Ji Lingchuan nodded slightly and stepped forward. Song Nanxin took Song Nanzhe's hand and walked beside Ji Lingchuan.
After the two left, Song Yihuan finally had the opportunity to curtsy to the Marquis of Ding'an and Lady Meng. She said softly, "Daughter greets Your Lordship and Mother."
The Marquis of Ding'an glanced at Song Yihuan's face. The look made the hair on her arms stand on end. Fortunately, he shifted his gaze the next moment and strode into the Marquis Mansion.
Lady Meng gave her a warning look, then took her hand. All the way, she showed concern for Song Yihuan and asked about the recent situation of her and Song Yixuan in the Prince Ning's Mansion.
Song Yihuan knew that Lady Meng was just acting for Ji Lingchuan's sake. She was indifferent in her heart, but responded one by one.
She didn't want to cause more trouble. After all, Lady Meng was her stepmother. Filial piety was of utmost importance. If Lady Meng threatened her with marriage, she would have to comply even if she was unwilling.
When they moved to the front hall of the Marquis Mansion of Ding'an, Ji Lingchuan and Song Nanxin were invited to the seats of honor. The Marquis of Ding'an and Lady Meng sat on either side of them respectively.
Song Nanxin and Ji Lingchuan's visit back to her natal family was a major event for the Marquis Mansion of Ding'an. Besides Song Nanzhe, the heir of the Marquis of Ding'an, the Marquis's several concubine - born children were also brought to the front hall by the wet nurses to formally meet Ji Lingchuan.
Song Yihuan sat at the very end of the hall, quietly watching her half - brothers, half - sisters step forward to pay their respects to Ji Lingchuan. Her heart was calm, without the slightest joy or excitement of seeing her relatives.
Song Nanxin was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion of Ding'an, but she only ranked second in the family genealogy. There was a half - brother above her, born of the Marquis's chambermaid Liang. He was two years older than Song Nanxin.
Song Yihuan ranked fourth in the Marquis Mansion. There was also an elder third sister above her. In fact, she wasn't much older than Song Yihuan and Song Nanxin. But she was born with a birthmark on her face, so she didn't like going out or seeing people. Song Yihuan had hardly met her a few times.
But fortunately, her third sister, Song Nanxi, was born on the old lady's birthday. So although her appearance was not good, her status in the Marquis Mansion of Ding'an was not lower than Song Nanxin's. Just looking at her name, one could tell.
After Song Yihuan was born, none of the concubines in the Marquis Mansion had given birth to a child. It wasn't until Concubine Rou was pregnant with Song Yixuan that the wife of the Marquis of Ding'an also announced her pregnancy. That child was Song Nanzhe.
Over the years, the Marquis of Ding'an had taken in one or two more concubines. After Song Yixuan, a half - brother and a half - sister were born. They were just over two years old, still babbling.
In front, hearing the half - sister who had just learned to talk call "Elder Sister's Husband" in a milky voice, Song Yihuan saw the man's eyebrows soften a little.
He said, "I'm visiting the Marquis Mansion today. I wouldn't come empty - handed. I've prepared a gift for the Marquis, the Lady, and everyone. Fuzhou, have someone bring the gifts up."
At Ji Lingchuan's order, Fuzhou clapped his hands. Then, several guards walked in from outside, carrying red - wooden trays.
On the trays in their hands, there were several wooden boxes of different sizes and lengths. The only thing they had in common was that the boxes had smooth lacquered surfaces and delicate locks. One could tell at a glance that they were not ordinary items, fully demonstrating the grandeur of the Prince Ning's Mansion.
The Marquis of Ding'an stroked his beard. His eyes sparkled with excitement. He smiled and said to Ji Lingchuan, "Your Highness is really too generous. You and the Princess are coming home. It should be us who prepare gifts for you."
Lady Meng also said, "Yes, yes. How could we let Your Highness spend so much?"
Ji Lingchuan lowered his head and played with the teacup in his hand. He didn't respond to the words of the Marquis of Ding'an and Lady Meng. At this time, the guards were standing in front of Ji Lingchuan with the gifts.
Signaling Fuzhou to open the long wooden box in the front, Ji Lingchuan said indifferently, "I've heard that the Marquis likes the authentic works of Wu Daozi. Coincidentally, I have one in my study. I'll give it to the Marquis as a meeting gift this time."
The Marquis of Ding'an was both surprised and delighted. He immediately stepped forward to take out the scroll and unfolded it to take a look.
"Yes, it's an authentic work of Wu Daozi. I've been looking for this painting for a long time but couldn't find it. I didn't expect it to end up in Your Highness's hands. Thank you, Your Highness, for giving it up!"
Ji Lingchuan then asked Fuzhou to open the next wooden box. "This is a gift for the Lady of the Marquis. It's a jade ruyi carved from top - grade white marble."
Song Yihuan saw Lady Meng beaming with joy. Her face was full of glory. Allying with the Prince Ning's Mansion was indeed a great blessing for the Marquis Mansion. They had picked up a great bargain.
Ji Lingchuan gave Song Changlian, his half - brother, a set of pure - gold stirrups. He gave Song Nanzhe and the two - year - old half - brother and half - sister safety locks and silver bracelets.
What surprised Song Yihuan the most was that she also received a gift from Ji Lingchuan, and it was the same wooden box as Song Nanxin and Song Nanxi's.
Ji Lingchuan glanced in her direction vaguely and said, "I'm not good at choosing gifts for women. To be fair, the gifts for the Princess, Third Sister, and Fourth Sister are all the same this time."
"I didn't expect Your Highness to prepare a gift for me too?" Song Nanxin held the wooden box in her hand. Her eyes lit up.
Since Ji Lingchuan returned from the border, this was the first time he had given Song Nanxin a gift. Even though the gifts for the three of them were the same, it was enough to make Song Nanxin happy.
"Thank you, Brother - in - law." Song Nanxi was wearing a veil to cover the birthmark on her face, but one could tell from her voice that she was very happy at this moment.
Song Yihuan held the wooden box in her hand and got up to curtsy to Ji Lingchuan. "Thank you, Brother - in - law."
At this time, only the boxes in the hands of Song Nanxin, Song Nanxi, and Song Yihuan hadn't been opened. So everyone was very curious about the gifts Ji Lingchuan had given. Song Nanzhe even said directly:
"Elder Sister, hurry up and open the box. Let's see what Brother - in - law has given."
Song Nanxin smiled and reached out to poke his head. "You're so naughty."
Then, she pressed the lock of the box and opened the wooden box in her hand. However, when she saw clearly what was in the box, she almost changed her complexion.
On the brocade cloth in the box, there were three white - jade porcelain bottles lying quietly. If they were just ordinary porcelain bottles, it would be fine. But she saw a very familiar mark on the bottles.
Que Luo Fang.
These were actually the balm from Que Luo Fang!
Song Nanxi had also opened the box at this time. She took out the porcelain bottle in it and examined it carefully in her palm. She said word by word, "Que, Luo, Fang?"
Song Yihuan tightened her grip on the wooden box. Her heart started to pound uncontrollably. She didn't even dare to look up at the front for fear of meeting Ji Lingchuan's deep and solemn eyes.
However, the man's deep and mellow voice came to her ears. "Fourth Miss, aren't you going to open it and take a look?"