"So, the Third Prince invited me to visit Chunhua Lake, but actually arranged for Song Yi to come along?" Wen Yu listened to the news brought back by Xun Ying in surprise.
What did Ji Yunqing mean by this? Since she didn't want to be his concubine, was he going to play the same old trick and tie her to Song Yi again?
Or was he trying to put pressure on Pei Shen through this opportunity?
Xun Ying looked at Wen Yu with a complicated expression, her eyes faintly tinged with sympathy. "If you don't want to go, it shouldn't hurt to be a bit willful once in a while."
"If I say I don't want to, I don't want to live like this for even a single day." Wen Yu gave a soft smile and then comforted Xun Ying with a look. "Tomorrow is a good opportunity. Why shouldn't I go?"
Hearing this, Xun Ying let out a soft sigh and then silently disappeared.
...
When Wen Yu arrived at the shore of Chunhua Lake, she saw the person sent by Ji Yunqing to receive her.
Song Yi had booked a small inn by the lake. The inn was built facing the lake, with beautiful scenery, making it a great place to enjoy the view.
Inside the inn, Ji Yunqing, Song Yi and his father, as well as Royal Censor Wang and others were all there.
"Madam Pei is here."
Seeing her approaching, Ji Yunqing smiled especially amiably and immediately told someone to prepare a banquet for her.
Song Yi was sitting on Ji Yunqing's lower right. He also gave Wen Yu a kind smile. "I'm Song Yi, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Greetings, Madam Pei."
"Assistant Minister Song, I didn't lie to you, did I? Madam Pei is a well - known beauty in Shengjing. Even though she's already a married woman, her beauty is still peerless!" Royal Censor Wang stroked his beard and laughed. Then he turned to Wen Yu familiarly. "Madam Pei, this is the young master of the Song family I mentioned last time."
According to Song Yi's status, he shouldn't have been sitting so close to Ji Yunqing, but they still arranged it like this.
This could only mean one thing. There was no doubt that the protagonist today was Song Yi.
They wanted to completely tie her to Song Yi.
Wen Yu's eyes turned cold. Then she hid her displeasure and looked up at Ji Yunqing on the main seat. "Your Highness the Third Prince is really considerate of his officials. You even care so much about the widow of a deceased official. But even though I'm a widow, if I were to remarry, I would still have to follow the wishes of my parents and the matchmaker. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to do this today?"
"We're just having a meal. What's inappropriate about it?" Royal Censor Wang said with a big laugh. Then he looked at Song Yi. "Young Master Song is a handsome and talented man. He's already in the position of assistant minister at a young age. He's truly an outstanding person. It's not a bad thing for Madam Pei to get to know him."
Hearing this, Wen Yu curled her lips in an ambiguous way and sat down in the seat they had arranged for her.
Before coming, she had already sent someone to deliver a letter to Pei Shen. In about half an hour at most, Pei Shen would be able to arrive.
She wondered what Pei Shen would think when he saw this situation.
Wen Yu's seat was arranged at the table next to Song Yi's.
As soon as she sat down, she saw Song Yi raise his glass to her. "Madam Pei is truly radiant. His Highness held this banquet today just for us to get to know each other. Madam Pei, don't be nervous. Just think of it as making a friend."
Wen Yu didn't answer. She just took a small sip of the wine as a response.
Seeing this, Song Yi's eyes darkened slightly and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but droop a bit.
Although he tried to hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes, it was still too obvious.
Wen Yu had seen this kind of mentality of the noble young masters many times.
In their eyes, no matter how beautiful Wen Yu was, she was just a married widow.
If the Song family didn't want to use the position of the main wife to win Ji Yunqing's favor, they would never consider a remarried woman marrying into their family.
[Wow, is this Young Master Song the legendary Liu Xiahui? He's not satisfied with Sister Yu's such a beautiful face?]
[Maybe he loves money more than beautiful women. Unlike me, I'm greedy. I want both.]
[Such a pretentious man is rarer than a new user of Pinduoduo!]
