Chapter 378 Carefully Designed
Early in the morning, she checked every corner of the kitchen, including food ingredients and staff.
Wanxiang: "Young Madam is too cautious."
Song Ci was puzzled, "Maybe I'm wrong."
Tian'er comforted him, "It's better to be safe than sorry. Madam Pei is currently our enemy, so it's always right for you, Madam, to be careful."
The ingredients were sent to the kitchen one by one, and each one was checked and confirmed to be correct.
This was Song Ci's first banquet, and the kitchen staff were extremely careful. Mother Rong worked tirelessly, running around all day to ensure everything was perfectly prepared. She was grateful for the opportunity Song Ci had given her, and she worked even more diligently and meticulously.
Seeing that many guests had arrived outside, Song Ci asked, "Is father coming today?"
Wanxiang replied, "Mr. Pei seems to have something important to discuss with someone today. He is currently in the reception room and cannot come here for the time being. All matters here will be decided by the young lady."
Song Ci grasped the key point, "What important thing? But who did you see?"
Wanxiang shook her head. "I don't know those people. Master Pei's study is surrounded by people. It must be something extremely important."
Suddenly, a flash of enlightenment came into her mind, and she became more alert.
The second concubine wore a rose-red dress and a ruby pendant around her snow-white neck. She had a noble temperament, and with this outfit, she even overshadowed Mrs. Pei's beauty.
Mrs. Pei: "Second Concubine, come and meet everyone."
She smiled gently and didn't seem to mind at all. The Pei family held a grand birthday party for her concubine.
The second concubine was grateful and became even more respectful to Madam Pei.
Second Concubine: "Thank you, Madam, for arranging things for me today."
Madam Pei smiled, "You don't need to thank me. It was the young lady who took care of everything today. If you want to thank someone, thank her."
The Second Concubine had always liked this young lady. Upon hearing this, she smiled and nodded at Song Ci: "Thank you, young lady."
Song Ci: "You're welcome, Second Concubine."
For a moment, it seemed that the family was harmonious and the wives and concubines were living in peace.
Outsiders all praised Madam Pei for her kindness and generosity, and the young lady for her discretion in doing things.
Although the second wife was a concubine, many people were unable to lower themselves to attend, but there were also many people who wanted to seize this opportunity to curry favor with the Pei family. Therefore, there were actually quite a few people who came, and the entire back garden was full.
Suddenly, the second concubine called Song Ci over and said, "Thank you so much for today. I don't seem to be busy right now. Come back to the yard with me. I have something for you."
Song Ci was surprised, but nodded obediently.
The two came to the second concubine's yard, and her personal maid Bu'er went to get a wooden box and handed it to Wanxiang beside Song Ci.
"Open it and see if you like it."
Wanxiang opened the wooden box and found an extremely exquisite hairpin inlaid with gems of different colors. Even lying in the dark box, it could not conceal its dazzling light.
Song Ci: "Second Concubine, this hairpin is too valuable. I can't accept it."
The Second Wife smiled and said, "It's okay. It only costs a little money. If you like it, I'm happy."
Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Song Ci accepted it.
But she was cautious. After walking out of the second concubine's yard, she looked at the hairpin carefully. There was actually a switch at the end of the hairpin. With a gentle push, the back half of the hairpin fell off, and the middle was actually empty.
Wanxiang was surprised: "Why is this hairpin like this?"
Song Ci opened it deftly and shook out a roll of paper with a few words clearly written on it.
"Don't tell anyone about this."
Wanxiang nodded vigorously, "This servant doesn't know how to do it."
Immediately, he put the hairpin back into the wooden box.
Wanxiang: "Young Madam, could it be that the Second Concubine wants to harm you?"
Song Ci shook her head. "She has no reason to harm me. Besides, she will be dragged into this, and the loss will outweigh the gain. So she won't be the one who did this."
Wanxiang: "Then... who does the young lady think it is?"
Song Ci smiled and said, "Who in the Pei family doesn't want me to be well?"
Wanxiang: "Mrs. Pei!"
Song Ci nodded. "She's really amazing. I don't know what method she used to send this hairpin to the Second Concubine, and then let the Second Concubine give it to me. It seems that the Second Concubine also has Madam Pei's people around her."
Wanxiang's lips trembled, "Then, what should we do now?"
Song Ci thought for a moment, took out the hairpin from the wooden box, and hid it in her wide sleeves.
Song Dynasty Porcelain: "Naturally, things should be returned to where they came from."
Mrs. Pei must be thinking that her plan is going well and is very happy.
I should give her a big gift, otherwise it would be a waste of Mrs. Pei's painstaking plan and frame-up.
Turning around, Song Ci returned to the banquet. Mrs. Pei was sitting aside drinking tea, surrounded by a circle of people complimenting her. She had a faint smile on her face and did not say a word.
There was even a hint of impatience in his eyes.
She was waiting. If she hadn't wanted to see the miserable end of Song Ci and the second concubine, she would have been impatient to stay here.
And also have to deal with this group of unknown people.
She is just a concubine, she doesn't even look at her.
Song Ci walked to Madam Pei's side and brushed her hair with his sleeve. She felt her hair being pulled and immediately reached out to touch it, but found nothing.
Song Ci: "Madam, I'm sorry, I'm clumsy."
Mrs. Pei: "It's okay."
She took the initiative to admit her mistake, so it was difficult for Mrs. Pei to punish her.
I just smiled and thought to myself, you'll be in trouble later.
The prepared dishes were brought out one by one, the table was piled with various delicacies, the guests took their seats, and the scene became orderly for a while.
The second concubine also sat down. She looked radiant. She was not very old, and she looked even more charming after a little dressing up.
After dinner, the opera singers came on stage, and the second concubine became even more excited. Since she was the birthday girl, it was natural for her to choose the first play, and she chose her favorite, Farewell My Concubine.
Soon, someone on the stage started singing.
Someone came to the backyard, holding a box and walked up to the Second Concubine. "This is a gift from Master Pei to congratulate the Second Concubine on her birthday."
The second concubine was pleasantly surprised. She opened the box and found that it contained a box of pearls of similar size, each one plump, lustrous and very large.
Pearls like these are rare treasures. It must have taken a lot of effort to put together a box of pearls of similar size.
The second concubine was touched and said, "Master is so thoughtful."
The attendant laughed and said, "The master is busy now and cannot marry the second concubine. He said he would go to the second concubine's yard to chat in the evening."
Second Concubine: "Thank you very much."
He also ordered Bu'er to give him a reward.
Mrs. Pei was smiling all the time, but her smile faded a lot after she saw the gifts sent by the attendants and the instructions from Master Pei.
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