Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Master of the Final Blow

With Song Ci’s blunt remark urging them to have children, a hush fell over the rear courtyard of Chunhui Hall. The maids and old servants all turned their heads in other directions, acting as though they hadn’t heard a thing—how blue the sky was. The air felt oppressively hot.

The face of Song’s first wife was flushed bright red, embarrassment and annoyance mingling within her. Couldn’t her mother-in-law ever guard her tongue? To talk about making babies in broad daylight, and in front of so many maids and old servants, worst of all, right in front of her husband!

She picked up her teacup and took a sip, using it to mask her flustered discomfort, but from the corner of her eye, she glanced at Song Zhiyuan. Seeing his somber expression, tinged with regret, a pang of sadness stabbed her heart.

Did she not want another child? Su’er was already so grown; she had always hoped for another, but she simply hadn’t conceived. Her own body had failed her.

The thought made her feel all the more desolate. She pressed her lips together, finding the tea in her mouth unbearably bitter.

Suddenly, a warm hand covered her own, which lay on her lap. Startled, she turned her head to see Song Zhiyuan quietly squeezing her hand. A gentle warmth spread through her heart.

Song Ci was embarrassed as well, letting out an awkward laugh. “Well, the weather is really lovely today, don’t you think? Just look at how beautifully those flowers are blooming.”

She pointed offhandedly to a bed of kalanchoe, their vivid blossoms interspersed with other flowers. One bloom was especially large and a striking red—and oh dear, atop it, a bee was riding another bee, right in the middle of...

Song Ci: “...”

Everyone: “...”

Truly, it was a spring day perfect for the continuation of life.

Song Ci wished the earth would swallow her whole. If there was such a thing as peak embarrassment, it had surely been surpassed—she was living proof of that now.

She glanced helplessly at the first wife, whose face had turned crimson and looked on the verge of tears. Someone, anyone, please come to her rescue.

“Second Madam has arrived!”

Song Ci’s eyes lit up, and she stood, her gaze fixed eagerly on the entrance.

A savior—her great savior.

The first wife also felt as though she’d been rescued, almost moved to tears at the sight of her sister-in-law.

As Second Madam Song entered, she looked a bit bewildered. Since when had she become so popular, with everyone rising to greet her?

“Sister-in-law, you’re here to pay your respects to Mother as well?” the first wife said affectionately, taking her arm and never having felt her arrival so timely.

Second Madam noticed her flushed face and, always one to speak her mind, blurted out, “Sister-in-law, why are you so red? It’s not even that warm today—there’s a breeze.”

The first wife forced a laugh. “I had some hot tea—got a bit overheated.”

Is that so?

Second Madam looked skeptical. “No tea could make you that red, surely? You haven’t caught a chill, have you? It’s still early spring and quite cool.”

The first wife: “...”

Song Zhiyuan silently lifted his cup and took a sip, though it was long since empty.

Song Ci wished she could leap over and clap her hand over her sister-in-law’s mouth.

Honestly, Jiang-shi, are you here to help or to make things worse?

“Jiang-shi, what brings you here?” Song Ci couldn’t help calling out.

Second Madam smiled and stepped forward, giving a respectful curtsey. “I’ve come to bring Mother good news. Just now, a servant reported that Third Brother and his wife’s carriage has reached the city gates—they’ll be home any moment. Also, Fourth Uncle and Su’er’s boat will dock at the Tongtian Pier tomorrow.”

The first wife’s face lit up. “So soon? Su’er and the others are back?”

Second Madam nodded, then turned to Song Ci. “Mother, the house will be lively again soon. I just wanted to let you know, and to ask if you’d like to arrange a family banquet to welcome Third Brother and his wife home and wash away the dust of their journey?”