The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The household of the third branch was in turmoil, while on Song Ci’s side, the heir’s wife from Duke Ying Mansion and Second Madam had arrived, ostensibly to visit Song Ci, but also to bring allowances for Song Ruqi.

”...Although Third Brother’s wife is staying temporarily at her parental home, the Prime Minister’s Mansion wouldn’t short her allowance. However, since she’ll be staying long and is our esteemed Third Madam from our Duke Mansion, she shouldn’t lack for allowances. We took the opportunity to visit you to bring her the allowances as well.” The heir’s wife, Madam Lu, sat elegantly on the embroidery stool, smiling as she explained the purpose of their visit to Song Ci and Madam Song.

Song Ci smiled and said, ”Your Duke Mansion is quite meticulous in handling things. There’s no need to be so anxious. Although she has returned, there are still people left in her courtyard. How could her allowances not be dispensed?”

So, sending allowances was just a pretext, and the real intention was to probe?

It’s not that Song Ci was overly suspicious, but the incident with Song Ruqi’s miscarriage last year was still an unresolved case, and it’s hard to say who might have been involved.

Therefore, Song Ci couldn’t completely trust anyone from the Duke Mansion, including the seemingly gentle Madam Lu, and even more so the calculating and slightly harsh-looking Little Madam Liao.

Madam Lu smiled and said, ”Of course, no one in the manor would dare withhold the master’s allowances. We were just worried that her allowances might not suffice.”

Little Madam Liao glanced outside the door and said, ”We’ve been here for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, so why hasn’t our younger sister-in-law appeared yet?”

Madam Song and Song Ci exchanged glances and replied with a smile, ”We’ve already sent someone to fetch her. This girl becomes lax when she’s back home. Seeing how cold it is, she’s probably nestled in her room sleeping. To meet her two sisters-in-law, she will certainly need to freshen up first.”

Little Madam Liao was about to say something, but Madam Lu smiled again and said, ”Our younger sister-in-law is young and loves beauty, naturally she wants to look good.”

Song Ci said, ”You child, you’re still young, yet you speak as if you’re so mature. Where does that leave an old bone like me?”

”Oh, you’re still lively and spirited, with a young heart,” Madam Lu complimented with a bright smile.

Little Madam Liao also broke into a smile, though with a hint of impatience in her eyes.

Song Ci noted this and found her even less agreeable, sipping her tea slowly, she asked Madam Lu, ”Is the health of the Duke’s wife still good?”

”Let my mother-in-law know, as winter set in, my mother had a bit of a cold in the past few days, but it’s not severe. She’s taking medicine, but it’s nothing serious. However, she avoided transmitting the illness to you; otherwise, she would have visited you personally,” Madam Lu promptly explained.

Song Ci sighed, ”With the onset of winter, the cold weather has brought illnesses. Now, even the Empress Dowager is unwell, and various elders in noble households have their ailments. The Imperial Hospital must be quite busy.”

”Indeed.”

As they were talking, a maid reported that Song Ruqi had arrived.

Nanshan led the way in, having been instructed by Song Ci to fetch Song Ruqi in case of any unexpected events.

Upon entering, Nanshan’s nostrils flared slightly, her eyes deep, as she stepped further inside.

Song Ruqi entered, supported by a maid, and this was observed by Madam Lu and Little Madam Liao, who inevitably had some considerations in their minds.

”Our younger sister-in-law has finally come, making the elder sister-in-law and me wait,” said Little Madam Liao, standing up and stepping towards Song Ruqi.

Nanshan’s gaze fell on her waist. Picking up the teapot from the table, she intended to pour tea, but, turning around, she collided directly with Little Madam Liao, spilling tea all over her.

Everyone gasped in surprise.

Little Madam Liao shrieked, ”You wretched maid, are you blind?”