Madam Meng had thought that given Song Yihuan's personality, she wouldn't dare to refuse. Who would have thought that Song Yihuan would use the emperor to overawe her!
This little minx!
Fearing that it might draw others' attention and they would say she was seizing the possessions of the concubine - born children, Madam Meng had no choice but to grit her teeth and say, "In that case, you should keep that bow and arrow well. Don't damage it and bring trouble to the Marquis Mansion."
"No! I want to play with it! I'm the heir of the Marquis Mansion. Everything in the mansion belongs to me. If you dare not give it to me, I'll skin you alive!"
Seeing that he couldn't get the bow and arrow from Song Yihuan smoothly, Song Nanzhe immediately threw a tantrum. His words to Song Yihuan showed no respect that a younger brother should have for his elder sister.
Fortunately, the dancing girls were performing and the music drowned out his voice, but it still gave Madam Meng quite a scare.
Covering his mouth to stop Song Nanzhe from causing more trouble, Madam Meng had to leave early, taking her struggling legitimate son away.
Watching her step - mother leave, Song Yihuan finally let go of the tightly - held bow and let out a sigh of relief.
She could forget about getting the silver back, but she would never let anyone take this bow away.
The banquet lasted for two hours. No one knew how many wine jars were emptied. The air in the entire camp was filled with the smell of goat - milk wine.
The women were not used to such an occasion and left early in groups. Song Yihuan took the imperial - bestowed bow and arrow back to her tent to rest. Just as she had put the things away properly, the curtain of the tent was lifted and Song Nanxin walked in. Seeing Song Yihuan, her face darkened. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Song Yihuan's wrist and pulled her in front of her.
"Song Yihuan, are you hiding something from me? I really didn't expect that besides seducing that Scholar - Official Gu, you also have another secret lover. Song Yihuan, you're really good at hiding things!"
Song Nanxin stared directly into those beautiful deer - like eyes. Remembering Song Yihuan's performance in front of everyone just now, the jealousy in her heart burned even more fiercely.
Over the years, she had deliberately suppressed this younger half - sister to prevent her from shining in the capital and outshining her, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Mansion. She had taken every precaution, making this younger half - sister live like a shadow of hers, despised by many. Unexpectedly, all her efforts were in vain in the end.
What exactly was wrong with that cup of wine? Why didn't it work? It just allowed this little minx to steal the show again!
Song Yihuan's wrist was tightly grasped by Song Nanxin and it hurt. From Song Nanxin's words, she guessed that her elder sister must have known something. She pretended to be puzzled and said, "Sister, what do you mean? Since I made it clear with Lord Gu, I've been staying in the Prince Ning's Mansion every day. Where would I have the chance to meet others? Didn't you see it most clearly at the Duke Jiang's Mansion?"
"You're still pretending. Your short - lived younger brother has already told me. He disappeared for a long time and just showed up recently."
Song Yihuan's eyes were moist and tears fell. "Sister, you've wronged me. I made all that up to deceive Xuan'er. If I didn't do so, how could I have deceived him about why I've been staying in the Prince Ning's Mansion?"
Song Nanxin narrowed her eyes slightly. "Really?"
Song Yihuan sighed. "Besides Lord Gu, I haven't known any other men. If sister doesn't believe me, you can ask Fuling and she'll tell you whether I'm telling the truth or not."
Only then did Song Nanxin believe her words. She let go of her wrist and snorted. "It's better if there isn't."
Looking around, Song Nanxin asked again, "Where's that jade bow? It was made by the heir. There's only one in the world. Let me see what's so special about it."
Song Yihuan clenched her fists tightly. She felt as if she could hardly breathe. Her elder sister wanted to see the bow. She couldn't use the same method she used to deal with Song Nanzhe to deal with her elder sister. After all, Ji Lingchuan was her elder sister's husband, and this request was reasonable.
But Song Yihuan also knew that once the bow got into her elder sister's hands, she might never get it back!
Just as Song Yihuan was thinking about how to refuse her elder sister's request, the voice of Fuzhou came from outside. "Has the Princess Heir gone to bed?"
Both sisters were startled. Song Nanxin gave Song Yihuan a look and then said, "No. What's the matter?"
Fuzhou said outside, "The heir has drunk too much. Someone needs to take care of him and accompany him to bed. Please go there quickly, Princess Heir."
Song Nanxin looked at Song Yihuan opposite her and said to Fuzhou, "I see. I'll go there later."
Unexpectedly, Ji Lingchuan needed someone to accompany him to bed and take care of him at this time. Song Nanxin could only secretly curse that the timing was wrong and temporarily let Song Yihuan off.
After Fuzhou left, Song Nanxin called "Baishao" into the tent to change the sisters' appearances. She also let Song Yihuan put on her clothes. The two sisters completely switched identities in this small tent.
Just thinking about having to deal with Ji Lingchuan in this camp, Song Yihuan felt inexplicably flustered.
To be honest, since she knew that he was the Mr. Lingji, she had a vague resistance in her heart to the act of pretending to be someone else to serve him like this.
But there was no turning back.
With her elder sister's face, Song Yihuan lifted the curtain and walked towards Ji Lingchuan's tent.
People were coming and going in the camp. From time to time, one or two people passed by Song Yihuan. So she was on high alert all the way.
The distance between her and her elder sister's tent and Ji Lingchuan's was not far. She only had to walk a short distance. From afar, Song Yihuan saw Fuzhou guarding outside the tent.
Seeing her coming, Fuzhou saluted her. "Princess Heir, you're here. My lord is inside. Please go in quickly."
Song Yihuan looked at the hanging curtain. There was no light inside. The uneasiness in her heart grew stronger. She asked to confirm, "Is the heir really inside?"
Fuzhou just smiled without saying a word. Then, Ji Lingchuan's familiar voice came from inside the tent.
"Come in."
Perhaps because he had drunk wine, his usually solemn and even somewhat cold voice had a hint of laziness. Song Yihuan nodded slightly to Fuzhou and then lifted the curtain and walked in.
The tent was completely dark with no light at all. But in the darkness, she could hear a breathing sound and the familiar intimidating aura from Ji Lingchuan.
He was right in front, waiting for her there.
For some reason, this feeling made Song Yihuan think of that strange dream and the black panther staring at her in the dream. She stood still, not knowing what to do when Ji Lingchuan's voice came from her right.
"Come here."
Song Yihuan steadied her mind, then lifted the skirt of her dress and walked towards the direction where the voice came from. She tentatively asked, "Heir, are you drunk? Why don't I light the lamp and help you wash up?"
Her toe bumped into something, which gave her a start. Before she could react, a hand grabbed her waist. An irresistible force pulled her in front and pressed her on his lap!