The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Zhiyuan took the tea offered by the palace Nanny and personally handed it to Song Ci, who paused for a moment and then smiled.

”What’s going on today, to have you, the great Prime Minister, personally serve tea to an old lady like me?”

Song Zhiyuan chuckled and said, ”You are my own mother, and my serving you as a son is nothing unusual. This is merely offering you a cup of tea; it’s not worth mentioning as any hardship.”

Song Ci sipped the tea and said, ”Throughout the year, only during this sealed-off period can things be somewhat relaxing. Don’t just hang around this old woman; when free, find some colleagues or friends for tea and music, to unwind a bit.”

”In recent days, attending new year banquets has made me meet quite a few, and the Emperor summons me into the palace from time to time, making it hard to wander far.”

Song Ci curiously asked, ”Is it because of the matter with Prince Min Mansion?” Then she added softly, ”I’m not one to meddle in politics, just curious. So Prince Min is fine now? That was treason, indeed.”

Song Zhiyuan fell silent.

Song Ci deftly said, ”If it involves secrets, you don’t have to say anything, son. I’m just idle and curious.”

Song Zhiyuan smiled, ”It’s not really a secret; the Imperial List mentioned that the longevity gift was conspired by the heirs of Xia and the supposedly deceased Ning Cabinet Minister. Now, that Ning Cabinet Minister is still hiding, and the Emperor is considering alarming the snake in the grass.”

Song Ci said nothing, but her mind was racing—disgraced officials feigned death, gathered former subordinates of the past Xia Crown Prince, had control over a successor; it’s clear what they’re planning.

Restoring the country, naturally.

”Alarming the snake, is the Emperor trying to find this Ning Cabinet Minister?”

”Naturally. Ning Cabinet Minister was a high-ranking official of the former Xia Country. Some old subordinates of the Crown Prince still follow him, stirring trouble everywhere with a successor, naturally they need to be found.”

Song Ci nodded, recalling what she had heard, ”Are you sure that by bringing members of the Ning Family, this supposed dead Ning Cabinet Minister will appear?”

”Who knows.” Song Zhiyuan lowered his head to drink tea, curious about what choice the other party would make.

Song Ci sighed, ”You officials think in such roundabout ways. So, was Prince Min a victim of unfortunate circumstances?”

Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, ”What does mother think?”

”As an old woman, what do I know? If that’s the case, he was quite unlucky. After so many years in his fief, sending longevity gifts annually without issue, yet upon returning to the capital, he sent a longevity gift only to face trouble, losing even his prince title. He is the unluckiest at the start of the year.” Song Ci chuckled, then carefully added, ”Yet I don’t sympathize with him. Just for sending me a string of beads that almost made me meet Buddha prematurely, I can’t tolerate it. Seeing him unlucky now comforts my tiny grievances.”

Song Zhiyuan sweated drops, ”Seems mother really doesn’t like Prince Min.”

”Indeed, I find him rather dour; although he smiles, there’s always a deep meaning in his gaze. If it weren’t for Princess Consort Ji risking her life to protect this son, I would suspect him as an impostor Prince Min.”

Song Zhiyuan felt stirred, his thoughts linking as if illuminating a point.

Song Ci didn’t notice his expression and continued, ”However, if this really is the work of those remnants, their targets aren’t just the Emperor, but you too. Protecting people in our mansion, you must pay attention, especially your own safety, lest any calamity deprives the Emperor of a big support.”

”Rest assured.” Song Zhiyuan was eager to leave, ”Mother, I suddenly remembered some matters, I need to head to the palace first.”