The Little Lady Hou was still cursing resentfully: "You dogs relying on power, let go of ! How dare you treat like this? Be careful when the Third Master returns, he definitely won’t spare you—"
The won turned a deaf ear to her.
Nowadays, everyone in the Duke of Man Guogong’s mansion could see clearly that the Lord Duke trusted the Master Heir-Apparent the most, his position was very stable.
Not to ntion the Third Master, even if the other masters joined forces, they couldn’t compete with the importance placed on the Master Heir-Apparent.
In the future, everyone would need to make a living with the Master Heir-Apparent and the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, so if they didn’t flatter them now, were they waiting to be left out in the cold?
Therefore, not only did they not let go, but they also exerted so force, and said sarcastically, "The Third Young Lady, we are just following orders. It would be best for you to be obedient, otherwise, if we, the clumsy servants, inadvertently hurt you, it would be unfortunate!"
With that, they half-dragged, half-supported the Little Lady Hou in front of Wang Yongzhu: "Wife of the Heir-Apparent, the Third Young Lady is here."
They pushed the Little Lady Hou forward.
The Little Lady Hou staggered and nearly fell, raising her head with fire in her eyes as she looked at Wang Yongzhu: "You—"
Wang Yongzhu was about to get on the carriage, just glanced at her, and said calmly, "Logically, going to pay respects at the Gao Family doesn’t concern whether you go or not. Anyway, if anyone talks, they will only say that the daughter of the Hou Family is ignorant of etiquette, ungrateful, and immature."
"It’s just that the masters of the entire mansion have all gone, leaving only you. Given the Hou Family’s usual character and ans, I fear the mansion won’t be peaceful. I’m soone who hates trouble and doesn’t like dealing with sses, so you’d better honestly go with us and co back with us."
"If you honestly don’t cause trouble, so be it, but if you go to the Gao Family and speak carelessly, unless you plan never to return to the Song Family afterwards! Otherwise—" She finished with a cold laugh.
Just then, there was a bench for mounting the carriage; Wang Yongzhu stepped forward, lightly stomped on it, "crack—" twice, the sturdy bench instantly shattered into a pile of wood pieces.
The words that had reached the Little Lady Hou’s throat were all stifled.
Her face turned pale, her eyes extrely flustered, and she didn’t dare to look at Wang Yongzhu.
At this mont, she finally rembered that her husband had once ntioned that this elder sister-in-law from the countryside had so strength.
Moreover, she was not soone to swallow insults silently, when she first entered the mansion, not yet the Wife of the Heir-Apparent, she dared to slap the daughter of Duke Qiguo.
Not to ntion now, if she really got angry, she might do the sa to herself.
The Little Lady Hou imdiately felt her whole body’s bones ache.
She didn’t dare to speak a word; if not for the won supporting her beside her, she might not even be able to stand steadily.
The other servants, seeing the Little Lady Hou yield, hurriedly gathered around her, assisting her onto the carriage, changing her into mourning attire, and removing all the gold and jade ornants from her hair.
At this mont, Song Wu had also made arrangents, and the n in the mansion had already set out on horseback.
Remaining were the female relatives, who all boarded the carriage, just waiting for Wang Yongzhu’s command to set off.
Wang Yongzhu nodded, and the family of female relatives wobbled on their way to the Gao Family.
This Gao Family, Wang Yongzhu had never been to before.
It was so distance from the Song Family, as the Gao Family rose during the previous emperor’s reign, especially after marrying County Monarch Rongyi, reaching its peak of glory.
The Song Family had been an aristocratic family for generations, naturally situated in the best location in the Capital City.
Although the Gao Family had County Monarch Rongyi, they had risen relatively recently. Despite spending considerable effort, they only managed to buy a residence in a slightly inferior location.
Although County Monarch Rongyi had her own residence, for the sake of the Gao Family’s face, when County Monarch Rongyi was married into the Gao Family, they purchased a separate courtyard next to their own residence for her to live separately.
Turning into the street leading to the Gao Family, they found quite a few carriages already parked there.
These were likely relatives and friends who had heard the news and ca to pay their respects.
As the carriage moved closer, it could be seen that the entrance to the Gao Family had already removed all red lanterns and such, and replaced them with white drapery.
A large mourning shelter had been erected at the main entrance, with three mourning banners outside, about ten ters tall, wrapped in white cloth, the banners were around four ters and two ters wide.
In the center of the mourning shelter, there were also white cloth strips on the left and right, seven feet long and nine inches wide, called dismount banners.
Guests coming to pay respects should dismount here.
To the right of the mourning shelter was the dressing banner, two ters tall, the sail five feet long and three feet wide, with white strips four feet wide and two feet one inch on the sides.
When the female relatives arrived here, they would remove the inappropriate jewelry.
Servants would bring basins of water for washing the face, and the female relatives would slightly adjust themselves here, preparing to mourn.
Although County Monarch Rongyi was the legitimate maternal grandmother in terms of rites, external grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law did not need to wear heavy mourning.
Only minor mourning was required.
Moreover, as they were all children from concubines, not born of Lady Gao, it could be even lighter.
Therefore, upon dismounting the carriage and reaching the dressing banner, since they had already changed into plain clothes, they only needed to put on the slightly coarse hemp mourning garnts over them and wrap their heads with mourning cloth.
With offerings wrapped in white paper and paper notes, after changing into mourning attire, they were led into the hall of mourning.
From afar, waves of high and low sobbing from won could be heard, amidst a courtyard full of whiteness, monks and Taoist priests chanting, along with burning paper and incense, all making for a smoky scene.
As female relatives, encountering such a setting, each had her own unique trick.
Entering the courtyard, they all unspokenly brought out handkerchiefs, rubbed them near their eyes, and instantly their eyes were red.
Putting on mournful expressions, they looked convincingly somber.
When Wang Yongzhu parted from Old Granny Zhang and the others, Lady of the Gu Family called her over and instructed quietly.
She didn’t have much, but the materials for fake crying, Wang Yongzhu had plenty.
Additionally, Song Chongjuan’s two sisters also secretly passed over two handkerchiefs prepared by Maternal Aunt ng, which were more than enough.
Just pressing the handkerchief to the corner of the eye, it beca unbearable, making the eyes sting unbearably.
If she didn’t endure it, she feared the tears would flow out.
Entering the hall, they were first t with a large coffin facing the entrance directly.
A large white flower hung on the coffin, with a big black ceremonial character painted on it.
On both sides of the coffin, monks and Taoist priests occupied either side, chanting and striking wooden fish in a lively scene.
In front of the coffin, several large fire bowls and incense burners were placed.
In front of the fire bowls, mats wrapped in white cloth were laid out, for mourners to kowtow on.
Crying mourners lined both sides, grieving loudly and sorrowfully.
At this mont, naturally, people in charge of reception stepped forward to guide Wang Yongzhu and the others up.
According to protocol, they kowtowed before the coffin, burned incense, and offered paper money.
On the side, the grieving mourners reciprocated the gestures.
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