Song Ci looked happily toward the doorway, and sure enough she saw Song Zhiyu walking in with his son in his arms, with Niu Pan’er following right behind him. Her smile grew even brighter.
Niu Pan’er had been busy in the barracks and hadn’t shown her face for quite a while. Now that the family of three had co back to the mansion, Song Ci was naturally delighted.
Only, did the young couple have a quarrel? Their expressions didn’t look quite right.
Song Ci kept her face calm, smiling as she beckoned them over. "How co you suddenly have ti to co ho today?"
"Mother." Niu Pan’er gave Song Ci a respectful curtsey and replied with a smile, "I’ve had a few days’ leave, and I realized it’s been a long ti since I ca to pay my respects to you, so we thought we’d co stay in the mansion for a few days and keep you company."
Song Zhiyu gave a cold snort.
Song Ci’s brows lifted slightly. "That’s splendid. Chun Fen, go inform Madam, and have them heat up the underfloor brazier in Fufeng Pavilion, and send over a few more braziers to drive the chill out of the rooms."
"Yes, Grand Madam."
By now Song Zhiyu had already called out "Mother," and then coaxed Niu Honghong to call for his grandmother.
"Gwanny..." Little Niu Honghong had clearly been well-drilled in the Prince Mansion; he actually called out to Song Ci, though his pronunciation was a bit off.
Song Ci was overjoyed. "Our Honghong already knows how to talk? He’s not even a year old yet. Quick, let Grandmother take a look at you."
Song Zhiyu said proudly, "Of course. Look whose son he is. I’ve been teaching him day and night. The first ti he opened his golden mouth, the first word he called was ’Dad.’"
"Didn’t you say the first word he called was ’Mom’?" Niu Pan’er cut in.
Song Zhiyu glared at her. "I’m talking to my mother. Don’t interrupt. This has nothing to do with you... ow!"
He clutched his forehead, glanced at the rag doll on the floor, and stared at Song Ci. "Mother, why are you throwing things at ? Trying to scare your precious youngest son to death?"
"Pah! Don’t clown around here. Let ask you, how were you just talking to your wife? I haven’t seen you for a few days and you’ve actually grown a spine, learned that macho swagger, and now you know how to bark at your wife? We’ve really spoiled you." Song Ci grabbed a tiger-head toy and hurled it at him again.
When Niu Honghong saw his own father getting pelted, he happily started clapping his hands and babbling "oh-oh," and when Dan-ge’er saw it, he also clapped along, giggling, drool all over his chin.
Song Zhiyu: "..."
Who said his mother was frail? She was clearly full of vigor.
Niu Pan’er saw Song Zhiyu’s embarrassnt and said, "Mother, don’t bla him. He’s just angry at ."
"Angry?" Song Ci glared and grabbed the Backscratcher at hand, rapping it down on him. "What are you angry about? Your wife spends all day in the barracks, and it’s rare for her to get leave and co ho, and you actually make her suffer a bad mood? Ever since you walked in I’ve seen it—you’ve been pulling a face at your wife. Looks to like you’re ready to ascend to heaven, you are. You’re just begging for a beating."
Song Zhiyu jumped up and folded his arms. "Mother, you’re not even asking what’s what and you’re already hitting . Aren’t you going to ask how she made mad?"
"I don’t care. Your wife is always right. If your wife is ever wrong, then it’s your eyes that are wrong. If you don’t like it—you can choke on it."
Song Zhiyu almost rolled his eyes and stord off. This was pure nonsense. Truly, a married child is like water splashed out; there was no place for him in this household anymore.
Song Ci raised the Backscratcher again, and Niu Pan’er lunged forward, using her arm to take the blow for Song Zhiyu.
Everyone: "..."
Song Zhiyu froze for a mont, then couldn’t take it. He pulled her aside anxiously. "Who told you to jump in? Where did it hit you? Does it hurt?"
That Backscratcher was made of ivory. His old lady was ruthless—when she said she’d hit, she really hit.
Song Ci watched, exchanged a look with Nanny Gong, and the latter secretly gave her a thumbs-up.
You’re still the best.
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