Song Lianhe got out of bed, stretched her arms and legs, and then called for her maid. "Why is it so lively outside?"
The maid, Shuang Ye, stepped forward timidly. "Reporting to the Second Miss, today is the First Miss's birthday. The Master is entertaining distinguished guests in the front courtyard, so... it's a little lively."
Song Lianhe carefully recalled the plot of the original book. 'On Song Xilan's birthday, Zhou Junlin is supposed to publicly gift her a Jade Bracelet, a relic from his late mother, the Imperial Consort. The meaning behind such a gesture is self-evident. When the original Song Lianhe finds out, she snatches the bracelet and smashes it to pieces in front of everyone. Zhou Junlin flies into a rage and, ignoring General Song's pleas, immediately orders his men to break one of Song Lianhe's legs. A truly gratifying moment for the masses.'
Thinking of the book's plot, Song Lianhe shivered.
Song Lianhe had planned to feign illness and skip the front courtyard, but Nanny Tian was already waiting outside her door with people in tow.
"By the madam's order, this servant has come to help the Second Miss with her makeup and dress."
Song Lianhe rolled her eyes. 'The book described the concubine, Mrs. Liu, as a rather cunning woman. In front of her husband, she was dignified and virtuous, always acting with perfect propriety. That's how she was quickly promoted to the official wife after the previous madam passed away.'
'Her summoning me to the birthday banquet seems, on the surface, to be a matter of observing proper etiquette. But in reality, she just wants to provoke me, hoping I'll make a fool of myself in public and earn Zhou Junlin's disgust. Then it will only be a matter of time before her own daughter becomes Princess Consort Ling.'
This wasn't the first time she'd pulled such a trick, yet the original Song Lianhe had fallen for it every single time.
After a moment's thought, Song Lianhe had Shuang Ye let them in. "You're here to do my makeup, aren't you? Then let's get on with it."
Nanny Tian and the others came forward. Each one had skillful hands. Whether it was intentional or not, they gave Song Lianhe exceptionally heavy and garish makeup, and chose a bright red dress for her. Song Lianhe possessed a stunning beauty, so this attire only enhanced it—it was beautiful, to be sure, but inappropriate for the occasion. It carried the suspicion of upstaging the host.
Song Lianhe sat properly before the mirror, watching and cooperating through the entire process.
Only when Nanny Tian inserted the last golden hairpin into her hair did she speak slowly, "Nanny, your hands are truly skillful."
Nanny Tian couldn't help but look pleased. "It is the Second Miss who is naturally beautiful."
Song Lianhe added, "Nanny Tian, you should go ahead to the front courtyard and help. It is my sister's birthday, after all. I will head over as soon as I've retrieved my gift for her."
"In that case... please hurry, Second Miss. Don't keep the Master and Madam waiting."
Once Nanny Tian had left with her attendants, Song Lianhe pulled out the cumbersome ornaments from her hair. "Shuang Ye, help me change."
Nanny Tian returned to the front courtyard, went to Mrs. Liu's side, and gave her a nod.
Mrs. Liu smiled, pressing her lips together. She rose and strolled to her husband's side to help him greet the distinguished guests.
For the birthday banquet of a mere concubine's daughter to be on the scale of one held at the General Mansion was likely a unique occurrence in all of Ling'an City.
Those in attendance were either colleagues of the National Guardian General or close friends of Song Xilan, all from prestigious and noble families.
When Zhou Junlin arrived, all the guests rose to bow. Song Xingfeng approached with his wife and daughter. "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Ling."
"You may rise."
Zhou Junlin was dressed, as always, in white. His snow-like robes were embroidered with several branches of crabapple blossoms—vibrant but not gaudy, beautiful but not ostentatious. His cold, transcendent eyes reflected Song Xilan's gentle figure, a hint of warmth surfacing within them.
He walked straight to Song Xilan and handed her a mahogany box. "For you."
Song Xilan's heart was already pounding in her chest. Even though they had met in private hundreds, even thousands of times, she still found herself mesmerized by his divine, ethereal aura.
She lowered her gaze, suppressing the fluttering in her heart, and curtsied gracefully. "Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Ling."
Although she lacked Song Lianhe's dazzling radiance, she was still exquisitely charming in her own right. Dressed in simple elegance, her disposition as serene as a chrysanthemum, she was considered an ideal beauty in the hearts of Ling'an's young nobles and scholars.
Song Xilan's cheeks flushed slightly. As she accepted the mahogany box, she murmured, "Didn't you just give me many things the other day?"
"This one is different."
A light, cheerful laugh was in Zhou Junlin's voice.
Being as clever as she was, Song Xilan had a vague idea of what it could be, and the smile on her cheeks deepened.
The surrounding guests watched the pair with subtle glances. The story between Prince Ling and the Song sisters was no secret; they were just curious whether he would ultimately break off his engagement or marry both sisters and enjoy the bliss of having two wives.
Unlike Song Xingfeng, who was frowning, Mrs. Liu's eyes crinkled with a smile, looking utterly satisfied.
"The Second Miss has arrived!"
At this announcement, the expressions on the guests' faces varied, though it was clear that most were just eager to watch a good show.