Wang Mengqi spoke so loudly that many guests gathered around.
Song Tang couldn’t leave even if she wanted to now, so she simply dropped all pretense of politeness.
“Mengqi, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I, Song Tang, am Madam He’s biological daughter. What do you mean by ‘adopted daughter’? On the other hand, you’re stirring up trouble for no reason—I wonder what your intentions are.”
Wang Mengqi hadn’t expected Song Tang to dare confront her in public and angrily retorted, “Hmph, if you’re the legitimate daughter of the Earl’s mansion, why was Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony more extravagant than yours?”
Song Tang smiled faintly. “What does the scale of the ceremony have to do with whether I’m the legitimate daughter or not? Mother favors my younger sister, so naturally she arranged a grander celebration for her. Mengqi, if you’re so concerned about such matters, perhaps you should worry about your own Coming-of-Age Ceremony. It would be truly embarrassing if yours can’t compare to my sister’s.”
“You!” Wang Mengqi was momentarily speechless. In her anger, she grabbed a teacup from the table and tried to splash it at Song Tang.
Song Tang reacted swiftly, sidestepping to avoid it.
Seeing that she had missed and lost face, Wang Mengqi grew even more furious and was about to make another scene when Madam Zhou, who had heard the commotion, intervened:
“Mengqi, what are you doing? Today is a joyous occasion for the Song family. Causing such a disturbance is highly improper.”
Scolded by her mother, Wang Mengqi’s face flushed red and then paled. Reluctantly, she put down the teacup.
“Mother, she provoked me, and I lost control,” Wang Mengqi falsely accused, playing the victim first.
Song Tang wasn’t about to indulge Wang Mengqi. Since Madam Zhou was here, she naturally sought justice for herself.
She bowed respectfully to Madam Zhou. “Madam Zhou, everyone witnessed Mengqi’s behavior just now. I had no intention of arguing with her, but she provoked me without cause and even tried to splash water at me. Today, you are honored guests, so I won’t hold it against her. But please consider this: Mengqi and I have never had any conflict before. Why would she suddenly cause trouble for me today?”
Hearing this, Madam Zhou’s expression darkened. She knew her daughter’s temperament all too well—easily influenced by others and prone to mocking or scolding people based on her family’s superior status as the Duke’s household.
This was all because Old Lady Wang had spoiled her since childhood!
Still, there must be a reason behind it. Her daughter wouldn’t trouble Song Tang for no reason—someone must have been stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
Madam Zhou turned to Wang Mengqi and asked sternly, “Mengqi, what exactly happened?”
Wang Mengqi hesitated, about to say that Song Wei had told her Song Tang called her fat behind her back, when Madam He arrived with Song Wei.
“Madam Zhou, Madam Qin, why are you all standing here? Please take your seats—the auspicious time is almost here.” Madam He wore a bright smile, unaware of what had just happened.
Song Wei, of course, knew exactly what had transpired. Seeing both Song Tang and Wang Mengqi looking somewhat upset, she secretly rejoiced.
“Mengqi, why are your eyes red? Are you alright?” Song Wei stepped forward and took Wang Mengqi’s hand, pretending to be concerned.
“None of your business!” Even Wang Mengqi, as foolish as she was, realized she had been used as a pawn. She shook off Song Wei’s hand and glared at her fiercely.
Song Wei wore an expression of confusion and innocence, making anyone who saw her believe that Wang Mengqi had taken out her anger toward Song Tang on poor, innocent Song Wei.
Madam Zhou glanced at Song Wei, already forming her own conclusions.
Song Tang gazed coldly at Song Wei, contemplating whether to let her off or teach her a harsh lesson, when Mu Ziyu arrived.
Mu Ziyu’s gaze initially fell upon Song Tang.
But the next moment, his eyes never left Song Wei again.
Mu Ziyu was handsome, and his arrival drew the attention of many women present.
