Every step the Crown Prince took exuded a sense of oppression, and the atmosphere became rather delicate.
Everyone immediately stood up and knelt to greet the Crown Prince.
The only exception was the Princess Dowager. However, she sat up straight from her original lazy reclining position, staring intently at the Crown Prince with a deadpan expression.
It was a defensive stance.
"Aunt, nephew comes uninvited. You won't be angry, will you?"
The Crown Prince smiled respectfully, but his eyes were cold in the candlelight.
The Princess Dowager's gaze swept across Song Wanchu, and she maliciously curled her lips.
"Of course not. Thinking it over, it's not really a surprise that you're here."
The show tonight wouldn't go on without you, the main character.
It was obvious that she was insinuating something. The Crown Prince just gave a gentle smile and chose not to take the bait.
The Princess Dowager was mocking him for coming because of Song Wanchu.
If he said one more word, whether to confirm or deny, it would be a defense, which would arouse people's speculation.
"Where were we just now?" The Princess Dowager instantly changed her expression, and her tone became much more relaxed and casual.
One of her favorite male favorites sitting below took up her words, "Your Highness, we were just saying that Miss Song came late and should be punished."
Song Wanchu's eyebrows twitched a few times. This male favorite addressed her as "Miss Song" instead of "Concubine Song" or "Second Lady Liang", which obviously indicated a hidden motive.
His words must represent the Princess Dowager's intention.
The Princess Dowager didn't want to regard her as a married woman, and the Crown Prince happened to show up...
In full view of everyone, the Crown Prince endured his inner impulse and didn't even glance at Song Wanchu since he entered the door.
He had already taken his seat on the left side of the Princess Dowager, at the same level as hers.
The Princess Dowager raised her eyebrows at the Crown Prince, with a hint of malice in her eyes. "In my opinion, let Song Wanchu accompany the Crown Prince tonight, pouring wine and serving dishes for him. How about that?"
"Good idea!"
"As expected of the Princess Dowager. This punishment is both elegant and decent!"
Everyone flattered and echoed, with all kinds of malicious intentions. The laughter of those waiting to watch the show rang out again.
Song Wanchu found it ear - piercing, and a chill ran down her spine.
The Princess Dowager was going to completely ruin her reputation in front of everyone.
If the noble concubine of the Second Young Master of the Duke's Mansion served the Crown Prince at a night banquet, once this got out, her reputation as a promiscuous and opportunistic woman would be firmly established...
She would rather kneel here all night!
"Clang—"
Suddenly, the Crown Prince put down his wine cup. The bottom of the cup touched the luxurious marble table, making a moderate sound.
The laughter stopped abruptly.
The Princess Dowager still looked at the Crown Prince with a smile on her face, but her eyes were cold and gloomy.
The Crown Prince was also smiling, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
"What does Aunt mean?"
The two were silently confronting each other with their eyes. Everyone had already sensed the tense atmosphere.
"Good nephew, aunt knows that you don't like such occasions. You came here entirely because of Song Wanchu. You've always liked Song Wanchu. You were the first to propose marriage to the Song family back then. She should have been your woman. Aren't you really willing to let the Second Young Master Liang take the lead?"
A few words from the Princess Dowager seemed to push the Crown Prince to the edge of a cliff.
The future emperor actually liked a minister's wife!
Once this news got out, it would definitely shock the capital!
By then, the Crown Prince would be caught in a storm of public opinion...
The Crown Prince was not only a symbol of power but also a role model. In the eyes of the world, he must be a morally flawless person.
Coveting another man's wife was absolutely immoral and the most unacceptable stain on one's character.
Once his image was broken, the world would doubt whether he was qualified to inherit the throne.
The Princess Dowager wanted to shake the foundation of the Crown Prince.
There was no sign of emotion on the Crown Prince's gentle face, but a storm was brewing in his eyes.
"Yes, I do like Song Wanchu."
These words were like a thunderbolt from the blue. Song Wanchu looked up in disbelief, her eyes full of shock and confusion as she stared at the Crown Prince.
Although no one dared to openly discuss the Crown Prince, their looks had changed.
The Crown Prince calmly put down his wine cup and looked at Song Wanchu without any hesitation. "Who hasn't had a first love? I've liked Miss Song since six years ago, and I did propose marriage to the Song family four years ago. All this happened before Liang Yuzhou married her.
Over the years, my feelings for Miss Song have been within the bounds of propriety, and I've never overstepped.
May I ask, Aunt, by bringing up these old matters, do you want to ruin Miss Song's reputation or blame me for having the same feelings that any normal man would have?"
These words made the Princess Dowager turn livid.
She thought the Crown Prince would strongly deny and defend himself. The more he denied, the more suspicious he would seem.
But she never expected that the Crown Prince would openly admit it.
"The Crown Prince is overthinking. You're my nephew. How could I blame you?"
The Princess Dowager forced a smile, but there was hidden malice in her eyes. "Song Wanchu, the Crown Prince's wine cup is empty. Hurry up and pour wine for him!"
Since there was no way to break through the Crown Prince, she put pressure on Song Wanchu.
"No need." The Crown Prince's tone was cold. "Miss Song—no, now she should be called Second Lady Liang. She's a married woman and it's inappropriate for her to pour wine for any man here."
When the Crown Prince called her Miss Song before, he was secretly showing his feelings.
He always loved that bright and charming young lady from the Song family.
But now, by calling her "Second Lady Liang", he was deliberately emphasizing her identity to stop the Princess Dowager from forcing her to pour wine and serve dishes.
It was also to protect her reputation.
The Crown Prince's decision was final, and no one dared to make fun of Song Wanchu anymore.
The atmosphere became extremely dull.
The Princess Dowager's face was terribly cold.
"In that case, Song Wanchu, you'll be punished to accompany me to change clothes."
She lazily stood up with the support of Aunt Fang. "Everyone, don't be拘束. I'll be back soon. You must serve the Crown Prince well. Do you understand?"
There came a flurry of responses from below.
The Crown Prince tightened his grip on the wine cup, his eyes gloomy and cold.
The Princess Dowager was going to make Wanchu leave his sight!
Song Wanchu silently followed behind the Princess Dowager.
The Princess Dowager directly took her to her own bedroom.
In such a private place, no man had the right to barge in.
Not even the Crown Prince.
Song Wanchu knew that the Princess Dowager wanted to have a one - on - one conversation with her.
Even Aunt Fang was not allowed to enter the bedroom.
The carved agarwood door slowly closed.
Aunt Fang frowned, struggling internally.
She could have stayed out of it completely.
But seeing Song Wanchu walking into a desperate situation, she couldn't bear it.
Song Wanchu was a kind - hearted girl. An unintentional act of hers had saved her whole family back then.
She didn't tell the truth about the heart's blood three years ago to protect herself. Although Song Wanchu said she understood, she had always felt guilty.
This time, she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
She was silent in the darkness for a moment, and then firmly walked out of the Princess Dowager's Mansion.
Outside the side door of the mansion, there were carriages parked everywhere, belonging to those who had come to the banquet.
Aunt Fang found the carriage of the Duke's Mansion.
Nan Zhi, Su Yue, and Yao Guang had no idea what was going on inside.
They simply thought that Song Wanchu had come to plead with the Princess Dowager.
They thought the Princess Dowager would at most humiliate the young lady and coldly refuse to offer help.
But how could these girls know that Song Wanchu came to the banquet with the determination to die?
"Among you three, who is the bravest and not afraid of death?"