CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 158 CONSPIRING_4

Xie Ruilin’s smile became more and more sinister.

Well then, this makes things even easier.

As long as Xie Ruotong’s true identity is exposed, not to mention that the Song Family will no longer accept her, even Duke Mansion would likely disown this daughter.

She was eager to see if her grandmother would still favor Xie Ruotong after finding out the truth.

"Does Young Master Qin have any witnesses to prove that my sister has been in a brothel?!" Xie Ruilin exclaimed excitedly.

"Yicui Pavilion itself is the best witness! The old brothel keeper, the servants, the errand boys, and even the prostitutes - who doesn’t know the once top courtesan Xiang Qin? That is your sister Xie Ruotong!" Qin Shuyang sneered coldly.

"I understand." Xie Ruilin already had her next plan in mind.

"Then I await the good news from Second Miss Xie." Qin Shuyang also gave a sinister smile.

"Agreed." Xie Ruilin accepted without hesitation!

The malice in her eyes deepened even further.

...

Xie Ruotong returned to the Song Residence and took care of all the family affairs.

At dinner time in the evening.

Song Yanqing came back with Song Yuanzhong.

The whole family was eating at one large table.

Normally, Xie Ruilin, as a concubine, wouldn’t have the right to eat with the head of the family, but she was allowed because of Song Yanqing’s insistence, as well as the elders of the Song Family who felt that her marrying Song Yanqing as a concubine was indeed beneath her status. They indulged Xie Ruilin to some extent, especially since Xie Ruotong explicitly stated that she didn’t mind, so the elders didn’t have other concerns.

"Mother." Xie Ruilin affectionately called out to Ming Yufang.

This address of ’mother’ was also insisted upon by Song Yanqing for Xie Ruilin to use.

"Mm." Ming Yufang responded.

"The twenty-second of this month is mother’s birthday," said Xie Ruilin.

Ming Yufang seemed to remember her birthday for the first time at this moment.

She laughed, "At my age, I had forgotten about it."

"Mother is not old at all; you look as young as my sister," Xie Ruilin flattered sweetly.

Naturally, Ming Yufang was delighted by the compliment.

Which woman wouldn’t like to be praised?

"Mother, have you thought about how to celebrate your birthday this year?" Xie Ruilin asked.

"It’s the same every year, just having a meal with the family is enough."

"That won’t do. It’s only once a year; we can’t be so casual about it," Xie Ruilin protested, then turned her head to ask Song Yanqing, "Brother Yanqing, don’t you agree?"

"Yes, mother should celebrate her birthday properly," Song Yanqing, naturally, echoed Xie Ruilin’s sentiment.

"What’s there to celebrate?" Ming Yufang still objected.

Xie Ruilin hurriedly proposed, "How about this, let me arrange a birthday banquet for mother?! You don’t like extravagance so I’ll just invite our close relatives, including mother’s family, father’s siblings, and our people from Duke Mansion to gather. Then invite some influential officials who are friends with father. I’ve heard my father say that relations with relatives and friends should always be maintained, firstly to prevent the relationships from waning, and secondly in case of troubles, it wouldn’t be easy to ask for help without this foundation. Regular interactions would make things less awkward."

Upon hearing Xie Ruilin’s words, Song Yuanzhong agreed.

Moreover, ancient people hold relationships among relatives and friends in high regards, big families prefer liveliness, and a bustling household is always more impressive.

Song Yuanzhong agreed without hesitation, "Then let’s prepare a birthday banquet and allow your mother to celebrate properly."

"Alright." Xie Ruilin promptly agreed.

"Since the master agrees to prepare a banquet, I will also follow the master’s arrangements. But as for the household affairs, it has always been Ruotong who has been handling them recently, and Ruilin might not be so familiar with them. This birthday banquet should still be overseen by Ruotong."

Just as Xie Ruotong was about to agree.

"It has indeed always been my sister who handles these matters, and at home, I haven’t been able to help much, always feeling like I’m just idling my time away," Xie Ruilin’s eyes suddenly reddened, "I also know I’m maybe not as capable as my sister, but I want to contribute to our family. Every time I see my sister deftly handling affairs, I can’t help but feel envious, and I also want to be a capable person like her. I want to volunteer, mother, is it okay if you let me help you this time?"

Ming Yufang was evidently troubled.

Apart from not trusting Xie Ruilin, what was more important was that as a concubine, Xie Ruilin did not have the right to handle the household’s big or small matters. If she agreed, she would offend Ruotong, and she didn’t want to be responsible for that.

Of course, Xie Ruilin knew what Ming Yufang was thinking.

She couldn’t help sneering in her heart.

Now you stand by Xie Ruotong’s side in every instance; let’s see if you’ll continue to protect her once I’ve unveiled her true identity!

"Mother, please give Lin’er a chance to try. She is also a part of our family and wishes to contribute her share," Song Yanqing naturally couldn’t bear to see Xie Ruilin distressed.

After saying that, he glanced at Xie Ruotong.

Song Yanqing naturally knew that his mother wouldn’t be able to consent.

It would be up to what Xie Ruotong thought.

Feeling Song Yanqing’s look, Xie Ruotong spoke out, "Since sister is so willing, let’s allow sister to give it a try."

Ming Yufang felt a bit helpless.

But since Xie Ruotong had agreed, she had nothing more to say and nodded, "Since you all say so, I will agree. Though Ruilin, this is your first time managing such matters, and you’re not familiar with many things. You should ask your sister or me for advice, don’t take the initiative without being certain."

"Mother, rest assured, I will definitely seek your and sister’s opinions. I will make sure your birthday banquet is bustling and splendid," Xie Ruilin quickly promised.

It’s also because she knew how to sweet-talk, that both elders of the Song Family had a good impression of her.