Chapter 473: Breeding Resentment
Madam Song and the Prime Minister had a quarrel, and this news was basically impossible to conceal. When Jiang heard it, she knew that her sister-in-law was probably arguing over the matter of the study companion, so she went to request an audience.
However, Madam Song refused to meet, saying she had laid down to rest.
Jiang wasn’t stupid; hearing these words, she knew it was just an excuse. Her sister-in-law was annoyed and had a grudge against her as well.
Jiang felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She was only born into wealth and couldn’t compare to her sister-in-law from the Marquis Mansion in terms of background, but she had a frank and generous personality, knew how to conduct herself, and never competed for any housekeeper rights. So over the years, the sisters-in-law got along very closely; the atmosphere in the Prime Minister’s Mansion was not as scheming and competitive as in other mansions, and the children were all very close, displaying a harmonious scene.
Now, however, Madam Song had developed these grudges over the issue of Jie’er obtaining the study companion.
Jiang felt her own son was innocent and wronged. They hadn’t competed for it; what was her sister-in-law doing, venting her anger?
"Jie’er didn’t do anything; it wasn’t us who competed for it. It was the Emperor’s decree, yet she acts as if we’ve taken something from Su’er." Jiang complained to Song Zhicheng, feeling wronged, "She won’t even see me. Isn’t this venting her anger? It makes it seem like we are secretly making some maneuvers."
"Alright, you know as well, elder brother and sister-in-law have only one son. Sister-in-law treasures Su’er like her own eyes and has extremely high expectations for him. Right now, she couldn’t even secure a study companion, so of course, she’s upset," Song Zhicheng advised, "You’re pregnant. Why argue with her over this?"
Jiang: "I’m not arguing with her, just feeling wronged. We clearly did nothing wrong, didn’t we?"
Because of this, she felt wronged and aggrieved, as if taking the blame unjustly.
"I know she’s angry right now, so don’t approach her to avoid deepening the grudge. And don’t get upset; if you get upset, our daughter will also come out with a frown. I heard from Mom that if a woman is always angry, her daughter will be born looking angry too, and it’s ugly!"
Song Ci: Whoever is spreading such nonsense about Mom, drag them out and whip them. She never said such things!
The matter of her daughter’s appearance made Jiang tense immediately: "Really? Ah, then I won’t think about it. Quickly let Zi Ling come in and read me some scriptures."
Song Zhicheng laughed and said, "I’ll go and have a word with elder brother."
Jiang nodded. After he went out, she sighed low and said, "Is the Second Branch doomed to be suppressed by the First Branch for a lifetime? Sister-in-law, you’ve gone too far."
Song Zhicheng did not find Song Zhiyuan in the study. Hearing he was with their mother, he turned to go there.
Song Ci naturally heard about the quarrel between the eldest couple and was listening to the eldest son’s explanation. And now the second son had also heard and came over.
"Look at what you’ve done, you’ve unsettled the whole family," Song Ci scolded, glaring at Song Zhiyuan.
The Family Head and the Lady quarreling is no good matter, not for the peace of the household.
Song Zhiyuan was somewhat ashamed: "I’ve worried you, Mother."
Song Zhicheng came in, first bowed to Song Ci, then hurriedly asked Song Zhiyuan what was going on with the study companion matter, why it was Jie’er instead of Su’er, and couldn’t it be changed?
Don’t let such a matter break family harmony, it’s not worth it!
Song Zhiyuan was very pleased, pointed to a chair for him to sit, and said, "Change is impossible. In fact, I was the one who pushed Jie’er up to this position."
Song Zhicheng was stunned.
What, it was the elder brother who put his son in this position?