Chapter 250 Never Forget
Shan Xi looked at the person who was speaking, and said to Song Qingci in his ear, "It's Ma Mingzhu. Her father is also a general, and she is a colleague of my father."
"Hello, Sister Mingzhu." Shan Xi greeted her politely.
"Xi'er, I heard that you were ill a while ago. I wanted to visit you, but was delayed by trivial matters. Are you better now?" Ma Mingzhu looked apologetic.
"It's already healed. Sister Mingzhu, let me introduce you, this is my sister-in-law Song Qingci."
"This is my second sister Shan Yu."
"This is my third sister, Shan Ruoyan."
Shan Xi and Ma Mingzhu met when they were learning horse riding in the training ground. Shan Yu and Shan Ruoyan didn't like horse riding, so they only went there a few times, so they didn't know Ma Mingzhu.
"Hello, sister-in-law, hello, second sister, hello, third sister." Ma Mingzhu saluted the three of them.
"Hello, Miss Ma." As a married woman, Song Qingci naturally couldn't follow Shan Xi in calling her sister. Calling her Miss Ma was already very polite.
Shan Yu and Shan Ruoyan also bowed and greeted, maintaining politeness.
"Are you here alone today?" Shan Xi asked, not seeing anyone else around Ma Mingzhu.
The Ma family did not have only one daughter, but Ma Mingzhu was the most beloved daughter of General Ma, simply because she was the only child born to his first wife.
"Yes, they are sick and can't come." Ma Mingzhu's tone was full of disdain and helplessness. And this "they" naturally refers to the younger sisters born to the second wife.
Ma Mingzhu's mother died of postpartum hemorrhage, leaving behind only Ma Mingzhu. General Ma was a military commander and was often away from home, so he had no choice but to marry a second wife to take care of the child.
The second wife gave birth to two sons and two daughters. She was able to secure her position as the mistress of General Ma's mansion.
All the daughters of the Ma family were invited this time, after all, children born to a stepmother can be considered legitimate.
But they felt that it was just a coming-of-age party for a concubine's daughter, and it would be a loss of status if they came, so they all "fell ill" yesterday.
Of course, people who are sick cannot come.
If she doesn't come again, it would be too disrespectful.
"Then come with me for a while, we can keep each other company," Shan Xi invited.
Such banquets are actually a time for people from all walks of life to make friends with each other. If you are alone, it will really look bad.
"Okay. Thank you, Xi'er." Ma Mingzhu came over to talk with this in mind.
Although she was a jewel in her father's eyes, the noble ladies in the capital always looked at the daughters of military families with scrutiny.
It's hard to play together.
"Sister Mingzhu, have you ever met the third young lady of the Marquis's Mansion?" Shan Xi asked.
"No." The girls that Ma Mingzhu was close to were mostly daughters of military commanders. They had nothing to do with the Yongchang Marquisate.
She also didn't quite understand why the Yongchang Marquis's Third Young Lady would send an invitation to her family for her coming-of-age celebration.
"I see a lot of people came today." Shan Xi looked towards the yard.
While they were talking, several groups of people came in by the maids.
Some look familiar, some don’t.
"Well, I think the Yongchang Marquis has invited everyone he can. It's quite a grand occasion."
To make such a big scene, either he truly loves the Third Miss and wants to give her face, or he wants to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble.
Song Qingci had dealt with Li Yanzhi before. She felt that the chances of a family raising a child like Li Yanzhi truly loving a daughter born out of wedlock were too small, so the gossip could be ignored.
Then we can basically conclude that they just want to take advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble.
Ma Mingzhu also felt that there were so many people. Originally, there were only their group of people where they were staying, but in just a short while, several more people had arrived.
When there are more people, some things become inconvenient to say.
The people nearby nodded and greeted each other, saying some meaningless words.
Finally, a group of maids came from the gate and said to everyone, "The coming-of-age banquet will officially begin soon. Ladies, please move to the main hall."
No one had any objections, and everyone followed the maids to the main hall in an orderly manner.
But there were so many people and the gate was small, so everyone consciously lined up in a long queue.
Song Qingci and the others didn't know whether it was intentional or unintentional, but they were pushed to the back.
"For a while, follow me closely, don't go anywhere, don't listen to anyone. Be careful with what you eat and drink."
Song Qingci whispered into Shan Xi's ear.
She also told Shan Yu and Shan Ruoyan the same words through Yin Ping.
Shan Yu instantly became nervous, but Shan Ruoyan looked nonchalant.
Her appearance made Shan Yu even more nervous. She held Shan Ruoyan's hand tightly, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "You'd better be obedient, otherwise I won't forgive you when we go back."
Shan Ruoyan was able to come because her mother went to Shan Su to ask for her. Qi Shi had no way to object. Otherwise, she would not want to bring her with her.
Her hands were pinched so hard that they hurt, but she didn't dare to scream. She could only nod her head in agreement.
"On an auspicious day in a good month, you will be wearing your first-year clothes. Let go of your childish ambitions and cultivate your virtues. I wish you a long and healthy life and great fortune." As the main guest recited loudly, the coming-of-age ceremony officially began.
As spectators, Song Qingci and the others didn't have to do anything, they just had to witness it.
After the three additions, the coming-of-age ceremony is completed.
The whole process went so smoothly that Song Qingci found it a little unbelievable.
No more trouble?!
The third young lady of the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion, who had changed her makeup and clothes, was now standing in front of the stage, thanking the guests.
Song Qingci thought to himself, if he didn't do anything, it would be the end.
Always remember, there will be reverberations.
Suddenly, a panicked maid stumbled in front of the people, and it was obvious that she was frightened.
The Marquis's wife, who had been on the stage the whole time, looked at the maid with displeasure on her face and angrily shouted, "Why are you in such a hurry? Can't you see that there are guests in the room? Come on, drag her away!"
As the legitimate mother, the Marquis's wife has behaved very appropriately today.
I didn't expect that scolding people would actually have such a deterrent effect.
Two servants heard her words and rushed out to drag the panicked maid away.
I don’t know if it was intentional, but the servants were only busy dragging people away and no one tried to stop her from talking.
"Don't hold me back! Don't hold me back! Something's happened! Something's happened to the young master!"
Her shout startled the Yongchang Marquis, who had been sitting upright. He stood up from his seat and asked the maid in a stern voice, "What did you say?!"