The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

According to reason, a concubine’s son should not warrant too much attention from Song Ci, but since Madam Shen was granted by Emperor Chu, and after entering the estate, Madam Shen has always been discreet and mindful of her role. Now that she has given birth, Song Ci is willing to show her this courtesy by visiting her.

Madam Shen had already moved from the birthing room back to her own quarters, with a light purple headband wrapped around her head. Although she looked pale, she seemed to be in relatively good spirits. Upon seeing Song Ci arrive, she attempted to rise, but Song Ci gently held her down.

”You’ve just given birth, don’t move unnecessarily. Rest, to avoid further depleting your energy,” Song Ci said with a smile.

Madam Shen pulled at her lips and said weakly, ”I thank the matriarch for her concern.”

”It’s only appropriate, your safe delivery is a great contribution to our Song Family,” Song Ci said. ”Focus on your recovery during the confinement period; don’t worry about anything else but nurturing your health.”

Madam Shen nodded.

Song Ci looked around the room, ”Where is the child?”

”Mother, the baby is here,” Madam Lu led a round-faced young wife inside, who carried a swaddled infant. This was Lu’s former close maid, Joy Branch, now married, with a plump and buxom figure.

Joy Branch brought the child to Song Ci, presenting the entire bundle.

”Let me hold him,” Song Ci took him and looked down.

The child, reportedly born weighing five pounds and two ounces, had just entered the world. His face was scrunched, eyebrows knitted, with a tiny red mouth, slender eyes, and a prominent nose.

”Looking at him now, it’s hard to tell if he resembles you or the third young master, but...” Song Ci shielded the child’s upper face with her hand and said, ”From the nose down, he resembles you more.”

Madam Shen’s eyes curved slightly.

The baby suddenly began to cry, and Song Ci asked Joy Branch, ”Has the child not been fed?”

Joy Branch replied, ”I fed him once, but he only sucked twice.”

Song Ci placed the child next to Madam Shen, to everyone’s surprise.

”Even the wet nurse’s milk can’t compare to a mother’s first milk. You should nurse him for a period.”

Madam Shen instinctively looked at Madam Lu, who smiled somewhat awkwardly and reluctantly.

”Matriarch, I’m not in the best of spirits, and a wet nurse has been arranged, perhaps...”

”A wet nurse is necessary, but I’m saying this because there is reason. A mother’s first milk is the best; it will help the child grow stronger. That’s why I’m suggesting you nurse him, for the child’s benefit.”

Madam Shen was moved at heart, ”Is there such a saying?”

”Indeed,” Song Ci replied with a gentle smile, ”You should nurse him now, feed him occasionally during waking hours, and at night during your confinement, let Joy Branch handle the nighttime feeding and sleeping with the baby. This way, you recover well, and the child thrives, the best of both worlds.”

Madam Shen tilted her head to gaze at the child’s small face, her eyes softening, then looked at Madam Lu.

Madam Lu said, ”Since mother has requested it, for the baby’s good, then let’s do as mother says.”

Madam Shen heard and gratefully said, ”Thank you, Madam.”

Madam Lu smiled, ”What are you thanking me for? You’re the child’s birth mother; surely there’s no fear you’d be anything but good to him?”

Her words carried a slight hint of acidity.

Song Ci said, ”The baby is just born, his formal name hasn’t been decided yet. Let’s choose a childhood name for now. Madam Shen, you’re the birth mother, why don’t you pick one?”

Madam Shen was somewhat overwhelmed, seeing no objection from Madam Lu and knowing this was a rare opportunity, she pondered for a moment and then said, ”They say babies with simple names grow better. His pregnancy went smoothly, so why not call him Shun, for a lifetime of smoothness and success.”