The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

In winter, the days are short and the nights are long. As the old year fades away and the New Year approaches, the Song Family finds themselves preparing to attend the palace banquet once again on New Year’s Eve.

Nanny suggested that due to the cold and the repetitive annual nature of the palace banquets, Song Ci could easily skip the event to avoid undue exhaustion.

But Song Ci replied, ”This year, I cannot miss it. With the Crown Prince newly appointed, each family is realigning their positions. The harem and the women of the court are closely linked to this, and you can see it in the family alliances being formed.”

”The Song Family is neutral and part of the Royalist Party, not closely tied to the harem.”

Song Ci shook her head with a bitter smile, ”Have you forgotten? The Song clan has Song Daying. Even if they’re out of the family, no one forgets where she’s from, especially those with ulterior motives.”

”Don’t worry too much. Although Song Daying calls you her ancestor, there’s no blood relation, to put it bluntly.” Nanny paused, lowered her voice, and said, ”If anything happens in the harem because of Song Daying that affects the Song Family, the Prime Minister would never keep a minor concubine.”

If Song Zhiyuan were sentimental and indecisive, he wouldn’t have reached his current position.

To him, the small Song Daying is just a pawn that can be sacrificed at any time.

Song Ci understood and shivered slightly.

Nanny, knowing Song Ci had a soft heart, added, ”I’m not trying to scare you. In truth, although Song Daying has been in the palace for a long while, she hasn’t caused any trouble. She’s neither favored nor entirely ignored and seems to be a smart person living quietly.”

Song Ci nodded, ”I know that’s why I need to attend the banquet. With the Crown Prince established, the concubines may harbor resentment and might target the lower-ranked concubines like Song Daying. If they use her to attack our Song Family, it’s not impossible. Relying solely on the Gu family, I fear she wouldn’t stand firm.”

Nanny sighed, saying in her way, it’s just being concerned.

”Madam, Young Master Liu has come to pay his respects.” Chun Fen entered with a smile to report.

Song Ci exclaimed, ”It’s so cold, what brings him here so early? Come quickly.”

As she finished speaking, Deng entered, carrying the tightly wrapped Dan Ge’er. Once put down and his cloak opened, the little one dashed towards Song Ci, calling her grandmother in a childish voice.

”My little darling, why are you up so early today?” Song Ci’s heart melted at the sight of him. Such an adorable little creature, she could never get enough of him.

Dan Ge’er grinned, took a step back, and knelt down, swaying as he made a deep bow to Song Ci.

”Oh dear, what’s the matter?”

”It’s New Year’s Eve. Bowing to grandmother, wishing her peace year after year.”

Song Ci stood to pull him up, jokingly chiding, ”Tomorrow is the New Year; you can bow again then, it’ll be just the same.”

”Today I bow, and tomorrow I’ll bow again.” Dan Ge’er scrambled up onto Song Ci’s lap, hugging her neck and giving her a kiss.

Song Ci was extremely pleased, ”Look at this, where did he learn to be so charming?”

”Isn’t it what you usually teach?” Though not yet two years old, he was very clever, speaking slowly but distinctly, able to form long sentences, showing early signs of intelligence.

Song Ci said, ”No wonder you’re my dear grandson, grandmother will give you a kiss too.” She kissed Dan Ge’er’s forehead and instructed Chun Fen, ”Go fetch a New Year’s gift. Since our Dan Ge’er was first to bow to grandmother, give him a double New Year’s gift.”