Since Xue Chucheng mentioned the division of the family in front of Lady Wen, she had been much more well - behaved. Even Little Lady Wen stopped showing off in front of Song Zhaoyang.
"Madam, the invitations for the little miss's full - moon banquet have been sent out," Granny Xia reported.
Song Zhaoyang nodded upon hearing this and said, "There must be no mistakes at tomorrow's banquet."
"Don't worry, madam. I'll keep an eye on it. There won't be the slightest mistake," Granny Xia replied.
Just then, two little rascals excitedly ran in.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
Looking at her two sons dashing in, the serious look on Song Zhaoyang's face melted away, and the corners of her mouth lifted.
"Slow down!"
Xue Chucheng visited his wife's natal family the day after he returned and brought the two children back by the way.
During this period, the father and sons had a harmonious relationship. Sometimes, Song Zhaoyang didn't even know where Xue Chucheng took the two boys.
Looking at the sweaty faces of her two sons, she showed a helpless expression. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off their faces.
"Look at you two, all sweaty. Where have you been?"
"Daddy took us to ride horses. Daddy was so majestic!" Xue Mingxiao said with shining eyes.
Xue Mingchen nodded and said, "Mother, Daddy also gave each of us a pony and said we could ride every day."
Xue Chucheng, who was just stepping over the threshold, twitched the corner of his mouth upon hearing his youngest son's words.
"Chen'er, did you forget the pre - condition I mentioned?"
He came to Song Zhaoyang's side, raised his eyebrows, and looked at Xue Mingchen.
Xue Mingchen pretended to be confused. "Daddy, was there one?"
Xue Mingxiao beside him sighed and said, "Brother, Daddy said that as long as we can finish our homework well and the tutor doesn't scold us, we can ride horses every day."
Xue Mingchen puffed out his cheeks in anger. "Brother, can't you just play dumb? Why are you so honest?"
Xue Mingxiao: "..."
Xue Chucheng was both angry and amused.
"You naughty boy! How dare you play dumb in front of me? The tricks you're using, I've already gotten tired of when I was a kid."
"Go to the study and copy The Analects ten times! If you don't do it well, I'll confiscate your pony."
Hearing this, Xue Mingchen wilted instantly and looked at Song Zhaoyang pitifully.
Song Zhaoyang couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her youngest son.
"Magpie, take the young masters to change their clothes first."
Hearing this, Magpie led the two little fellows away.
Xue Chucheng shook his head helplessly seeing Song Zhaoyang protecting the two children.
He picked up Little Yaoyao and played with her.
Just then, Granny Xia walked in.
"Madam, the second madam sent someone to ask you something."
Song Zhaoyang looked up and said indifferently, "Granny, you go and handle it. I don't want to see her."
Granny Xia took the order and left, but she soon came back.
"The second madam asked if she could attend the little miss's full - moon banquet."
Song Zhaoyang raised her eyebrows, looked at Xue Chucheng beside her, and said, "What does the younger sister - in - law mean? That day is also the full - moon of her own child. Isn't she supposed to be with her own child?"
She couldn't help but think of her previous life. Due to heavy blood loss, her body was still very weak after giving birth. So she didn't hold a full - moon banquet for her child. Little Lady Wen later nagged in front of Xue Yunning that she didn't love her child, which made Xue Yunning call her bad when she started to talk.
She sneered. In this life, she was in good health and was holding a full - moon banquet for her daughter. Little Lady Wen wanted to interfere? Dream on!
She refused calmly, "Go and tell the younger sister - in - law that it's not suitable for her to attend."
Granny Xia immediately went to decline, but unexpectedly, Little Lady Wen dragged her weak body to Song Zhaoyang's courtyard.
Song Zhaoyang looked at the tottering Little Lady Wen, who seemed as if a gust of wind could blow her down.
She twitched the corner of her mouth.
She remembered that the last time she saw Little Lady Wen was when the imperial edict was announced in the palace. At that time, Little Lady Wen's face was as pale as paper. After more than half a month, she was still causing trouble. Didn't she fear for her own life?
