Chapter 481: Empress Dowager, My Fighting Spirit is Soaring!
In the capital filled with noble officials, there are several families with the surname Bai. Song Ci didn’t initially realize which Bai Mansion sent her an invitation until Nanny Gong explained it to her.
The residence of Bai Changming, Deputy Magistrate of Yingtian Mansion, was not well-known initially in this noble-filled capital. However, fortune smiled upon them when they suddenly produced a shining golden opportunity—a Consort Bai from the Prince Zhou Mansion.
And then their status soared.
The Bai family now walks with an air of confidence, brimming with mysterious self-assurance. For the Spring Banquet, families that wouldn’t normally send invitations took the bold step to do so, like to Song Ci here.
The Prime Minister’s Mansion has a wide circle of connections, and upon inquiry, it was clear that this Spring Banquet was more about showing off than enjoying the flowers. Others would admire the blooms; this family intended to boast.
"This Consort Bai is something, isn’t she? How long has she been in the Mansion before getting pregnant? Even quicker than the Official Wife?" Song Ci remarked in surprise. "Wasn’t it said that if the Official Wife isn’t pregnant, the concubines won’t be allowed to give birth?"
Though Consort Bai is a concubine, she’s still a secondary consort, considered a concubine.
Indeed, the Bai Mansion’s joyous banquet is because Consort Bai from Prince Zhou Mansion has announced a pregnancy, naturally bringing joy to their house.
Nanny Gong explained, "In ordinary families, if the Official Wife has no children, the concubines would take medicine to prevent pregnancy. But it’s different in the Royal Family; they need to expand their lineage, and even the smallest prince is precious. Secondary consorts listed on the jade butterfly are not ordinary concubines, and the status of children born under their name is naturally above that of ordinary concubines."
Song Ci scoffed, "The Royal Family is quite double-standard, aren’t they?"
Nanny Gong: "..."
"This Consort Bai’s luck is better than others. Having risen to prominence, her belly now brings good news. Wouldn’t the Third Prince, wait, Prince Zhou, not pamper her to the heavens?"
"Indeed, especially since among the princes who married together, only the Prince Zhou Mansion has such good news, naturally they are delighted."
Song Ci agreed wholeheartedly; among the princes, only Prince Xiao had good news. They are all competing secretly, especially those who married at the same time, competing even more fiercely.
Now that Consort Bai is pregnant, she’s jumped ahead in the race. Regardless of whether it’s Prince Zhou or Consort Bai, they will stride with pride, bringing along the Bai family to newfound heights.
Song Ci, having discovered the true intention behind the Bai Mansion’s Spring Banquet, remarked with high spirits, "Nanny Gong, I am invigorated!"
Nanny Gong couldn’t help but smile at her eager demeanor as the carriage came to a gentle stop, and she said with a laugh, "Then please, step down from the carriage."
Song Ci, holding onto Hong You’s hand, stepped down onto the footstool and saw Song Ruwei descend from the carriage behind and quickly walk over.
A sigh escaped from Song Ci’s lips; with so few offspring, even attending a banquet meant having only a few girls in attendance. The Song family only had three daughters; the eldest married, the second preparing for marriage and not venturing out, which left just Song Ruwei, the third.
Song Ci even hoped that Jiang’s pregnancy might be a girl; otherwise, there would be no daughters accompanying them at banquets in the future.
"Grandmother." Song Ruwei approached, bowing respectfully to Song Ci, and carefully took her arm. "Grandmother, shall I support you as you walk?"
"Okay!" Song Ci patted her hand.
Song Ruwei, delighted, steadily supported her as they walked forward.
As her mother said, having Grandmother bring her to a banquet elevates her status. Such an opportunity must be seized firmly, and if she performs well, when the second sister marries, she would be the only Song family girl accompanying elders to social events.