Yu Rongbai stuffed the mysterious powder into Yu Huiyan's hand, his smile tinged with a hint of sinister and lecherousness.
The small packet was so light that its weight was negligible, yet Yu Huiyan inexplicably felt it was heavy and burning hot.
Although she was unmarried, she was no innocent girl. The kind of drug that could make a woman lose control and throw herself at men could only be that kind of low - class aphrodisiac.
Her elder brother was extremely lustful and had used such drugs many times to force innocent women to submit.
Yu Jingnian had always turned a blind eye. As long as no woman made a big fuss, he was too lazy to interfere.
However, to use this drug on Song Wanchu, and on such a grand occasion as the old lady's birthday banquet...
Yu Huiyan hesitated.
It wasn't that she couldn't bring herself to deal with Song Wanchu. She was worried that if something went wrong in any link, she would become the suspect, and the consequences would be unthinkable.
Needless to say, the old lady was shrewd and ruthless, and Liang Yuzhou had already lost trust in her...
"Little sister, what are you hesitating about?"
Yu Rongbai saw Yu Huiyan's concerns. "Song Wanchu stole your man. You have a sworn enmity with her! She was lucky not to be killed last time. This time, we must teach her a lesson! Whether our Yu family can make a comeback depends entirely on whether you can marry Liang Yuzhou!"
Yu Huiyan bit her lip, and the hand holding the powder tightened more and more.
"If the princess knows that Liang Yuzhou doesn't want to marry you, have you ever thought about the consequences?"
These words were like a heavy hammer, completely shattering Yu Huiyan's last bit of hesitation.
The princess wanted to use her to win over the Duke's Mansion because she valued the childhood friendship between her and Liang Yuzhou and thought that Liang Yuzhou had feelings for her.
If she lost her value as a pawn, the princess would naturally find other ways to continue to win over the Duke's Mansion. And without the princess's support, marrying Liang Yuzhou would be a pipe dream!
She must never let the princess know that Liang Yuzhou didn't want to marry her!
Song Wanchu was the biggest obstacle between her and Liang Yuzhou. Liang Yuzhou was a man who couldn't tolerate sand in his eyes. If he saw Song Wanchu having an affair with another man with his own eyes...
By then, Song Wanchu would surely become the biggest joke among the high - ranking nobles and the greatest shame of the Duke's Mansion. It wouldn't matter if her reputation was ruined. Liang Yuzhou would definitely make her die an ugly death!
Determination flashed in Yu Huiyan's eyes. Song Wanchu, you should have died three years ago.
This time, even Liang Yuzhou won't be able to save you!
...
"Miss, these sachets are so old. Why are you rummaging them out?"
Nanzhi dug out a very old sandalwood box from the corner. The box hadn't been opened for many years. As soon as it was opened, the dust that rushed out made Song Wanchu cough violently.
The sachet from last night had stirred up many sealed memories in Song Wanchu.
She was also puzzled. How could she forget the sachet that she had embroidered with so much effort?
Then, she remembered that it wasn't the first sachet she had embroidered for Liang Yuzhou. She had embroidered many. The one that Shen Yuhe had laughed at for looking like grass was the one she thought was the most beautiful.
Her fingertips caressed the sachets with clumsy stitches, and shameful memories flooded her mind one by one.
At that time, she had foolishly thought that she and Liang Yuzhou were destined to be together. With excitement, like a person on a high - energy rush, she had embroidered day and night with a needle and thread.
If she wasn't satisfied with one, she would throw it away and start over. Her fingers were pricked again and again, and candles burned out one after another...
She herself had forgotten how many different patterns she had embroidered.
All kinds of ugly sachets were laid out in front of her again. There was no longer the excitement and palpitation of a young girl, only endless irony.
Song Wanchu couldn't help but laugh at herself back then.
Liang Yuzhou, as noble as the moon in the sky, was someone she could only look up to. She had actually overestimated herself and said that she wanted to marry him.
What was Liang Yuzhou thinking at that time?
Probably he had regarded her as a topic of conversation and a laughingstock after meals.
Not long after she had "accidentally" discarded that sachet, she heard that Liang Yuzhou was going to be engaged.
The object was his childhood sweetheart cousin.
It was at that time that Song Wanchu learned of Yu Huiyan's existence.
She was such a wonderful person, from a noble family, well - educated, pure and chaste, and had been doted on by Liang Yuzhou since childhood. They were childhood sweethearts.
