The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Flower Hairpin Turmoil

Song Ci looked at the small vine chair sedan by her feet, feeling a bit exasperated.

Was she really so weak that she needed to be carried?

”Take it away. I want to walk,” Song Ci instructed, pointing at the small sedan.

Hong You glanced at Nanny, who stepped forward and said, ”Madam, if you don’t want to sit, let them follow behind carrying it, and you can ride if you get tired.”

Song Ci looked at her with a smiling suggestion and could only nod. She held onto the arms of the two maidservants and walked slowly out of the courtyard.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion used to be the residence of a favored princess from the previous dynasty. The princess was highly cherished, so the mansion was built luxuriously and elegantly. The gardens were designed by the famous historical master Liu Liuzi, and it is said that the unique stones in the lake were transported from Heaven Mountain.

Song Zhiyuan was able to obtain this mansion due to his remarkable achievements as the Minister of Personnel, and because of having shared some challenges with the current Empress Dowager and Emperor, the Emperor gifted this estate to him.

Some knowledgeable outsiders: Bah, it’s obviously because the Song Family donated two hundred thousand baskets of grain during a drought year.

Sorry, the Emperor and the Song Family don’t acknowledge that.

Song Ci leisurely wandered within the Prime Minister’s Mansion, overwhelmed by the stunning views before her eyes.

”This is truly the mansion of an ancient aristocratic family. The garden scenery is simply unparalleled. The estates and backyards I’ve seen before in the capital city pale in comparison to this,” Song Ci exclaimed.

Hong You and the other maid Hongtao exchanged a glance, and the latter boldly asked, ”Madam, which estate are you referring to, and where is it?”

How come we’ve never heard of it?

Song Ci gazed into the distance, ”In a place far, far away.”

She wasn’t sure if she’d have the chance to return to that place, her hometown.

Her mood suddenly soured.

Everyone around her sensed the shift, feeling anxious. Hongtao, with a quick turn of her eyes, cheerfully pointed to a peony and said, ”Madam, look, this Two Joe peony blossomed beautifully. Shall I cut one for you to wear?”

Song Ci’s attention was indeed diverted. She looked over and saw the pink peonies, as large as her palm, blooming vibrantly, with petals still sparkling with dew, appearing even more pink and tender.

Song Ci had acted in several period dramas and knew that ancients loved wearing flowers in their hair, but wouldn’t she look like an old fool wearing such a flower?

Imagining that absurd image, Song Ci herself found it amusing and chuckled.

She reached out, plucked the Two Joe peony, played with it for a bit, sniffed it, then placed it in Hongtao’s hair bun, saying, ”Such a tender flower suits you young girls. As for me, I’m old.”

Hongtao was slightly taken aback by the honor, and curtsied respectfully to Song Ci, ”Thank you, Madam, for your gift.”

Hong You coyly teased, ”Madam, I want one too.”

”Alright, I’ll give you one too,” Song Ci reached out to pick another.

”Stop! This Two Joe was brought back by the Old Master yesterday, costing him a thousand taels.” A sharp voice called out from the small stone bridge, and a woman in green quickly ran over to Song Ci.

Everyone was startled, and Hong You and Hongtao instinctively stood in front of Song Ci to block the woman.

”How dare you, impudent girl, to offend Madam. Someone, seize her,” Nanny shouted sternly.

Several maids rushed forward, grabbing the woman who had run up to Hong You and Hongtao, twisting her arms behind her, and kicking the back of her knees, forcing her to kneel.