Chapter 453: The Children are Well Brought Up
Consort Li escorted Madam Fan and the others out.
"Lady, please stay. The Empress Dowager still needs your service, so there’s no need to see us off," Madam Fan said with a smile.
Consort Li stopped in her tracks, smiled, and agreed. She then looked at Madam Mingyang and said, "The Empress Dowager’s heartfire has been a bit high these days, which is why she thought of going out for some fresh air. It was a momentary rebuke, and Madam Mingyang, please do not take it to heart."
Madam Mingyang was sincerely fearful and curtsied, saying, "I dare not. It was my lack of etiquette, and the Empress Dowager’s reprimand was just."
Consort Li still wore a gentle smile and did not respond to this. She would not hit someone when they are down, nor did she intend to offer any advice — it wasn’t worth it.
"Lady, we take our leave," Madam Fan bowed.
Consort Li nodded faintly.
The group left in low spirits, despite arriving with high enthusiasm, especially Madam Mingyang and a few others. Once today’s incident spreads, she will have plenty of shame in the future. As for those young ladies, marriage proposals will be even harder to come by, particularly for that pair of sisters.
Once the group had gone a distance, Noble Lady Yu approached and said, "Sister Consort Li, the Empress Dowager really didn’t give any face to Madam Mingyang, did she? She reprimanded her right in front of so many people."
Consort Li lightly scolded, "You dare to say anything with your mouth. Is even the Empress Dowager someone you dare to comment on?"
Noble Lady Yu stuck out her tongue.
Consort Li gave her a chiding glance and said, "People, you see, when you favor and love someone, everything they do is right. But when you don’t like someone, then no matter what they do, it’s wrong."
Noble Lady Yu was not foolish and quickly understood, "You mean?"
Consort Li smiled but didn’t answer, saying, "Let’s go inside."
Meanwhile, Madam Song also spoke in private with Lady Lu.
"Did you see everything just now?"
Lady Lu was still shaken and nodded. When she saw Empress Dowager Wang and Song Ci talking and laughing, they seemed as kind and approachable as an old lady next door.
But when their faces were full of authority, she felt they were high and unattainable.
"Madam Mingyang brought this upon herself, thinking anyone could earn the Empress Dowager’s favor by bringing such people before her. She should have anticipated this outcome," Madam Song said mildly.
Anyone with a clear mind wouldn’t bring a concubine and a few not-so-dignified house daughters to see the Empress Dowager. Isn’t that just asking to be scolded?
That pair of sisters is almost tailor-made for those who overly indulge in desires. What elderly lady would like them?
Madam Song looked at Lady Lu meaningfully and said, "The upbringing of children is of paramount importance. You must remember, nothing is as important as the upbringing of one’s children. Whether they are a dragon or a worm, sometimes it can be seen at a glance, just by appearance."
You just looked at those ladies; can the upbringing of legitimate daughters and house daughters be the same?
Things taught by a concubine are always lacking in many ways.
Lady Lu shivered and curtsied, saying, "I constantly remember and dare not forget."
"Hmm."
The two sisters-in-law watched the few young ladies talking and laughing with relaxed brows.
And when Lady Lu saw the Third Princess whispering closely to her daughter, her heart was filled with comfort, and much of her recent depression was lifted.
She understood that being part of such a circle first relied entirely on her mother-in-law, and secondly, it depended on her own abilities. If her daughter were like those petty-minded house daughters of the Mingyang Uncle’s Mansion, would the Third Princess be so close to her?
Lady Lu gently rubbed her fingers, pursed her lips, and vaguely felt that what she believed in seemed to have changed somewhat, as if she understood something.