Chapter 477: A Single Tree Cannot Support a Forest
The Song Family’s Madam was being attended to by her daughter, getting her hair combed and face washed, sitting on the Arhat bed and chatting.
"Your grandmother, nowadays, she’s starting to find fault with me. In the past, she was a real miser," the Madam of the Song Family chuckled.
Ruqian said, "Isn’t it because she values Tian, and you’re not pleased about it?"
The Madam whispered, "Did she give something nice to Tiantian?"
Ruqian nodded and said, "It’s some pieces of jewelry, said to be saved for Tian."
"People get old, and become generous, I thought she only cared about the boys!" the Madam took a sip of tea and said.
Ruqian looked at her meaningfully and said, "You know when people get older, they change. How did you become so willful? Not even as good as an old person."
The Madam feigned ignorance, "What are you saying?"
"Stop pretending, Su’er already told me, you’re still pouting with Father? I heard he’s sleeping in the study," Ruqian continued.
The Madam looked a bit embarrassed and said, "It wasn’t me who sent him to the study, it was he who didn’t come back on his own. Should I shamelessly go invite him?"
"If you don’t ask, do you intend for it to continue like this? Aren’t you afraid of chilling Father’s heart?" Ruqian was a bit speechless. Already a grandmother, yet still acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
"He chills my heart. Which father doesn’t think about his son’s future, instead of favoring outsiders?" the Madam said, a bit annoyed.
Ruqian sighed, "Mother, that’s going too far. Our family doesn’t have many descendants, and they are all legitimate. They grew up together, and their feelings are truly like there’s no difference between them. You call them outsiders, if Second Uncle heard this, how heartbroken he would be."
The Madam felt a bit heated by her words, "But he didn’t help your brother."
"Su’er doesn’t mind, and he doesn’t like it either, so what’s your concern? Not to be rude, Su’er is already fourteen, and the fifth prince is only nine. With the age difference, how could they get along?" Ruqian softly said, "Even as a Study Companion, there’s a preference, and kids, most of the time, like to play with those closer in age."
The Madam was stunned, retorting, "But isn’t Jie’er also thirteen?"
"Jie’er is smooth-talking, clever, and funny, knows how to get along."
The Madam was a bit unconvinced, but couldn’t deny it, as she could clearly see her second brother’s twins were both sharp.
"Mother, Jie’er and the others grew up under your watch. There’s only a slight difference from being our own blood. I know you want a good future for them too. In our main branch, we currently only have Su’er as the male heir. If we only have him, wouldn’t you also want him to have other brothers to support him?"
The Madam listened, and her expression darkened slightly, her hand unconsciously touching her belly.
Ruqian carefully observed her expression and said, "The more successful Jie’er and the others become, the more they can support Su’er. With these accomplished men holding up the family, the Song Family will never fall, and my sister Qi’er and I will have stable positions within our natal family. With strong brothers, we can stand tall and no one dares to bully us. Mother, surely you understand the principle that one cannot hold up alone, right?"
The Madam scoffed, "Your tongue is getting sharper, I really can’t argue with you."
Ruqian smiled, went over to hold her hand, and said, "Isn’t that just what I learned from you? I’m speaking from the heart, Mother, please don’t hold a grudge with Father anymore, or else if he’s angered into taking a concubine, what would we do?"
The Madam’s face changed dramatically, "Your father wouldn’t!"
Ruqian replied, "What if?"