Nanny Gong said that Song Zi, the concubine-born daughter, was endowed with a clever mind, but Song Ci had yet to see where the cleverness lay. She just felt that the concubine daughter was indeed quite talkative.
As soon as she entered, she kept apologizing and seed intent on self-deprecation, leaving Song Ci unable to get a word in.
Song Zi spoke until her mouth was dry, yet Song Ci remained silent. She couldn’t help but feel anxious and asked, "Mother? Why aren’t you saying anything?"
Song Ci glanced at her softly, "You’ve said everything, what else is there for to say?"
Song Zi: "..."
Is she angry? Is she really angry?
"Mother, I..."
Madam Song entered with several children, laughing as she said, "Zi-niang, you may be wholeheartedly concerned about Mother, but you can’t just ignore your own children, can you?"
Feeling as though her savior had arrived, Song Zi stood up and walked over, smiling at Madam Song, "Isn’t it because I rely on you, my sister-in-law, that I feel at ease leaving them behind?"
She then called over her children, "Co quickly, bow to your grandmother."
Song Ci looked over, good gracious, four children arranged by height, two boys and two girls. This concubine-born daughter was undoubtedly a patriot, having given birth to so many for the country.
The children heeded Song Zi’s words, obediently kneeling on the ground and kowtowing solemnly to Song Ci.
"Stand up, all of you." Song Ci, always lenient with children, raised her hand and said, "It’s been so long since I’ve seen you all, you’ve grown up so much I hardly recognize who’s who. How old are you all now?"
"Grandmother, I’m Zhihui, and I am eleven years old this year."
"I’m Ming Hui, nine years old."
"I am Zhilan (Minghua), eight years old."
Song Ci glanced at the children close in age, giving Song Zi a aningful look.
While others may have two children in three years, she had four in five years. Just for this productivity, I admire you as a capable one!
No wonder her face was so rosy and rounded, indicating a lack of worries.
No doubt, with four legitimate children, even if her husband held a lower official position, having a Pri Minister for a brother ant no one dared underestimate her. Song Zi held her head high, supported by a solid backing.
And it wasn’t just one Pri Minister brother; her own brother was also an official, far surpassing many others.
The most important thing was her fruitful womb; with several legitimate children, her position in her husband’s family was firmly grounded.
Song Ci looked at these children, all of whom were quite well-bred, especially the dragon-phoenix twins, whose young faces resembled their mother, exquisite indeed.
"They’re all good children." Song Ci handed them eting gifts and had them sit aside to eat pastries. Then she said to Madam Song, "It’s rare for her to co back with her children. Let Su’er and the others co over to et and get acquainted, and play together."
Song Zi imdiately said, "Mother, there’s no need for such a fuss. I’ll take the children around to pay respects to each of the sisters-in-law; that’s what they should be doing as the younger generation."
No wonder Song Zi was considered clever; with such a humble attitude, it was heartwarming indeed.
Madam Song laughed, "You’ve just returned to the mansion. Let’s just bother Mother for now. The children are still in school; I’ve already inford them to co over after class, so they can all et. There are few children in the Pri Minister’s Mansion, and now with Hui’er and the others, there will be plenty of fun. Your courtyard has been reorganized, and the servants have moved the luggage over, though it doesn’t seem like much, does it?"
Song Zi replied with a smile, "That’s because the rest of the luggage has been sent to the house on Bailing Lane."
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