CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 159 BIRTHDAY BANQUET (1)_4

"Alright," Xie Ruotong readily agreed.

So, she was trafficked for ten years, and because she suffered a lot, she should endure more hardships in the future.

Meanwhile, Xie Ruilin, who was always pampered at home, should continue to be coddled and must not suffer any grievances.

"Mother knows you are a good child," Shen Cuiru said kindly to Xie Ruotong after hearing her agreement, "There’s nothing more to say then, let’s get ready to watch the banquet and return together."

Xie Ruotong followed Shen Cuiru inside.

She hadn’t noticed.

In another corner of the back garden, Xie Ruilin and Qin Shuyang avoided the crowd and were discussing matters.

"So you’ve invited performers from Yicui Pavilion to add to the festivities?" Qin Shuyang did admire Xie Ruilin’s determination.

To achieve her goals, she indeed stopped at nothing.

"Yes, I’ve also specially arranged a performance with my sister to celebrate our grandmother’s birthday onstage. When the time comes, you can expose my sister’s identity, and I will fan the flames. We’ll have the people from Yicui Pavilion confirm her identity," she said.

"You’re planning to humiliate your sister in front of everyone."

"If it weren’t so, given my grandmother’s nature, she would definitely have this matter swept under the rug!" Xie Ruilin declared emphatically.

Qin Shuyang spread his hands and didn’t say much more.

"After my sister’s identity is revealed tonight, I will also drug her, and I’ll find a way to lure her maid, Qiao’er, away from her side. Then, you’ll find a way to sneak into my sister’s room. Once my sister’s identity is out, coupled with the pleasure you share, even with the considerable power of my grandmother, she could not possibly allow my sister to be with Song Yanqing any longer. My sister will then belong to you and will have no choice but to follow you," Xie Ruilin explained her plan.

"This really is a clever move," Qin Shuyang couldn’t help but praise, "And it’s quite vicious too."

"Qin Shuyang, whether you can successfully lure my sister to willingly follow you depends on yourself," Xie Ruilin said, uncaring about Qin Shuyang’s sarcasm; she just wanted to achieve her goal.

"Rest assured, you’ve gone this far; I won’t be idiotic enough to let the duck that’s been roasted fly away," he reassured.

"Once this matter is successfully concluded, we shall have no further dealings," Xie Ruilin reminded him in afterthought, "I don’t want anyone to detect anything."

Qin Shuyang carelessly said, "Miss Xie, don’t worry, you have bestowed a favor upon me, and I won’t be so ungrateful."

Xie Ruilin received the assurance from Qin Shuyang.

She said no more.

She looked around and hurriedly left Qin Shuyang’s side.

Qin Shuyang watched Xie Ruilin depart before casually heading back to the banquet hall himself.

The hour was noon by now.

The Song Family’s banquet hall was filled with guests.

On the stage, various performances were underway.

Quite a lively scene.

Many were complimenting how well the Song Family’s birthday banquet was organized.

Xie Ruilin was naturally delighted to hear this.

In a moment.

A troupe of dancers took to the stage, captivating all onlookers with their graceful moves.

However, what attracted the most attention was the two women playing the guqin on either side of the stage, one in green and the other in purple.

Upon closer inspection, one could recognize them as Xie Ruotong and Xie Ruilin.

The two appearing together were as beautiful as a painting.

It was a delightful surprise.

No one expected the two of them to perform on stage to celebrate their grandmother’s birthday.

They had not even mentioned this to Ming Yufang beforehand.

At this moment, Ming Yufang was also deeply touched.

"It’s Tong’er and Lin’er," Xie Kangheng identified his daughters, speaking up eagerly.

Seeing them so elegantly and talented made him incredibly proud.

Others too offered their compliments.

The venue was extremely quiet.

Everyone was seriously enjoying the music from Xie Ruotong and Xie Ruilin, along with the dancing of the women on stage.

Beautiful dance, enchanting sounds.

Before the performance ended.

Xie Ruilin suddenly stood up.

The sound of the guqin was then left to Xie Ruilin alone to play.

Xie Ruilin stood up, naturally to showcase herself, but also to let everyone hear Xie Ruotong’s playing.

During the preparation earlier, Xie Ruotong had said her guqin skills were mediocre and wanted to decline the performance. It was only after her incessant persuading, claiming that no one would notice Xie Ruotong’s playing with her accompaniment, that Xie Ruotong reluctantly agreed.

Figuring that Xie Ruotong couldn’t have learned much about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting during her years away, Xie Ruilin wanted to embarrass her on the spot.

But as soon as she stopped playing, an even more exquisite melody captivated everyone.

The current guqin music was like a babbling brook, exceptionally beautiful and melodious.

For a moment, the earlier duet seemed superfluous by comparison.

Xie Ruilin stood up intending to dance, to show off more of her talents, but she was stunned by the sudden beauty of the music.

In disbelief, she looked at Xie Ruotong.

Seeing her immersed in her own music, apparently oblivious to Xie Ruilin’s departure.

And the sight of Xie Ruotong playing the guqin was so beautiful it fuelled jealousy.

The music was beautiful, and the musician, even more so.

Xie Ruilin’s complexion changed.

It was clear she had intended to make Xie Ruotong look foolish.

Yet she did not anticipate it backfiring, exposing her own inadequacy in playing the guqin.

From a young age, her guqin skills were only above average.

Passable, though not at the upper echelon.

Now she was unequivocally outperformed by Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruilin gritted her teeth.

Anyway.

She still had another card up her sleeve.

Blessed with beautiful dance skills since childhood, she would surely captivate the entire audience!