Chapter 155: Re-entering the Palace, The First Madam's Request

Song Ci just knew someone was talking about her. Look, the Empress Dowager was summoning her into the palace again!
Oh no, it must be about that heir business.
Most likely, the Empress Dowager had found a suitable child and was calling her to take him back!
How dreadful!
"This isn't a state banquet, do I really have to wear those official robes and put on that heavy golden crown?" Song Ci asked, looking pitifully at Palace Matron Gong.
She had seen that kind of phoenix crown in a museum before, and back then she thought wearing one would look extremely majestic. Now that she had experienced it, it was indeed majestic, but her neck was also genuinely burdened.
Palace Matron Gong chuckled and said, "It may not be full ceremonial dress, but formal attire is still required."
Song Ci let out a sigh of relief and quickly said, "That's good then. We don't need too many hairpins either—just a forehead ribbon, a neatly combed bun, and a couple of turquoise hairpins will do. No gold."
Many of her hairpins were made of solid gold, and they were ridiculously heavy.
"As you wish."
Red Peach chimed in from the side, "The Dowager Madame actually dislikes gold ornaments now? You used to always say that gold accessories are the best way to preserve wealth and value."
Palace Matron Gong frowned and glanced at Red Peach.
Song Ci replied, "They are indeed valuable, but didn't I climb up from the very bottom? Back then I was used to poverty. Ordinary folks like us at that time believed that gold offered the greatest sense of security, and that's still true today. There's no help for it; commoners simply have a small-peasant mentality. Besides, gold can be exchanged for silver, can buy many things, and will never be priceless without a market."

Red Peach seemed to realize she had spoken out of turn, and hurriedly dropped to her knees. "This slave has run her mouth. Please punish me, Dowager Madame."
Song Ci told her to get up. "What's there to punish you for? It's all the honest truth. I still like gold now, but liking it is one thing—there's no need to paste it all over myself and walk around like a moving gold mine. Wouldn't that exhaust me to death, not to mention attracting thieves? Just imagine, if I were glittering from head to toe, who else would they rob if not me? It would blind people's eyes!"
Pfft.
The people present burst into laughter.
Song Ci laughed along as well. She did like gold; gold represented money, and the more, the better.
Sister-in-law Li, who was in charge of combing Song Ci's hair, smiled and said, "The Dowager Madame is growing more and more witty."
"Indeed! This slave has always said that no one matches our Dowager Madame's magnanimity," Red Peach quickly chimed in with flattery.
Song Ci smiled. "You're all sweet-tongued. Very well, later I'll ask the Empress Dowager to bestow some imperial palace pastries so you can all have a taste."
Everyone quickly knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.
Right at that moment, the First Madame walked in, bowed gracefully to Song Ci with a smile, and said, "Mother, the carriage is all prepared."
"You've worked hard."
"This is only what your daughter-in-law ought to do. If the Empress Dowager hadn't omitted me from the summons, I would have accompanied you into the palace." The First Madame hesitated for a moment before saying, "Or perhaps... let Qi'er go into the palace with you? She could at least serve as a maid."
Song Ci froze.

"Take the second girl?"
The First Madame felt a surge of eagerness. "What do you think, Mother?"
Even if she couldn't become a prince's consort, if she caught the Empress Dowager's eye, who knows? She might be granted a wonderful marriage match!
Besides, being favored by the Empress Dowager carried immense weight. Who knows, she might even secure the title of a princess consort.
Song Ci looked at her, thinking to herself whether her eldest daughter-in-law had been driven a bit unhinged by the maid and the mistress's drama, to make such a suggestion. Taking a granddaughter into the palace without an imperial decree—was she out of her mind?
Furthermore, didn't her shrewd eldest son tell her that the Song family daughters would not marry into the imperial family?
Palace Matron Gong was also somewhat startled. What sort of muddled move was the First Madame suddenly pulling? She wasn't usually someone who acted like this.
Feeling the heat rise to her face under that gaze, the First Madame grew somewhat flustered and embarrassed, awkwardly saying, "Your daughter-in-law was only thinking that someone should be there to attend to you."