Chapter Twenty-Eight: Grandmother Dislikes Defiance

The former residence of the Song Chancellor’s household was once a Princess’s manor. In front of its main gate stretched a small square, large enough to hold a basketball court. The surrounding area was lined with the homes of high-ranking officials and nobility. Patrols from the city’s military police regularly passed through, making this one of the safest neighborhoods. There were no street vendors or idle wanderers to be found, and the atmosphere was tranquil.

From the main plaza at the Chancellor’s gate, a turn eastward down the alleyway led to Zhengyang Avenue—one of the most expensive commercial streets in the capital. If one wished to purchase rare treasures or exclusive goods unavailable in ordinary shops, this was the place to come, provided one’s purse was sufficiently full.

As the hour neared late afternoon, a modest carriage appeared on Zhengyang Avenue, followed by several others. Though the leading carriage was plain, those with discerning eyes made way at once. The reason was simple: the emblem hanging from the carriage.

It was the crest of the Song Chancellor’s family.

In other words, these were the relatives of the Right Chancellor. Who in the city did not know that the Right Chancellor was in the ascendant, and his household stood at the peak of power and prestige? Who would dare not yield?

Inside the carriage, a curtain was gently lifted, and a round little face peeked out with curiosity. Wide, sparkling eyes blinked mischievously, full of impish intelligence.

“Zhou, sit properly,” came a clear, youthful voice from within the carriage. “Peeking out like that is hardly becoming. Where are your manners?”

The little face turned back, grinning cheekily. “Sister, there are so many shops and things for sale on this street, and it’s all so beautiful. It’s nothing like Shanxi. I love it here!”

Seated inside was a girl of eight or nine, her hair done up in twin topknots adorned with pearl flowers—one of which had a tassel that danced with the carriage’s motion. She held a scroll of a book in one hand, the other resting on her lap, and regarded the six-year-old boy opposite her—rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed—with a serious air. “The capital is nothing like Shanxi, of course. This is the grandest and most illustrious city in our entire land, the very seat of the Emperor. How could it compare? Even the officials here—many of them outrank our father.”

“I know that, but none outranks our uncle, surely. He is the Chancellor, after all! All the other officials must heed him,” the boy replied, lifting his chin with pride.

These children were the son and daughter of Song Zhicheng’s third branch—Song Ruwei and Song Lingzhou.

Between them sat a young woman, lovely yet dignified, no more than twenty-five or six. Her delicate brows arched gracefully above slightly upturned phoenix eyes; her hair was swept up in a high chignon, and her face was wreathed in smiles as she watched her two children.

This was Lady Lu, the third wife of the Song household.

“Lingzhou, what did your father and I tell you before we set out? Even if your uncle is the Chancellor, we must never act arrogantly in public. If we do, people will only say that our Song family is rude and unrefined,” Lu said, her gaze gentle as she looked at her daughter. “Look at your sister—she sits with perfect poise. That is the proper bearing of a lady from a noble family.”

At her mother’s praise, a spark of pride lit in Song Ruwei’s eyes.

“You’re always talking about these rules. It’s so boring,” Song Lingzhou muttered, pouting. “Not just boring—stiff and dull, too.”

Lu’s brow creased. “Lingzhou, you mustn’t be disrespectful. Especially in front of your grandmother—you must be on your best behavior, do you understand?”

Lingzhou’s eyes widened. “Why? Grandmother isn’t a monster. Even if I am rude, it’s not as though she’ll eat me.”

“Of course your grandmother isn’t a monster, but she is the matriarch of our family. If you behave properly and show respect, that is as it should be,” Lu replied, her gaze growing distant as if recalling something. “Your grandmother does not take kindly to those who defy her.”