Chapter Thirty: No Amount of Ability Can Surpass the Grand Madam

At the second gate of the inner courtyard, Lady Song the First and Lady Song the Second waited. From afar, they saw several small tung oil carts approaching, and exchanged a glance.

Lady Song the Second curved her lips in a faint smile. “They’re here.”

With their arrival, the household’s liveliness had come as well.

Madam Lu spotted the two ladies. When the carts stopped, she stepped down with the help of her maids, taking small, careful steps to stand before them. She curtsied, her voice choked with emotion. “Elder sister, second sister, it’s been years. How have you both been?”

“We’re well, we’re well. It’s good that you’ve returned,” Lady Song the First said warmly, taking Madam Lu’s hand and patting it gently. “All these years, you’ve been accompanying the Third Master at his post. At last, you’re home.”

Madam Lu’s cheeks flushed, her expression tinged with guilt. “I have been lazy, caring only for my own comfort these years. Everything depended on you and second sister to look after father and mother. I am truly ashamed.”

“There’s a whole retinue of servants at home to attend to things; you needn’t worry. But as for the Third Master, it wouldn’t do to let him fend for himself at his post without someone attentive at his side, managing the affairs of the back courtyard,” Lady Song the First chided gently.

Lady Song the Second glanced at the two children behind Madam Lu. “Are these Wei’er and Zhou’er? Come, let Second Aunt have a look at you.”

Madam Lu quickly beckoned the two children forward and introduced them to their aunts.

Song Ru Wei and Song Ling Zhou greeted the two ladies politely, their voices clear and sweet.

Lady Song the First watched them, nodding inwardly. Although the children had been in Shanxi all this time, their manners and etiquette were impeccable—Madam Lu had spared no effort in their upbringing.

“In the blink of an eye, Wei’er has grown so big,” Lady Song the First sighed.

Lady Song the Second deftly picked up Song Ling Zhou, weighing him in her arms. “Zhou’er is sturdy—he’s been well cared for.”

Song Ling Zhou looked up at Lady Song the Second, whose face radiated vigor. His eyes sparkled. “Mother says Second Aunt knows martial arts. Is it true? Can you fight bandits?”

Lady Song the Second laughed. “Martial arts might be a stretch, but I know a bit of boxing and kicks. As for fighting bandits—a couple, perhaps.”

Song Ling Zhou’s face was full of admiration. “Wow, Second Aunt is amazing!”

Lady Song the First smiled. “Let’s not stand here chatting. Mother is waiting. Let’s go to Spring Radiance Hall first.”

Madam Lu’s heart tightened as she followed them inside, subtly probing for hints about Lady Song the Matriarch’s temperament these days.

Spring Radiance Hall.

Song Ci was troubled.

She realized she could not recall the appearance of the Third Master’s wife and children. In her memory, there seemed to be little interaction with them.

She propped her chin, brow furrowed.

Madam Gong noticed and asked softly, “Matriarch, are you tired?”

Song Ci shook her head, thought for a moment, and asked, “Madam Gong, can I trust you?”

Madam Gong paused, then smiled. “My very livelihood depends entirely upon the Matriarch.”

In other words, she could be trusted.

Song Ci mused—indeed, she was the highest authority in the household. As the confidante-maid beside the family’s ancestress, the honor was unmatched by any ordinary servant.

“Madam Gong, I can’t remember what the Third Master’s wife looks like, nor her temperament.”

Madam Gong’s heart skipped a beat. “Matriarch, you truly cannot recall a thing?”

Song Ci replied, “I simply have very little memory, as if I’d never had any dealings with her.”

“That’s only natural. The Third Mistress followed the Third Master to his post six years ago and hasn’t returned since. It’s reasonable that you don’t remember. As for the Third Mistress, she’s perceptive and calculating. You used to say she was too clever, and kept a certain distance. But truly, whatever her temperament or abilities, could she ever surpass you?”

A mere wife of a secondary son could hardly overturn the authority of a first-rank titled matriarch.

Song Ci pondered. It seemed her former self had harbored some dissatisfaction with this daughter-in-law.