Compared to Song Yanjiao, Wu Lingru’s presence was in no way inferior.
She stood before everyone, putting on a pitiful act: “Since we came to the Prince’s manor, I dare not say we served the Prince and Princess perfectly, but we have always been diligent. Even if the Princess is carrying the dragon and phoenix, she shouldn’t treat us this way?”
“Yes! This is too much!”
Naturally, some people below spoke up in support of Wu Lingru and the others: “Even though the Princess miscarried, it’s not right to act like this, is it? And after being disciplined for these days, it should be enough, right? We all have to live under the same roof, how can we get along in the future like this?”
“Exactly!”
Others chimed in: “These days, this matter has spread throughout the capital. We are all women, why must we make things so difficult for each other? The Princess is now pregnant, and will soon be honored by her child. Must she still bother with those below her who are concubines?”
…
Seeing their incessant chatter, Song Yanjiao naturally felt displeased.
But it was one thing for one person to say it, now that everyone was saying it, Song Yanjiao knew she had spoken wrongly.
She glared at Wu Lingru and quickly explained, “It’s not like that! I—”
How could Wu Lingru give her a chance to explain?
After speaking so assertively just moments ago, she suddenly turned, leading a group of her “sisters” to kneel before Song Yanjiao: “Princess, Your Highness! Although we have entered the Prince’s manor, we are willing to continue serving the Prince and Princess, and would never harbor any ill intentions! We beg the Princess to give us sisters a way to live, and spare us, won’t you?”
“You… what are you doing?!”
Wu Lingru’s actions were clearly intended to put Song Yanjiao on the spot.
Song Yanjiao stamped her foot in anger: “Are you trying to ruin my reputation in front of everyone? In the Prince’s manor, how can there be such ungrateful people like you?!”
The more she said this, the more others would perceive her as unreasonable and arrogant.
“Ahem, second sister!”
Song Chaoyu saw that the time was right and stepped forward, approaching Song Yanjiao.
She lowered her voice, feigning concern for Song Yanjiao’s well-being, and said, “Second sister, I know that after becoming pregnant, one is often upset. But it’s not good to take it out on the people in the manor. On today’s occasion, it was truly inappropriate for second sister to summon them to be entertainers!”
In the eyes of others, only one’s own sister would speak such heartfelt words.
Song Yanrou also understood Song Chaoyu’s intention and followed behind Song Chaoyu.
She also stepped forward, took Song Yanrou’s hand, and sighed softly, “Isn’t that so? Second sister, when we were at home before, your slight wilfulness was acceptable. But now that you are the Ning Princess, even if you disregard the face of our Song family, you must at least consider the face of Prince Ning, right?”
Saying this, she sighed, putting on a look of deep distress: “In the past, it was precisely because I was too spoiled and willful, and did not listen to my family, that I ended up in my current state. Second sister has always been clearer-headed than I, and is the most accomplished daughter of our Song family, our role model. How can you do such a thing?”
With their words flowing one after another, Song Yanjiao could not even interject.
Especially Song Chaoyu, everyone was nodding at her now, seeming to consider her a sensible person.
Song Yanjiao became even more displeased, and with a shove, pushed Song Yanrou away from her: “What are you talking about?! Is it your turn to speak here?! Get away from me!”
“Oh my!”
Her push was not light, causing Song Yanrou to almost fall.
Song Yanrou was startled and quickly turned to Song Chaoyu, “Fortunately, it was me and not you, sister. You must not be like that day at Grandmother’s birthday. You are also carrying a child, weren’t you startled?”
Song Chaoyu quickly shook her head, “It’s fine.”
Everyone naturally remembered that on the Song family matriarch’s birthday banquet that day, Song Yanjiao was also so frivolous and impetuous, and then pushed Song Chaoyu?
“Alas—”
Someone in the crowd sighed, “Why is this Prince’s manor so chaotic? The Ning Princess shouldn’t be acting like this, should she?”
Song Yanjiao knew that all her “hard work” was likely to be “turned to ashes” today.
She looked at Song Chaoyu in anger: “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?!”
Song Chaoyu pretended not to hear her, and instead became even more “earnest”: “Second sister, could you at least give face to the ladies who came today? Stop troubling the side consorts and the others! Sister Wu, although we are not very familiar with each other, we all grew up in the capital. Why must we make things so difficult for each other?”
“Yes!”
The noble ladies below took the opportunity to persuade Song Yanjiao: “The Prince’s manor is chaotic all the time, and the Prince doesn’t like to come back. Today, we just came to appreciate paintings, and it’s not like we must listen to their family matters, is it? Why don’t we just let it go? Is that alright?”
At this point, what else could Song Yanjiao say?
All she knew was that she had lost all her dignity today!
She angrily smashed the cup in front of her, and then felt her head spin—
Before anyone could react, she fell straight backward!
Song Chaoyu and Song Yanrou rushed forward to help her up, and everyone was terrified.
After all, Song Yanjiao was still pregnant.
However, Song Chaoyu remained relatively calm. She nodded to Wu Lingru, and together they bowed to all the guests.
Wu Lingru, with great propriety and etiquette, said to everyone: “Today, I am truly sorry! It was originally a matter of our Ning Prince’s manor, and we have made a spectacle for all the ladies. We have not hosted you well as guests in our manor. When our Prince has time, we will definitely have him personally visit to apologize to everyone!”
Song Chaoyu also chimed in at the right moment: “Ladies, I am truly sorry. My second sister is unwell, perhaps…”
“Alright, we will leave now. We are also at fault today.”
Naturally, those who understood the situation stepped forward, smiling at Song Chaoyu: “We originally only came for the banquet, and did not expect to get involved in the Ning Prince’s family affairs. Since Princess Chang is the sister of the Ning Princess, she should also advise her well. We will take our leave now. If there is time in the future, please do come to our manor for tea, Princess Chang!”
Song Chaoyu quickly nodded, and together with Wu Lingru, respectfully escorted every guest to the door.
She vaguely heard them praising herself and Wu Lingru as they left.
They said that although Wu Lingru was only a side consort, her conduct was much more stable than Song Yanjiao, the primary consort.
They also said that although today’s matter had nothing to do with Song Chaoyu, she still helped and made no mistakes, which was how a Princess should behave.