The gazes from everyone were so intense that Shangguan Jin, who had been mentally calculating her little accounts, fanned her small round fan rapidly.
She glanced at the pampered ladies in the courtyard and quickly smiled.
Ah, she had made her decision a bit too hastily just now, startling everyone.
After searching for three whole years, suddenly announcing that the search was off—anyone would have second thoughts.
“Actually, I’ve thought it over carefully. Searching for someone is just like looking for misplaced jewelry.
When you rummage through every chest and cabinet, you can never find it.
But if you stop looking, it suddenly pops up from some forgotten corner.
So, searching for a person is the same.
This year, Dingguo Gongfu will temporarily suspend the search.
Who knows? Perhaps one day the Guogong will suddenly return?” Shangguan Jin earnestly explained to everyone.
Yet the more she explained, the more everyone’s minds raced.
This was truly explosive news!
Outsiders all knew that the Duke and Duchess of Dingguo were deeply devoted to each other. For the Duchess to suddenly stop searching for her missing husband after all this time…
Oh, and now she’s joyfully celebrating her mother-in-law’s birthday.
Wasn’t this all pointing to one truth?
The missing man must have sent word, perhaps they’ve already been in contact.
The letter likely said something about returning home soon…
The ladies felt they had uncovered the truth.
Thinking this way, all of the Duchess of Dingguo’s actions today suddenly made sense.
With her capable husband returning, she could finally hold her head high. What better time to assert her authority?
“That’s right, what Madam says is true. I once lost a pair of emerald earrings, and three months later, they suddenly appeared in a hidden compartment of my jewelry box.
Many things are like that.
You can’t find them when you’re looking, but they appear when you stop searching.” Madam of the Duke of Qi expressed agreement.
It seemed someone had already contacted the Duke of Dingguo.
Was it Tianjia?
Did her elder sister Huanghou know about this?
Marchioness of Wuding also looked astonished.
Their household had secretly searched for three years as well, but without any news.
Could it be that the Duke of Dingguo was really sent out on a mission by Tianjia…
If that were the case, what about Anguo Gongfu…
The ladies in the courtyard exchanged meaningful glances once more.
The only truly happy one was Madam Shangguan.
It seemed her son-in-law was really safe. Though she didn’t know when he would return, the fact that her daughter was hosting such a grand banquet surely meant good news.
“Jin’er, it’s alright. If you need anything, just send word back home.” Madam Shangguan whispered in Shangguan Jin’s ear.
Shangguan Jin nodded.
Truthfully, she had several reasons for stopping the search for the Duke of Dingguo.
If he was deliberately hiding, or if he was out on some special mission, what use was searching?
Wouldn’t that just be a complete waste of effort?
Moreover, the annual expenses for sending people to search for the Duke of Dingguo were enormous.
From what Shangguan Jin knew, more than half of the household’s annual income went toward these search expenses.
So, considering various factors, Shangguan Jin decided to stop sending people out to search.
If he was truly gone, there was nothing she could do.
If he was still alive, then why wasn’t he coming home? Did he have to make his family worry like this?
Of course, the main reason Shangguan Jin stopped the search was simply that it was too expensive…
She didn’t want the little family fortune she had managed to recover to be thrown into the water again.
As for that Dingguogong who didn’t know whether he was alive or dead… Hah, whether you come back or not is up to you!
The various madams were all somewhat absent-minded.
They truly wanted to return to their own residences right now.
They had received too much news today; the masters of their households must be waiting anxiously!
But the banquet hadn’t started yet. If they rashly proposed leaving now, they would likely offend Dingguo Gongfu.
If it were before yesterday, offending them wouldn’t matter much.
But today…
Even if there were needles on their chairs, they had to sit patiently.
Everyone chatted idly for a few more moments, making small talk about this and that.
As the sun rose higher and it was almost time for the banquet to begin, Steward Shen of Dingguo Gongfu, who had been greeting guests outside the gate, hurriedly entered.
Skillfully paying his respects to the various madams, Steward Shen stood respectfully before Shangguan Jin with his head bowed.
“Madam, the second young master of Wudinghoufu has brought a young lady to kowtow to you and Old Madam,” Steward Shen said respectfully.
Upon hearing this, the courtyard fell silent again.
Marchioness of Wuding still looked embarrassed.
It was only right for her son to come and offer birthday congratulations to Old Madam Shen, after all, they were future in-laws.
But bringing a young lady…
Could it be that Yu Ge’er had brought his distant cousin?
This…
Marchioness of Wuding’s heart rose to her throat.
Why wouldn’t that wretched boy listen to advice! Why bring someone to Dingguo Gongfu at this time?
She felt that something major was likely to happen today.
“This child, I already told him I would convey his birthday wishes to Old Madam on his behalf, yet he insisted on coming in person,” Marchioness of Wuding said with a forced smile.
But Shangguan Jin recalled what Dongmai had said a few days ago.
The second young master of Wudinghou had recently become very close with a young lady, going in and out together, as intimate as one person.
“Yu Ge’er is very filial indeed!
Most likely, he heard that our Dingguo Gongfu didn’t hire an opera troupe, so he invited some famous singer from a certain establishment to offer birthday congratulations to our Old Madam!
Chuntao, go to the rear courtyard and see if everything is ready for the old lady. If so, please invite her over!
It’s perfect timing, as the banquet is about to begin soon,” Shangguan Jin said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Chuntao exchanged a glance with Dongmai and headed toward the rear courtyard.
Marchioness of Wuding…
The other madams…
Hah, lately, everyone had seen plenty of drama surrounding this second young master of the Song family.
A distant cousin from Marchioness of Wuding’s maternal family had come to the capital seeking refuge with her. Somehow, she and the second young master had taken a liking to each other.
Behind closed doors, people had whispered plenty—was Wudinghoufu planning to break off the engagement with the Guogongfu, or were they going to make that distant cousin a concubine…
Marchioness of Wuding didn’t know what to say; she just anxiously watched the courtyard gate.
Before long, Steward Shen led in the second young master of Wudinghoufu, Song Tianyu.
And behind this second young master Song followed a slender, frail-looking young lady.
Dressed entirely in moon-white, there was hardly any bright color to be seen on her.
Even her hair was tied up with jade-colored hairpins, adorned sparsely with a few white pearl flowers.
Oh, the only splash of color was a pair of green earrings on her ears.
Seeing the young lady dressed like this, everyone was stunned.
“Greetings…” Second Young Master Song was about to pay his respects to Shangguan Jin.
Yet Madam Shangguan beside Shangguan Jin darkened her expression and slapped the table with a sharp crack.
“How dare you!”
Everyone was startled.
Shangguan Jin, however, resumed fanning herself with her round fan.
The real show was about to begin.