The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Ci wanted to set up a Charitable School; there was no way to hide this from the family. Madam and her sisters-in-law came together in a group, and with everyone chiming in, the matter was soon laid out on the table.

”Mother, how did you come to think of doing this? You’re not that young anymore, you may not have that much energy. What are your thoughts exactly? Why not tell me, and let your daughter-in-law send people to handle it?” Madam said anxiously.

Jiang-shi also said, ”Exactly, and I heard you plan to use your own private savings. How can something like this use your private money, Mother? Your daughters-in-law’s dowries can’t be spent up in this lifetime. However much Silver is needed, why not take it from our dowry Silver?”

Such bold generosity made one’s ears go sore from listening.

Lu-shi gave a dry laugh and could only say, ”So long as Mother gives the word, your daughter-in-law will certainly do her part.”

Song Ci said, ”Enough, I know you are all filial, I take it all to heart. I’ve already made plans for this Charitable School; it will be run in my own name, so it will also be funded with my own private savings. But once the Charitable School is set up, it will need funds allocated every year. My private Silver will only decrease, and when I pass on someday, there won’t be much left for you.”

”Mother, please don’t say things like that, it really makes your daughters-in-law blush.”

”That’s right, you’re someone destined to live to a hundred.”

Song Ci smiled. ”All right, all right, I won’t say it. In any case, I’ll always leave something behind for you as a keepsake.”

”Mother...” The few of them pretended to scold her.

Song Ci waved her hand. ”Let’s not talk about this. I know you’re all well-intentioned, but you don’t need to worry about this matter; you all have your own things to do. If I truly need people or Silver, I’ll speak up.”

Madam, Jiang-shi, and Lu-shi exchanged a look and said, ”Mother already has a whole plan, then; you truly mean to go through with it?”

”Of course I do,” Song Ci said. ”This is the kind of good deed that adds to our blessings. If one says it and doesn’t do it, the Bodhisattva will blame us. I’m usually idle anyway; once I have an idea, it’s only a matter of moving my lips to talk, it won’t be that tiring—at most it will cost me some thought.”

”All right then, if there’s anything you need your daughters-in-law to do, just say the word.”

Song Ci nodded with a smile and said, ”Now that you mention it, there really is something I need you to do. Once this Charitable School is up and running, we’ll need teachers to actually teach. I don’t know many people in that line. I was thinking that once autumn comes, I’d host a small gathering and invite a few close acquaintances to see whom they might recommend. If you have anyone in mind as well, do keep an eye out and help look, all right?”

”Does Mother have a particular kind of teacher in mind?”

Song Ci listed the few subjects she had prepared. Madam then said, ”Mother can rest assured, leave this matter to me. I’ll definitely have people keep an eye out.”

”Speaking of embroidery mistresses, the embroideresses from Jiangnan are the finest at embroidery and needlework. I have a bosom friend who is now the second young madam of Xianxiu Clothing in Suzhou. How about I write to her and ask her to recommend two?” Jiang-shi said.

”That would be excellent.” Song Ci nodded. ”Don’t worry, once they come as teachers, we won’t treat them poorly.”

Jiang-shi said with a smile, ”With a good person like Mother in charge, I’m afraid everyone will be eager to come.”

Lu-shi stood by smiling, but she felt a little anxious. Compared with the other two, it seemed she couldn’t be of much help, so she gave a stiff smile and said, ”Your daughter-in-law is not as capable as her two sisters-in-law; I can only listen to Mother’s instructions and do some of the heavy work.”

Seeing them all rushing to show their filial piety, Song Ci couldn’t help laughing in mock annoyance. ”Since when does heavy work require delicate ladies like you to do it? If you really want to help, why not also take a look at whether there’s anything that needs adding to my plan? As they say, one person’s plan is short, two people’s plan is long. You can give a few suggestions too, so we can perfect this plan as soon as possible and open the Charitable School earlier.”