NOVEL NEXT Chapter 153: Framing
"Miss." Qiao'er couldn't help but address Xie Ruotong.
There was a sense of unease in her heart.
The second miss is doing this on purpose, the son-in-law might end up disliking the eldest miss deeply.
"It's nothing, let's go," said Xie Ruotong generously.
Xie Ruilin is just trying to secure Song Yanqing's protection.
No matter what.
Once Xie Ruilin marries Song Yanqing as a concubine, her status in the Song Family will naturally be lower than hers.
If she doesn't monopolize Song Yanqing, she will have no advantage in the Song Family.
Swallowing her grievances, Qiao'er followed Xie Ruotong towards the main hall.
At this moment, inside the main hall, Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang had already taken their seats at the head.
Song Yanqing, holding Xie Ruilin's hand, bowed to his parents one after another.
Only then did Xie Ruotong step forward, presenting her respects to Song Yuanzhong and Ming Yufang with great poise, "Your daughter-in-law greets her father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Please rise," Song Yuanzhong hastened to beckon.
It was also because he knew that last night Song Yanqing had gone to Xie Ruilin's room, and thus he was even kinder to Xie Ruotong, feeling that she had been wronged.
This earnest and kind attitude made Xie Ruilin jealous.
Originally, she should have been the Song Family's rightfully wedded wife, but now it was Xie Ruotong who had taken her place; the Song Family should be filled with guilt towards her, yet they treated Xie Ruotong in such a manner, leaving her feeling intensely resentful.
"Young master, young madam, it's time to offer the morning tea to the lord and lady," said the Chief Maid beside Ming Yufang respectfully.
As she spoke.
The servants each brought over two cups of tea.
One was naturally for Song Yanqing, and the other was for Xie Ruotong.
"Hand it to Lin'er." Just as a servant was about to pass the tea to Xie Ruotong, Song Yanqing suddenly interjected.
The servant was momentarily at a loss.
Song Yanqing directly handed the teacup to Xie Ruilin.
Xie Ruilin seemed hesitant to accept, "Yanqing brother, this..."
She appeared to be in a difficult position.
"Yanqing!" At that moment, Song Yuanzhong also sternly rebuked him.
It was clearly against the rules for a concubine to offer tea first.
"Either I and Lin'er along with her offer the tea together."
'Her' was also referring to Xie Ruotong.
He was unwilling to even mention her name.
"Or I and Lin'er offer the tea first, and then she does it on her own," Song Yanqing insisted.
Song Yuanzhong was so angry that he was about to stand up and strike Song Yanqing.
"Lin'er is my own sister, originally part of the same household. Now that we have both married Yanqing, our relationship is even closer, there's no distinguishing between you and me," Xie Ruotong mediated smoothly.
With such words.
Song Yanqing looked at Xie Ruotong squarely for the first time.
His memory of Xie Ruotong was not very profound, recalling only a graceful and obedient young girl, and because of this memory, he believed Xie Ruotong to be a magnanimous and sensible person, hence he wrote her a letter explaining his feelings, hoping she would bless him and Lin'er's relationship, yet it was rejected by Xie Ruotong.
Now truly observing Xie Ruotong, he found that she didn't differ much from his impression, still standing dignified and graceful, a well-informed and cultured person befitting the daughter of the Xie Family. Only now, she seemed somewhat familiar.
He felt like he might have seen her somewhere else before?!
Not just memories from when they were children.
But upon deeper thought, he couldn't figure it out in the moment.
Xie Ruotong, naturally, could feel Song Yanqing's gaze on her.
It must be the first time he has really looked at her.
Inside, she also felt a bit nervous.
Back at Yicui Pavilion, she had met Song Yanqing once, and since she never thought she'd return to Duke Mansion, she made no effort to hide her appearance. If Song Yanqing recognized her now... but at that time, Song Yanqing was preoccupied with taking care of Qin Shuyang and probably did not pay much attention to her.
Xie Ruotong strived to maintain her composure.
Meanwhile, Song Yanqing's scrutinizing gaze on Xie Ruotong was clearly displeasing Xie Ruilin.
She knew that Xie Ruotong was prettier than her; before Xie Ruotong was taken away, the one who received all the praises was Xie Ruotong. After so many years, she came back still looking more outstanding than her, even today's attire, she wasn't sure if it was intentional, but it somehow matched with Song Yanqing better. When she walked alongside Song Yanqing, it made her appear somewhat too ostentatious in contrast. Her heart was already uneasy, and now Song Yanqing was fixated on Xie Ruotong.
Men naturally favored beautiful women, surely Song Yanqing wouldn't fall out of love with her at first sight of Xie Ruotong, right?!
At this moment, Xie Ruilin also dared not speak.
She was very aware that having married into the Song Family, the only way to turn her fortunes was to present herself as the weaker party, to stir the sympathy and protective instincts of the Song Family.
She was inwardly planning her next moves.