The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

As soon as Lu Shi’s words fell, Song Ci immediately understood the meaning behind them.

It was previously mentioned that the wet nurse for the child should be chosen from one’s trusted daughters-in-law, and since Dan Ge’er couldn’t select someone from Song Madam’s circle, he chose someone else, Deng Shi.

Now Lu Shi first brought up Xi Zhi’s childbirth, and then mentioned the wet nurse, hinting at wanting Xi Zhi to be the wet nurse for the Shen family side.

”You want Xi Zhi to nurse the child on the Shen family’s side?” Song Ci directly clarified.

Lu Shi smiled, ”Truly, nothing escapes Mother. What do you think? Steward Chen has been an elder in our mansion, his entire family has signed lifelong contracts, and Chen San along with his son, are considered born servants, and they are honest and reliable.”

Song Ci said, ”Shen Shi is someone from your family, and you are the Lady of your branch. Whether the child is born from whom, they should call you their legitimate mother. Such matters are for you and Lao San to decide. Just one thing—your sister-in-law was also searching for someone suitable before, if you find someone satisfactory, you should inform her, so as not to overlap.”

”Mother, rest assured, I will.” Lu Shi was relieved.

Song Ci glanced at her, ”Now your little third branch has several children. Zhou’er is the legitimate eldest son, there are also younger siblings, but if talking about mutual support, expecting from Little Five is not feasible. The child with Shen Shi, raise them well yourself, then Zhou’er and they will have their own full siblings to rely on.”

Lu Shi’s smile froze for a moment, ”Daughter-in-law will abide by Mother’s teachings.”

”Hmm. How are things with Little Five’s side nowadays, have you visited them at all?”

Lu Shi felt a little embarrassed as she hadn’t gone, awkwardly saying, ”The Lord dislikes it, so I haven’t gone, but the provisions will not be lacking.”

Song Ci frowned slightly, ”Lao San has reservations about going, and you believe his foolish words? The provisions may not be short, but the children are merely two years old, knowing nothing, while the servants below are the type that gauge their behavior. As parents not visiting, how seriously can they take it? Servants disrespecting masters is not a new phenomenon, but to spare your reputation from being tarnished, you should worry about being rumored to be harsh on stepchildren, it is not worth it.”

With this advice, Lu Shi was made red with shame, embarrassed, she stood up and said, ”Daughter-in-law accepts this advice, will surely pay attention to this in the future.”

Song Ci acknowledged with a hum, and picked up her tea.

Seeing this, Lu Shi dared not linger, stood up to bid farewell.

Once Lu Shi left, Song Ci asked Nanny Gong, ”For her to use her trusted daughter-in-law as the wet nurse for Shen Shi’s child, do you think she is acting out of selfishness, or genuinely planning for Shen Shi?”

Nanny Gong replied, ”To say there’s no selfishness at all is unlikely, after all, the child is not born of her own flesh. Using her trusted ally as a wet nurse, the child in the future probably won’t be entirely close with the biological mother either, right?”

Nanny Gong was quite aware of Lu Shi’s little schemes and was not surprised, as in large families, what Lady doesn’t have her own plans?

Song Ci smiled lightly, ”Let’s just say this here, regardless of legitimate or step status, I see Shen Shi’s mindset is broader than hers, also clearer. If a child is raised by their biological mother, even if they don’t achieve much, they won’t become a disruptive and useless figure.”

”Moreover, although Xi Zhi is her trusted daughter-in-law, as the child grows, being unremarkable is one thing, but if successful, which servant wouldn’t consider their own family’s future?” People are naturally selfish; even as servants, they are discerning and will choose the more beneficial side.