The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Princess Consort Ji left in a daze, not knowing whether it was due to Chu Ze’s attitude or the result of obtaining the poisonous insect from Shang Meiniang.

Princess Consort of Min County nodded slightly to Shang Meiniang and then turned to leave.

”Princess Consort.” Shang Meiniang called to her.

The Princess Consort stopped, turned her head, and looked at her with a questioning expression.

”I... I really have never with my husband...” Shang Meiniang did not know what she was trying to explain.

The Princess Consort of Min County smiled faintly: ”You don’t need to explain to me. Your presence is his misfortune’s greatest blessing.”

She curtsied to Shang Meiniang and gracefully departed.

Shang Meiniang stood there for a long while, sighed, and suddenly realized that her husband and Princess Chongyang were the same kind of people; insightful, yet bitter as if immersed in coptis.

She turned her head and looked up. Chu Ze stood by the glass window on the second floor, looking out. Following his gaze, she saw the slender figure of Princess Consort of Min County gradually walking away.

Shang Meiniang’s eyes dimmed slightly, she pressed her lips together, and casually walked inside.

...

Meanwhile, Song Ci was chatting idly with Song Zhiyuan, who had come to pay respects.

First, they talked about the birthday celebration. There were many things this year, so no extravagant banquet; just a small family feast would suffice. She was impatient with socializing.

Song Zhiyuan felt a bit sorry for his mother, thinking a sixth-decade birthday should be celebrated grandly.

”Our family has the means!” This was Song Zhiyuan’s exact words.

Now that he was in high position, and seeing his mother weak in her old age, he was keen to make her happy, allowing her to enjoy life, as a repayment for her hard work in her younger years, which even led to illness from overwork.

Yet Song Ci did not give him this opportunity.

”A sixth-decade birthday isn’t a major one, eighty is,” Song Ci said sternly: ”You want me to celebrate now, and have me registered early with King Yan? What, am I bothering you now?”

Song Zhiyuan laughed helplessly: ”Mother, your words really leave your son feeling ashamed.”

”Then don’t mention it. I am the birthday star; if I want to celebrate, I will say so myself. There will be a time when you’ll have to put in the effort, just wait for it. If you truly want to show your filial piety, why not send me some exquisite antiques to enjoy?” Song Ci shook Dan’s hand, saying: ”Right, Dan? We’ll enjoy them together.”

Dan, wearing a bib and drooling, grinned at Song Zhiyuan, saying: ”Play.”

Song Zhiyuan, finding him cute, picked him up, gently tugged at his little tuft of hair on his head, and said, ”What do you know about good things?”

Dan sat on his lap, pulling at his beard, dancing about trying to stand up, causing Song Zhiyuan to exclaim in pain.

”It’s only you. Look at who else in the world dares to tug on your father’s beard? You little rascal.” Song Zhiyuan patted his bottom, making Dan laugh even more joyfully.

Song Ci watched their affectionate interaction and couldn’t help but smile, saying: ”Don’t underestimate this late-born child of yours. His taste is high; born amidst riches, he absolutely does not fancy bad things. Even his bib needs to be embroidered with gold thread. He knows ginseng too, tut tut, who knows who he takes after.”

Song Zhiyuan wanted to flatter his mother, and joked: ”He’s been raised with you since birth, naturally taking after you, Elder.”

Song Ci smiled proudly, noticing the time, and with Dan yawning appropriately, she had the nurse take him away to feed and put him to sleep.

”The Emperor is selecting beauties; I heard our ancestral home submitted a name too?” Song Ci suddenly asked.