Thirteenth Lady's Comback: Her Everyday Life as a Bystander-Chapter 66 - 16: Shenanigans

After the story, the great lord arrived at Sui’an Hall and respectfully kowtowed to his mother as soon as he entered, saying, "I have not been able to serve you for a long time, I am truly unfilial." The Old Madam quickly had Nanny Qin help him up, laughing and scolding, "You’re a grown man, still pulling these tricks with your old mother. Between us, we don’t need to beat around the bush. Tell me, what trouble has your wife caused this time!"

Even at his age, the great lord felt a bit embarrassed by his mother’s straightforwardness, especially with the maids present. Nanny Qin, who had watched him grow up, he didn’t mind, but with the four young maids there, it was a bit humiliating. He glanced at his mother, then at the four maids!

The Old Madam was both amused and annoyed by his reaction, sarcastically saying, "I’ve spared her so much face before, but did your wife care for it? If she can do such things, why shouldn’t my people hear about it?"

The great lord dared not say more, awkwardly laughing, "That’s not what I meant, mother!" He then mumbled a few words, not comprehensive, but with the Old Madam’s experience, she could piece together a rough idea from those snippets.

Susu also understood and was, unsurprisingly, taken aback, wondering how the First Madam’s mind worked!

Lending money at high interest aside, it hadn’t yet caused any direct harm before the great lord discovered traces and retracted it; she was running the household and pocketing silver, but the great lord turned a blind eye for the Princely Heir’s sake.

Now, the First Madam even set her sights on the bride price for the Heir’s wife, not only embezzling silver but also secretly swapping out several antique pieces for inferior ones. It was only because the eldest young master got wind of it and had Housekeeper Qiao discreetly inspect the packed dowry that it was exposed.

Even Susu wanted to pry open the First Madam’s skull to see if there was any brain inside, imagine the Heir’s feelings at that time since he was her biological son!

The Old Madam couldn’t help but wonder if this daughter-in-law was born to bring calamity to the Song Family?

The Old Madam didn’t even want to be angry, only said lightly, "After all, she is the mother of Qing He and Daya. I won’t speak of confinement, let her copy Buddhist Scriptures in her courtyard, hoping she can be inspired by the teachings of the faith. When Qing He’s wife enters the house, she will take over household management; for now, I will assume the role. The third and fourth girls are not young anymore. They’ve already learned some household management from your third sister-in-law in Yangzhou, so let them practice."

The great lord naturally had no objections, but he mentioned the Third Miss by asking, "Speaking of the Third Girl, mother, what are your thoughts?"

The Old Madam smiled helplessly, "I originally intended to entrust her to your second sister, whether to a landlord or a merchant, as long as the person’s character matched the Third Girl, the family would be fine. After all, she grew up by our side, aside from the matter of breaking the engagement, she’s always been obedient, not fighting for anything. Even breaking the engagement wasn’t her fault. The second boy is useful; we shouldn’t hurt his feelings for someone with a foggy mind."

At this point, the Old Madam sighed again. Among the daughters-in-law in their family, one is too foolish and unaware, the other too shrewd yet pretentious. What fate had befallen her? Thinking of these things, the Old Madam had no attachment to the late old lord who passed first; all those feelings and love had been worn out over the years.

Suppressing these jumbled thoughts, the Old Madam continued, "I think the court examination is approaching. We’re not hoping for the top rank, but we could select a suitable scholar from the second rank. Even if he comes from a poor family, it doesn’t matter if he has ambition, with the Third Girl’s temperament and skills, securing her position as the principal wife shouldn’t be an issue."

After discussing the Third Miss, the Old Madam brought up the Fourth Miss, saying sorrowfully, "The Fourth Girl is not young anymore, carefully find her a pair of useful nannies, preferably ones knowledgeable in medicine. Your sister’s suffering should not be endured by your daughter again."