Little Lady Wen looked at Song Zhaoyang sorrowfully and questioned, "Sister - in - law, why won't you let me attend the child's full - moon banquet?"
Song Zhaoyang suppressed the coldness on her face, frowned, and pretended to be concerned. "Younger sister - in - law, did you forget that it's also your daughter's full - moon that day? Instead of holding a full - moon banquet for your own child, you come to me. Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?"
Little Lady Wen's expression froze for a moment, and then she showed a disgusted look.
"That slut Bailiu doesn't deserve it!"
"Bailiu?" Song Zhaoyang's eyes suddenly shrank, and her voice turned cold. "How could you give this child such a name?"
As she spoke, her hand unconsciously tightened.
She remembered that in her previous life, Little Lady Wen also named her daughter Bailiu, a name that degraded a person to the dust.
Thinking of her daughter in the previous life being called this lowly name by Little Lady Wen every day, at this moment, she really wanted to slap Little Lady Wen.
Little Lady Wen didn't notice Song Zhaoyang's hatred. She pouted and said, "Sister - in - law, don't worry about it. This humble name is easy to raise. That's what the old people say."
Song Zhaoyang looked deeply at Little Lady Wen and said in a calm tone, "I hope you won't regret it."
Little Lady Wen unconsciously straightened her back. Changing her previous sad look, she retorted proudly, "Sister - in - law, don't worry. I won't regret it! By the way, can I attend my little niece's full - moon banquet? Bailiu doesn't need a full - moon banquet. She's weak and has no fortune. But my little niece is different."
"She's full of good fortune. Look, not only has big brother been promoted, but you've also become a noble lady. Unlike our second branch..."
Saying this, Little Lady Wen regretted it very much.
She shouldn't have listened to her aunt's words and exchanged the children.
Bailiu was simply a complete bad - luck star. Since she came to the second branch, there had been no good things in the second branch.
But her own biological daughter was born with good fortune and brought so much glory to the first branch.
Thinking of this, she was extremely remorseful, and her face was distorted.
Song Zhaoyang watched the changing expressions on Little Lady Wen's face. Thinking of something, she said with a soft smile, "Since the younger sister - in - law wants to attend, then attend. But you can't come empty - handed, or you'll make a fool of yourself."
Hearing this, Little Lady Wen smiled and said, "Sister - in - law, don't worry. I'll surely take out my most precious things and give them to my little niece."
...
On the day of Little Yaoyao's full - moon, the Xue Mansion was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers. The jade - green tables were filled with eight - treasure cakes, longevity noodles, and piles of round red eggs that looked like small hills.
The female relatives of the Song family came to the Xue Mansion early. At this moment, they were all gathered in Song Zhaoyang's courtyard, smiling as they looked at Little Yaoyao.
"Madam, the front hall is ready. The marquis asks you to take the little miss there," Granny Xia stepped forward and interrupted everyone's praise of Little Yaoyao.
Song Zhaoyang nodded with a smile, asked someone to lead the Song family's female relatives to the front yard first, and then simply tidied up her appearance.
Magpie stepped forward. "Madam, someone from the old madam's side came to say that she's not feeling well and won't attend the little miss's full - moon banquet."
The smile on Song Zhaoyang's lips faded a bit. "Let it be. If the mother - in - law attends, she won't be happy. We don't want to spoil everyone's fun."
After tidying up, she carried the chubby Yaoyao and walked towards the front hall.
In the front hall, Xue Chucheng was chatting happily with his brother - in - law. Seeing Song Zhaoyang coming with their daughter in her arms, he stopped talking and strode towards the mother and daughter.
"Let me hold her."
Saying this, he reached out his hands.
Song Zhaoyang gave him a coquettish look but still handed the daughter to him.
Xue Chucheng held his daughter and grinned, looking a bit silly.
"Marquis, madam, it's the auspicious time!" The butler stepped forward to remind.
Xue Chucheng nodded, handed the daughter back to Song Zhaoyang, and was about to hold the full - moon hair - shaving ceremony.
Just then, a guard rushed in.
"Marquis, the emperor and the empress are coming!"