Chapter 565: Troublesome
So what?
Madam Lu’s light words nearly made Song Zhiqing’s face unable to be maintained, like it was dropped on the ground and crushed.
He glanced at Madam Lu and said dryly, "I know I’ve wronged you, but I assure you, Madam Bai, being just a concubine, will never surpass you. Let her serve you."
Madam Lu sneered, "Serve me?" She eyed him and said, "I heard that Madam Bai is as delicate as a flower; is she even fit to serve the official wife according to the established rules? Could you bear it?"
Song Zhiqing frowned.
The Madam wasn’t as understanding as before, there shouldn’t be so many words. His intentions were so clear, she should just go along with it. Why so troublesome?
Madam Lu watched his face show impatience, her heart growing even colder and disappointed, but she remained silent.
For a moment, the two were deadlocked like this.
Mama Zhou, standing at the door, was secretly anxious. With Madam’s stubborn temper acting up, this deadlock would only make Master more partial to that woman.
"Papa, is it papa who has returned?"
Mama Zhou heard this voice and was instantly overjoyed.
Salvation had arrived.
Song Lingzhou quickly ran in, followed by Song Ruwei, who was also wearing a cheerful face, but was more ladylike.
Song Zhiqing also heard his eldest son’s voice, turned around, and saw a little chubby kid rushing towards him.
"Papa, it’s really you."
Madam Lu had already turned her back to wipe her tears.
Song Zhiqing quickly caught and lifted him, bouncing him a bit, "Oh, my son, how much have you eaten? You’re so heavy now that papa can hardly lift you."
"It’s just that Zhou’er is growing, so eating a bit more is inevitable. Please don’t worry, father. Once I grow taller, I’ll slim down too." Song Lingzhou’s eyes rolled around.
"That’s true, growing kids need to eat well." Song Zhiqing looked at his eldest son’s round face and smiled, "My Zhou’er has grown up too. I’ve heard you’re already in the clan school. How are your studies?"
"I’ve finished studying the ’Jade Forest of Young Learning’ and the ’Standards for Being a Good Student,’ now the teacher is teaching ’Explanation of Characters and Words’ and more." Song Lingzhou replied in his childish voice.
"You’ll need to recite the ’Thousand Character Classic’ for papa later. Papa wants to see how much you’ve learned."
Song Lingzhou let out an "oh," and his little face immediately showed misery.
At this moment, Song Ruwei walked in carefully and bowed properly to Song Zhiqing, "Daughter greets papa and warmly welcomes papa’s return to the mansion."
Song Zhiqing, seeing his eldest daughter, was a bit surprised but called her up with a smile, then looked at her carefully.
The Prime Minister’s Mansion indeed had such an abundance of vitality. This child had only been back for a short time, yet her entire temperament had already transformed; at such a young age, she was already a gentle and graceful beauty in the making. Her every move was confident and poised, like a little lady, showing quite a bit of the demeanor of an eldest legitimate daughter.
"It’s been a year, and Wei’er has also grown up and become so beautiful. Papa almost didn’t recognize you," Song Zhiqing said very comforted.
From his children, it was clear that Madam Lu had carefully raised them; otherwise, how could there be such a standard in manners and etiquette? Similarly, the Prime Minister’s Mansion hadn’t mistreated their third house. Judging by the children’s attire and demeanor, it was clear they had lived well.
Song Zhiqing had thought they might not compare to the legitimate branches, but it turns out he had underestimated them.
He looked at Madam Lu and sincerely sighed, "You’ve really worked hard!"
Madam Lu, proudly looking at her children, boasted, "No matter how hard it is, it’s my duty. Wei’er now learns housekeeping with the eldest sister-in-law, dealing with people, and often visits with the elders. Zhou’er is also very friendly with several elder brothers."
With these words, she was subtly implying to Song Zhiqing that the Song Family valued her children greatly.