Chapter 99 Jiang Wan vs. Song Ziying
"As long as Sister Ziying is willing to protect me and not complain to the Empress, I think I should be able to escape this punishment."
"You are as naughty as the fourth child."
Song Ziying scolded Jiang Wan like a sister-in-law, then turned to look at her stepmother. Her tone was still gentle, but it was very intimidating to Min.
"Mother, it's getting late. Why don't I go pay my respects to the Empress first? Would you please come with me?"
Min looked at her stepdaughter who was not much younger than herself. The warning in her eyes was so obvious that she could only nod in response resentfully.
"Then let's go now."
Even though she was a second wife and enjoyed great respect in the Song family, she would never dare to confront the future Crown Princess, whose wedding date had already been set.
Since the Duke of Ping's Mansion had retreated, there was no need for the Duke of Ling's Mansion to rush and find fault. Led by the eunuchs, everyone headed to Fengming Palace in an orderly manner.
After becoming the queen, Qiao did not move, and there were not many concubines in the left and right palaces, so whichever palace she lived in was the central palace.
In the main hall, the ladies from the inner court first paid their respects to the mistress of the harem, and then each of them sat down in their respective seats, and then the ladies from the outer court filed in one after another.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Queen. May your Majesty be in good health!"
"Stand up and take a seat."
"Thank you, Queen."
One group of people went down and took their seats, while another group took the stage. Each face represented a prominent family. As the mistress of the royal family, the Queen's task today was to exchange pleasantries with the matrons of each household.
Those little girls and boys were not qualified to enter the palace to pay homage. Only the eldest daughters of each family could follow their mothers into the palace to pay their respects to the Queen Mother.
"Your Highness greets Her Majesty the Queen."
"Your humble servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen."
Jiang Wan stood behind his mother and bowed, following every step with proper etiquette, making sure not to bring shame to the Duke Ling's Mansion.
"Madam Lingguo, please excuse yourself and take a seat."
"Thank you, my lady."
If the palace maids had not come to report the news, the Queen would never have felt a headache and wanted to sigh when she saw her daughter-in-law pretending to be virtuous.
"Wanjie'er, come forward!"
Jiang Wan blinked, watching as the palace servants led her mother to her proper seat. She glanced around at the various faces around her before obediently standing up and taking small steps over.
The queen grabbed her little white paw in annoyance, raised her hand and slapped her palm twice, then pretended to reprimand her.
"You are a little girl who doesn't understand anything. You will be a grown-up girl in two years, but you are still as careless as your sister. You really deserve to be beaten.
Since today is New Year's Day, I will give you a small punishment, so that you won't be so careless and make random remarks in the future."
The Queen's expression was stern, but her tone and voice clearly showed an unreasonable defense of her shortcomings. Everyone present looked towards the Song family with a subtle look, as if watching a show of excitement.
Hey, before the real fight even started, the old queen was already favoring her youngest son. I wonder if the eldest daughter of the Song family, who would become his sister-in-law, would be able to swallow her anger in the future?
Song Ziying still had a gentle smile on her face and said nothing. She looked at Jiang Wan with eyes as if she were her own innocent little sister, close to nature.
"Madam Pingguo, my little sister has been spoiled since she was little. Her mother is too stubborn to discipline her harshly. That's why she speaks without thinking and doesn't know what to do.
If she says anything inappropriate, I, as her mother-in-law, will punish her. I hope Lady Pingguo will be magnanimous and not take it so seriously as a child."
The words were polite, but the meaning was clearly not what she meant. Xu glanced to the side with her eyebrows lowered. Min felt her mouth dry and quickly stood up to bow respectfully and reply.
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am, after all, a first-rank imperial consort. How could I be so petty as to be on the same level as a little girl? I..."
"My mother's point is, this is all a misunderstanding."
Song Ziying stepped forward to interrupt Min.
"Your Majesty, my mother is a very straightforward person and never speaks much. What happened at the palace gate just now was just a misunderstanding."
After saying this, she walked over to Jiang Wan with a smile on her face, reaching out to pull up her other sleeve. Her words were full of smiles, like an older sister coaxing a younger sister, and there was a hint of playful pleading in her eyes.
"Wanjie'er, just now you said you wouldn't let me come and complain, but how come you suddenly turn around and try to please others? My dear sister, please give me some face and quickly retract your magical powers, okay?"
Jiang Wan felt the Queen gently pinching her fingers. She turned around and imitated her second son's usual arrogant and spoiled behavior, nodding and humming in a reserved manner.
"It's only for Sister Ziying's sake, otherwise I would have thrown a tantrum and complained to the Empress today."
"Okay, okay, I'm grateful for Sister Wan's kindness today. I'll definitely give you a big gift as a thank you later."
"No need for a grand gift, but Sister Ziying, when you have time, please teach me how to make two small hats. I heard from the Fourth Prince that you've been very good at needlework since you were a child.
"My needlework is not very good, but when my mother's baby boy or girl is born, I, as the eldest sister, should at least make a little toy for her as a token of my appreciation. Otherwise, I will be humiliated in front of these little ones."
Jiang Wan pointed out that her mother was already three months pregnant and the baby was very stable. Song Ziying blinked in understanding, feeling annoyed at her stepmother's ignorance of the seriousness of the matter, yet she still tried to make amends.
"Oh, so Aunt Jiang has good news again? It's really something to celebrate. Okay, I'll find some time to teach you some other day. I promise not to embarrass you as the eldest sister."
"Then I would like to thank Sister Ziying first."
"Why thank you? We are all sisters."
Two smart and clever girls, through their gentle conversations, resolved a dispute that should not have existed.
Everyone present suddenly understood.
No wonder as soon as Min made the provocation, the crazy girl Jiang Wan rushed out to protect her stepmother. So this is what happened!
The queen also let go of her hand and turned to congratulate Xu who was sitting not far away.
"Congratulations, mother-in-law. Hearing of happy news at the end of the year makes me want to be happy for Duke Ling. Qingyang, have someone take out the Jade Ruyi from the storeroom and send it to the Jiang family later. It's New Year's Eve, so I can share in the Duke Ling's family's good fortune."
Mrs. Xu quickly stood up to express her gratitude.
"Thank you, Queen, for the reward!"
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