The old matriarch of the Song family rubbed her forehead, looking at the First Madam's wailing with increasing annoyance. "Then tell me, what is it you truly want?"
Upon hearing this, the First Madam perked up, gazing at the old matriarch as if pleading. "This time when we go to Jiangzhou, I want Mother to find more women from Jiangnan. Let Jiao'er learn their skills, and snatch Prince Ning back from that Wu Lingru!"
Let alone the old matriarch, even Song Chaoyu was stunned by these words, finding them utterly improper.
The last time they had allowed Song Yanjiao to learn from those women was out of sheer desperation. It was to ensure Song Yanjiao married Prince Ning as soon as possible, preventing others from "getting there first."
If Song Yanjiao had the capability, those days of intimate companionship would have allowed Prince Ning to keep his heart with her.
But now they proposed to learn from those women again! This was not something a proper young lady from a respectable family would do, nor could it possibly be a way to keep Prince Ning in Song Yanjiao's chambers for life!
In her previous life, Song Chaoyu had thought Song Yanjiao to be a clever person.
How could it be, looking at her now, that she was merely a good-for-nothing! The moment even the slightest problem arose, her seemingly flawless "dam" would be completely breached.
"Absurd!"
The old matriarch was once again angered by the First Madam's words. "You are, after all, the First Madam of the Minister's Mansion, yet you can utter such words. It's simply absurd! Using such a method once was already a last resort. Do you want Jiao'er to be like those women in the future, relying on such tactics to keep a man?!"
The old matriarch was furious. "This idea was yours for Jiao'er, wasn't it?! You clearly have no regard for Jiao'er's reputation, nor for the reputation of our Song family!"
"No... it's not!"
The First Madam was also afraid of the old matriarch's anger and quickly tried to explain. "Mother, please listen to me—"
"Listen to what?!"
The old matriarch's chest heaved with anger. "Get out! If you dare to bother me with such matters again, I won't care if you are the First Madam of the Song Mansion!"
"Grandmother, be careful not to anger yourself."
Seeing the old matriarch like this, Song Chaoyu felt distressed and concerned. She quickly stepped forward to pour her grandmother a cup of tea and helped her calm down. "Grandmother, I believe Mother and Second Sister are just desperate. Let's not mention this matter again! Look at you, you've been working hard all day, and your health hasn't been good lately. You mustn't get angry anymore! Shall I help you lie down and rest?"
"Good!"
The old matriarch glared at the First Madam, who was still kneeling on the ground. "You all truly leave me speechless. Jiao'er was always a considerate and sensible child, knowing her bounds. How is it that now, for the position of Prince Ning's consort, she disregards everything else? She can't even manage a mere secondary consort. How will she manage in the vast Prince Ning's Mansion? You mother and daughter should really think about it!" wap.kanshuwu.net
"Yes."
The First Madam, having been rebuffed by the old matriarch again, dared not say more and could only slowly retreat. "I have heard Mother's teachings. I will write back to Jiao'er immediately and tell her to think of other methods."
The First Madam, having collected herself, also pondered the old matriarch's words. "We were too hasty. Mother, please don't be angry! I'll leave now. Please rest well!"
She glanced once more at Song Chaoyu, who was serving the old matriarch, before reluctantly withdrawing.
"Alas—"
After the First Madam's retreating figure disappeared outside the door, the old matriarch let out a long sigh. "Fourth girl, tell me. If you were in such a situation, how would you handle it?"
Knowing the old matriarch was teaching her, Song Chaoyu also thought carefully before replying. "One must first understand what Prince Ning's true intentions are. Is his affection for that secondary consort a fleeting whim, or does he truly have feelings for her? Then, one can make plans accordingly. If it's just a whim, it doesn't threaten the foundation. When he finds a new love, or tires of her, it will pass. I only need to occasionally advise him to take care of his health and attend to his hardships."
As she spoke these words, Song Chaoyu felt an unspeakable weariness and discomfort in her heart.
She asked herself, if Mu Changxi had done something like this, could she truly be as magnanimous as she claimed?
Likely not.
But Song Chaoyu's answer made the old matriarch nod with satisfaction. "And if Prince Ning truly has feelings for that secondary consort?"
Song Chaoyu understood Mu Hansu, so her eyes turned cold. "If that is the case, then it is even simpler. Second Sister is Prince Ning's primary consort. She must hold all the power belonging to the primary consort. Then, she should quickly bear Prince Ning a son and heir. No matter how others stir up trouble, they will never surpass Second Sister. As long as the primary consort is present, and the legitimate heir is present, they will have to bow down to Second Sister. What waves can they stir up then?"
This answer satisfied the old matriarch.
However, she still looked at Song Chaoyu with some concern. "Fourth girl, sometimes I truly worry that you live in this world too clearly. Your second sister's heart likely holds affection for that Prince Ning. If you ask her to do these things, she naturally cannot. Then what about you? Do you have feelings for Prince Chang, or are you indifferent? If you encounter a similar situation in the future, can you truly set aside your feelings for Prince Chang and make these seemingly perfect choices?"
The old matriarch was indeed the old matriarch, hitting the nail on the head.
This caused Song Chaoyu to lower her head, unsure how to answer.
"Alas!"
The old matriarch reached out and took Song Chaoyu's hand. "Never mind. By telling you these things, am I not also putting you in a difficult position? Children and grandchildren have their own destinies; live your lives as you see fit! Alright, don't think about these things anymore. This time, when you return to Jiangzhou, you should also enjoy yourself for a few days. Poor child, ever since returning to the Song family, you've been living cautiously, keeping your head down. In Jiangzhou, don't be afraid of your mother. With me here, you can relax!"
Song Chaoyu was grateful for the old matriarch's understanding.
—
They rested for a day in Hongye Town before continuing their journey.
The old matriarch's condition was better than in the preceding days, so the journey was naturally more comfortable.
For some reason, the First Madam began to chat with the old matriarch about their last trip to Jiangzhou. "I remember the last time we returned to Jiangzhou, I was with Mother too! And our lord, it was when Yang'er came of age, wasn't it? Jiao'er was still young then. Our family went to Jiangzhou, saying we were returning for a visit. But when we arrived in Jiangzhou, no one came to greet us! The elder branch of the family treated us very coldly, and the maids below, except for Song Xiuxiu, always bullied Jiao'er."
As she spoke, she became indignant. "Back then, I thought I never wanted to go back in this lifetime!"