This storm came to an abrupt halt after Earl Zhongqin was beheaded in public, and following closely behind was the wedding day of Princess Yongjia and the Duke of Qing.
A grand dowry stretching for ten miles entered the Zhenguo Duke's estate, and just the copper coins scattered along the wedding procession route amounted to thousands of taels of silver.
Aside from the Emperor and Empress, who did not attend, all the high-ranking officials and imperial relatives in the capital were present.
Including the military generals, the hundred tables were barely enough to seat everyone.
After the wedding ceremony concluded, the four Song siblings were arranged at two different tables.
Song Qiming took Song Anhao to sit at the men's banquet, while Song Jinzhao and Song Shixue sat at the women's banquet.
A piercing gaze fell upon Song Jinzhao through the gauze curtain. Noticing someone watching from the opposite side, Song Shixue whispered, "Sister, Prince Ying is looking this way."
Song Jinzhao calmly picked up her wine cup, seemingly completely unbothered by the other party's hostility.
"I know. He is just a stray dog, ignore him."
Xiao Chengjing was unfit to be emperor, and Xiao Rongyan, this prince, was even less worthy of her attention. Since some things had already begun, they would not stop.
Not long after, Madam Zhenguo came over with a wine cup to toast the female guests.
"Today is my son's grand wedding day. Please eat and drink well, everyone. If there is any lack of hospitality, feel free to ask the maids."
Madam Zhenguo, her face glowing with joy, drank the clear wine in her cup, and the crowd stood up one after another to return the toast.
"The Duke of Qing and Princess Yongjia are a perfect match of talent and beauty, a match made in heaven. Surely, it won't be long before the Duke's estate welcomes a new addition to the family."
The older women brought up children right away, as if Princess Yongjia could get pregnant this very day.
However, these words touched Madam Zhenguo's heart. She grinned and exchanged pleasantries, "I certainly hope so. Chu Yun, like his father, married late. If they can have a child early, I will finally be able to enjoy playing with my grandchild."
Song Jinzhao sat in her chair listening, smiling but saying nothing.
Unexpectedly, after Madam Zhenguo left, the gauze curtain separating the men's and women's banquets was suddenly pulled open from the opposite side.
Prince Ying walked toward Song Jinzhao with a wine cup and malicious intent.
Song Qiming, sitting in the middle of the men's banquet, had just put down his wine cup. Seeing this, he immediately picked up Song Anhao and hurried over.
"County Princess Linghui is in a good mood today. It's a pity that my eldest brother is completely blind and couldn't come today."
"Come to think of it, it's quite strange. The County Princess has superb medical skills and could even bring the Zhenguo Duke back from the brink of death. Prince Qi merely injured his eyes, yet the County Princess claimed she couldn't save him. Those who don't know better might think you hold a grudge and are deliberately refusing to save him."
The banquet, previously filled with smiling pleasantries, instantly fell dead silent. Everyone panicked, and no one dared to speak.
What did His Highness Prince Ying mean by this?
Was he insinuating that County Princess Linghui deliberately refused to treat Prince Qi?
Song Jinzhao smiled faintly, stood up, and said to Xiao Rongyan, "His Highness Prince Qi's left eye is not blind yet, but His Highness Prince Ying claims he is completely blind. Do you sit around your manor all day hoping your own brother goes blind?"
"..." The women at the table widened their eyes in terror, staring at Song Jinzhao's face in disbelief.
Was that something she could say? County Princess Linghui was far too bold!
Before Xiao Rongyan could retort, the curve of Song Jinzhao's lips widened.
"Merely injured his eyes? Your Highness speaks far too lightly. I wonder how Prince Qi would feel if he heard this."
With a change of expression, Song Jinzhao feigned ignorance and asked in confusion, "Furthermore, why would this County Princess hold a grudge and refuse to save him? Did Prince Qi do something to wrong me? How come I don't know about it? Your Highness looks like you know something; could you tell me?"
At the same table, seven or eight pairs of eyes darted around wildly, exchanging significant glances with whoever they made eye contact with.
Truly worthy of being the woman who surpassed the Duke of Qing and defeated Prince Wei of the Northern Shuo Kingdom. County Princess Linghui was incredibly tough and refused to swallow even the slightest grievance.
