The Marquise: I Earn My Own Worship

On the 53rd birthday of Left Prime Minister Huang Fengding, Song Shengfu dressed neatly and brought her family to the Left Prime Minister's residence.

The Left Prime Minister's Mansion had already ordered people to wait at the door. When they saw the carriage engraved with the earl's emblem exclusive to the Duan Bo Mansion arriving from afar, the Left Prime Minister's Mansion's butler hurried to greet it.

Song Shengfu got off the carriage and walked inside with her children and grandchildren, following the housekeeper. The landscape of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion was elegant and well-arranged. Every step brought a new scene, which was a feast for the eyes.

Xuan'er's eyes kept moving around as he looked around, but Wei'er was better. She had been learning etiquette since she was a child, and she walked in a dignified and proper manner. Sometimes she would look at something interesting when she saw it. Generally speaking, she seemed to be a dignified girl.

Kang Ge'er looked around, his eyes full of curiosity.

Zuo Xiang’s ancestral home is in Beiyang, so the scenery in the mansion has many characteristics of Beiyang.

When they arrived at the second gate, Song Shengfu and the female family members entered the inner house, while Duan Jingzong and Duan Jingan took Kang Ge'er to the outer courtyard.

When Xuan'er was still young, he and his sister followed Song Shengfu and Lu into the inner house. When they got inside, someone had prepared a sedan chair. It took a long time before they arrived at the destination after getting in the sedan chair.

This time it was a family dinner, so the banquet was set up in the garden, next to which was a medium-sized lotus pond.

Now that September has passed, there are only a few scattered flowers still blooming in the pond, but the lotus leaves are connected in a large area, which is very pleasing to the eye.

"Oh, my dear, I haven't seen you for a long time. I thought you wouldn't come out this time."

Song Shengfu heard the voice and looked over. The person who spoke was none other than Old Madam Huang.

"How could that be? You sent me an invitation and I replied, and now you're teasing me."

Mrs. Huang was in high spirits and her face was full of joy when she saw the happy event.

"What? You're talking about something so extraordinary. Tell me, haven't you been staying in the mansion all these years and rarely come out?"

"Well, that's all in the past. Since you say so, I'll come to bother you often in the future, so please don't bother me."

"I'm so happy that I don't even have time to feel annoyed. After so many years, many of those good sisters we had together are gone, and there are fewer people to talk to."

The two old ladies supported each other and sat down. It was then that Song Shengfu noticed that Duan Jingyi was not there and asked:

"Why isn't Jingyi here?"

"She?"

Madam Huang spoke with a smile.

"She couldn't sleep well last night because of her stomach upset. Today, I specifically told the servants not to disturb her and let her rest for a while."

Song Shengfu was a little worried when she heard that there was nothing serious, and she was relieved when she heard that there was no problem.

Looking at the loving face of Old Mrs. Huang, it is hard to reconcile her with the cold and ruthless appearance in her previous life.

"You treat her better than me, her biological mother, do now. Jingyi is lucky to have a good mother-in-law like you."

Song Shengfu showered her with nice words, and Old Madam Huang felt a little embarrassed. But she wasn't that kind of person, was she?

"She's a double now, that's as it should be. As long as she's safe and sound, that's all that matters."

Old Madam Huang is now hoping that this baby will be a legitimate grandson, as the concubines' illegitimate sons have been born one after another and were previously showing off in front of her.

But there's no point showing off, as most of this huge fortune belongs to her son, so it's useless even if they are jealous.

He still wanted to give Jing Tong an adopted son. Bah, he didn't even look at the lowly blood flowing in his body. It's not like Jing Tong is infertile.

Song Shengfu knew what Old Madam Huang was thinking. Her only wish was a legitimate grandson. She would have to wait another three months, and the results would be out by then. Song Shengfu was only 70% confident.

Song Shengfu glanced around and found that there were still many people there, and she was a little confused.

"Those are?"

Madam Huang's expression remained calm. She smiled as usual and said, "The tables over there are for my two concubines' families, and the two tables next to the pool are for my two concubines' daughters-in-law."

"Oh," Song Shengfu nodded in understanding. Although this was a family dinner, it looked like there were quite a few people.

Mrs. Lu was sitting there, surrounded by several ladies chatting and laughing. Sister Wei had been pulled away by Sister Yu to play with her friends.

