As soon as Pei Yu finished speaking, before Song Wanying could reply, Song Zhen, who had rushed over and happened to overhear, quickly interjected, "Eldest Young Master, please calm your anger. My daughter is being childish and has offended you. Please, for the sake of your past friendship, forgive her."
Pei Yu let out a cold snort. "After what she did to me, do you think I should still show her any mercy?"
Song Zhen forced a smile. "My daughter got injured recently. She's been missing you day and night, longing for you to come and see her. She didn't expect you to come today, so she threw a little tantrum. In fact, she misses you so much. Please forgive her."
His words flattered Pei Yu, and it did make him feel better. Besides, he didn't really want to give up his engagement with Song Wanying. So, he decided to go with the flow and pretended to be reluctant. "Fine, I'll forgive her then."
However, Song Wanying still clung to her temper, waiting for Pei Yu to console her. But seeing that he remained unmoved, she let out another cold snort. "Go find whoever you like!"
With that, she flung her sleeves and left.
Pei Yu's just-improved expression turned cold again. With so many servants around, as the eldest young master of the Pei Mansion, he couldn't bear the humiliation of being embarrassed in public.
So, he also let out a cold snort and left in a huff, flicking his sleeves.
Song Zhen wanted to persuade him further, but he couldn't catch up with Pei Yu. He could only sigh as he watched his back and then tried to reason with his daughter.
After being scolded, Song Wanying became much more docile. Meanwhile, the relationship between Song Ruotang and Pei Zhiyan was steadily improving.
Pei Zhiyan had given her many nice things. All her food, clothing, and daily necessities were of the highest quality. Finally, she had some spare money to do what she wanted, such as cultivating her own forces.
"Madam, Pei Yu has had a falling-out with Song Wanying recently. There are traces of him going to the Drunken Red Chamber," a man said respectfully to Song Ruotang, who was sitting leisurely in a chair, sipping tea.
Song Ruotang nodded. She had only intended to drive a wedge between the two villains, but unexpectedly, Pei Yu was so "helpful" that the result was better than she had expected. He had even gone straight to the brothel.
Song Ruotang let out a soft laugh, with a strong sense of irony in her eyes. Thinking back on herself in the past, she realized how stupid and ridiculous she had been. She had been so infatuated with such a scumbag.
However, this was far from enough. Pei Yu and Song Wanying had to enter the Pei Mansion hand in hand. They must get married. Otherwise, how could they lose the chance to call her "little mother"?
After dismissing the man, Xiaoxi rushed in. As soon as she saw Song Ruotang, she looked as if facing a great enemy. "Madam, that Miss Song from last time is here again."
Song Ruotang raised her eyebrows slightly. Song Wanying had been scolded by Pei Zhiyan that night, and her facial injuries had just healed. Was she already so impatient?
"What does she want this time?" Song Ruotang asked indifferently. She knew all of Song Wanying's tricks. She must have found another excuse.
"Miss Song brought some gifts. She said it was to apologize to you for what happened last time," Xiaoxi frowned, still a bit skeptical.
After all, Song Wanying had been so arrogant last time. It was really hard to imagine that she would be so easy to admit defeat and even willing to apologize voluntarily.
Song Ruotang stood up, straightened her sleeves, and said, "Let's go and take a look."
This time, Song Wanying didn't look around in the corridor. Instead, she sat obediently on the guest chair in the main hall.
As soon as she saw Song Ruotang, she stood up with a smile, looking amiable. She took a few steps forward and tried to hold her hand. "Sister, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you for so long."
Song Ruotang put on a smile and subtly dodged Song Wanying's touch. She walked straight to the main seat and sat down. "Sister, what brings you here today?"
Seeing Song Ruotang's action, Song Wanying felt a bit resentful, but she still composed herself and said with a smile, "Last time, I misunderstood you, sister, and wrongly hit you. Please don't blame me. I'm here today to apologize for what happened last time."
After saying that, she turned to look at the maid beside her. Cailian immediately took out a wooden box knowingly. Song Wanying took it, opened it, and walked up to Song Ruotang.
Song Ruotang lowered her eyes and saw a dress. The fabric was of high quality, and the embroidery was delicate. If you didn't look closely, it was indeed a nice thing.
However, upon closer inspection, the sleeves were slightly worn, and the hem of the dress was a bit wrinkled. It was clearly a second-hand dress.
"I misunderstood you that day and soiled one of your dresses. I've always loved this dress, but today I'm willing to part with it as an apology to you," Song Wanying said. Cailian beside her took out the dress and shook it, showing the whole dress.
Song Wanying then introduced it with a smile, "This piece of fabric was given to me by your brother-in-law. The embroidery on it was done by the best embroiderer in the capital. It's my favorite peony flower. You know, sister, I love peonies the most."
Song Ruotang had been watching Song Wanying showing off. Of course, she remembered this piece of fabric. It was the one Pei Yu had pretended to give her in the manor but was later snatched away by Song Wanying's servants. She had managed to keep only a little...
"However, this piece of fabric is incomplete. Some scraps are still in someone else's hands. It's really cheap for her. What do you think, sister?" Song Wanying deliberately brought up the sensitive topic and looked at Song Ruotang with a smile, as if waiting for her to lose her temper.
But Song Ruotang showed no reaction. She just nodded. "Indeed, a scrap of fabric is just trash."
Song Wanying's face changed. Before she could say anything, she heard Song Ruotang continue, "Since it's your favorite dress, sister, you should keep it for yourself."
Song Ruotang stood up, walked up to her leisurely, and said softly, "After all, I don't like peonies."
Song Wanying stared at her. Song Ruotang then picked up the sleeve of the dress with her fingertips and smiled. "This dress has its owner. There are even your hair strands on it."
As soon as she said this, everyone present was attracted. Looking closely, they could all tell that it was an old dress. The servants also realized that Song Wanying was trying to humiliate Song Ruotang with this kind of dress. For a moment, their looks towards her became even more unfriendly.
Song Wanying quickly tried to make up for it. "Sister, what you said... This dress is, of course..."
"Miss Song, my madam has a lot of dresses. You don't need to part with yours," Xiaoxi stood up and calmly interrupted her.
Song Ruotang nodded. Xiaoxi then waved her hand, and someone came in from outside, holding a dress in their hand.
The fabric was like silk, changing colors as it moved. The embroidery was exquisite, simple, elegant, and yet dignified. It was indeed much better than Song Wanying's old dress.
Song Ruotang picked up the dress and walked up to Song Wanying. "This dress was a reward from the emperor to the master. He said it was silk imported from the Western Regions. I don't know much about it, so I asked him to make it into a dress for me."
"I think it's a good thing. Since there's more than one, I'll give you one, sister. What do you think?"
Song Ruotang's tone was persuasive. She paused for a moment, as if thinking of something. "Oh, right, sister, don't worry. I haven't had the chance to wear this dress yet."