Even though the great lord was aware, upon hearing these words, he could not help but redden his eyes. Susu and the others were unaware that when Consort Xi was still at the prince’s residence, she had been pregnant; at that young age, with no reliable people by her side and her family unable to help, she was harmed just five months in, later determined by the Imperial Physician to be unlikely to conceive, saving her life. Such precious medicinal materials were sent from Yangzhou to the capital like water, and after over ten years of careful nourishment, Consort Xi finally conceived the only cherished child.

Referring to these matters made the Old Madam deeply resentful despite her broad-mindedness; it was flesh and blood of her own. By any means, she didn’t want to send another Song daughter into that devourer’s palace, but there was no choice. One dynasty’s subjects succeed those of another, the Song Family, without foundations and seen as a juicy morsel, like holding a golden ingot as a child, must seek protection. They aided the current Emperor to ascend and now stake their family and lives on Prince Ke, hence must send another daughter to Prince Ke Mansion.

Both the Old Madam and great lord remained silent; Susu and the others did not dare to speak either. Finally, Nanny Qin gently patted the Old Madam’s hand, consoling, "Our eldest young lady is someone with great fortune, and our little princess has even greater blessings, favored by the Emperor as much as any prince. It’s the first day of the month; you will visit the palace to see the Lady and Princess, and on the Mid-Autumn Festival, there will be a feast in the palace, just in time to celebrate the little princess’s birthday."

The Old Madam finally smiled, "I have not seen the little princess since she was born; she is now already five years old."

The great lord also smiled in accompaniment, "Although I cannot enter the inner palace, the Lady and the princess often send things, and Qing He’s mother has been summoned by the Lady several times, saying our little princess looks just like her." The Old Madam listened intently, imagining the likeness of her granddaughter from just hearing.

When it came time for dinner, the Song family hosted a family feast, setting two tables at Sui’an Hall, one for the men and the other for the women.

After dinner, the Old Madam kept everyone in the flower hall for tea, as there were matters to discuss. Once everyone was seated, and the maids served the tea, the Old Madam looked at her sons, daughters-in-law, grandsons, and granddaughters and said, "For Qing He’s generation, a legitimate child receives a marriage offering of eighty thousand silver, with a dowry of fifty thousand; an illegitimate child receives a marriage offering of sixty thousand silver, with a dowry of thirty thousand. What you as parents add privately is up to you. As a grandmother, I will give each an additional twenty thousand from my savings."

Having said this, she glanced at everyone then continued, "However, Qing He’s status is different; he is the future heir of our Bo Mansion and is marrying the legitimate daughter of Marquis Wenchang. I will select and add two chests of items from the public storeroom to bolster his reputation. These are things that others do not have. If anyone is dissatisfied, speak up now, to avoid future discord!"

Even as foolish as the First Madam was, she knew this was to honor her son, so she had nothing to say. But the Second Madam leisurely sipped her tea, then placed her cup down with a crisp sound. Seeing everyone look at her, she slightly lifted her head, maintaining a gentle smile, but her words were less pleasant.

"Qing He is the Princely Heir, having some fine chests selected for him enhances our family’s face as well; I, as his aunt, have no objections. However, since ancient times, there have been distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children. Previously, our family was in commerce; it didn’t matter then, but now our status differs. If the lines blur between legitimate and illegitimate, and the Imperial Censor becomes aware, it could impede the future of the Eldest or Second Lord."

This was an objection to the Old Madam giving the same amount of silver to both legitimate and illegitimate children.

One must admire the way she phrased it, seemingly for the sake of the greater good.

Among the illegitimate sons and daughters present, except for the Fifth Miss, who was momentarily dazed, none of the others even batted an eye, to which the Old Madam nodded discreetly.

The Old Madam also set down her teacup — a sweet white porcelain one — without making a sound, calmly saying, "In my eyes, whether legitimate or illegitimate, they are all my grandchildren. You may not care for them enough, so naturally, it’s the old lady here who must put in more effort."