Chapter 164 The Noble Young Master of a Marquis's Family (Part 3) The Noble Young Master's Revenge and Love Story...
Looking at the slightly disheveled hair at Sun Qing'er's temples, Sun Yiyao had some vague guesses in her mind.
"Sister, what brings you here?"
Sun Qing'er seemed stumped by the question. Her eyes flickered a few times before she managed a smile: "There are so many people today, I... I was just wandering around, I didn't expect to run into you and... this young master."
As she spoke, her gaze couldn't help but drift towards Song Ce, her voice tinged with a hint of grievance, "But sister, how could you be alone with this young master here? If others saw you, they might gossip about it."
Sun Yiyao's cheeks flushed instantly upon hearing this. She subconsciously looked at Song Ce, only to see him still standing ramrod straight, calmly saying, "The Third Miss and I are engaged. Is there anything inappropriate about meeting here?"
Sun Qing'er was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Song Ce's attitude to be so cold.
“That is true.” Sun Qing’er sighed softly, her tone carrying a hint of meaning, “But you still need to be careful about the proper separation between men and women. If someone with ulterior motives sees this, it will inevitably damage your reputation.”
Hearing Sun Qing'er's seemingly concerned but actually provocative words, Song Ce's lips curled into a cold smile. He stepped forward, blocking Sun Yiyao's path, his gaze fixed on Sun Qing'er: "Miss, you are mistaken. What is there to fear even if others see us? My marriage to the Third Miss is imminent, so it is only natural for us to meet in private. But you, Miss, coming here alone and not avoiding a man you encounter is rather inappropriate, isn't it?"
Sun Qing'er felt a chill run down her spine under Song Ce's gaze and instinctively took a step back.
She had never seen Song Ce like this before.
When they first met at Yunding Temple, he spoke to her gently, his eyes clearly full of tenderness. Now that they meet again, shouldn't he angrily break off the engagement and save her from this predicament? But why is his gaze like ice, sending a chill down her spine?
"I... I was just passing by..." Sun Qing'er bit her lip, her voice growing softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
"Oh?" Song Ce raised an eyebrow and said in a flat tone, "In that case, Miss, let's go to the outer courtyard for the banquet."
Sun Yiyao nodded, bowed to Sun Qing'er, and then followed Song Ce forward. After taking a few steps, she couldn't help but look back, only to see Sun Qing'er standing alone in the same spot, looking extremely pitiful.
It's happening again...
Sun Yiyao pursed her lips, suddenly feeling a little tired.
The Rongguo Prince had few heirs. Although he brought many concubines back to the mansion, he only had two sons and two daughters over the years.
The eldest brother, Sun Yilan, was born to the late wife, Lady Bai. Lady Bai was in poor health and passed away after giving birth to Sun Yilan. A year later, the Duke of Rong remarried, and his wife was Lady Qi, the mother of Sun Yiheng and Sun Yiyao.
If ordered by age, Sun Yilan is the eldest, Sun Yiheng is the second, and Sun Yiyao is the third. Although Sun Qing'er is half a year older than Sun Yiyao, she is ignored in the children's ranking because of her improper birth.
Therefore, throughout the capital, when people talk about the third young lady of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, they generally agree that she is the legitimate daughter, Sun Yiyao.
Song Ce and Sun Yiyao walked side by side. Just as they passed through the moon gate, he casually asked, "Third Miss, I met that young lady earlier. She told me that she was the Third Miss of your household, which has made me quite suspicious. I wonder..."
Sun Yiyao paused for a moment, then said softly, “My sister is indeed older than me, but her birth mother… was of humble origin, so she… was not ranked in the family.”
"I see." Song Ce smiled slightly and slowly walked forward along the corridor.
The koi carp in the pond outside the corridor were swimming happily, stirring up ripples on the water. Sun Yiyao clenched her handkerchief, wanting to explain something, but not knowing where to begin.
Explaining the reasons might be seen as gossip and backstabbing. After all, the complexity of this matter is beyond what she can explain in a few words.
Soon, Song Ce and Sun Yi arrived at the outer courtyard together, instantly attracting a lot of attention.
Now that their wedding is imminent, it's not unusual for them to come together. Many of the ladies attending the banquet, upon seeing the two, began whispering among themselves to their respective friends.
"Look, this Third Miss and the young master of the Marquis of Weiwu are quite a good match."
It was Madam Li who spoke. She covered her mouth with a round fan, glanced at the two of them, and continued, "Have you heard?"
"You! Stop keeping me in suspense and tell me in detail!"
"I heard that the Rongguo Duke's mansion had the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculate their horoscopes long ago, and they said that the two of them are a match made in heaven!"
Madam Wei, who was standing to the side, nodded quickly and whispered, "That's right. The Marquis of Weiwu's mansion is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and the Third Miss is known for her elegance and virtue. This marriage is truly a perfect match."
"Yes, they are a perfect match, both in terms of social standing and appearance."
As soon as the words were spoken, the ladies suddenly heard a soft chuckle coming from under the flower trellis on the south side.
Madam Li and Madam Wei looked up and saw Princess Roujia, dressed in her finest attire, walking gracefully towards them, arm in arm with her maid.
Madam Qin, who was on good terms with Madam Li, exchanged a glance with her, feeling particularly puzzled. Since the death of the Grand Prince Consort, Princess Roujia, proud of her status, had never attended such lively occasions. Why had she suddenly appeared today?
While everyone was still in surprise, Princess Roujia had already walked up to them.
"Greetings, Your Highness." The ladies and young women in the courtyard all curtsied, but the princess raised her hand to stop them: "Please, everyone, no need for formalities."
"Thank you, Princess Xie."
