Chapter 134: Exhausted Beyond Measure

Once the banquet ended, Song Ci returned to the main chamber and collapsed onto the bed.

Sprawled out in the shape of a star, she let out a long sigh. Socializing in this ancient era was truly exhausting beyond measure. In the modern world, a social engagement simply meant showing up, eating, drinking, and leaving when the time came. It was nothing like this, where one had to wake up before dawn to groom and dress, then spend the entire day engaging in tedious small talk with guests, all while carefully guarding every word and action. One had to be wary of every response, lest they stumble into a verbal trap without even realizing it.

Song Ci felt that playing these psychological word games with the noble ladies was every bit as taxing as anything the men faced. It was mental labor no human should have to endure. Mental gymnastics aside, she was an experienced actress who had studied psychological warfare; she had read the works of Guiguzi and the Thirty-Six Stratagems, so she could handle the mind games if she stayed vigilant. The real difficulty was physical.

Even though she had been exercising recently, this body was, after all, old and frail. Spending an entire day entertaining guests felt like being run over by a carriage.

"Madam Dowager, the list of young ladies who attended today's banquet has been compiled. Would you like to look at it now?" Nanny Gong asked as she entered.

Song Ci slowly turned her head. "Nanny Gong, do I look like I have the strength to look at a list? Leave it for now; I’ll look at it later. I am utterly drained."

"Very well. Shall I light some calming incense for you?"

Song Ci replied, "That won't be necessary. If I fall into too deep a sleep, I fear I won't be able to rest tonight. I’ll just doze for a while. You go and rest as well; don't wear yourself out."

With that, she turned over and closed her eyes. Nanny Gong tucked the quilt around her and retreated, instructing those waiting outside to keep their movements quiet. She then told Hong Zao to go to the small kitchen and have them boil a thick pear and fritillary bulb soup. She had noticed that the Madam Dowager had spoken so much today that her voice had grown hoarse.

***

In the main courtyard of the Prime Minister's residence, the eldest Madam Song was also exhausted. She leaned against a fainting couch while her maids massaged her legs; she felt as though her waist was about to snap. Unlike Song Ci, she could not simply lie down and let it go. The banquet had just concluded, and there were still countless matters to attend to, and stewards to meet, to ensure everything was properly settled.

"Madam, the second and third Madams, along with the stewards, are waiting in the flower hall," Nanny Fang reported.

The eldest Madam Song nodded, took hold of Shao Yao's hand to steady herself as she stood, and said, "Let's go."

As the mistress of the house, she appeared glorious to outsiders, but in truth, managing the household finances was backbreaking work. Even so, many vied for this authority—first for the wealth, second for the power, and third for the prestige.

The eldest Madam Song was no exception. Even in her extreme fatigue, she would never relinquish the reins of the household. After all, she was the mistress of the house and the eldest daughter-in-law of the main branch; if she did not manage it, who else would have the standing to do so?

Upon reaching the flower hall, she exchanged greetings with her two sisters-in-law, who were sipping tea, and began to listen to the reports from her subordinates. With the banquet over, the consumption of oil, candles, and incense had to be tallied and accounted for. The dinnerware had to be washed and stored, and the guest quarters had to be cleaned and locked. Every little detail required her instructions.

Furthermore, any minor mishaps that had occurred during the banquet had to be addressed. The Prime Minister's residence had always been strict with rewards and punishments; those who performed well were rewarded, and those who faltered were reprimanded.

By the time all matters were settled and she returned to the main courtyard, it was already time to light the lamps. The eldest Madam Song had just sat down and picked up the gift lists from the various households that the maids had organized; she had barely glanced at them when she heard that Song Zhiyuan had arrived.