The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

In the twenty-third year of Shengping, during the Longevity Festival banquet, the Emperor appointed the legitimate Prince Hongye as the Crown Prince. From then on, the Great Qing’s heir was settled, and the court and the country were at peace.

After the palace banquet dispersed, Madam Song asked Song Ci for understanding, as the Old Madam wanted to speak with her. So she returned to her parents’ home with the Marquis Mansion’s carriage.

Song Ci got onto her own carriage, leisurely heading home.

”After today, the direction of the Great Qing will change drastically.”

Nanshan said, ”No matter how the winds change, your servant will always stay by your side.”

Due to a mild cold, Palace Nanny wasn’t able to accompany Song Ci into the palace, so Nanshan was the substitute. She was sitting kneeling inside the carriage, speaking with a very serious expression.

Song Ci looked at her and laughed, ”You won’t be able to guard for many more years. Don’t worry, Nanshan, before your Madam ascends to immortality, I’ll surely arrange a suitable husband for you.”

Nanshan’s face changed, shaking her head, ”This servant does not wish to get married.”

She had never considered marriage.

”Being alone is too lonely. Your Palace Nanny may be old, but you’re still young. Find someone agreeable and have a couple of kids; that would be complete.”

Nanshan still shook her head, ”In this world, nine out of ten marriages aren’t perfect, like that Cui Shiniang, her end wasn’t without regret either.”

Song Ci was taken aback, ”Isn’t your thinking a bit pessimistic?”

”Anyway, I’ve never thought about this matter.” Nanshan said, ”I originally came from the Hidden Guard, before being by your side, I might have died on some mission inexplicably. Now, having moved from darkness to light, a peaceful old age seems possible. Marriage is unnecessary, if you ever leave, I’ll accompany Palace Nanny, provide for her in old age, take care of Young Master Liu, and when I grow old, I’ll be buried nearby the Song Family’s ancestral grave.”

Song Ci saw her speaking without a hint of falsity, feeling speechless, ”You have certainly planned everything clearly. Ah, this won’t do, those beside me now, Palace Nanny is old, there’s also Lin Qing, plus you, all claiming to live like spinsters, how unfortunate.”

Everyone wanted to become an old maid; was she a spinster harvester?

Nanshan grinned, ”How can you know the fish’s happiness if you are not the fish? We all feel quite fine as we are now.”

That was true, Song Ci also laughed, leaning on the pillow, feeling tired, soon she began to doze off.

Nanshan pulled up the blanket over her, gently knocked on the carriage wall, signaling the coachman to slow down, not to jolt the Old Madam.

...

Duke Zhongyong Mansion.

Madam Song felt as if she were being interrogated by three courts, beads of sweat emerging on her forehead.

”Mother, please don’t keep that stern face, I truly didn’t know Duke Dingguo Mansion was discussing marriage with Earl Anle Mansion. There have been many affairs this year, matters in the mansion are cumbersome, with various social gatherings, even dealing with Su’er’s betrothal gifts. Moreover, he has returned to his hometown in Yu Hang to take exams, while disasters plague the south. I’ve been deeply concerned; how could I have spare energy to pay attention to which family is marrying whom?”

While Old Madam Gu fiddled with the sandalwood prayer beads in her hand, Madam Gu spoke first with a sarcastic tone, ”Do you truly not know, or just not say it?”

Madam Song felt a bit displeased, her voice rising somewhat sharply, ”Sister-in-law, even if I knew, what could I do? Could I really speak out to stop them? If you have taken a liking to a young lady from Earl Anle Mansion, you should have invited a matchmaker to test the waters, why blame me?”