The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The Emperor attended court, which meant the alert was lifted. The Duke cheerfully followed Song Zhiyuan back to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, under the guise of wanting to see his newborn grandson, whom he hadn’t met yet, as he was quite concerned.

Song Zhiyuan understood that seeing the grandson was one reason, but the real intention was to discuss the Emperor’s recent illness; however, he did not expose this.

Song Ruqi and others had long received the news that the father-in-law was coming. They were dressed neatly and awaited with their son. Upon seeing the Duke, they gracefully bowed.

The Duke quickly made a gesture to raise his hand slightly, saying to his son, ”You are still in confinement, no need for such formalities. Third one, help your wife up.”

Qi Zhen was brimming with joy due to the happy occasion, personally helping Song Ruqi up with a joyful expression.

Song Ruqi expressed her thanks and, feeling shy, said, ”Your daughter-in-law has not been filial, having returned to her mother’s home for months to avoid responsibilities, not having served you at the mansion.”

The Duke exclaimed, ”What’s the point of talking about such trivial matters among family? I don’t lack anyone to serve me. As long as you young couple are good, I’m happy. Is that the boy? Let me have a look.”

Qi Zhen personally took the child from the nursemaid’s hands and carefully held him in front of the Duke.

The Duke took the child in his arms, looked down to see the little fellow was awake, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a high-bridged nose, a full forehead, quite resembling Qi Zhen when he was young, making him delighted.

”This child has a good appearance, seems blessed, and right after you arrived, your father was promoted, excellent. Has a name been given yet?” The Duke looked at Qi Zhen and others.

Qi Zhen replied, ”We’ve given a humble name for now; the birthdate shows a lack of metal in the five elements, so he is called Little Gold. His proper name is to be given by father.”

The Duke said, ”Our family tradition is to add the child’s name to the family register at three years of age, so we’ll decide then.” He then took a piece of warm jade he had worn for years from his waist and placed it in the swaddle, saying, ”This jade was a gift from the late Emperor, now given to our Little Gold, may you have a safe and smooth life.”

Qi Zhen and Song Ruqi were overjoyed, understanding the origin of the warm jade. Even the eldest grandson hadn’t received one, yet it was now awarded to their own son, indicating the child’s exceptional favor and significance.

The young couple respectfully bowed in gratitude.

After seeing the child, the Duke handed him back to the nursemaid and said, ”This child was born in the Prime Minister’s Mansion, gaining the blessings of the mansion. The Song family also returned to their mother’s home for months, and your mother-in-law misses him greatly. Once confinement is over in a couple of days, move back to the mansion. Our Duke Ying Mansion hasn’t had such joyous occasions for years; let’s host a grand banquet on Little Gold’s full month celebration. Afterward, the third one should also head to Jiangnan.”

As the father-in-law spoke, Song Ruqi had no reason to refuse, especially as her husband had secured a good position; she agreed happily.

The son’s full month celebration couldn’t be held at the maternal home; she also needed to show the Duke Mansion people her son’s prominence.

As the father-in-law, the Duke couldn’t linger long at his son’s and daughter-in-law’s courtyard. Having seen his grandson, he smiled and said to Song Zhiyuan, ”With our chubby grandson, let’s have a celebratory drink. Yunzhi, I boldly ask for a cup of your treasured wine today.”

Song Zhiyuan laughed, ”I’m just afraid you won’t like it, please follow me this way.”

The two quickly left.

Song Ruqi sighed in relief, turned to Qi Zhen, and said, ”Father came, you should go over and check, pouring him wine is also a sign of filial piety. At least listen to their words and learn a thing or two. Otherwise, when you get to Jiangnan, it’d be hard to find your place if you’re blind to the ways there.”

Qi Zhen raised a brow, ”Don’t you want me to accompany you?”

Song Ruqi lightly spat at him, ”I can distinguish between important matters; the future is long, go ahead.”

Qi Zhen smiled, nodded, and chased after the two elder figures.