"The wedding date is approaching, how can you just not marry? Although the attitude of the Marquis' Mansion towards you is indeed inappropriate, I have come here in person to support you and ask for an explanation. You can still gain a foothold there." Mrs. Sang's face was as gloomy as water.
"Although Princess Jiaqing's sister-in-law is arrogant and difficult to get along with, she will eventually marry. Why should you bother with her? Jiang Jinzhao is brilliant, even the royal family praises his talent. Your father carefully selected this talented and virtuous son-in-law for you. How can you say he is all show and no substance?"
Sang Wenyin was filled with annoyance and helplessness. "Those are just your assumptions. I saw it with my own eyes and know him well."
"Mother, I really have no interest in him. Is there really no way around this marriage?" With tears in her eyes, Sang Wenyin looked at Mrs. Sang pitifully, begging her to agree.
"Absolutely not! If misfortune were to befall the Yongding Marquisate, even if I had to emulate the Zhang family's betrayal, I would resolutely prevent you from falling into the abyss at all costs. However, the Yongding Marquisate still enjoys the royal favor and is an impeccable and blessed place. If you marry there, you will enjoy wealth and prosperity, and a smooth and worry-free life. What is there to complain about? How many of your sisters at home envy your happy marriage?
Besides, you've been in mourning for three years, and Jiang Jinzhao has been waiting for three years. If you had broken off the engagement earlier, it would have been fine, but if you break off the engagement now, aren't you worried about being criticized and stabbed in the back?" Mrs. Sang analyzed the matter in detail, explaining every word to her with pearls of wisdom.
Although she dotes on her daughter, she will never indulge her in important matters.
"Whoever wants him can marry him. I absolutely refuse to do so."
Sang Wenyin buried her head deeply in her knees anxiously.
Madam Sang thought she was just being petty. "You, you don't know how to appreciate the blessings you have. Go and embroider your wedding dress. I'm going to the Yongding Marquis' Mansion."
…
Yongding Marquis Mansion, inside the main courtyard.
As spring and summer turn, mosquitoes and insects gradually increase in number, becoming a nuisance. Jiang Songyi provided Xu with a special incense, whose fresh and elegant aroma not only repels mosquitoes but also soothes the mind.
"Songyi, I plan to hold a grand coming-of-age ceremony for you, inviting distinguished guests from all quarters to celebrate your conferment as a county lord."
Xu had long harbored this intention, but she had never found the right time. Her daughter had already celebrated her fifteenth birthday, and Jiang Yuyao's coming-of-age ceremony had been so glorious. Yet, at that time, her own daughter was being tortured in the Liao family, treated like a slave.
Jiang Songyi didn't care much about these trivial matters, but she knew her mother's deep affection for her. "Okay, I will follow your arrangements in everything."
[Hold a banquet for me. In this way, won't I be able to accept some gifts?]
Thinking that her daughter had never truly enjoyed the joy of a birthday party and the surprise of gifts since she was a child, Xu felt more and more tender and guilty. She decided to make this party more glorious and grand.
She hurriedly ordered her maid to prepare the invitations, looked through the almanac, and carefully selected an auspicious day to ensure that everything would go smoothly.
When Jiang Jinzhao came to pay his respects, he mistakenly thought that Xu was choosing a wedding date for him.
He saw that Xu's eyes were full of fatigue, obviously after a long period of hard work, so he gently comforted her, "Mother, my marriage may change. There is no rush for the wedding date. You don't need to work so hard."
Xu rubbed her eyes tiredly and looked up in confusion: "Ah? Are you planning to get married?"
Jiang Jinzhao lowered his head, his eyes falling on the glittering red invitations on the table. It suddenly dawned on him that these were all for Jiang Songyi's coming-of-age ceremony. It turned out that his mother had carefully selected an auspicious date for Jiang Songyi.
Only then did Mrs. Xu come back to her senses and said, "Let's discuss your wedding date after your sister's coming-of-age ceremony." Her voice was filled with deep love and expectations for her children.
She still remembered that Jiang Songyi once said that it was not a good marriage and would eventually fall apart, so she regarded this marriage as nothing, kept it in her heart, and never mentioned it.
"Madam, the wife of Mr. Sang requests to see you, claiming that she wants to apologize to Princess Jiaqing." The maid gently rolled up the bead curtain, walked into the room, and reported softly.
"First, take her to the flower hall to wait, and then invite Song Yi in as well."
Jiang Songyi was reading Mr. Zizhu's novel under the locust tree in the Xu family courtyard. The tree was covered with snow-white locust flowers, which were like strings of pearls hanging between the jade-like branches and leaves. Whenever the breeze blew, the tiny petals would fall with the wind, and the air was filled with a faint sweet fragrance.
When she heard Xu's call, she went with her.
However, she always felt that Mrs. Sang's visit was not simply to apologize, but more like to ask for accountability.
Mrs. Sang and her daughter Sang Wenyin look quite similar. Both are gentle and quiet, and have the demeanor of a scholarly family. Only the fine lines at the corners of her eyes slightly reveal her age.
As soon as Jiang Songyi and Xu entered the flower hall, Madam Sang's eyes fell on Jiang Songyi. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She smiled and said, "This must be the Princess Jiaqing, right? She is so beautiful, even more charming than a peony."
Who can remain indifferent in the face of praise?
Mrs. Xu nodded slightly, turned to Jiang Songyi, and said gently, "Mrs. Sang is too kind. Songyi, come and meet Mrs. Sang."
Who wouldn’t feel happy when receiving praise for beauty?
Jiang Songyi walked over with a smile on her face. She looked at Madam Sang and Miss Sang and couldn't help but praise them, "Madam Sang and Miss Sang look like exact copies. If you two stood side by side, I'd probably mistake you for sisters."
A trace of surprise flashed across Mrs. Sang's face. She had thought that the Jiaqing County Lady was extraordinary, but she had never expected her words to be so sweet as honey.
"I heard that Wenyin came to visit today and there seemed to be some misunderstanding between her and the county lady. I would like to express my sincere apologies to you on her behalf."
Before she had finished speaking, the maid beside her brought out an exquisite box, covered with a vibrant red cloth. Atop this was a dazzling jade pendant with a tasseled, multicolored thread, serving as a barrier. The jade was crystal clear, its brilliance flowing, as if imbued with the spirit of water; the beads strung with multicolored thread shimmered and shone in the sunlight, dazzling and dazzling.
This forbidden step was originally used to hold down the hem of the skirt and regulate women's walking posture.
Only when the lotus steps move lightly and the accessories collide gently can the intoxicating and pleasant sound be emitted, making the figure appear light and graceful.
On the contrary, if you walk in a hurry, the bells will make a jingling sound, making you feel out of control and appear not steady enough.
Although Mrs. Sang's gift was an apology, it actually implied that Jiang Songyi was behaving improperly.
Xu, who came from a prominent family, naturally saw through the twists and turns in this matter. She frowned slightly and declined politely, "This gift is too precious. Songyi cannot afford it, and it is of no use to her. I hope Madam Sang will take it back."
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