"Eldest cousin."
Yu Huiyan curtsied to Liang Yuzhou, looking at him with reserved shyness in her eyes.
The bright red gemstones on her hairpin set off her blushing cheeks, making her look extremely coy.
"Concubine Song, you're here too."
She greeted Song Wanchu politely, as if she had long forgotten that just a few days ago she had wanted to slap her and teach her how to behave as a concubine.
Her tone made it seem as if she were already the mistress of the house. The old duke frowned in annoyance.
Was she already putting on airs as the mistress before even getting married?
Although Song Wanchu was not the main wife, the old lady had given her the power to manage the household. At the old lady's birthday banquet, she should be addressed as "madam".
She was so disrespectful and over - confident!
However, the powerful Princess Chang, her backer, stood beside her with an air of "I'll stand up for her today".
The old duke had to swallow his disgust and respectfully invited the princess into the courtyard.
As she walked past Song Wanchu, Yu Huiyan straightened her back.
She was much shorter than Song Wanchu, but her hairpin was set high and straight, allowing her to out - height Song Wanchu perfectly.
Just when she thought she would steal the show today, Liang Yuzhou, the one she most wanted to attract, looked at her indifferently.
The princess seemed to notice Liang Yuzhou's coldness towards Yu Huiyan.
"Liang Er, your fiancée has dressed up specially to come today. Shouldn't you take her to pay respects to the old lady? You young couple should kowtow to the birthday star together."
In previous years, it had always been Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou who kowtowed to the old lady to wish her a happy birthday.
Everyone said she was an interloper, but this year, this position had finally returned to the right person.
The princess's words were clearly intended to embarrass Song Wanchu, but she no longer cared.
If you don't care, how can you be hurt?
There was a continuous pain in her chest. She knew it was just her withdrawal symptoms.
When she completely stopped loving Liang Yuzhou, the pain would go away.
There had always been some discord between the princess and the old lady. Three years ago, due to Liang Yuzhou's marriage, their relationship had become extremely tense.
With the princess's proud personality, she would not have "deigned" to attend the old lady's birthday banquet.
She had come today, firstly, to support Yu Huiyan, the future "main wife", and secondly, to talk to the old lady face - to - face about the marriage between the Yu and Liang families.
The old duke couldn't help but worry. His mother was stubborn and would rather break than bend. Once the two met, there would surely be a war of words.
He didn't know how to broach the old lady's proposal to the princess.
It was really a headache!
"Huiyan is my mother's niece. It should be my mother who takes her to pay respects to the old lady."
Liang Yuzhou was respectful in tone when facing the princess, but in fact, he was subtly refuting her.
His words were reasonable and flawless. The princess's eyes flickered slightly. She just thought he was being inflexible and sticking to etiquette.
But Yu Huiyan's heart sank.
Liang Yuzhou's rejection of the princess's proposal meant he refused to recognize her as his fiancée.
She glared at Song Wanchu angrily. Once again, this woman had blocked her way!
However, this slut wouldn't be able to be proud for long.
Soon, she would be disgraced!
"Princess, I'll listen to my cousin. I'll go find my aunt first."
Yu Huiyan curtsied to the princess softly.
The princess joked, "You're already so obedient to your cousin before even getting married. You two will surely be in perfect harmony in the future."
Yu Huiyan lowered her head shyly.
The princess was welcomed into the inner courtyard by the old duke and Liang Yuchuan. As she walked past Song Wanchu, she gave her a sidelong glance, full of malice.
Three years ago, if it hadn't been for Song Wanchu's father's sudden sacrifice, Yu Huiyan would have married Liang Yuzhou as originally planned!
This woman had been a nuisance from start to finish!
The princess's killing intent flared up again.
Her hostility was so obvious that Song Wanchu couldn't ignore it.
Suddenly, a tall figure blocked in front of her. While blocking the sunlight, it also blocked the princess's killing aura.
Her hand grew warm as Liang Yuzhou took it in his. His broad palm wrapped around hers.
"Come with me to see the old lady."
Song Wanchu struggled a bit, but Liang Yuzhou's determination was unshakable. She was forced to walk side by side with him.
The Princess Jiahe had lost face over the matter of asking for the betrothal gifts, so she was being very low - key today. She waited in the inner courtyard and didn't accompany the old duke to greet the guests at the main entrance.
She led Yu Huiyan, while Liang Yuzhou escorted Song Wanchu. They entered the Hall of Good Fortune and Peace one after another.
"I wish the old lady good health and a long life."
Yu Huiyan knelt down to pay homage.
The old lady had been smiling and in high spirits, but as soon as she saw Yu Huiyan dressed in bright red, her expression turned cold.
The lively noise suddenly stopped, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Yu Huiyan.
Yu Huiyan knelt on the ground, her mouth dry and her heart pounding.
It was well - known in the capital that the old lady didn't like her and had personally forbidden her from entering the Duke's Mansion.
She was only able to come in openly today because of the princess.
She had thought that out of respect for the princess, the old lady wouldn't make things difficult for her.
But she had underestimated the old lady's temper.
"Birthday star, your future granddaughter - in - law is kowtowing to wish you a happy birthday. Such good fortune is really enviable."
The princess broke the suffocating silence.
The old lady smiled faintly, neither overbearing nor humble. "Your Highness is joking. The betrothal gifts haven't been sent yet. It's still too early to say such things. You seem a bit impatient."
At this moment, Yu Huiyan truly felt what it was like to be on pins and needles.
In front of all the guests, the old lady had directly denied her status as the granddaughter - in - law.
Not only was she challenging the princess face - to - face, but she was also trampling on Yu Huiyan's dignity!
The Princess Jiahe was indignant and was about to speak when the old duke glared at her warningly.
She had no choice but to shut up resentfully.
Yu Huiyan began to regret dressing so brightly today.
"Old lady, Huiyan is a junior. This bow is her token of respect for you. Please accept it."
Liang Yuzhou spoke up.
"Look, Liang Er is feeling sorry for her." The princess led the laughter.
Everyone else laughed too, but few of them were genuinely happy.
The uncoordinated laughter only made the atmosphere more awkward.
Song Wanchu couldn't force a smile.
The princess was right. Liang Yuzhou felt sorry for Yu Huiyan for having to kneel for so long.
"Get up."
A look of disdain flashed in the old lady's eyes. "I dare not accept your respect."
Yu Huiyan was so embarrassed that she could hardly breathe.
Liang Yuzhou pulled Song Wanchu and, holding her hand, knelt down to pay homage to the old lady.
Before they could say their birthday wishes, the old lady beamed and waved at Song Wanchu.
"Wanchu, come here quickly and sit beside me."
Only then did everyone realize that the empty seat beside the old lady had been reserved for Song Wanchu.
It was obvious how much the old lady valued her!
Wasn't this just like telling Yu Huiyan clearly that Song Wanchu was the granddaughter - in - law the old lady recognized?
Yu Huiyan's face burned with shame. She dug her nails into her palm and gritted her teeth secretly.
The princess's face also darkened ominously.
"A concubine got into a feud with Liang Er over a trifle and stayed at her mother's house for more than twenty days. She even returned the betrothal gifts so ostentatiously. Old lady, aren't you being too indulgent with her?"
"Let's not talk about the past. Since Zhou'er is willing to accompany her to kowtow to me and wish me a happy birthday today, she is still my legitimate granddaughter - in - law."
"Liang Er, right?"
The princess raised her eyebrows and stared at Liang Yuzhou.
Her tone was full of irresistible coercion.