RPAGF Chapter 25 The General's Little Darling
Chapter 25 The General's Little Darling
Ji Xiaosong nodded slightly and walked towards Consort Song under the guidance of the palace maid.
Seeing Ji Xiaosong approach, Consort Song put on a kind smile and said warmly, "Madam Xiao, come closer to me quickly."
After Ji Xiaosong bowed, she rose at the signal of Consort Song.
Consort Song's gaze fell on Ji Xiaosong's belly, and she said softly, "I heard that Madam Xiao is pregnant, and I am overjoyed. Look at this belly, it is sure to add a member to the Xiao family, bringing great fortune."
Ji Xiaosong lowered her head and replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am humbled."
Consort Song was unconcerned about Ji Xiaosong's indifferent and aloof attitude.
This couple acted in unison, and although they appeared refined and easygoing on a daily basis, they were actually colder than anything else.
He chatted casually with Ji Xiaosong for a few minutes, fulfilling his duties as host, before going to attend to the other ladies.
Before long, most of the guests in the Imperial Garden had arrived. Consort Song took a sip of tea and said leisurely, "Ladies, I recently acquired several exotic flowers as tribute from a foreign land. They are called Purple Condensation Flowers and are quite beautiful. They are located in the southeast corner of this Imperial Garden. Why don't you all go and admire them together and add some enjoyment?"
The guests responded enthusiastically and crowded around the purple flower.
Ji Xiaosong didn't want to join in the fun, since there were so many people and she might not be able to squeeze in.
Unexpectedly, a woman appeared beside her at some point and took her hand, but Ji Xiaosong's maidservant quickly and discreetly separated them.
"Madam Xiao, it's been a long time since we last met. I married Song Lang a few days ago, why haven't I seen you there?"
After thinking for a long time, Ji Xiaosong finally remembered that she was Li Wanyu, the wife of Song Yuxi, whom he had only met once.
“Madam Song, I have not heard any news of your marriage to Young Master Song.”
She really didn't know.
The Ji family wouldn't say anything, and the Song family wouldn't have the face to invite the Xiao and Ji families.
In addition, she rarely goes out, and the Xiao family members are not fond of gossip.
A maidservant who was attending to Ji Xiaosong briefly explained the current situation of the Song family to Ji Xiaosong; they were always ready to receive such information.
After hearing about the Song family's affairs, Ji Xiaosong's smile was polite but tinged with a hint of aloofness. However, Li Wanyu seemed oblivious, shamelessly grabbing Ji Xiaosong's sleeve and saying enthusiastically:
"Madam Xiao, it's alright if you have a bad memory. Now that I've told you, you must remember. Come, let's go and see that rare Purple Condensation Flower. It's a treasure that's hard to find in the world, blooming only once a year."
The two weren't particularly close to begin with, and Li Wanyu's excessive enthusiasm made Ji Xiaosong frown slightly.
She said with a troubled expression, "Madam Song, I'm so sorry, but I'm not feeling well and I'm afraid I can't accompany you to admire the purple flowers."
Li Wanyu seemed not to hear her, and tightened her grip, pulling Ji Xiaosong forward: "Madam Xiao, just take a look, it won't take much time."
Ji Xiaosong's maidservant quickly intervened, saying, "Madam Song, my lady is pregnant and cannot withstand such pulling."
However, the maids that Li Wanyu brought rushed forward and blocked Ji Xiaosong's maids. Ji Xiaosong was thus forcibly dragged by Li Wanyu towards the direction of Zi Ninghua.
"Madam Xiao, your belly is so big, is the baby really only four months along?"
When they arrived at the Purple Condensation Flower, a large crowd had already gathered.
As soon as Li Wanyu said this, everyone's eyes immediately focused on Ji Xiaosong's belly, and they began to whisper among themselves.
"Yes, look at that belly, could it be that I'm not in the correct pregnancy?"
"Could there be some hidden story behind this?"
"General Xiao has a distinguished military record; please don't let it affect you in this matter..."
"Snapped!"
A sudden slap landed on Li Wanyu's face.
Ji's mother appeared beside Ji Xiaosong at some point.
"Madam Song, A-Song is carrying multiple pregnancies, so her belly is naturally larger than that of a typical pregnant woman. What are you trying to achieve by spouting such nonsense? My Ji family's daughter married into the Xiao family with a clean reputation; how dare you slander her like this!"
"If you don't give me an explanation for your rude behavior today, I will definitely go to the Song residence to demand justice!"
The mother-in-law spoke sternly, her eyes filled with anger and authority.
"Ah Song has always been gentle and virtuous, and has never made enemies. You ill-mannered thing, are you perhaps jealous of her current happiness? The Xiao family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and General Xiao and Ah Song are a loving couple, yet you dare to try to stir up trouble. You are utterly vicious!"
The more Ji's mother spoke, the angrier she became, her chest heaving violently.
"Today, in this palace, in front of all the ladies, you must apologize to Asong, or I will not let this go!"
Ji's mother straightened her back and stood protectively in front of Ji Xiaosong, giving Li Wanyu no chance to back down.
At this moment, Li Wanyu pretended to be innocent and said in a sweet voice, "Madam Ji, please don't be angry. I was just asking casually. Who would have thought that it would make you so angry? Are you feeling guilty?"
Ji's mother was so angry that her hands trembled. She was about to slap Li Wanyu again when Ji Xiaosong quickly stopped her.
The fragrance of this purple chrysanthemum is too strong; it's making one feel irritable and agitated.
Ji Xiaosong took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and put on a calm smile. He said, "Madam Song, your casual question almost ruined my reputation. Since you are so curious, I will convince you."
She looked at the crowd around her and said loudly, "Everyone, when Physician Liu examined my pulse a few days ago, he clearly told me that this was a sign of multiple pregnancies, which is why my belly is larger than that of a normal pregnant woman."
"Now that Madam Song is questioning us like this, are you perhaps questioning the imperial physician's medical skills? Or are you saying that Madam Song is so ignorant that she doesn't even know the size of a pregnant woman's belly when she has multiple pregnancies?"
"That's right. I've heard that Young Master Song has a hundred concubines in his harem, but apart from the first one, none of them have gotten pregnant yet. Madam Song hasn't seen them, so she must not know this."
Ji Xiaosong stared sharply at Li Wanyu and continued, "I didn't want to argue with you, but you've been pushing me too far. I'm upright and honest, and I'm not afraid of your slander. It's you who's so tactless, spouting nonsense at this palace banquet, making a disgrace to the Song family!"
At this moment, Consort Song, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "Alright, alright, don't let such a small matter spoil the mood. Madam Xiao is pregnant with multiple children, which is a joyous occasion. Madam Song's mistake was unintentional, so Madam Xiao should not take offense."
Ji Xiaosong curtsied and said, "Your Highness, I have no intention of making trouble for Madam Song, but how could I willingly endure such humiliation? Today, Madam Song must apologize to me, without hesitation!"
After saying that, Ji Xiaosong looked at Li Wanyu, her eyes filled with disdain and warning.
An apology is a must, otherwise everyone will take advantage of her.
Consort Song's face darkened instantly, her eyes filled with displeasure. She said coldly, "Madam Xiao, although you have been wronged, this is still a banquet hosted by me. Such a disturbance is unbecoming. I have already upheld justice for you. Let this matter rest and do not mention it again."