RPAGF Chapter 506 Public opinion is a murderous knife
Chapter 506 Public opinion is a murderous knife
The next day, the prime minister's residence was bustling with activity.
Because the wife of the Prime Minister's Mansion posted a lot of invitations yesterday, many ladies brought their children to the Prime Minister's Mansion today. On the one hand, it was to keep in touch with each other, and on the other hand, they also wanted their children to get to know some people and prepare for finding a partner in the future.
Most of those who did not come were family members of officials of the fifth rank or above. There were very few below the fifth rank. Even if there were, they were just trying to sneak in and build relationships.
Zhuang Zihan led a group of young sisters to the corridor to drink tea, eat snacks and play pitch pot, while Madam Zhuang entertained the other ladies in the main hall.
In the hall, many people gathered around the Prime Minister's wife and talked.
"Madam Zhuang, I heard from Miss Suxin that you also invited the wife of the number one scholar today?"
Suxin and Yunjin are Zhuang Zihan's personal maids.
Mrs. Zhuang Tang Wanhua nodded.
"Yes, Lord Xu is a handsome man, and I imagine his wife is also a virtuous and gentle person. I was curious, so I specially sent someone to invite Mrs. Xu yesterday."
The top scholar rejected the marriage proposal from the prime minister's family in front of the emperor. This matter was not kept secret and everyone in the capital had heard about it.
Originally, there was no such thing. Whether it was a royal family or a palace concubine, Zhuang Zihan could marry into it.
But recently I heard that when Mrs. Zhuang was arranging a marriage for her, she encountered many obstacles because of this matter.
The ladies present were all shrewd people, and some of them were even more skilled at changing their attitudes according to the situation.
"I heard that Madam Xu comes from the countryside. I guess she's just someone who can't stand up to the public."
Some even made fun of it.
"I heard she's been in the capital for half a year now, and she's been staying at home almost every day. I wonder if it's because she's been doing too much farm work, but she's ugly, her skin is rough, and she looks old. She also doesn't know the proper etiquette in the capital, so she doesn't dare to go out, worried that she'll embarrass herself and lose face for her husband."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the ladies around laughed.
"Isn't that right?" Tang Wanhua maintained her dignified image. "I think Lord Xu really values his first wife. Apart from matters at court, he spends most of his time at home with his wife and children. He rarely attends gatherings with his colleagues. Oh, right..."
She seemed to have thought of something.
"Half a year ago, didn't our Han'er go to Yingshan City? She came back and said that she happened to catch the fiftieth birthday of the Yingshan City Governor, Lord Yu, and was invited to attend his birthday banquet. Lord Xu, who hadn't yet entered the court as an official, also went, but he didn't bring his wife with him. It was said that his wife was about to give birth."
"I guess she hasn't been able to go out for the past six months. She's been staying at home to take care of herself and her children."
Someone nearby looked suspicious.
"The Governor is a second-rank official. At that time, Lord Xu hadn't even entered the imperial court yet. Being able to send an invitation to the couple was already a huge honor. How could she not go? I'm afraid she's really not worthy of the public."
"Exactly. Nowadays, who doesn't have a wet nurse to look after their baby when they have one? But she's so delicate that she had to nurse for half a year. Is she really giving birth, or did she lie beforehand and not dare to go out because she was afraid of being exposed? Who knows?"
Tang Wanhua looked up and saw the contempt in everyone's eyes, and she pressed the corners of her lips.
"You can't say that..."
Before she could finish her words, she saw a lady taking her arm.
"Madam, please don't make excuses for her. She's just a country woman. Are we afraid of her if we say a few words behind her back? Lord Xu values her because he is a noble person. I heard that country women age quickly. In a few years, when she is old and ugly, I don't believe Lord Xu will still treat her so well."
The other person showed no disdain on his face.
"If I were her, I wouldn't be here to delay Master Xu's bright future. I'd ask to be dismissed and receive some money to return home for retirement. Wouldn't that be more comfortable than staying in the capital and not daring to go out?"
Some people are already impatient.
"Now that you've said that, I'm really looking forward to seeing what this Mrs. Xu looks like."
Some people stepped on Song Yuntang, some remained neutral, and some ladies looked down on those who spoke ill of others behind their backs.
Such a person is two-faced. Today, he said such unpleasant words just to please Madam Zhuang, but who knows what he will say about the Zhuang family's affairs behind her back.
They say three women make one play.
The stage set up in the Prime Minister's Mansion today is quite large, and anyone with a discerning eye can tell who it is for.
Sometimes, public opinion is a murderous knife.
Push it in and pull it out.
No blood, but deadly.
If Madam Xu is a sensitive and fragile person, after what happened today, it would be good if she doesn't get seriously ill when she returns home.
……
Although he had to go to the Prime Minister's residence, Song Yuntang was not in a hurry.
She knew that there was no good news going to the Prime Minister's Mansion today, and she didn't want to spend too much time dealing with those ladies. After slowly getting up and eating breakfast, she began to look for clothes to wear today.
It’s your first time attending a banquet for ladies like this, so you can’t be too high-profile, nor too shabby.
"Jinshu, go get the light purple winter coat that A Rao had sent over a few days ago, and also the windbreaker with a snow fox fur collar of the same color."
"Yes."
Jin Shufu leaned forward and found the clothes Song Yuntang was going to wear.
The clothes that Jiang Surao sent were custom-made according to Song Yuntang's body shape, and the styles were drawn by Song Yuntang himself. Because they were recent styles, the clothing stores have not started selling them yet, so there is no need to worry about wearing the same clothes as others.
After changing her clothes, Song Yuntang asked Jinshu to comb her hair into a simple bun.
She tied all her thick long hair up on top of her head, with a small pearl flower matching the color of her clothes on one side and a short tassel hairpin on the other.
When the head shakes gently, the tassels sway gracefully and delicately.
With a pair of warm white jade earrings and a little makeup on her face, her already fair and delicate face became even more radiant and charming.
When Song Yuntang finished packing and came to the main hall, the elders were stunned for a moment, perhaps because they rarely saw her dressed so formally, and there was a flash of surprise in their eyes.
Mrs. Hu was the first to react. She smiled and looked at him as she said, "I always say that Qingye is a lucky girl. When Tang'er dresses up, she looks like a fairy from heaven."
Jiang, who was holding the child, also stood up and said jokingly, "Haoting, look at your mother. Grandma can hardly take her eyes off her."
Xu Yongwang did not forget to instruct Xia Ning.
"Miss Xia Ning, please be careful when you go out. Don't let outsiders bully our daughter-in-law."
Xia Ning nodded seriously.
"It is my duty to protect the lady."
Song Yuntang looked at the elders with a smile.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, it's getting late. I should leave now. I'll leave Hao Ting to you today."
Jiang said hurriedly, "There are so many people watching over the child at home, so just leave him to us without worry. As for you, please be careful outside."
Xu Yuande also gave instructions.
"Outside is different from home. Think before you act and don't be rash or impulsive."
"My grandson's wife knows."
After saying that, he turned around and left with Jinshu and Xia Ning.
Jiang looked in the direction she left, her face full of emotion.
"Qingye used to be such a pure and unselfish person. I once thought he was going to become a monk. But after meeting such a good daughter-in-law, if I were Qingye, I would definitely not be able to remain calm."
Now, both of them have children.
Mrs. Hu burst out laughing.
"You're already a mother-in-law, and you still talk nonsense."
"So what if I'm a mother-in-law?" Jiang raised her eyebrows and smiled at the two elders. "Aren't I still a junior in front of my parents?"
As soon as the words came out, Xu Yuande and Jiang started laughing again.
……