Chapter 99: Jiang Wan vs. Song Ziying

Chapter 99: Jiang Wan vs. Song Ziying

"As long as Sister Ziying is willing to shield me and not report me to Her Majesty the Empress, I believe I can escape this punishment."

"You, just like Fourth Brother, are so mischievous."

Song Ziying playfully chided Jiang Wan with the air of an elder sister-in-law, then turned to her stepmother. Her tone remained gentle, yet it carried a clear deterrent effect for Lady Min.

"Mother, it's getting late. Perhaps I should pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress first. Would you like to accompany me?"

Lady Min looked at her stepdaughter, who was not much younger than herself. The warning in the other's eyes was unmistakable, leaving her no choice but to nod reluctantly.

"Then let us go."

Even as a stepmother who enjoyed considerable favor in the Song family, she dared not openly defy the future Crown Princess, whose betrothal was already set.

Since the Duke of Ping's household had yielded, there was no need for the Duke of Ling's household to actively seek trouble. Under the guidance of the young eunuch, everyone proceeded orderly to the Phoenix Cry Palace.

Empress Qiao had not moved residences after ascending to her position. With few imperial consorts in the palace, wherever she resided became the central palace.

In the main hall, the inner court ladies first paid their respects to the mistress of the inner palace, then each took their designated seats. Afterward, the outer court ladies entered in an orderly stream.

"This subject pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy good health!"

"Rise and be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As one group took their seats, another stepped forward. Each face represented a prominent family. As the royal hostess, the Empress's task today was to engage in friendly conversation with the matriarchs of these households.

The young ladies and gentlemen were not qualified to enter the hall for the audience. Only the principal daughters of each family were permitted to enter the hall with their mothers to pay respects to the Empress.

"This subject pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

"This subject's daughter pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

Jiang Wan stood behind her mother, bowing in accordance with ritual. Every step followed proper etiquette, ensuring she did not disgrace the Duke of Ling's household.

"Duchess Ling, you may rise. Please be seated."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

If the palace attendants hadn't already reported what happened, the Empress would not have felt such a headache at the sight of her young daughter-in-law putting on such a virtuous and proper act.

"Wan-jie, come forward!"

Jiang Wan blinked her eyes, watching as her mother was guided by palace attendants to her proper seat. She then glanced around at the varied expressions of those present before obediently rising and taking small steps forward.

The Empress, somewhat exasperated, took her pale hand and gave two light pats to her palm, then put on a show of scolding her:

"You little girl who understands nothing at all. In just two more years you'll be a grown young lady, yet you still speak without thinking, as carelessly as your younger sister. You truly deserve a beating. Considering it's the New Year today, I'll be lenient with just a small punishment as a warning. This is to prevent you from speaking without restraint in the future, blurting out everything without thinking."

Though the Empress maintained a stern expression, her tone and words clearly showed unreasonable favoritism. The eyes of everyone present subtly turned toward the Song family with amusement.

Well, before any real confrontation has even begun, this Empress mother-in-law is already showing bias toward her younger son's faction. One wonders if Song Ziying, the future elder sister-in-law, will be able to stomach this slight?

Song Ziying remained smiling graciously, saying nothing. Her gaze toward Jiang Wan appeared genuinely affectionate and natural, as if looking at her own mischievous younger sister.

"Duchess Ping, this girl Wan-jie has been wild since childhood. Her mother's gentle nature couldn't bear to discipline her harshly, resulting in the child now speaking without thinking, unaware of proper social cues. If she has said anything inappropriate, I, as her mother-in-law, have already punished her. I hope Duchess Ping will be magnanimous and not hold it against a child."

Though the words were polite, the meaning was clearly otherwise. Xu Shi lowered her eyes and glanced sideways. Lady Min only felt her mouth go dry and quickly stood up to bow respectfully in response.

"Your Majesty, you exaggerate too much. This subject is after all a first-rank titled wife—how could I possibly take issue with a mere young girl? I..."

"What my mother means is that this is all a misunderstanding."

Song Ziying stepped forward, cutting off Lady Min's words.

"Reporting to Her Majesty the Empress, my mother has always been straightforward and unaccustomed to tactful speech. Actually, what happened earlier at the palace gates was just a misunderstanding born of words spoken in heat."

After speaking, she walked smiling to Jiang Wan's side and took hold of her other sleeve. With the tone of an elder sister coaxing a younger one, her voice full of laughter, her eyes also containing a hint of playful pleading.

"Wan-jie, just moments ago you asked me not to report you. How is it that in the blink of an eye, you're here seeking favor? Good sister, do me this favor and quickly end this performance, won't you?"

Jiang Wan felt the Empress gently squeeze her fingers. She turned her head and imitated her second sister's typically haughty and delicate manner, nodding gracefully with a soft hum.

"Only for Ziying-jie's sake then. Otherwise, today I had planned to throw a tantrum and complain to Her Majesty the Empress."

"Very well, very well. Today I shall accept Younger Sister Wan's kindness. Later I will definitely prepare a substantial gift to thank you properly."

"No need for substantial gifts. Instead, when Ziying-jie has free time later, could you teach me to make two small hats? I heard from Fourth Prince that you've been exceptionally skilled at embroidery since childhood. My own needlework is somewhat embarrassing. After the brother or sister my mother is carrying is born, shouldn't I, as the eldest sister, make some small toy as a gesture? Otherwise, I'll completely lose face before these younger ones."

Jiang Wan hinted meaningfully—after all, her mother's pregnancy had already passed three months, and the pregnancy was stable. Song Ziying's eyes flashed with understanding, annoyed at her stepmother's lack of discretion, though she had to verbally smooth things over.

"Oh, so Aunt Jiang has more happy news? This is truly a congratulatory matter. Certainly, another day when I have time I'll specially teach you, guaranteed to not let you, the eldest sister, lose face."

"Then I'll thank Ziying-jie first."

"Don't mention it. We're all sisters here."

Two clever, quick-witted young women went back and forth with gentle words, dissipating a conflict that shouldn't have existed in the first place.

Everyone present finally understood.

No wonder Lady Min had barely issued her challenge when Jiang Wan, that wild girl, sprang forward to protect her stepmother—so that was the reason!

The Empress also released Jiang Wan's hand and turned to offer her congratulations to Xu Shi, who sat not far away.

"Congratulations, dear kinswoman. At this year's end to hear such happy news—I can't help but feel happy for the Duke of Ling. Qingyang, later have someone bring that jade ruyi from the treasury and send it to the Jiang household later. In this New Year season, consider it my sharing in the Duke of Ling's household's joyful atmosphere."

Xu Shi quickly stood to thank Her Majesty.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's kind gift!"