Against her, Song Wanchu seemed like a ridiculous and shameful coveter.
No wonder she had looked up at him downstairs full of expectation for so long that day, but never received a single glance from him.
He already had someone he loved. How could he even spare a look at her?
She had completely lost the qualification to even look up to him.
It had rained continuously in the capital for those few days. She had been in a daze and had put all the sachets into the box. Her heart - felt emotions were sealed away, and she had never opened it again.
Song Wanchu casually picked up a sachet and closed the box.
"Throw them away," she told Nanzhi.
What was the use of keeping unreciprocated feelings?
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the old lady's birthday banquet.
The Ji family, the old lady's ancestors, were founding heroes of the country. Their status was extremely important, and even the emperor had to show them due respect.
Almost all the large and small noble families and officials in the capital came to attend the old lady's birthday banquet.
Early in the morning, the entrance of the Duke's Mansion was bustling with activity.
The old duke, together with Liang Yuzhou and Liang Yuchuan, greeted the guests at the main entrance in person.
The Qi family's carriage stopped at the main entrance of the Duke's Mansion.
Inside the carriage, Lady Wen held Song Wanchu's hand.
"Wanchu, if you don't want to go, you don't have to show up. As long as the gift and the good wishes are there, the old lady is kind - hearted and reasonable. She won't blame you."
The relationship between the Song family and the Liang family was in a very awkward period. There were probably many people out there waiting to watch the show.
"Aunt, I'm fine."
Song Wanchu appeared very calm.
She must see the old lady in person.
As soon as she got out of the carriage, everyone cast their gazes in her direction. People had different expressions, some curious, some inquisitive, and some just there to watch the fun.
Originally a concubine in the Duke's Mansion, Song Wanchu should have been standing in the inner courtyard to greet the guests, but today she came to the Duke's Mansion as a guest.
This was quite a strange thing.
Song Wanchu ignored them.
The entrance of the Duke's Mansion was crowded with people. Male and female guests entered through the left and right gates respectively.
Her dressing today was not eye - catching. Just as she was about to enter with Lady Wen in the crowd, two burning gazes fell on her through several layers of people.
The summer sun was not as hot as Liang Yuzhou's gaze. Song Wanchu couldn't help but think of his domineering and assertive manner that night.
He had accurately grasped every sensitive point of hers. Just when she was about to reach the peak, he deliberately stopped, teasing her tongue wickedly and gently biting her blushing earlobe, forcing her to call him husband again and again.
He had forced her to submit to him in a teasing way.
Those two gazes were too straightforward, declaring his possessiveness without a care in the world. Song Wanchu's breathing became disordered. She lifted her skirt and quickened her pace, trying to get rid of the shackles of his gaze.
As soon as she entered the door, Lady Wen was pulled away by a group of noble ladies to chat, and Song Wanchu was left alone.
This was a place she was most familiar with. Although there were still all kinds of gazes sizing her up from time to time, without the two most oppressive gazes, she felt less uncomfortable.
A group of young nobles passed by her and all stopped to look back.
Women cared about feelings, while men were more concerned about beauty.
Du Yong was among them.
As soon as he saw Song Wanchu, his eyes showed amazement.
"Have you seen enough?"
A cold voice sounded from behind Song Wanchu. Liang Yuzhou, as straight as a pine, took a step forward and blocked in front of her.
His face was a bit gloomy. Which of those young nobles didn't know his temper? They all withdrew their gazes dejectedly.
Du Yong was dragged away by the people he came with.
Liang Yuzhou's gaze swept over Song Wanchu inch by inch, and he frowned slightly. "Why did you come dressed like this?"
Today, she had even styled her hair in the way of an unmarried girl.
The old lady's birthday banquet was a grand and formal occasion. The mistress of the Duke's Mansion should wear a bit of bright red to show her status.
But Song Wanchu's dress was a淡雅 sky - blue color. There were no phoenix hairpins in her hair, only a green jade hairpin.
Among a group of brightly - dressed noble ladies, she was as plain as a wisp of cloud on the horizon that might drift away at any moment.
"This concubine knows her lowly status and doesn't dare to steal the limelight."
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance. People quickly stepped aside and lowered their heads to avoid.
The old duke and Liang Yuchuan, one on each side, bowed and welcomed the princess in.
Beside her was Yu Huiyan in a bright red dress, like a burning cloud.
The main characters had arrived.