klisemfg Chapter 188 The King of Xiang's Distinguished Guest
Chapter 188 The King of Xiang's Distinguished Guest
Song Ruozhen looked at Ke Yuanzhi in front of her. She was wearing a light blue dress. Although her features were not particularly delicate or bright, they were still petite and gentle.
At first glance, the girl seemed like a small blue flower blooming on the roadside, not the type to attract attention at first glance. Her eyes, like autumn water, seemed to ripple with light, and there was a faint red tinge around them.
She is clearly the type of woman that men most like to cherish and pamper.
Upon seeing this, Song Ruozhen understood why her four children were so devoted to Ke Yuanzhi; they had probably fooled many people with their seemingly innocent and gentle demeanor.
However, being a woman herself, she keenly sensed the hint of arrogance unconsciously emanating from the woman's eyes.
This girl is just good at using her gentle appearance to appear weak; in reality, she is more ruthless than anyone else. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to take advantage of her fourth brother for so many years.
He spends his fourth brother's money, enjoys his kindness, yet constantly belittles him and takes all the benefits.
Not only did she cause the death of her fourth brother, but she also profited from his death, making everyone think that she had been threatened by Song Jingshen all these years, which made them feel sorry for her.
Her fourth brother, who died unjustly, became a great sinner in everyone's eyes, and everyone had the right to kill him!
Ke Yuanzhi clearly didn't expect to run into the Song family here.
She had always thought the Song family was good, but the eldest and second sons of the Song family, who were pursuing official careers, were not interested in her. The one who liked her was the fourth son, Song Jingshen, who was focused on business.
She was, after all, a lady from a prominent family, and she was really unwilling to be just a merchant's wife.
Seeing the Song family declining more and more recently, she looked down on them. However, Song Jingshen kept pestering her to propose marriage, so she found a way to get rid of Song Jingshen by asking for South China Sea pearls as a betrothal gift.
She's been getting increasingly strapped for cash lately, and Song Jingshen hasn't come back yet, which has surprised her.
It just so happens that the young master of the Xiang Prince's mansion has been found and returned. He is still unmarried, so the banquet held by the Princess Consort of Xiang tonight is not only to introduce the young master to everyone, but also to select a wife for him.
Although the young master has been living away from home for many years and is different from the native noble families of the capital, his status as the young master alone is enough to guarantee him a lifetime of wealth and honor.
Therefore, quite a few girls have come here today, but it would be awkward if they ran into the Song family.
"Greetings, Auntie." Ke Yuanzhi smiled and bowed.
Liu Ruyan nodded indifferently, showing absolutely no good impression of Ke Yuanzhi.
This girl caused Jing Shen to leave home for so long and never return, while she herself attended every banquet in the imperial city.
At the banquet last time, she happened to see Ke Yuanzhi talking to another young master in a seemingly ambiguous way. She appeared to be rejecting him, but her eyes were seductive, making the man infatuated with her. This also made her understand why Jing Shen was so deeply involved.
Song Yi'an and Song Zhiyu looked indifferent; they also found their fourth brother, with his love-obsessed nature, troublesome.
Although part of the reason is that the fourth brother is stubborn and can't understand, it is obvious that Ke Yuanzhi is also a cunning girl who is deliberately keeping Jing Shen on hold.
As the group entered the Prince Xiang's residence, they saw the Prince and Princess Xiang entertaining their guests.
Upon hearing that the Song family had arrived, the Prince of Xiang and his wife disregarded everyone else, apologized, and went to greet the Song family.
"Madam Song, Vice Minister Dong, Madam Dong, did you meet on the road and come together?" Prince Xiao asked with a smile.
Dong Hanzhou cupped his hands in greeting, "My wife and Madam Song are friends. Knowing that they would both be attending the banquet tonight, they arranged to come together."
"I see." Prince Xiang nodded, turning his gaze to Liu Ruyan. "This must be Lady Song's first time here. I heard that the Second Young Master topped the list in this year's imperial examination. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!"
Princess Consort Xiang also smiled broadly, "Madam Song is truly blessed; all her children are successful. They should indeed keep in touch more often."
Liu Ruyan was flattered and overwhelmed. "Thank you, Prince Xiang. Thank you, Princess Consort."
“Madam Song, there’s no need to be so polite. From now on, we’re all family,” said Princess Xiang.
Liu Ruyan was shocked. The Xiangwang family was not one that just anyone could curry favor with. It was already an unexpected surprise that they were invited, and these words were even more unbelievable.
But in the next instant, she understood the reason.
Xiangwangfu held Song Ruozhen's hand, looking at her again and again, his eyes full of joy.
"You must be the fifth daughter of the Song family. You are so beautiful and kind. I liked you the moment I saw you."
Since Jin Huai returned, he told us that he had almost starved to death, but luckily he met Miss Song, who gave him money and helped him survive.
Speaking of this, Princess Xiang couldn't help but feel heartbroken. She only had this one child, who should have grown up in luxury, but unexpectedly suffered so much.
When she first heard about the relationship between Song Ruozhen and Lin Zhiyue, she didn't think much of it. She just felt that the girl from the Song family was quite formidable, and that an ordinary girl would probably have just endured it.
He then found Jin Huai and learned that Miss Song was already having a hard time after breaking off the engagement. Seeing his plight, he gave him some money, and immediately felt a greater liking for the girl.
It's really not easy.
Upon hearing this, the Song family and even the Dong family were slightly taken aback, only then understanding the reason.
Unexpectedly, Song Ruozhen and the Crown Prince have such a connection; their past good deeds have proven quite effective.
"Your Highness is too kind. I never expected that the other party would be the Crown Prince," Song Ruozhen said with a smile.
"You are such a kind child, I liked you at first sight, and I will definitely come here often in the future."
Looking at the Princess Consort of Xiang's warm and generous demeanor, Xu Yingqiao couldn't help but sigh to her husband:
"I have never seen the Princess Consort of Xiang so enthusiastic. In the past, even when she went to the palace to see the Empress, the Princess Consort of Xiang was indifferent."
"Speaking of which, Miss Song is truly blessed to have such a fortuitous opportunity."
They were all too aware of the importance of the Prince Xiang's residence. Since Song Ruozhen had caught the eye of the Princess Consort of Xiang, her status would undoubtedly rise considerably in the future.
If one could also use this opportunity to establish a connection with a relative, that would be even better.
Dong Hanzhou glanced at his wife and couldn't help but laugh: "Do you really think you have such good luck? There are many kind-hearted people in the capital. You usually give some silver to poor beggars when you see them."
"There are so many beggars in the entire capital city, why did it have to be Miss Song who ran into one?"
Xu Yingqiao was slightly taken aback, then came to her senses, "You mean..."
“Miss Song is a very capable person. It’s a blessing for us to befriend the Song family. We don’t need to think about anything else,” Dong Hanzhou said.
Hearing this, Xu Yingqiao nodded, "Don't worry, I understand, and I will not push my luck."
Although she initially became acquainted with the Song family because of the child, she later genuinely became friends with Madam Song.
Madam Song has a very good temperament. I had heard some untrue rumors that Madam Song had a bad temper, was disrespectful to her maternal family, and that after marrying General Song, she refused to associate with her maternal family.
It wasn't until they actually met her that they realized everything they had heard was false. Madam Song was clearly a very kind person, while it was her family members who were greedy and spread such rumors to ruin her reputation.
It's really hateful!