Chapter 174

Jiang Mianmian sat upright with a serious expression.

She was sitting straight, not lounging casually.

Her position allowed her to see the stage.

However, there was a partition separating her from the men's section.

During banquets, men and women sat separately, even entering through different entrances.

The women had their own designated area.

Today, only two people had brought their family members.

One was Madam Yu, the wife of Lord Yu, who was also a former rebel who had accepted amnesty. She felt a bit constrained, as she had been ostracized at previous banquets and had prepared herself for an awkward situation. However, upon first seeing Mrs. Jiang, she immediately felt a sense of kinship, as if she had found a long-lost relative.

The other was the family member of Lord He.

She was a socially adept woman, dressed in vibrant colors.

Her husband was responsible for hosting guests, and she was well aware of this, so her smile was genuine.

Because there were no other women present, it was just these few, which made things simpler.

When Madam He entered, she noticed that the Jiang family's inner quarters were not chaotic at all, but rather well-organized.

Of course, the Jiang family was naturally uncomplicated, with no concubines, only Mrs. Jiang and three children.

The eldest daughter was already married but still living in her parents' home.

This was also a point of criticism for some.

People thought Commander Jiang was just a commoner with no sense of propriety.

But what puzzled everyone was that the Meng family had actually agreed to it.

People assumed that the Jiang family's eldest daughter must be a breathtakingly beautiful woman, capable of causing turmoil.

Otherwise, how could she have so easily captivated the Young General from the Capital, from a family with only one heir for generations, who was willing to stay and insist on marrying her?

Given Commander Jiang's appearance, one could imagine his daughter's beauty.

Indeed, beauty can be fatal.

Regarding the story of how the Meng Young General, who came to pacify rebels, ended up being seduced by a rebel's daughter's beauty and asking for her hand in marriage, there were already several versions circulating.

In everyone's minds, Commander Jiang's eldest daughter, now Mrs. Meng, must be an extraordinary girl with deep schemes.

Those who taught their daughters the art of household politics had already added this case to their textbooks as a key example.

Especially for those young ladies who were about to be married.

Jiang Yu was extremely busy, meticulously preparing the banquet food.

She was completely unaware that her reputation had been demonized.

Not just in the Provincial Capital, but even in the Capital City, there were legends about her.

In people's mouths, she was as alluring as Daji, bewitching the Meng Young General to the point where he lost his soul and wouldn't return home.

Today's banquet was said to be hosted by the eldest daughter.

This added another layer of mystery to Jiang Yu's reputation.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

Madam Yu, upon entering these inner quarters, envied their tranquility.

After her husband accepted amnesty and moved to the Provincial Capital, he had taken a noble concubine.

They covered everything thoroughly, from head to toe.

And they weren't see-through.

Very proper.

The clothes were also relatively simple, so they could be made in time. Qipaos would have been impossible to finish.

The curtain opened.

Everyone saw a stage with nine people sitting on it.

They were dressed solemnly and gravely, as if it were a religious ceremony.

No one knew what to expect.

Then they heard them start singing in perfect unison:

"Happy birthday to you, dong~~~"

"Happy birthday to you, dun~~~"

They sang while playing instruments.

There were erhu, huqin, wooden fish, and copper bells.

The singing sounded more like accumulating merit than celebrating a birthday, solemn and dignified.

It was so moving that one filial son in the audience started to tear up, thinking he should hire this group to perform this song for his mother's third-year memorial service. It would be grand.

Jiang Changtian... his mouth twitched slightly.

He knew this was his little daughter's birthday gift for Feng, and she had insisted on keeping it a secret.

To prepare this birthday gift, his little daughter had already been beaten once by her mother, crying her heart out, and had complained to him in secret several times.

However, at home, he had to defer to his wife.

And this was the result.

It was hard to evaluate.

While the lyrics were about a happy birthday, the tone and rhythm made it feel more like wishing someone a happy seventh day after death.

It gave a sense of returning to one's ancestors, resting in peace.

It made people feel like they should be offering condolences.

Jiang Feng, however, listened with tears in his eyes.

He knew that his sister must have come from the same place as him.

This was their special connection.

The songs his sister liked were just this eerie.

When the old woman struck the drum at the beginning, with that "dong" sound, he seemed to see a trembling hand reaching out from the earth.

This song was peaceful, and listening to it felt relaxing.

This was a song just for him.

He felt good about it.

Happy birthday.

He wanted to request this song for every birthday from now on.