However, the man standing before him was even more striking.
With sharp brows and bright eyes, a tall, straight nose, and dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, his dark hair was tied up in a jade crown. His eyes were deep, and between his brows carried an extraordinary aura. Even Song Tang couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times.
The man was Mu Changxiao, the Marquis of the Mu residence and Mu Ziyu’s third uncle, six years his senior.
Because Mu Ziyu’s mother, Madam Sun, disliked the engagement between her son and Song Tang, she did not attend.
With almost everyone gathered, it was not appropriate to continue the standoff. Madam Zhou spoke first: “Today is a joyous occasion for the Song family. Let’s discuss what just happened later when we return.”
“Yes, yes, we’ll clarify things after we return,” Madam He shot a glare at Song Tang, convinced in her heart that Song Tang was causing trouble again, and hurriedly smoothed things over.
“It’s my Song Tang who doesn’t know better, making everyone laugh. Come, come, let’s all take our seats. The auspicious hour is about to arrive.”
“How am I not knowing better?” Song Tang suddenly noticed the bracelet on Song Wei’s wrist was actually the Lingxi Jade Bracelet, and her voice unconsciously rose a few degrees: “Isn’t the bracelet on Song Wei’s wrist the one Grandmother left for me?”
Father, mother, elder brother—now even the bracelet Grandmother left for her was being taken by Song Wei. Song Tang’s anger surged instantly.
The Lingxi Jade Bracelet was one of Grandmother’s dowry items. Its texture was like congealed fat, its jade green serene and deep, warm and translucent to the touch, cool yet smooth. It had been Grandmother’s cherished treasure during her lifetime.
Song Tang remembered that when she was young, Grandmother had told her many times that when she married, she would pass this Lingxi Jade Bracelet on to her. Both Father Song and Mother Song knew this.
But now, the bracelet Grandmother had promised her was worn on Song Wei’s wrist!
Song Tang knew that Song Wei had long wanted the Lingxi Jade Bracelet, but it was stored in the Song family’s private vault, and Song Wei couldn’t possibly have the key.
That meant Song Wei had mentioned wanting the bracelet to Madam He, and Madam He had directly taken it from the private vault and given it to Song Wei, without considering her at all!
When Song Wei first entered the Song residence, Grandfather and Grandmother were still alive.
Grandfather and Grandmother did not like Song Wei. For one, they felt Song Wei was not of Song blood—she was the child of Madam He’s deceased elder sister from her maternal family. Although they did not prevent Song Wei from entering the residence, they were ultimately displeased.
Secondly, ever since Song Wei entered the residence, Song Tang’s temper had grown fierce. The two children often quarreled, with Song Wei crying and sniveling, making it seem as though Song Tang was bullying her. But the old couple, seasoned and experienced, could easily see that Song Wei was scheming. However, their son and daughter-in-law treated Song Wei as their own and always sided with her.
Thus, on their deathbeds, Grandfather and Grandmother had instructed their son and daughter-in-law to treat Song Tang well, as she was their own flesh and blood. Even if they couldn’t favor her, they should at least treat her equally.
But Father Song and Mother Song likely paid no heed. Without Grandfather and Grandmother to restrain and watch over them, they became even more brazen in their favoritism toward Song Wei, ignoring Song Tang entirely.
Seeing Song Tang’s aggressive stance, Song Wei adopted a humble posture, bowing slightly to Song Tang: “Sister, please don’t be angry. I’ll take off the bracelet and return it to you right now.”
Song Wei deliberately put on a pitiful expression and was just about to remove the bracelet when Madam He immediately pressed down on her hand.
“The matter of the bracelet has nothing to do with Wei’er. If you want a bracelet, I’ll buy you a better one later,” Madam He said with a stern tone. Deep down, she felt that Song Tang was narrow-minded, much like Song Tang’s grandmother, whereas Song Wei’s gentle and agreeable nature resembled her own more.