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- The Duke urgently inquires about the situation at the frontier.
- Meng Liang and Jiao Zan collapse to the ground, crying as they recount how Yang Zongbao was killed in battle.
- Hearing the unexpected news, both the Duke and Madam Guiying are overwhelmed with grief and nearly faint from sorrow.
- Madam Guiying immediately wants to report the news to Grandmother She and inform her of Yang Zongbao’s death.
- The Duke, fearing the shock might be too much for Grandmother She, urges Madam Guiying to suppress her sorrow and wait until later in the day to discuss it.
- He also advises Meng Liang and Jiao Zan to quickly change their clothes and avoid revealing the truth for now.
Shortly afterward, Lady Chai, Madam Yang, Eighth Sister, and the nine young ladies, along with Yang Zongbao’s son, Yang Wenguang, help the elderly Grandmother She slowly enter the hall amid laughter and cheerful conversation.
- Grandmother She takes her seat, and the young servant Ying sends her a tray of flowers bearing the character for “longevity.”
- Grandmother She smiles and places one on her head.
- Lady Chai also selects a red flower, and Madam Guiying, seeing this, feels heartbroken but suppresses her sorrow. Neither of them dares to reveal the true situation.
- Meng Liang and Jiao Zan change into fresh clothes, wipe away their tears, and enter the banquet hall.
- They remind each other not to drink today, for fear they might accidentally reveal the truth.
- Meng Liang and Jiao Zan pay their respects to Grandmother She.
- Grandmother She asks why they are not stationed at the frontier and have come back to the capital.
- Lady Chai quickly replies on their behalf, “They are here to bring a report regarding Zongbao’s duties.”
- Jiao Zan adds, “General Zongbao is extremely busy, so he specifically sent us to give our greetings to Grandmother She.”
- Yang Wenguang greets Meng Liang and Jiao Zan warmly, asking what celebratory gifts they have brought.
- The two are at a loss for words, and Lady Chai quickly steps in, “The gifts are already on display in the front courtyard.”
- Yang Wenguang quickly stops asking questions and suggests they first pay respects to Grandmother She.
- The banquet begins, and joyful music fills the hall.
- Grandmother She takes a cup of wine offered by Yang Wenguang and smiles, saying, “Meng Liang, Jiao Zan, your fathers were brothers-in-arms with Yang Zongbao, fighting together to defend the frontier. It is only fitting that I toast you both first.”
- As Meng Liang and Jiao Zan lift their cups to drink, Lady Chai encourages them, “You have both endured a long journey, please have a drink!”
- Reluctantly, they drink one cup each.
- Noticing their unease, the straightforward Yang Seventh Sister forcibly pushes the wine closer, saying, “Don’t be so reserved, you must drink with us to celebrate!”
- Then, Yang Seventh Sister casually serves more wine to Lady Chai and Madam Guiying.
- She jokingly says, “Hey, how could we forget about Lady Guiying?! Wenguang, quickly offer a toast to your aunt. She has the best tolerance for wine!”
- Madam Guiying reluctantly drinks the wine.
- Yang Seventh Sister then commands Wenguang to offer a toast to his father and uncle.
- Madam Guiying drinks on their behalf, but at this moment, her heart is breaking, and her body starts to tremble uncontrollably.
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- Grandmother She, noticing that Madam Guiying normally has a good tolerance for alcohol, finds it strange that she is getting drunk so quickly today.
- She also questions why Meng Liang and Jiao Zan, who love drinking, are avoiding alcohol.
- Becoming suspicious, she calls Meng Liang and Jiao Zan over to question them thoroughly.
- The two soldiers swallow hard but dare not tell the truth.
- Grandmother She’s suspicions deepen, and she raises her voice, pressing them for answers.
- Unable to hold back their sorrow any longer, Meng Liang and Jiao Zan tearfully reveal the truth about Yang Zongbao’s death.
- The sudden revelation shocks Grandmother She, causing her to jump up, and the wine cup in her hand falls to the ground with a loud “clang.”