Soon, three days later, it was time for Song Yu's investiture banquet.
With the emperor's personal attendants in charge and Pei Xi coming to lend a hand, the area in front of the general's mansion became lively after noon.
Song Lin and Gu Yurong sat in the house, listening to the lively laughter and chatter coming from the neighboring courtyard. Neither of them looked too happy.
"It's so noisy, full of snobbish people who fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak."
Gu Yurong cursed inwardly.
A few days ago, when Song Lin was promoted to the Commander's Office, she wanted to make an event for him and invite the wives of officials she was on good terms with to a small gathering, but no one showed up.
She sent out all the invitations, but that day she waited until her food got cold, and still no one came to her door.
They either claim they don't have time or make excuses to refuse.
Today, Song Yu is holding a banquet, and all these people have time. They are all beaming with joy, saying auspicious words, just like they are celebrating their own happy occasion.
Feeling resentful at being treated differently, Gu Yurong gritted her teeth in hatred.
"Mother, don't be angry."
Song Lin, however, was quite open-minded and offered words of advice from the side.
"Today's investiture banquet is organized by the royal family. Even if people in the capital don't give Jiang family face, they should at least give His Majesty face."
"Let them have their fun. Anyway, Song Yu and Jiang's good days are coming to an end."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yurong turned her head and asked in confusion, "Lin'er, what do you mean by this?"
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that Song Lin had changed into a moon-white brocade robe today, and had specially groomed himself, looking radiant.
Song Lin said, "Mother, go change your clothes too, and then we'll go to the front yard together to greet the guests."
Gu Yurong frowned.
She was too lazy to go out, and seeing Jiang Wan's smug and triumphant days annoyed her.
"Today, Song Yu and her son are the main characters. What's the point of me dressing up so smartly?"
"Mother was wrong."
Song Lin smiled faintly.
"The investiture of the heir by the General's Mansion is a joyous occasion for the Song family. My mother is the head of the household, on equal footing with Madam Jiang, while I am the rightful young master of the General's Mansion and should be present."
"Otherwise, wouldn't all the glory be stolen by the Jiang family, and who among the powerful and influential in the capital would remember us, mother and son?"
Gu Yurong sighed, and though unwilling, she stood up.
“You’re right. There were quite a few powerful and noble people who came to visit today, including your superiors and colleagues.”
This is a good opportunity to exchange pleasantries and make friends with them.
We can't let this opportunity slip by.
Thinking of this, Gu Yurong mustered her spirits and had her maid apply makeup to her, and then changed into a decent Shu brocade dress.
Song Lin accompanied her out the door, and smiled slightly, saying, "Mother, don't worry, I won't let Song Yu be so smug."
"Do you have some kind of plan?"
Song Lin smiled mysteriously.
"Of course, I have prepared a surprise especially for the Jiang mother and son."
"I just don't know if they can handle it when the time comes."
The front yard was bustling with activity.
Pei Xi and Song Yu greeted the guests in the front yard, while Jiang Wan sat in the back yard, chatting and laughing with the female guests who came to visit.
Everyone was very perceptive; seeing the lively and grand celebrations held in the mansion today, it was clear how much Emperor Jingyuan valued Song Yu.
Jiang Wan goes without saying; she's now a favorite of the Emperor.
The women knew what was important. Since they had come to visit in high spirits, they wanted to make a good impression. On such a joyous occasion, no one mentioned the imprisonment of Yuan Shi and Song Ziyu, lest they bring bad luck upon the host.
In their conversation, they naturally praised Song Yu for his promising future and envied Jiang Wan for her good fortune.
It was as if those two people didn't exist in the general's mansion.
Jiang Wan curled her lips, occasionally offering a few words of agreement, her face bearing a perfectly timed smile.
She wore the magnificent robes of a second-rank noblewoman, and the ladies of the house surrounded her with smiles, as if she were the center of attention.
This is the scene that Gu Yurong saw when she entered the room.
I had mentally prepared myself, but the moment I stepped inside, I couldn't help but feel angry again, and the smile I had managed to muster vanished.
"Sister Gu".
Jiang Wan spotted her immediately and waved to her with a smile.
Gu Yurong had originally intended to find a secluded corner, but after being called by her, she had no choice but to go there.
"It's good that you're here. I was worried that you were still sick and wouldn't be able to attend today's banquet."
Hearing Jiang Wan say this, Gu Yurong could no longer laugh.
If Jiang Wan hadn't deliberately mistreated her, her minor illness should have healed long ago. Why was she still looking unwell today? The injury on her forehead had also delayed treatment, and the doctor said it would most likely leave a scar.
Jiang Wan, that little bitch, is ruthless in private, but pretends to be a good person in public.
Gu Yurong had no words to express her suffering and almost vomited blood.
"Today is Sister Jiang's special day, how could I not come and support her?"
She took a deep breath and, remembering Song Lin's words, calmed herself down a little.
Song Lin said he had prepared a surprise for Jiang Wan, and something was bound to happen then.
She wanted to see if Jiang Wan would still be able to laugh then.
Gu Yurong sat down with anticipation.
Half a pot of tea had been brewed, and batches of female relatives came to offer their congratulations, but nothing happened.
She began to have doubts.
Just then, Biluo hurriedly walked in and bowed to Jiang Wan.
"Madam, a guest has arrived in the front yard. Please come and see him."
Jiang Wan said, "The male guests will be received by the Third Prince and Yu'er. Why, are they not here?"
As soon as she spoke, the women around her who were drinking tea and eating snacks stopped what they were doing and looked over curiously.
"no."
Biluo hesitated, looking troubled.
"That guest is a bit special; he specifically requested to see..."
She turned around and her gaze fell on Gu Yurong.
"He claimed to be Mrs. Gu's cousin and said he wanted to see Mrs. Gu."
Gu Yurong was stunned.
After realizing what had happened, he suddenly stood up, nearly overturning the teacups on the table.
Bi Yuan... Could it be Bi Yuan?
How could this be? He was clearly dead.
The patrol battalion posted the notice themselves, and even Song Lin retrieved his belongings.
But she only had one cousin, Bi Yuan, and she couldn't think of anyone else besides him.
Gu Yurong was secretly anxious, wishing she could rush to the front yard immediately to see what was going on.
"So it was Sister Gu's cousin from her maternal family."
Jiang Wan smiled and looked up at the sky.
"Don't worry, sister. There are many guests in the front yard, so it's probably not convenient for you and your brother to talk. We'll be taking our seats soon, and you'll see each other then."
"Since he is your maternal uncle, let Lin'er go and receive him first."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yurong glared fiercely at Jiang Wan.
These words clearly meant that he was being prevented from seeing Bi Yuan.
She thought for a moment, then calmed herself and sat down.
Now the courtyard is full of Jiang Wan's people. If Jiang Wan wants to stop her, even if she forces her way out of this room, she won't be able to see Bi Yuan.
It would be good to let Song Lin meet him first.
If he appears too eager and Jiang Wan notices something amiss, she will try to stop him even more.
Thinking of this, she took a deep breath and said with a smile, "Sister is right. It must be some distant cousin. We haven't seen each other for many years. What could we possibly have to say? Let Lin'er take care of him."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com