The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Lu Shi returned to her room and sat down, inevitably feeling a trace of fear.

She had seen enough of the servants siding with the powerful in the Song Mansion. Although the number of masters in the house was simple, there were over a hundred servants working here, and this group would not be an exception. Struggles and siding with the powerful were inevitable.

She just didn’t expect to experience it so soon.

If it weren’t for Song Ci’s mention today, she probably wouldn’t have thought to visit those two children. In her heart, especially for children of concubines who weren’t close by blood, not depriving them of food, drink, and necessities, or treating them harshly, was already the greatest mercy a legitimate mother could show. How many really treat them as their own children?

Looking across the Capital, not every woman among the nobility cares about reputation. Some don’t mind being harsh or cruel to children of concubines. It is the most common thing, and although everyone despises it, they might make some sarcastic remarks, but they rarely strong condemn it because it is too common.

She asked herself and believed she had already shown the greatest kindness to Bai Shi’s pair of children.

But today, upon seeing one sick, with no one to watch over, and another foolishly running out of the yard, again with no one accompanying, it was fortunate he didn’t run far. Otherwise, if something happened to the little child hiding or having an accident, she wouldn’t fear gossip but couldn’t bear the reputation of neglect leading to a child’s death.

People are prone to passing on false stories, and who knows what it would turn into when spread around?

She herself didn’t care, but she feared Wei’er and her brother would be implicated by this reputation, making it difficult to find a suitable family for marriage in the future.

Lu Shi thought of the recently betrothed legitimate daughter of the Duke Dingguo Mansion to Song Lingsu and then recalled the Song Ruqian sisters, with a hint of envy in her eyes.

All the children of the main branch marry into prestigious families, and as for the youngest, Dan Ge’er, it’s hard to say, but as long as the Prime Minister’s Mansion stands strong, it will only grow wealthier in the coming decades, and his wife will certainly not come from a humble family.

This is the legitimate son of the main branch, what the world values most.

Lu Shi squeezed her finger bones and sighed.

Song Zhiqing walked in with a body smelling of alcohol, Lu Shi frowned: ”Where did you drink so much, with such a strong smell of alcohol?”

Although she was unwilling, she was bound by her status, so she walked over. While smelling the alcohol, she also caught a scent of fragrant dew, something only young girls use.

Lu Shi’s face changed several times, her steps paused, and she said, ”It’s not even dark yet. With whom did you drink? Where did you drink?”

The questioning tone made Song Zhiqing a bit unhappy, and he said: ”Where else could I have been drinking? Just with some colleagues.”

Lu Shi sneered: ”Were there courtesans accompanying?”

Song Zhiqing’s face darkened: ”What do you mean by this? Are you interrogating me?”

”I wouldn’t dare, just hoping you remember the new family rules,” Lu Shi retorted coldly.

Song Zhiqing’s face turned completely green, he snorted, turned, and walked out: ”Since I’m not welcome here, I won’t come next time.”

Lu Shi laughed out of anger, not stopping him, only mentioning Song Lingyi and his siblings, saying: ”Their mother is gone. After all, they are your own flesh and blood, once cherished close to your heart by you. At least look at them, as carrying the reputation of an unkind father does you no good.”

Song Zhiqing’s body stiffened, suddenly remembering Bai Shi’s status, and he turned back abruptly, glaring at Lu Shi.

His eyes were fierce and intimidating, frightening Lu Shi into a pale face.

”In the future, never mention Bai Shi again, or don’t blame me for disregarding the bonds of marriage.” He left a cold sentence and stormed off.