The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 954: Chapter 954: Song Family’s Almsgiving

Due to sneezing twice, Song Ci, now draped in a thick cloak, looked somewhat resentfully at Nanny Gong.

”I’m really not cold; surely someone is talking about me.”

Nanny Gong said nothing, just tied the belt for her and remarked, ”This old servant wonders if this is appropriate to say.”

Hearing this, Song Ci immediately responded, ”If you’re hesitating so much, then perhaps you shouldn’t say it.” It mustn’t be anything good.

Nanny Gong glanced at her and said, ”The older the Grand Madam gets, the more willful she becomes. Over the past couple of years, this old servant often feels like I’m taking care of a daughter.”

So what she’s saying is not to make a fuss and be obedient.

Song Ci coughed a couple of times and said to Nan Shan, ”Your nanny is getting old; she talks non-stop and is prone to overthinking. Don’t learn from her; it’s not charming at all.”

Nan Shan giggled quietly.

Nanny Gong thought to herself, just bear with it; she’s an old child. Taking a breath, she said, ”As we look towards the coming autumn, there are more beggars at the foot of the mountain. When the time comes, you must not approach them.”

Song Ci looked at the distant, slightly ragged clothing of the poor people, pressed her lips together, and said, ”Tell the maidservants distributing buns to be careful, especially the young girls, and make sure the guards pay attention, so those little rascals don’t take advantage of the chaos to stir up trouble.”

”These instructions have already been given, rest assured.”

The Prime Minister’s Mansion’s actions might not match those of a century-old aristocratic family, but they’ve established a significant reputation and norms. It’s unnecessary for Song Ci to remind them, and Madam Jiang has already told people to stay attentive.

After all, not all poor and beggars are good people. If some with hidden motives mix in and cause trouble, what was meant as a good deed might turn sour, marring the charity event.

The Song Mansion performed charity, starting with the intention of celebrating joyous happenings in the family and returning to the temple to fulfill wishes, thereby sharing blessings with the people. However, a competent steward would not miss this opportunity to promote the Song Family’s benevolence and goodwill. Notice had been sent among the poor, informing them of the timing when the Song Family would distribute blessings.

Thus, the designated area was already crowded with people, which is one reason Nanny Gong advised Song Ci not to join the commotion.

With so many people, any jostling could be seen as a serious offense.

Surrounded by maidservants and housewives, with another layer of guards on the outside, Song Ci’s security was multilayered, ready to retreat if anything went awry.

Such an entourage, even compared to the modern-day top socialites, had its flair, didn’t it?

Song Ci thought to herself.

”Are the roasted pigs packed and ready?” Song Ci asked, ”After all, it’s pure meat; instruct those sharp-eyed to monitor, so no one who has already been in line receives another share.”

”They’ve all been cut into small pieces and wrapped in oil-paper bags,” Madam Jiang replied with a smile. ”That roasted pig weighing several hundred pounds can also be divided into many portions.”

Song Ci nodded and moved with the crowd to the distribution point, where the throng of people was already overwhelming.

Upon her arrival, the steward in charge ordered a gong to be struck and announced the original intent of the charity, that the mansion was celebrating, and so shared the joy with the people. Each person was limited to one portion, nothing would be given to troublemakers or those who falsely claimed to have not received their share.

Someone shouted loudly, wishing Sixth Young Master Song all the best, long life, and sound health.

With this shout, others joined in, offering only auspicious words of blessing. Some were quick-witted and praised Song Ci’s virtues, wishing her long life and peace.

At the same time, the distribution of roasted pork and sweets began. Some, upon receiving their share, immediately stuffed it into their mouths, swallowing without even chewing, while others carefully hid it on their person and quietly left.

”Appoint a representative to divide it among us,” Song Ci instructed Chun Fen to organize the distribution, and both Madam Jiang and Song Ruqi also dispatched confidants to help, showing their sincere intentions.