CHAPTER 468: CHAPTER 159 BIRTHDAY BANQUET (1)_3

Shen Cuiru took Xie Ruilin’s hand, and it had been several months since they had last seen each other, with overwhelming yearning.

During the last visit home, only the eldest daughter had returned, and Ruilin, the second daughter, had not. Cuiru had been constantly worried since then. Now, her heart ached even more for the second daughter, who was a concubine in the Song Family, surely not faring as well as the eldest daughter.

Xie Ruilin also held tightly onto Shen Cuiru’s hand as they both entered the grand entrance of the Song Residence.

Since it was still early.

Everyone took the opportunity to tour the courtyard of the Song Residence with Xiao Qinghui.

Xie Ruilin and Shen Cuiru followed behind.

"Are you doing well in the Song Family?" Shen Cuiru asked with concern.

"Quite well, Brother Yanqing dotes on me a lot," Xie Ruilin nodded and said.

"I know that Yanqing likes you. What about his parents, and your elder sister, have they made things difficult for you?" Shen Cuiru inquired.

Back when Xie Ruilin had insisted on marrying Song Yanqing, even as a concubine, her decision had caused some ridicule among others. Cuiru feared that Ruilin might be bullied at the Song Family.

"Song Yanqing’s parents both like me very much. This time, my mother-in-law even asked me to take charge of her birthday banquet. As for my elder sister..." Xie Ruilin deliberately paused, before saying reluctantly, "She treats me quite well too."

"Ruotong didn’t mind you organizing the birthday banquet?"

"There was probably some resentment, but Mother, you know that Brother Yanqing has always favored me, naturally hoping for me to be better off at home. So he insisted I organize the in-law’s banquet, and I couldn’t refuse my husband, so I had no choice but to take on the responsibility. I don’t know if my elder sister is angry or not, but these past few days she has been rather distant. I’m really afraid Grandmother will say I’m not behaving properly," Xie Ruilin said as her eyes reddened.

Shen Cuiru, looking on, felt nothing but heartache.

She said, "Don’t worry, in a little while I’ll have a private talk with your sister to make sure she doesn’t say anything inappropriate in front of your grandmother."

"Thank you, Mother."

"Silly child," Shen Cuiru affectionately stroked Xie Ruilin’s head.

The mother and daughter naturally shared a strong bond.

After the group had finished touring the house, they were shown into the banquet hall.

Xiao Qinghui naturally sat at the main table for honored guests.

Song Yuanzhong and Xie Kangheng sat at her side.

The other guests also found their previously arranged seats, filling them in good order.

While Xie Ruotong was helping Ming Yufang welcome the guests.

Shen Cuiru approached and said, "Tong’er, come with me for a moment."

Ming Yufang quickly nodded and said, "Go ahead, your mother can take care of the guests here."

Xie Ruotong then followed Shen Cuiru to one side.

At this moment, Xie Ruilin, who had also been beside Ming Yufang, silently drifted away.

Joining Qin Shuyang, who was seated at her own table, she headed in the same direction.

In the back garden at this moment.

Shen Cuiru said, "Tong’er, I’ve noticed just now that your in-laws are quite fond of you."

"Yes, they treat me very well," said Ruotong.

"Yanqing is also respectful and courteous towards you."

"Mhm," Xie Ruotong nodded.

Pretending not to grasp Shen Cuiru’s implication.

"With things going so well for you in the Song Family, you should take good care of your sister. You are blood sisters, after all; there should be no distinction of yours and mine."

"If Mother has something to say, just speak frankly," Xie Ruotong smiled gracefully and generously.

Shen Cuiru decided not to beat around the bush, "Between mother and daughter, I’ll speak bluntly. I just had a chat with Ruilin, and I found out that it was she who organized this birthday banquet. I also learned that it was Yanqing’s doting on Ruilin that led him to insist that she be in charge, not her own choice."

"Hmm," Xie Ruotong smiled nonchalantly.

Not bothering to counter.

"She feels guilty towards you deep down, but is too embarrassed to face you, so she asked me to speak to you, to ask you not to take it to heart."

"I haven’t taken it to heart. I’m happy that my sister can share the household responsibilities with me," said Ruotong.

"Hearing that from you eases my mind," Shen Cuiru followed up on Xie Ruotong’s words, "What about your grandmother...?"

"Don’t worry, Mother. I haven’t spoken ill of my sister to Grandmother. On the contrary, I’ve said that our sisterly affection has deepened."

"That’s good, that’s good," Shen Cuiru sighed with relief.

Xie Ruotong observed indifferently.

She knew very well that Shen Cuiru favored Xie Ruilin more.

Just as Grandmother favored her more.

People have their own preferences.

She felt no injustice in it.

"Tong’er, I know you suffered a lot after being abducted and sold in these past years. I think about it and feel that I have wronged you. But fortunately, you ended up marrying Song Yanqing as you wished. Instead, it is Ruilin who has suffered some grievances. I hope you can treat Ruilin even better, be more considerate of her in daily life. She wasn’t used to hardships growing up at home, and I worry that she would feel hurt and struggle with life here."