly and smiled faintly, "It doesn't matter. This little grievance is nothing. As long as nothing goes wrong, it's fine. Now, it can't be said that there is nothing to gain."
Song Wanning's trip had made all the ladies see her true character. They were afraid that in the future, when interacting with the ladies, they would always need to be less reserved, and their reputations could be saved. Today, she had put on a lot of drama and suffered enough injustice.
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