Princess Consort Ji carefully savored Song Ci’s words before and after, and when she finally got the aning, her face suddenly changed.
Audacious Madam Song, wasn’t that remark a critique of her own origins?
"Is Madam Song mocking ?" Princess Consort Ji said sinisterly.
Song Ci was startled: "What do you an by that, Dowager? I am the wife of a farr; how could I dare to mock you, Dowager?"
"You!"
Princess Consort Ji was so angry her face turned green, yet she didn’t know how to respond. Song Ci constantly ntioned her farr origin, and she hadn’t wrapped herself in any noble facade—did she want to imply she was mocking herself as soone who also ca from a farming family?
After fuming for a while, she finally sneered, "Madam Song, you do have a sharp tongue."
Song Ci feigned embarrassnt and said, "Dowager, you know as well as anyone that I ca from a farming family. I lack other skills, but I did manage to learn a thing or two about scolding like a shrew across nine streets."
Princess Consort Ji: "..."
No, I don’t know. I am the noble dowager; who understands what scolding across nine streets ans?
But not understanding does not an one can’t imagine. Instantly, Princess Consort Ji recalled images from her past as a farm girl, watching aunties and wives standing with arms akimbo, hurling curses—filthy and raw—like they cost nothing. Even n couldn’t withstand that tirade!
Princess Consort Ji shivered at the mory and tried to shake it off, as the imagery was so vivid it transported her back to those hard days of plowing and weaving in her youth.
She glared at Song Ci; this old lady was indeed toxic, every sentence a trap, trying to lure her into it!
"Nowadays, Madam Song is at least the mother of the Pri Minister, an esteed Imperial Decree lady. Why must she degrade herself by constantly bringing up her origins, humiliating the Pri Minister?"
Song Ci got angry. Why, just because you’ve been gilded, you take yourself for a Bodhisattva and forget you were molded from clay too?
"Dowager, your words are mistaken. As the saying goes, one should not forget the well-diggers after drinking the water. How can a person forget their roots? How is that any different from being an ingrate? No one can change where they ca from, so what’s wrong with bringing it up? ntioning it doesn’t make it any less real, does it?" Song Ci spoke calmly.
"As for my elder son, it’s well known he cos from a poor family. I supported his education so he could serve the country, not to make him forget his roots. If he dared to beco such an ungrateful person who forgets his origins, I might as well strangle him myself rather than let him waste these years of study and beco a disgrace."
See, the feeling of scolding across nine streets was vividly right in front of them.
Princess Consort Ji’s face turned pale. Although Song Ci hadn’t nad nas, her words were like invisible slaps, scorching her face, one after another.
Princess Consort Ji forced a smile and said, "Madam Song is truly an authentic person."
"Lady praises too much. I co from humble origins, don’t understand grand principles, but I do understand rembering one’s roots," Song Ci said, sowhat embarrassed. "I hope my crude and ignorant words didn’t offend your ears, Lady."
Ha, you ignorant soul, with so many principles, scolding without using any dirty words, incredible.
Princess Consort Ji rolled her eyes, twisting her handkerchief into a salty strip.
Empress Dowager Wang exclaid in satisfaction, having enjoyed enough of the old friend’s scolding performance, and as if returning to her senses, she asked Princess Consort Ji, "You ca to seek an audience, for what reason?" Only then did Princess Consort Ji rember the main matter and said, "Ze’er is twenty-five and still lacks an official wife. I am considering hosting a small winter banquet to invite noble ladies from various families to attend. What does the Empress Dowager think?"
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