Chapter Sixty-Three: The Servant Grows Suspicious and Instructs His Grandson Once More

Madam Wei stepped forward, took Song Ci's hands in hers, and, trembling, bent her knees in a slight curtsy.

“My dear sister, your illness frightened me half to death. Knowing you’ve recovered, I truly ate two big bowls of fine wheat noodles in gratitude, thanking the Bodhisattva for his blessing.”

Song Ci thought to herself, “Thanking for what? Your dear sister has already gone to the Western Paradise to serve the Buddha.”

“It was all a false alarm, you’re too kind,” Song Ci replied with a gentle smile. “I too thought death was certain for me, felt as if one foot had already crossed into the underworld, when suddenly I seemed to hear someone calling me back, and so I awoke.”

Hearing this in broad daylight, Madam Wei felt a chill crawl over her and forced a smile. “It’s clear, then, that fortune favors you, dear sister. I believe it’s because you can’t bear to part with Yu’er and the others. You must see him married and with children before you can rest easy.”

“Indeed.”

Seeing Song Ci’s lack of enthusiasm, Madam Wei ventured, “Dear sister, are you still angry with me? I truly didn’t know that young Miss Zheng would be so shameless. I was deceived as well, and never meant to bring harm to Yu’er. You know well that I have always regarded him as my own son; why would I ever wrong him?”

Oh? Is there some untold story between these two?

Feigning magnanimity, Song Ci said, “The past is past; let us not speak of it again.”

“Yes, yes, of course, dear sister. Now that my eyes have been opened, I’ve found a virtuous, suitable young lady for Yu’er. Would you like to meet her?”

Matchmaking, is that what she means? Judging by her words, it sounds like she previously introduced a young lady to their fourth son and it didn’t work out.

Song Ci sifted through her memories. It did seem there had been such an incident, and things had ended on rather unpleasant terms.

“She must truly be a good girl. Next month, when my eldest daughter-in-law celebrates her birthday, why don’t you bring her along to the festivities?” Song Ci suggested.

Madam Wei’s eyes lit up with delight. “That would be wonderful! I’ll be waiting for the invitation.”

With a warm smile, Song Ci nodded, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then took her leave. Leaning on Granny Gong’s hand, she made her way to the carriage.

“Granny Gong, what exactly was the story with that young Miss Zheng Madam Wei mentioned? I can’t quite recall.”

Granny Gong glanced at her and replied, “Madam, have you forgotten? Young Miss Zheng is the niece of Lady Zhong, wife of Zhong Quanzhou, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Sacrificial Court. Madam Wei met her, inquired about her character, and thought to arrange a match between her and the Fourth Young Master. You were satisfied as well. Who could have foreseen that young Miss Zheng and Lady Zhong’s eldest son had long been entangled, and she was already with child? That’s why…”

Song Ci was astonished by the scandal.

Granny Gong, watching her expression, continued, “When you heard of this, Madam, you were angry with Madam Wei, and the two of you stopped speaking for some time. Just now, I thought you might still be holding a grudge and would ignore her altogether.”

Song Ci laughed lightly. “Everyone makes mistakes in judgment. Since nothing came of it, let’s let it go—should the two families remain estranged forever because of it?”

“Madam is truly magnanimous,” Granny Gong praised, yet as she spoke, she gazed at Song Ci with deep, inscrutable eyes.

Song Ci boarded the carriage, looked over at her two granddaughters not far away, and beckoned, “Come sit with me. Zhou’er, you sit in the back.”

Taken by surprise, Song Ruqi and the others didn’t protest, but followed her into the carriage.

From a small cabinet inside, Song Ci retrieved a little box and handed it to Song Ruwei.

Song Ruwei paused, then took it and opened the lid. Inside was that hairpin she had admired. Startled, she asked, “Grandmother, what is this?”

“Take it,” Song Ci said, smiling at her. “Keep this as a reminder to yourself. Child, true grace isn’t always about magnanimity. You clearly liked this hairpin very much, yet you let it go for the sake of appearing gracious, seeking only a reputation for generosity. But what if, one day, someone fancies your future husband and wishes to share him with you—will you be so magnanimous as to graciously yield then?”

Song Ruwei’s face drained of all color.