[Breaking news! Pei Shen has arrived at Chunhua Lake. A fight is about to break out on the spot. Please stay away if you're not involved!]
[A fight? It probably won't happen. Look at who Pei Shen has brought with him.]
"I've heard that the scenery of Chunhua Lake is extremely beautiful. Royal Censor Wang, would you like to accompany this prince to enjoy it?" Ji Yunqing suddenly stood up and said.
Since he had spoken, Royal Censor Wang naturally agreed.
As soon as these two left, only Wen Yu and Song Yi's father and son were left at the scene.
"Miss Wen, let's be straightforward. You know better than anyone what the Pei family is like now. Instead of wasting your time in the inner courtyard of the Pei Mansion, it's better to remarry into the Song family."
"You can ask for as much betrothal gift as you want. The Song family is willing to marry you as the main wife. As soon as you enter the family, the management of the household will be immediately handed over to you."
"The Song family has never treated the female family members harshly. At least Miss Wen won't have to go out without a maid to accompany her."
Song Xuanlang's tone was polite, but the look of disdain in his eyes was exactly the same as Song Yi's.
Obviously, he thought that Wen Yu came to the banquet alone without a maid because the Pei family was so poor that they couldn't even afford a servant.
As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Song Xuanlang's only son, Song Yi, had already become the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites at a young age.
In his opinion, the Pei family could never be as prestigious as the Song family.
Wen Yu smiled softly and was about to speak when she heard the door being kicked open.
"By the order of His Majesty, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Song Xuanlang, and his son, Song Yi, are summoned to the palace to pay homage."
The grand eunuch stood in the middle of the guards, holding a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand. He looked coldly at the father - and - son of the Song family.
His tone was far from being kind, so Song Xuanlang's face instantly changed. "May I ask, Eunuch Su, what is His Highness's summons for?"
"How can I guess His Majesty's intention? Gentlemen Song, please go. Don't keep His Majesty waiting." Eunuch Su raised his eyes and replied vaguely.
The people in the palace were the best at reading the situation.
In the past, when he saw the father - and - son of the Song family, Eunuch Su always had a smiling face. But today, with this look and the guards following him,
It was probably a big deal.
Song Xuanlang's face changed drastically. His eyes scanned the people in front of him repeatedly. Finally, he took out a bulging purse from his sleeve and handed it to Eunuch Su. "Please give me some advice, Eunuch Su."
"Since you, Gentleman Song, still have something to do today, I won't accompany you anymore. But Gentlemen Song, next time, please don't invite me in someone else's name. My husband has passed away. If others know about this, it will only damage your reputations, won't it?" Wen Yu stood up. Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it was just loud enough for everyone to hear.
After saying that, Wen Yu took a step forward and walked straight past Song Xuanlang to Eunuch Su's side.
Her eyes fell on the silver bag in Song Xuanlang's hand and stayed there for a second. Then she looked back at Eunuch Su and said softly, "Eunuch Su, my elder brother hunted a fox fur some time ago. Knowing that you suffered from rheumatism when you followed His Majesty in the early years, he specially had it made into knee pads and sent them to you. I wonder if you're satisfied?"
Seeing Wen Yu, Eunuch Su's originally cold face suddenly became amiable.
"So it's Madam Pei. The knee pads are really comfortable. I'm still wearing them close to my body. His Majesty even praised Young Master Wen for his thoughtfulness some time ago."
As he said this, Eunuch Su pushed back the silver bag that Song Xuanlang had handed over and warned, "Gentleman Song, I'm just doing my duty. Please don't make things difficult for me."
Since his attitude was clear, Wen Yu didn't say any more. "I'm glad you're satisfied, Eunuch Su. I'll go back first."
[Our Sister Yu is such a smiling tiger!]
[It's so satisfying to avenge the hatred on the spot!]
[Although I'm also a bit annoyed by these two father - and - son, Song Xuanlang is at least the financial backer of the Third Prince. If something really happens to him, isn't it the same as the Third Prince running out of food?]
[There's nothing we can do. After all, I still support Pei Shen!]