Roujia's gaze swept over Song Ce and Sun Yiyao, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. "Just now, I saw him from afar and thought he was some lucky young master from some wealthy family. Turns out he's the young master of the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion!"
These words sound ordinary at first glance, but upon closer examination, it seems the eldest princess has ill intentions this time.
Roujia waved to Sun Yiyao and said with a smile, "Come here and let's talk."
Sun Yiyao's heart trembled, but she did not show it on her face. She curtsied to Roujia and said, "This humble woman, Sun Yiyao, greets Your Highness the First Princess."
Roujia smiled faintly, reached out and gently lifted Sun Yiyao's chin, carefully examining her eyebrows and eyes, and said with a half-smile, "Indeed, she is a beauty in the making. No wonder the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion is in a hurry to arrange this marriage."
The ladies around them held their breath at the sight, and even their whispers ceased.
Upon hearing the news, the Duchess of Rongguo hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Roujia, and said with a smile, "It was my oversight that I did not go to the courtyard to personally welcome the eldest princess. I hope the eldest princess will not blame me."
Seeing that Roujia remained completely unmoved, the Duchess of Rongguo looked at Sun Yiyao with a worried expression, fearing that something might happen to her.
It's no wonder that the Duchess of Rongguo is thinking so much. This Princess Roujia is known for her eccentric temper. After her husband passed away, she lived a very secluded life. Now that she has suddenly appeared and is acting like this, she is afraid that something bad will happen.
"Your Highness flatters me." Sun Yiyao composed herself, her voice soft yet steady: "This humble woman is no match for Your Highness's grace and poise."
Upon hearing this, Roujia slowly released her hand, took half a step back, and her gaze darted back and forth between her and Song Ce. She paused for a moment before saying, "Young Master Song is a handsome young man, and Miss is very fortunate. But this fortune is like a koi in a pond; it may please you at first glance, but it may be snatched away if you are not careful."
The Duchess of Rongguo gave an awkward smile and stepped forward to try and smooth things over: "Your Highness is joking. The betrothal gifts between the two families have already been exchanged..."
Before she could finish speaking, Roujia suddenly interrupted, "This marriage is a very complicated matter! Perhaps in a few days, Young Master Song will have fallen for someone else. What will Miss San do then? In my opinion, this marriage should be reconsidered more carefully, what do you think?"
Sun Yiyao's heart tightened, and she was about to speak when she saw Song Ce step forward and bow to Roujia, "Greetings, Princess."
"What, does Young Master Song have something to say?"
At this moment, all eyes were on Song Ce. He smiled modestly and said in a clear voice, "My marriage with the Third Miss has been formally agreed upon by both the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and the Weiwu Marquis's Mansion. What is the reason for the First Princess's sudden statement?"
Roujia raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Young Master Song, you certainly have the same courage as your father, quite the audacity!"
"Your subject dares not," Song Ce said, lowering his eyes. "It is a major event concerning the reputation of both families. How can there be talk of deliberation? I hope Your Highness will understand."
Roujia's expression shifted rapidly. She had come here with a grudge in mind; back then, Song Ce's father, Song Zhixiao, would rather marry a mere Princess Yongping in name only than give her a second glance. She never expected his son to be so determined, pushing her to the brink.
Seeing the doubts in the eyes of everyone around her, Roujia knew that if she continued to argue, she would only appear to be in the wrong.
"Enough, enough." Roujia waved her hand, her tone impatient. "A woman's marriage is a lifelong matter. I, the princess, tried to persuade you with kind words, but you kept pressing me. Since that's the case, then forget it."
As she spoke, she glared fiercely at Song Ce: "You must be more resolute in the future! Don't let the Third Miss down!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Lady Rongguo, who was standing to the side, felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly pulled Sun Yiyao to bow and retreat.
The banquet had deteriorated to this point, and everyone forced a forced smile. After Roujia and Song Ce's argument, some of the older ladies who knew the inside story pulled their wives and younger relatives to toast the Duchess of Rongguo and then took their leave.
On the carriage of the Li family.
Madam Li placed the fan aside, gently tidied Li Muya's hair, and asked with a smile, "Muya, did you see Sun Er just now? How was it?"
Li Muya blushed slightly, but her eyes sparkled: "Young Master Sun is handsome and refined. I think he is a gentleman."
Madam Li nodded and smiled, "The Rongguo Duke's mansion has a small population. Although the Rongguo Duke brought many concubines into the mansion, he has sent them all away in the past two years. In addition, the eldest son of the Sun family is in poor health. Sooner or later, the title will fall to the second son of the Sun family. If my son is interested, I will send someone to sound out their family's opinion."
"Mother, isn't this a bit too much for us..." Li Muya hesitated.
"Too much? Too rushed? Silly girl, didn't you see how many noble ladies came to the Rongguo Duke's flower-viewing banquet today?" Madam Li held her daughter's hand and said earnestly, "Sun Er is handsome and talented, and is the eldest son of the Rongguo Duke. His future is limitless. Such a good family is hard to find if we miss it. We are a military family, why should we be so coy?"
Li Muya lowered her head and remained silent, her delicate hands gently twisting the handkerchief.
She did have feelings for Sun Yiheng, but she felt that things weren't quite right...
Seeing her daughter's shy expression, Madam Li couldn't help but laugh and said, "Alright, alright, Mother knows you're easily embarrassed. How about this, Mother will first have your grandmother visit the Rongguo Duke's Mansion, what do you say?"
Li Muya looked up. "Grandmother?"
"Yes!" Madam Li smiled smugly. "Your grandmother and the old Duchess have been old friends for many years. It would be most appropriate for her to go and find out a few things."
"Yes, thank you, Mother..."
-----------------------
Author's Note: [Pat on head] Chapter 1 has been revised, and Chapter 2 is currently being revised. Please check back later, my little darlings!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
