Chapter Thirty-Three: All Are Clever People

Madam Song led Madam Lu and her children to Plum Blossom Court.

“When the Prime Minister’s residence bestowed this courtyard, it happened to be when Zhou’er broke his leg, and you didn’t have a chance to return. So, Plum Blossom Court—I arranged it just as your old courtyard used to be,” Madam Song said to Madam Lu with a smile. “But this arrangement is, at best, a rough imitation. It can’t truly compare to your own home. You should still arrange it to your liking.”

Madam Lu looked around at the spacious courtyard, elegantly and comfortably appointed. In the back garden, a dozen wintersweet trees had been planted—clear evidence of thoughtful care.

Her face was full of gratitude. “Sister-in-law, I could never find fault with your taste. This is already wonderful. Truly, I should have returned much earlier, but every time I prepared to set out, some matter or another always arose and I simply couldn’t get away.”

Madam Song patted her hand. “We’re sisters-in-law; there’s no need for such words. Now that you’re back, settle in with peace of mind. As for the servants here, I’ve only kept a few rough maids and old women for now. I thought you’d likely prefer to use the attendants you’re accustomed to. Arrange things as you see fit. Once you’ve settled in, I’ll have Nanny Liang bring over the younger ones for you to choose as you wish.”

A capable and gracious mistress knows when to be meticulous and when to give space. The matter of servants was just so—if you arranged everything for someone, it might seem as if you had ulterior motives.

Madam Lu quickly replied, “Speaking of attendants, I must trouble you once more. We dismissed quite a few maids, old women, and young boys before returning—most were locals from Shanxi and didn’t wish to leave their hometowns. That’s why I didn’t bring many with me. For most positions, that’s not an issue, but for the two children’s close attendants—it’s hard to trust outsiders as much as those born and raised in the household. I’d like to ask you to help me select some for them.”

This was why people called Madam Lu clever—her words were always pleasing to the ear. Everyone knew that personal attendants, when chosen and trained by oneself, were loyal. If sent by others, who could say whether they were spies? Yet Madam Lu showed no worry that Madam Song might take the opportunity to plant any in her courtyard.

Madam Song felt reassured and smiled. “Of course, those born in the household are more reliable for the masters. When the time comes, I’ll have Nanny Liang bring them all, and you can choose yourself.”

Madam Lu expressed her gratitude with a respectful curtsey.

Madam Song then turned to Song Ruwei, who stood obediently at her mother’s side. “Our family established house rules early on,” she said, “that boys move to the outer courtyards at age seven. That’s why Su’er and Jie’er have long since been living outside. Zhou’er is still young, so there’s no hurry for him. But Ruwei, you’re eight now—you could have your own courtyard already. Your eldest sister is married, but her courtyard has been kept for her; your second sister lives in Floating Melody Pavilion. Since you’ve just returned, take some time to learn the layout of the residence, then choose a courtyard for yourself and arrange it as you wish. For the next few days, stay with your mother. What do you think?”

Song Ruwei’s heart leapt with quiet joy. She curtseyed respectfully. “Thank you, Aunt, for your thoughtful care and all your trouble.”

With Song Zhiyuan as the family’s pillar and a long-term vision, and Madam Song herself born of a marquis’s house with a broad outlook, the Song family was not like others who looked down on daughters. In truth, well-raised daughters were also a great asset to the clan.

Though the second generation of the Song family comprised four brothers, only three were married, and none had taken concubines, so the family was not especially large. Among the third generation, there were only seven children, boys and girls combined. As such, the daughters were especially treasured and their upbringing carefully attended to.

The Prime Minister’s residence was vast, with dozens of independent courtyards—space was no concern. The daughters each having their own courtyard from a young age to manage as they pleased fostered independence, and this practice was greatly admired by many.