The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

After Madam Lu left Chunhui Hall, she turned on her heel and headed straight to Wangzhou Tower where her son lived. Who would have thought that the moment she stepped into the courtyard, Song Lingzhou’s servant Wanfu sprang to his feet and loudly greeted her.

”Blessings upon Third Madam.”

His voice was so loud it seemed to pierce right through the whole courtyard.

Madam Lu’s expression cooled; it was obvious he was tipping someone off.

And who he was tipping off hardly needed saying.

Madam Lu strode forward, lifted the curtain and went in, just in time to see Song Lingzhou hastily throwing a length of silk into a corner.

”Mother, what brings you here?” Song Lingzhou came forward with a smile.

Madam Lu slanted a look at him. ”And why shouldn’t I come?”

Song Lingzhou’s gaze flickered; still grinning, he said, ”You can, of course you can—only you didn’t let anyone give word in advance, so your son could go out front to welcome your honored arrival.”

Madam Lu gave a short laugh. ”That slippery tongue of yours—who did you learn it from? Your second brother isn’t even in the estate.”

Song Lingzhou gave an awkward little laugh.

Madam Lu went straight over to that piece of silk. Song Lingzhou thought to himself that this was bad; he had just managed to call out ”Mother” when she had already lifted the silk, revealing what was hidden underneath.

They were all wooden mechanisms; some models had already been assembled, looking like the shape of a waterwheel.

Madam Lu’s smile faded as she looked at Song Lingzhou.

Song Lingzhou said, ”Mother, I just had some ideas...”

”Did I not tell you you’re not to play with these wooden things? They’re nothing but toys that ruin a man’s will. You ought to put your mind to your studies.” Madam Lu’s voice grew somewhat sharp.

Song Lingzhou’s young face clouded; he pressed his lips together and quietly argued, ”Mother, this isn’t some toy that ruins my will. This is a waterwheel—once it’s finished, it can be used to irrigate farmland. Then when the common folk water their fields, it’ll save them a great deal of effort. There are many of them over in Sichuan, I’ve heard they were made by that newly appointed Lord Yuan of the Ministry of Industry. He’s earned great merit for it.”

”Since someone has already made them, what are you making them for?”

”What others make is what others make; what I make is what I make. I can also improve it somewhat, see if I can make the wind power stronger and save more time and labor. All this has to be studied in depth.” Under Madam Lu’s glare, Song Lingzhou’s voice grew smaller and smaller.

Madam Lu said coldly, ”Studying this—does it put food in your mouth, does it bring glory to our gate? Your mind should be on reading and learning, not sunk into this squandering of days.”

Song Lingzhou lowered his head and said nothing.

Madam Lu felt a tightness in her chest. She pulled him over to sit on the south kang and said, ”Zhou’er, it’s not that your mother wants to force you. You are the legitimate eldest son of our branch. If you achieve nothing, how are you to set a good example for your two younger brothers? How are you to inherit the family business with full right and title? Even if it’s handed to you, if you have no ability, how will you ever hold on to it?”

”Mother, I understand.”

”No, you don’t. You may think your mother nagging, but I am doing it for your sake. Do you know, your eldest brother and your third brother have both already passed the provincial exam and become Scholars? How old are they? Barely sixteen or seventeen, and already they bear a title of honor, truly young talents. ” Madam Lu gave a bitter little smile. ”In this world, people look at your family background and your talent. Without these, how can you make others look up to you? Zhou’er, some people shine with ten thousand rays of light, while some are rusted through. Your mother only hopes you will live in a high tower and shine with ten thousand rays, and not be low as dust on the ground.”

Seeing how genuinely she spoke, with her eyes reddening, Song Lingzhou said, ”Mother, your son understands now, please don’t be upset.”

Madam Lu pulled him into her arms and said, ”My son, your mother always hopes for the best for you.”

Song Lingzhou said nothing; he only looked at that messy pile of things in the corner, his gaze dimmed.