Chapter 457 - 235: The Drinker’s Heart Is Not in the Cup

Chapter 457: Chapter 235: The Drinker’s Heart Is Not in the Cup

"Why wouldn’t it work?" Song Yunzhao didn’t know where He Lan Yun got her confidence. ’Given her relationship with Ji Yunting, how could she know him so well?’

"Isn’t it obvious? I chased after him for so many years, and he still wouldn’t marry me. It just shows he’s an incredibly stubborn guy. He definitely wouldn’t compromise easily for anyone else either."

Listening to He Lan Yun’s self-defeating argument, Song Yunzhao nodded seriously and said, "That makes sense."

He Lan Yun looked at Song Yunzhao, feeling that something was off about her response.

As the two chatted idly, Song Yexi soon arrived with Song Hongjiao and Xie Linlang. With a few more people together, it became even livelier.

Over the past few days, Song Hongjiao had been following Song Yexi, constantly meeting people and attending banquets. She had gradually become less nervous and now looked quite proper.

Seeing Yun Zhao’s rosy complexion, the others felt relieved and started talking about matters outside the traveling palace.

"The Ji Family is hosting a banquet and sent me an invitation. Do you think I should go?" Song Yexi asked Yun Zhao, looking troubled.

He Lan Yun looked at her. "You don’t want to go?"

"I don’t really have a reason to," Song Yexi said, explaining her dilemma. "My husband’s family is a Military General’s Family, and we’ve always kept our distance from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the Head of Civil Servants. It’s like well water not mixing with river water."

For Madam Ji to send me an invitation at a time like this, isn’t she just trying to make things difficult?

"Besides, I’m on good terms with Princess Ming’an, and Princess Ming’an just broke off her engagement with Ji Yunting. Won’t it be awkward if I go?"

Xie Linlang never interjected on such matters, as the Xie family were merely merchants.

Song Hongjiao listened in a daze, but she remembered well that if she didn’t understand something, she should keep her mouth shut.

Song Yunzhao’s brow furrowed. "She only invited you?"

Song Yexi nodded.

"Then just decline," Song Yunzhao said decisively.

"Alright." Song Yexi breathed a sigh of relief. "I haven’t had a chance to tell my aunt about this. She probably wouldn’t let me go if she knew."

"Of course she wouldn’t let you go. The Yue Family didn’t come to the traveling palace this time. You came with your maternal family. For Madam Ji to only send you an invitation, where does that leave our aunt?"

At Song Yunzhao’s words, Song Yexi was visibly stunned. "I didn’t even think of that."

"That’s normal. After all, you’re a married woman now, so you tend to think from your husband’s family’s perspective." Song Yunzhao was understanding. ’It’s a force of habit, a matter of a married woman’s position.’

Song Yexi was very close to her maternal family, but she was married, after all. That was why she had only mentioned her husband’s family earlier, clearly thinking from their point of view.

But she had overlooked the fact that she had come to the traveling palace with the Eldest Madam.

Song Yexi’s expression turned ugly. She hadn’t been considerate enough. She immediately said, full of guilt, "It’s my fault. I can’t believe I didn’t think of my aunt."

"It’s normal not to think of it. After all, given the Song Family’s current standing, we’re a far cry from the Left Minister’s Mansion. From the perspective of a Song family’s daughter, Madam Ji would never have sent you an invitation in the first place." Song Yunzhao didn’t mean to blame her, she was just stating the facts.

But Song Yexi was clearly upset, and her eyes reddened slightly.

He Lan Yun quickly tried to console her from the side. "How can you be blamed for this? That’s just Madam Ji’s personality. Even I can’t stand her. Just treat her words as farts."

Everyone: ...

At this point, Xie Linlang also spoke up. "The County Princess has a point. Since Madam Ji has ill intentions, you’ve declined, and that’s that. What can she do about it?"

Song Yunzhao let out a soft laugh. "I’m afraid this is only the beginning. You all need to get used to it."

Song Hongjiao looked at Song Yunzhao in confusion. ’What does she mean?’

Xie Linlang, ever perceptive and intelligent, whispered to Song Hongjiao, "The Song Family producing a Zhaoyi is very prestigious, and Ye Xi also made a good marriage. But the Song Family itself has not received any titles or promotions from the Emperor. Understand?"

Song Hongjiao finally understood. It meant that even though the family had produced a favored concubine like Yun Zhao, the Song Family was still looked down upon by the noble and powerful clans because they hadn’t received any rewards from the Emperor. However, because Ye Xi had married well, they couldn’t just ignore her, which led to situations like this.

Song Hongjiao’s expression soured as well. She was also a daughter of the Song family; if the family’s reputation suffered, how could she fare well? She couldn’t help but say, "How can this Madam Ji act so disgracefully?"

"You call that disgraceful? This is nothing." He Lan Yun snorted. "There are far worse things than this."

Thinking this, she looked at Song Hongjiao. "You’re a girl from the Song Family too. Don’t go out alone here in the traveling palace. Even if you go out with Ye Xi, be careful not to get separated." Then she looked at Yun Zhao. "After all, Song Zhaoyi is very conspicuous right now. They wouldn’t dare to touch her easily, but they’d have no qualms about going after you all."

Song Hongjiao was so frightened her face turned pale.

"Why are you trying to scare her?" Song Yunzhao said helplessly. Then she looked at Song Hongjiao. "Just don’t go out with people carelessly. If you absolutely have to go out, make sure you have servants with you and inform the family."

Song Hongjiao shook her head quickly. "It’s better if I don’t go out at all."

She was just a concubine-born daughter. Although married, if something were to happen to her and implicate Yun Zhao, she would truly become a sinner to the Song Family.

"Princess Duanjing is hosting a bonfire banquet. I received an invitation."

The moment Xie Linlang spoke, everyone turned to look at her in unison.

Song Yunzhao and He Lan Yun exchanged a look. He Lan Yun shook her head, then asked, "Linlang, when did you receive it?"

"Just before I came out," Xie Linlang said.

He Lan Yun called her maid over and asked, "Is there an invitation from Princess Duanjing?"

"I will go and ask."

The maid returned shortly and bowed. "County Princess, I have asked. An hour ago, Princess Duanjing did indeed send you an invitation, but you had already left and did not see it."

Song Yunzhao looked thoughtfully at Song Yexi. "I’m afraid you’ll be receiving an invitation from Princess Duanjing as well."

Song Yexi looked worried. "So should I go or not? If I decline Madam Ji one moment and then go to Princess Duanjing’s banquet the next, I’ll be offending her outright."

Song Yunzhao then looked at He Lan Yun. "In that case, I’ll have to trouble you, County Princess, to offer our apologies to the Commandery Princess. I’m sure she will understand. And at the banquet, I’ll have to ask you to look after Linlang a little."

’Princess Duanjing doesn’t even know Linlang, so why would she send her an invitation? It must be Princess Fuke’s idea.’

’For Princess Fuke to invite Linlang in Princess Duanjing’s name... I’m afraid her intentions are not what they seem.’

Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang. "When you go to the banquet, if you see Princess Fuke, don’t agree to anything she asks you to do. Just say you need to go home and discuss it."

Xie Linlang frowned. "Is something bad going to happen?"

"Not necessarily. It might even be a good opportunity. But that’s just my own guess. We’ll see after you go," Song Yunzhao said.

He Lan Yun was completely baffled. She couldn’t guess what Princess Fuke was up to, but she did know that Princess Fuke had asked her mother to arrange a meeting with Yun Zhao. Perhaps Princess Duanjing’s invitation to Linlang was related to that.