Chapter Four: My Head Aches and My Chest Feels Heavy

Song Ci was utterly worn out from all the fuss.

“My dear, I’m awake now, you can all rest assured and leave. I’d like some peace. Madam Gong, please see them out. There’s no need for this pointless bustling.”

If she kept putting on this act with them, she’d likely slip up eventually; best to ease off for now.

Old Master Song, unable to tolerate Song Ci’s feeble display, gave a cold snort. “Your husband rushed home to see you straight after court, and yet you show no gratitude. You old woman, are you only getting more difficult as you age?”

Song Ci glared at him. “Why are you still here?”

Of all people, she found this white-haired, plump old man the most insufferable. Why was it that as she grew frail and weary, he only seemed to grow merrier in his old age, arms around someone on each side?

“Oh? And why shouldn’t I be here? I am your husband!” Old Master Song let out a chuckle and was about to sit down.

Song Ci sneered inwardly, then immediately clutched her chest and feigned pain. “Oh, my head aches, my chest feels tight—I fear I’m not long for this world…”

All eyes swiftly turned to Old Master Song.

His face turned an ugly shade of green.

Song Ci cast him a sidelong, provocative glance—child’s play, did he think she couldn’t put on a show?

“Father, you’ve just returned from the estate. Why not go back to your quarters to rest and freshen up? I’ll escort you,” Song Zhiyuan quickly said, guiding Old Master Song toward the door.

The senior madam chimed in, “Father, I’ll tell the kitchen to make your favorite pine nut fish, and the incense you like is always burning in your rooms.”

Ushered out by their roundabout words, Old Master Song felt a bit humiliated. But when he caught sight of Song Ci’s pale, ashen face, her graying hair, and remembered her temperament, he only pursed his lips and called out loudly, “Fine, I’ll give face to the eldest son. Old woman, you’d best recover quickly. Eldest son has only just become Prime Minister, and you pull this ‘sick unto death’ business—is our son’s good fortune too much for you to bear? It wasn’t easy for him to earn that seat, and he’s barely warmed it. There’s no time for mourning…”

Song Ci’s gaze grew cold and clear as she looked at Old Master Song, then around at the others in the room.

So that’s how it was. They feared she’d die, forcing Song Zhiyuan into mourning and seclusion. And she’d thought her husband cared for her.

Seeing the old man about to spout nonsense again, Song Zhiyuan hurried him out.

The room fell abruptly quiet.

Madam Gong exchanged glances with the maids, Red Pomelo among them, and watched as they slipped out one by one. Only then did she softly urge, “Madam, please don’t be upset. The old master’s just got that temper—there’s no malice in him. He worries for you, after all, and you’ve been husband and wife for decades.”

“I know.” Song Ci forced a thin smile. “I’m tired. You may go.”

Madam Gong quickly helped her lie down, adjusted the incense burning in the gilded tripod censer, and, seeing Song Ci close her eyes, quietly withdrew.

Once she was sure the others had left, Song Ci opened her eyes, pushed herself up in bed, and pressed her hand to her chest, her brows furrowing.

By rights, everyone here was a stranger to her; she ought to feel nothing at all. Yet hearing Old Master Song’s words just now, a surge of pent-up bitterness had nearly burst forth on the spot.

Even now, she felt indignant, unsettled, and chilled to her core.

These weren’t her own emotions—then, were they remnants of the original owner’s will?

Song Ci shuddered and murmured, “If it were me, I’d be indignant too. To finally become an esteemed Dowager, only to die at the height of your joy—how tragic. Truly, your fate is wretched.”

No one answered her; only a faint breeze stirred, lifting the gauze curtains at her bedside.

She pressed her lips together and went on, “I doubt you’d really want to see your eldest son, just as he’s rising to prominence, struck with misfortune and forced into mourning. Since I’ve come to inhabit your body, I’ll make sure to live a few more years on your behalf. And you—your body had better cooperate.”

As soon as these words fell, she felt an inexplicable lightness, and couldn’t help but be a little surprised.