The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 357: Chapter 357 Madam, You Have Kept Your Achievements and Fame Hidden

Within a few days, a royal decree was issued to all the provinces and prefectures, ordering the opening of lands and road construction, with an urgent need for talents skilled in surveying and water conservancy.

The words about road construction, penned by the Emperor himself, were distributed to every provincial, prefectural, county, and village office.

Many who found out understood in their hearts whose words these were, secretly thinking, the Emperor truly values the Song Mansion, and by extension, the Matriarch of the Prime Minister’s Mansion is also greatly esteemed.

See, the successive bestowals of marriage alliances upon their descendants, even the family of the Empress Dowager’s maternal relatives, the Duke Cheng’en, frequently visits the Prime Minister’s Mansion, and even a casual slogan from Song Ci is taken seriously, commanding the provinces to adhere to it.

Whose family enjoys such honor and favor?

Song Ci was happy in her heart, but it didn’t show on her face.

She picked up a bamboo exam basket, examining it carefully.

Every year during the spring and autumn imperial examinations, the Song Mansion would produce some exam baskets, half-selling and half-gifting them to scholars for just one tael of silver, yet inside the baskets were stationery, food, and even some calming fire, restorative lotus seed slices more than worth the single tael.

What the Song Mansion did certainly had a measure of self-serving intent, to win the scholars’ favor and build a reputation, but there was also genuine intention to aid the scholars, for everything inside was truly practical, exceeding its value.

”Pass the word, add some chrysanthemum and goji berries, these can clear the eyes and calm the heart, and autumn air is also dry.” Song Ci handed the basket back without saying anything surprising.

It was not a rare occurrence; if she spoke, it would seem strange.

The maid took the basket agreeably, smiling widely.

Song Ci sat on the Arhat bed and unraveled some ’lecture’ notes sent by her grandsons, examining them very carefully.

Nanny Gong brought her a bowl of longan tea and asked with a smile, ”Matriarch, have you noticed any insights?”

Song Ci cast a sidelong glance at her: ”Have you also mistaken me as cultured? Do I seem like an educated person to you?”

Nanny Gong was not offended, responding with a smile, ”Matriarch, you are one who conceals her contributions and fame, deeply hidden.”

Song Ci let out a dry chuckle, diverting the topic, saying, ”Su’er is capable of scholarly pursuits, though I find him overly rigid and lacks some flexibility.”

A person who is rigid and formal as an official might fall short; isn’t it said that the best-placed officials are those who are versatile and diplomatic?

”But Jie’er is somewhat crafty.”

Among the twins, Song Lingzhao is not much for essays, his notes are disorganized, while Song Lingjie, however, is quite adaptable.

Looking now, if Song Lingzhao were to compete, he would undoubtedly be eliminated, while Song Lingjie would succeed, and Song Lingsu as well, yet just from these two sets of notes, Song Lingjie is more suited for the political arena.

Simply observe Song Lingjie’s cunning on ordinary days; often he directs his twin brother in circles, and that foolish brother is unaware even when sold.

”What about the Fourth Young Master?”

”He is still young, so it’s hard to discern, but I see he only regards food as his main concern, writing entirely about how to use food to create an economy.” Song Ci was helpless.

”As you’ve said, people rely on food as their priority.”

”Indeed, we shall see in the future.” Song Ci sipped her tea, put the set of notes back in order, and said, ”Send these to the Prime Minister, let him provide critiques, after all, he is the most learned in this house and most qualified to evaluate.”

It would also inform him of the current foundation of the family’s children and how to nurture them.

”Matriarch, the third Young Master has sent a letter.”