This remark fell like a clap of thunder, exploding right at the mouth of the alley.
"What? Is that really the case? Could there be some mistake? The Song family is a prominent household; how could they be so lacking in decorum?"
"How could there be a mistake? I’ve seen that Miss Cen at the Yanlai Pavilion several times, and just a few days ago, I saw her with my own eyes coming out of the alley gate. Her maid addressed her as Miss Cen; there’s no doubt about it."
As soon as this was said, another person chimed in:
"To think it’s a woman from the Yanlai Pavilion! No wonder they were so quiet about it—they were afraid of being found out."
"For the First Madam of the Song Estate to personally attend to the bridal makeup for a girl from the Yanlai Pavilion... that seems a bit..."
"You all don't know the half of it. I heard long ago that the First Madam of the Song Estate dotes on her nephew excessively. Since she has no son of her own, she pins all her hopes on him. I heard the mistress of the house didn't approve of this, and the First Madam only came to add some prestige to this brothel woman’s status to curry favor with her nephew."
"In that case, the First Madam doesn't seem very sensible herself."
"If Madam Yun of the Song family were to find out, I fear she would be worried sick."
Yao Yun'er had no love for Cen Yanran. Having fulfilled the duties of adding makeup and exchanging a few words, she left as soon as the formalities were over. The moment she stepped out, she heard the whispers and pointing fingers, and she wished a hole would open up in the ground so she could crawl into it.
What did these ignorant commoners know? If it weren't for her, Yun Feiwan would have made this woman from a house of ill-repute the legitimate wife of Song Jingcheng. She was only cleaning up after Yun Feiwan, yet somehow it had become her own fault. Yao Yun'er felt both indignant and aggrieved, but she could not explain it to these people. She was seething with rage, unable to vent it, and felt absolutely miserable.
Not long after Yao Yun'er left, the gate of the West City Detached Courtyard opened once more, and a small pink sedan chair emerged. Cen Yanran, dressed in peach-red wedding attire, sat inside as she was carried away from the courtyard.
As soon as she appeared, some busybodies stepped forward to demand wedding candies. The matchmaker, familiar with the situation, hurriedly scattered a generous handful.
Before anyone knew how it started, cries of "Miss Cen! Miss Cen!" rose up from all around. The matchmaker, naturally, denied it, but somehow a conflict broke out between the two sides. The onlookers, refusing to be dismissed, insisted on confirming who was inside the sedan. Seeing that the truth could no longer be hidden—and unable to let the bride step out to clarify—the matchmaker had no choice but to sacrifice a pouch of silver and offer polite, soothing apologies, which finally allowed them to pass.
The sedan chair was finally carried into the Song Estate without further incident. Though no one had seen the person inside, the news that the eldest young master of the Song family was taking a girl from the Yanlai Pavilion as a concubine spread like wildfire. When people spoke of it, they treated it like a joke.
Song Jingcheng, waiting for the sedan in the estate, knew nothing of this. He waited early at the side gate to welcome Cen Yanran. Her maid was overjoyed; although her mistress was only a concubine, given the eldest young master’s affection for her, she would certainly not suffer any grievances.
For a concubine's entrance, tea must be served to the elders, so Song Jingcheng went personally to the Main Courtyard to invite Yun Feiwan. Upon entering, he saw her already dressed and groomed with elegant, solemn care, observing the proper rites as if he were taking a primary wife. Seeing how much importance she placed on the occasion, his respect for his mother deepened.
However, while passing by the lakeside, someone had spilled oil on the path, and Yun Feiwan slipped, falling straight into the water. Her maids, Xiaying and Qiutong, jumped in without hesitation to pull her out, and a doctor was promptly summoned. Yun Feiwan was not in critical danger, but she had fallen unconscious after the plunge. The tea ceremony could not proceed, and there was no choice but for the First Madam, Yao Yun'er, to act in her stead. When Yao Yun'er heard the news, she had no choice but to agree.
Normally, guests were not invited for a concubinage, but Song Jingcheng, wishing to grant Cen Yanran some face, had invited many friends to witness the ceremony, making the hall quite lively.
In the front hall, Yao Yun'er sat alone in the seat of honor. Song Jingcheng, dressed in bright red wedding robes, beamed with joy. Cen Yanran, in her peach-red bridal dress with a veil covering her face, stood before the hall holding the ceremonial silk ribbon with him.
The matchmaker recited the congratulatory remarks, and a maid brought the tea. Cen Yanran took it with practiced care, stepped forward, and presented it.
"Aunt, please have some tea."
Cen Yanran was very young, and her voice was melodic and sweet, like honeyed sugar, making the men present feel a bit giddy. Yao Yun'er frowned; it was precisely this kind of fox-like creature who had turned her nephew into such a shadow of himself. She felt intense disgust but held her tongue, speaking in a grave tone:
"This cup of tea should not be served to me, but as the second aunt fell into the water and remains unconscious, I must stand in for her. Once you have entered the gates of the Song family, you are a member of the Song family. I hope you and Chenger will live in harmony and soon bring forth heirs for the Song family."
"Yes," Cen Yanran replied meekly.
Yao Yun'er murmured in acknowledgement. With Song Jingcheng right there—his eyes glued to Cen Yanran as if she were the apple of his eye—and with many guests watching, she dared not say anything too harsh.
"I hope you will keep to your place in the future..."
As she spoke, she reached for the teacup, but before her hand could touch it, a thunderous shout interrupted her.
"Do not drink it!"
Recognizing that familiar voice, Yao Yun'er was startled and rose from her chair, only to see Song Mingjian being supported as he walked toward the front hall, looking frail. She hurried toward him.
"Second Brother, what is the matter? If you are ill, you should be resting properly. Why have you come out like this? What if you hurt your health?"
"What is going on here? You had better give me an explanation!"
Song Mingjian pointed his finger at Song Jingcheng and Cen Yanran, his face burning with rage as he bellowed the question. Due to his agitation, he was already panting heavily. Having woken up in a daze, he had heard two young maids outside talking about the eldest young master taking a new wife today—and that the First Madam was personally handling it. Sensing that something was terribly wrong, he had forced himself out of bed, only to arrive and witness this scene.
Seeing him so furious, Yao Yun'er was terrified. Not knowing how to explain, she leaned in close and whispered, "Second Brother, go back and rest first. I will explain everything to you later."
Song Jingcheng, seeing Song Mingjian in such a state, was also frightened and instinctively ducked behind Cen Yanran. He had never seen his father in such a rage and was genuinely afraid.
Song Mingjian did not let him hide, pointing directly at him.
"Song Jingcheng, you tell me—who is this?"
With this single sentence, Song Mingjian had invalidated Cen Yanran's status. In a prominent family, whether taking a wife or a concubine, the elders must be informed. But in this current situation, it was clear that Song Mingjian had been kept in the dark. That changed the nature of the matter entirely. Indeed, for a direct heir to take a concubine without the presence of his parents, with only an aunt officiating, was improper in every sense.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Song Jingcheng hung his head, not daring to speak. Fearing a more violent confrontation, Yao Yun'er stepped forward to smooth things over, grabbing Song Mingjian and urging him anxiously, "Second Brother, do not be angry. I will certainly give you a satisfactory explanation for this. Let the children finish the ceremony first."