At this time, Duan Jingyi hurried over, holding her stomach with one hand and her waist with the other. She walked a little hurriedly, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"Slow down, slow down, watch your stomach."

Before Song Shengfu could say anything, Mrs. Huang beside her quickly spoke up.

Song Shengfu: Who is the biological mother?

Oh, it seems neither, but Mrs. Huang is more like her.

Duan Jingyi approached and began to apologize nervously.

"Mother, it's my fault for sleeping in today and getting up late. Please forgive me."

"It's not too late, it's still early. Why are you in such a hurry? You have a double body, you need to be careful."

"Yes, Jingyi, listen to your mother-in-law and never be so reckless again."

Only then did Duan Jingyi see her mother sitting next to her, and she immediately felt a little happier.

Duan Jingyi was helped to sit down. Before she could say anything, a sour voice came from the side.

"Sister-in-law, you've only just arrived. Did you forget that today is father's birthday? But I can understand that you're a little delicate because you're pregnant. I'm sure father won't blame you when he finds out."

Duan Jingyi and the others' faces instantly darkened. What did these words mean? They were saying that she was unfilial, both explicitly and implicitly.

With so many people here today, if this gets out, will Duan Jingyi's reputation be ruined? Will her Duan family's reputation be ruined?

Song Shengfu's face was filled with dismay. How dare she say such things in front of their Duan family? It was obvious how difficult Jingyi's life was in the Huang family before.

Madam Huang's face was already unhappy, and when she heard this, she cursed him inwardly, "You fool!" "Today is not like before. My family is here, and you're calling me unfilial right in front of me."

"Shut up. I was the one who told Jingyi to sleep a little longer. She's a double and she made a fuss most of the night before. The Prime Minister knows about this and must understand. Why do you have any objections?"

Yu was a talkative person and had been feeling very aggrieved these days. After finally catching Duan Jingyi doing something wrong, how could she let her go?

But the mother-in-law seemed to be under a spell and treated Duan Jingyi very well, not giving her anything she wanted. After being scolded, Yu bit her tongue secretly and became impulsive.

Isn't it just a piece of meat in the belly? What's the big deal? We don't even know whether it's a boy or a girl. Humph, don't be too excited when the time comes.

This is what Yu thought in her heart. It would be better if she just couldn't give birth. That way, her youngest son could be adopted by her eldest brother, and the prime minister's mansion would be in their family's pocket in the future!

But it's all just thought. This old woman is so protective that it's difficult to intervene.

Thinking of this, Yu remembered that idiot Qiao, who had directly reached into Qinxin Courtyard, was caught and was confined until today.

Yu was still frightened. Even her father-in-law got angry that time. Yu did not dare to act rashly. She could only pray to the gods and Buddhas every day, praying that Duan Jingyi would have a daughter and not a son.

"If I remember correctly, you have also given birth. Not only do you not show any consideration for your sister-in-law, but you even backstabbed your elders with your words. Today has really opened my eyes."

Song Shengfu's expression was indifferent, and her tone was calm, as if she was just talking about everyday things.

But such a simple sentence frightened Yu so much that she broke out in a cold sweat. The words she had just said to Duan Jingyi were returned to her intactly.

The key point is that this person is actually Duan Jingyi's biological mother. Isn't it said that Madam Duan rarely comes out? She just said this because she relied on the fact that only Mrs. Lu came from the Duan family, so she dared to be so presumptuous.

Old Madam Duan is a legitimate marquise, and she was even conferred the rank of second-rank marquis by the emperor.

She just said that Duan Jingyi was unfilial, which was a slap in the face of Old Madam Duan. Her words undoubtedly meant that she had not taught her daughter well.

Although she really did not take the Duan family seriously, the only one in office in the Duan family was the fourth son, who was only a sixth-rank official, while her brother was a fourth-rank steward of the Taifu.

But it’s different with Old Madam Duan around. The hereditary marquis is not something their later-rising family can compare to.

"Greetings, Madam Duan. I spoke carelessly and madly, and I beg you to forgive me for my rude behavior."

Yu was resilient and quickly stepped forward to admit her mistake. She hoped the old woman would be tactful and let it go, as her family was still there.

It was only because of her high rank, otherwise Yu would not have admitted her mistake so quickly.