Song Yanjiao said nothing more, lowering her head to stroke her still flat abdomen, as if to tell everyone that her current condition was "precious."
Even though Song Yanyu had taken her place, Song Yanyu simply moved to the side.
She was too lazy to argue with Song Yanjiao, and in the eyes of others, it naturally seemed as if Song Yanyu was yielding to Song Yanjiao.
Who would have thought that Song Yanjiao had become so arrogant these past few days, as if she had floated to the clouds.
She suddenly turned to look at Song Yanyu and sneered, "When I entered just now, I saw what my sister gave to Grandmother. Ginseng and astragalus, has your Chang Prince's Estate really fallen to this point? For Grandmother's birthday, can't you even produce something decent?"
These words were truly unpleasant to hear, especially in front of so many noble ladies!
Song Yanyu was stunned. She hadn't expected that after not seeing each other for many days, Song Yanjiao had become so brazen and so foolish.
She simply lowered her gaze, unwilling to conflict with Song Yanjiao at this time. "Our Chang Prince's Estate naturally cannot compare to Second Sister's Ning Prince's Estate. With so many priceless gifts from Second Sister, our Chang Prince's Estate is willing to be a foil, to set off the Ning Prince's Estate, this red flower."
Song Yanyu's words were neither humble nor overbearing, and they managed to salvage some dignity for the Song family.
Yet, Song Yanjiao gave Song Yanyu a disdainful look and wanted to say something more.
But she was interrupted by the Old Madam's cough: "Cough, cough! Whatever you give is fine. In truth, this old woman lacks nothing. What's important is the intentions of you children, which this old woman knows. At my age, I can't use any precious items. However, my health is declining day by day, and I need tonics every day. Don't you all agree?"
The Old Madam did not seem to pass judgment, but she did express her greater satisfaction with Song Yanyu's gift. The noble ladies below, how could they not understand the Old Madam's meaning?
They all nodded in agreement, giving Song Yanjiao a significant loss of face.
Song Yanjiao's expression was somewhat strained, but the Old Madam did not make things too difficult for her.
Seeing that the situation was becoming awkward, the noble ladies all rose to take their leave.
When there was no one else in the room, the Old Madam had not yet spoken when the Eldest Madam exclaimed "Aiyo" and stepped forward, taking Song Yanjiao's hand. "Look, my poor daughter, you've been standing and talking for a while. You must be tired now, right? You are carrying an imperial descendant, so you absolutely cannot have any issues! Hurry and sit down! I'll go get you a soft cushion. This child is the treasure of our Song Estate!"
With their synchronized performance, even Song Yanyu felt a little helpless.
It was true that Song Yanjiao's pregnancy was important, but there was no need to exaggerate to this extent.
The Old Madam shook her head helplessly, sighing, and said to Concubine Liu, "Go and see how the meal preparations are in the back. So many people have come today, we cannot afford any more mistakes, lest we become a laughingstock."
Concubine Liu lowered her head obediently and was about to withdraw.
"Wait!"
Song Yanjiao suddenly spoke, stopping Concubine Liu.
Concubine Liu paused, and Song Yanjiao stepped forward, sneering, "Grandmother, it is perhaps improper for a concubine born of an actress to manage the household's affairs, is it not? My mother is the legitimate principal wife of the Song family!"
She stuck out her neck, appearing as if she wanted to champion her mother.
The Old Madam finally couldn't help but glare at Song Yanjiao, "Jiao'er, when did you become like this?! What kind of day is it today, and you are acting this way? Are you doing this to spite me?"
Song Yanjiao had respected the Old Madam before, but at this moment, her heart was likely filled only with the desire to champion her mother.
"Grandmother, you are Jiao'er's grandmother, and you always will be!"
Song Yanjiao, however, acted as if she were in the right. "But Mother is also your daughter-in-law, the principal wife your father married with eight-bearer sedan chairs! How can you conspire with other concubines to bully Mother and take away her power to manage the household?!"
She looked indignant, as if recalling the grievances she had suffered in the Ning Prince's Estate, she became even more determined to "seek justice" for her mother. "Mother is the principal wife, yet you have handed everything over to a concubine. If others were to know, wouldn't they laugh at Mother?"
"Heh!"
The Old Madam finally couldn't help but scoff, "Then why don't you ask your mother why I took away her power to manage the household?! The wicked deeds she has done, let alone the power to manage the household, it would be acceptable for the Song family to divorce her! It is already benevolent that she is still kept in the Song family, and most of the household management power is still in her hands. She lacks the ability, so what is wrong with me letting Concubine Liu help out?"
These days, Song Yanjiao and the Eldest Madam had both gone too far.
Therefore, the Old Madam and Song Yuan's dissatisfaction with the Eldest Madam grew with each passing day.
Even so, the Old Madam did not completely disregard the Eldest Madam's dignity, but she did not expect Song Yanjiao to come "looking for trouble" first. How could the Old Madam be happy?
Seeing Song Yanjiao causing such a scene, the Old Madam simply slammed a nearby cup to the ground forcefully. "You are making such a fuss today?! Do you think you can bully this old woman? Jiao'er, how have you become like this?"
Seeing the Old Madam like this, Song Yanyu felt a pang of pity.
She stepped forward and said to Song Yanjiao, "Second Sister, we are all family. Can't we talk things over properly? Today is Grandmother's birthday, a grand occasion. Why don't we first let Grandmother celebrate her birthday peacefully? There are still many guests outside, and the Song family's reputation cannot be lost."
"Shut up!"
Unexpectedly, Song Yanjiao rebuked Song Yanyu with no politeness at all. "Who do you think you are? When did it become your turn to speak to me? What, are you the only one concerned about the Song family's reputation, and we are not? Song Yanyu, you've just married Prince Chang, and that Prince Chang is now completely useless. You have no children, and I don't know how you will manage in the capital in the future. Yet you dare to be so arrogant in front of me?!"
Her words were truly harsh.
Moreover, Song Yanyu absolutely would not allow anyone to speak ill of Mu Changxi. She narrowed her eyes coldly. "Second Sister, speak with caution! It is true that our Prince's old illness has recurred, but it is not as Second Sister says! Second Sister is the Princess Consort of Ning, and our Prince is still Prince Chang. Please, Second Sister, show some consideration!"
Her sudden seriousness made Song Yanjiao even more displeased.
She stepped forward and shoved Song Yanyu hard. "I am carrying an imperial descendant now, and you dare to speak to me like this? Have you eaten the heart of a leopard? You and your mother are both not good people! I will deal with you today!"