The people went inside and sat down.
Only then did Meng take a closer look at Song Lin, who, as Song Wan Yue had said, was indeed a talented and tall man, even better than his own image, and nodded in satisfaction.
“You have worked hard all the way here, originally you should have been allowed to rest first, but today is your grandfather’s birthday, many guests have come to the house, you as Sun Aunt can’t not attend, but you don’t need to be afraid, how you should behave in the old house is how you should behave here, don’t try to cater to anyone, and you don’t need to feel that you are shorter than anyone.”
Song Lin’s apprehensive heart settled down with Meng’s gentle words, only then did he dare to look up at Meng, “Don’t worry mother-in-law, I won’t embarrass you.”
Meng waved her hand, “If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to Wan’er. In my eyes, there is no one who can compare to you, not to mention that there is no shame.
The expected difficulties were not only absent, but he was also held in such high regard by his mother-in-law, Song Lin did not know what to say, he just nodded his head.
Meng said, “Sister Wu, go and tell Yan’er that the aunt has arrived and ask him to arrange a separate table for the aunt.”
Sister Wu answered, and went out quickly. Soon, footsteps sounded in the courtyard, and then the curtain was lifted by Sister Wu, and Xu Yan walked in, his eyes falling on Song Lin.
“This is your elder brother.”
Meng introduced.
Song Lin scrambled to his feet, “Da, big brother.”
Xu Yan walked over and patted him on the shoulder, “Stay with big brother for a few good drinks later.”
The corners of Song Lin’s mouth grinned in an arc, the tension that had just risen instantly subsided, “Listen to big brother.”
Xu Yan patted him on the shoulder again and turned to Meng, “Mother, the banquet is about to start, let’s go over.”
Meng got up and Xu and Sister Wu came forward to help her, as she walked she instructed, “Your grandfather is happy today and will definitely be drinking, you have to keep an eye on him, don’t let him drink too much, it’s not good for his health.”
“Son, I remember.”
Song Wan Yue and Gu Yi walked at the end.
Thinking of that time when Gu Yi was doubled over drunk after a few sips of wine, she rolled her eyes a few times and said, “Grandmother, it’s better for me to follow over, I can help my uncle watch my maternal great-grandfather.”
“That’s fine.”
Xu Yan led Song Lin, Gu Yi and Song Wan Yue through the courtyard where the guests were being entertained. The eyes of the people in the courtyard were all over the place, and when they saw that Song Lin was dressed in fine cotton and had dark skin, they guessed his identity and immediately started to talk.
Xu Yan simply stopped in his tracks and introduced himself to the crowd, “This is my brother-in-law, Song Lin, who has just come from his hometown.”
It was true, and the murmur of the crowd grew louder.
Song Lin got nervous again, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.
“Many years ago my sister disappeared thanks to my brother-in-law saving her, and as far as we are concerned, my brother-in-law is our family’s benefactor and our guest of honour today.”
With these words from Xu Yan, the murmur of voices dropped.
Xu Yan nodded towards the crowd and led a few people to the old man’s house.
Inside the house, the Duke of Ding was also present and was talking with the old gentleman.
As soon as Xu Yan led the men through the door, the two looked over.
Seeing Song Lin, who had a few similar eyebrows to Song Wan Yue, a smile sprang up on the old gentleman’s face, “Song Lin, right, come, let grandfather take a good look.”
Song Lin was just too busy to take a few quick steps, and when he reached the old gentleman, he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed his head on the ground, “Song Lin has met grandfather.”
“Good boy, get up, get up.”
The old gentleman himself bent down to assist him, and Song Lin stood up with his movements, his body straight.
The old gentleman nodded straight in satisfaction, “It’s been a hard journey, stay with me for a few more drinks later.”
“As grandfather wishes.”
“This is Duke Ding Guo, Miss Xiao’s grandfather.”
Song Lin was busy saluting and the Duke of Ding held him with both hands, “We are all family, these false gifts are dispensed with.”
……
When the time came, the feast began.
The old gentleman and the others went over and took their seats, and before they could pick up their chopsticks, Xu Liang came in, “Old gentleman, the Duke of Qi is here.”
There was a moment of silence in the room.
The Duke of Qi and the Duke of Ding had always been at odds, so they avoided all occasions when they could, and it was rare for him to come over when he knew the Duke of Ding was there.
“Quickly, please.”
Xu Liang went out and invited Duke Ding in.
“Old sir, you are being generous to one person but not to another.”
The Duke of Qi meant something.
“Your Excellency is joking, as you know, the Duke of Ding’s House and we are sort of relatives around the corner, that’s why we invited him in as company, if you don’t mind, please sit down together too.”
“Then I will respectfully submit.”
The Duke of Qi sat down on the other side of the old gentleman, right next to Gu Yi.
Gu Yi moved his stool and moved towards Song Wan Yue’s side, his expression of disgust showing no difference.
The Duke of Ding’s face was a little embarrassed, but when he thought of the purpose of his visit, he suppressed the embarrassment.
First, he raised his glass of wine to toast the old man, “I wish you ……”
“Grandmother said that maternal great-grandfather is too old to drink.”
Gu Yi interrupted him without any scruples.
The Duke of Qi’s face was a little dark, this wine was neither toast nor not toast.
“No matter, no matter.”
The old gentleman smiled and rounded up the situation, draining his own cup first, “My old bones are still tough, it’s no problem to drink a few glasses.”
The Duke of Qi also drank from his own cup, using it to suppress his emotions, and after putting down his glass, his expression had returned to normal.
“The old gentleman is unaware that this great-grandson-in-law of yours has a grievance against me, and that is why he treats me so.”
The old gentleman obviously did not know.
The Duke of Ding told the story of that day in the Great Hall, and kept looking at the Duke of Ding without thinking as he said it, especially when he said that he proposed to let Gu Yi go up to the Golden Palace, his gaze was even more fixed on the Duke of Ding, trying to see something on his face.
The state Duke of Detroit, however, looked indifferent, so that no one could see any emotion.
The Duke of Qi withdrew his gaze, “I am also doing this for the sake of the court, I hope the old man will not be blamed.”
The old gentleman waved his hand, “Your Highness did the right thing, the matter should be investigated clearly, so that when Song Si joins the court as an official in the future, he will be spared from being criticised.”
“That is exactly what I think, it is still the old gentleman who understands me.”
As he spoke, Duke of Qi raised his glass again, remembering the embarrassment Gu Yi had just given him, he changed his mouth, “I’ll drink up, old sir, feel free.”
The old gentleman also drank up in one go, and the maid waiting next to him immediately went forward to fill up the wine for both of them.
The old gentleman picked up his chopsticks and gestured for the crowd to eat their food.
The atmosphere at the table was a little dull.
As if he didn’t feel it, Duke Qi put his chopsticks down after a few bites of food and looked towards Song Lin, asking coldly, “This is not what your son-in-law originally looked like, is it?”
The Duke of Ding’s pupils contracted sharply for a few moments, unable to resist the urge to speak, but when he saw Gu Yi eating his food with a natural expression, he swallowed the words that were on his lips.