Chapter 562: 562: The House is Full of Guests_1

She didn’t want to come, she was afraid it could harm her pregnancy.

The first three months were the most prone to complications, and given the current cold weather, and the crowded and chaotic banquet, all she wanted was to stay in Cuiting Pavilion and not go anywhere.

But the Prince insisted she accompany the Queen.

Her heart sank like it was plunged into the depths of the sea. She couldn’t understand why the Prince was not concerned about her and the child in her womb. Even though he had become distant with her due to the deception, the child she carried was his first. Why didn’t he care at all?

Wei Qingwan was in extreme reluctance, but she dared not defy the Prince’s orders.

So she arrived today, not only having to constantly be careful with her own body but also potentially facing harm from Qi Shijing and the threat from Wei Qingruo.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Qi Shijing responded with a smile, “Our dear Wanwan knew that today was Queen Rui’s first banquet, so she made it a point to show her support.”

Wei Qingwan nodded lightly, a movement so minuscule that had Wei Ruo not been staring at her at that moment, it would almost be unnoticeable.

Wei Ruo, of course, knew that wasn’t the case, but she chose not to expose the lie, she only smiled and said, “In that case, every guest is welcome. Please take a seat.”

“In that case, I will not bother my ninth brother and sister.” Qi Shijing said with a smile, then headed towards the crowd.

Wei Qingwan cautiously followed behind, looking rather timid.

Soon after, people from the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence arrived.

The invitation to the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence was requested by the old Madam Wei through someone, so Wei Ruo knew they would come.

Madam Yun and Madam Mo came together, naturally, Madam Bai did not come.

After the incident last time, the second and third households were completely estranged. Under any circumstances, the third household would not involve the second.

Madam Yun had completely fallen out with Madam Bai, and they were residing under one roof merely because the two elders were still alive.

However, her relationship with Madam Mo had grown closer.

Dressed in an orange brocade robe, Madam Yun looked dignified, while Madam Mo chose a rather mundane grey dress of ordinary material.

When the two arrived in front of Wei Ruo, Madam Yun’s expression was somewhat stiff, and a look of sadness emerged in her eyes when she looked at Wei Ruo.

However, it was Madam Mo who greeted Wei Ruo, “Is the Queen well these days?”

“Everything is fine. Is Auntie well?” Wei Ruo replied.

“We’re all well, everything at home is fine, your Highness need not worry.” Madam Mo responded.

“Good to hear. There are many guests today, please pardon any inadequacies, Auntie.”

“Not at all, your Highness should be busy with your guests. If we need anything, we will ask the attendants.”

After speaking, Madam Mo glanced at the downcast Madam Yun, who was only watching Wei Ruo and remained silent.

“Third sister, let’s go sit somewhere else.” Madam Mo suggested.

Madam Yun stayed silent, gave Wei Ruo a glance, and expressionless followed Madam Mo into the crowd.

Madam Mo purposely led Madam Yun to a corner.

After sitting down, Madam Yun raised her head to look at Wei Ruo again.

Madam Mo gently patted on Madam Yun’s hand, “Don’t forget mother’s reminder. If there’s anything troubling you, keep it to yourself for now, and talk to her when you get the chance.”

Before Madam Mo came, Old Madam Wei had also spoken to her, urging her to keep an eye on Madam Yun and consider the bigger picture.

Madam Yun drew back her gaze.

“Don’t worry, I know what’s important.” Madam Yun replied.

Madam Mo didn’t say anything else.

After a while, a servant came to report. Queen Jing had arrived.

Wei Ruo squinted her eyes, then continued to greet her guests with a polite smile.

Queen Jing wore a pink dress embroidered with plum blossoms, her hair was simply tied up with not much decoration, dressing modestly elegant.

True to her name, she was petite and full of spirit, especially her eyes were very lively, giving an impression of a lively and sweet girl next door.

But she was the major antagonist who fought with Wei Qingwan throughout more than two hundred chapters in the original book. Compared to her cannon fodder character that died in a few chapters, Queen Jing was much more formidable. Therefore, Wei Ruo knew she was not as naïve as she appeared.

“Ninth sister.” Zuo Lingyue greeted with a warm smile on her face.

“Queen Rui,” replied Wei Ruo.

“You’ve gone through hard times these days.”

“It’s what I should do.”

“There are many people today, so I won’t disturb you anymore.”

“Alright, Queen Rui, please do as you wish.”

After a brief exchange, Wei Ruo smilingly watched as Queen Jing took her seat.

###

Inside the Songzhu Garden.

Xiumei was not with Wei Ruo as usual, but accompanying the wet nurse on her side.

The banquet was set in the Wang Residence today, so Xiumei didn’t have to worry about Wei Ruo’s reassurance as before.

However, the wet nurse, attending such an event for the first time, looked somewhat apprehensive.

“Meimei, is it really okay for me to dress like this?” The wet nurse was quite unaccustomed to her outfit for the day.

Even though they had earned a lot of silver, and her son had already established a remarkable military record and had a rank and position, she had never dressed so formally before.

“There’s nothing wrong, absolutely nothing!”

“I, a crude person, wearing these silk fabrics, indeed looks a bit out of character.”

“Mother Xu, trust me, you look lovely in this outfit!” Xiumei comforted her.

The wet nurse was made bashful by Xiumei’s words.

“Have you two finished dressing yet?” Xu Zhengyong’s voice came from outside the door.

“Don’t be impatient, we’ll be ready soon.”

“I’m not impatient, I’m just asking. Take as long as you need,” Xu Zhengyong hurriedly replied.

He dared not be impatient.

Speaking, Xu Zhengyong paced back and forth in the corridor.

Suddenly, he spotted a man in green coming over.

Xu Zhengyong’s eyebrows raised slightly.

The man looked ordinary, but his body was slim and his bearing extraordinary.

Seeing the man step by step towards the room, Xu Zhengyong felt something was not right and stepped forward to block his path.

“Who are you? This is the residence of Queen Rui, how can you enter casually?”

Xu Zhengyong knew that Songzhu Garden was Wei Ruo’s residence, where men would not come and go normally.

The guards were all patrolling outside, and wouldn’t easily enter without special circumstances.

Even male attendants would only enter upon the master’s summons.

But he was an exception, having gained special permission from the prince.

“I am…”

Just as Wei Jinyi was about to explain, Xu Zhengyong spotted the sword he wore at his waist.

Without a word, Xu Zhengyong threw a punch at Wei Jinyi.

Wei Jinyi sidestepped to dodge.

Xu Zhengyong then threw dozens of punches at him, all of which Wei Jinyi easily dodged.

Facing Xu Zhengyong’s punches, as fierce as a tiger springs out of its cage, Wei Jinyi kept his hands behind his back, only defending without making any moves.

Xu Zhengyong was surprised to find that the man before him had amazingly high martial arts skills. He had used 90% of his strength, but hadn’t been able to touch even a hair of his opponent!

This only made Xu Zhengyong even more convinced that there was a problem with this man.

“With such high martial arts skills, and daring to carry a sword into my sister’s residence, who sent you?”