The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 833: Chapter 833: Emperor Chu Rewards a Noble Concubine

The days quickly turned into June, and the weather in the capital grew hotter. Everywhere on the streets, common folk switched to cooler summer clothes. Some noble ladies, with their summer attire flowing gracefully, wearing veiled hats and carrying round fans, became a beautiful sight on the streets.

In June, aside from the twenty-year celebration of Scholar Cui wedding the Princess, the annual conscription was a significant topic in the capital. Moreover, the palace released a batch of palace maidens who had come of age, making many noble families in the capital eager to invite them into their homes for service.

Those older were sought after as instructresses or steward nannies for the noble daughters in homes, while the younger ones caught the interest of elder ladies who shamelessly wanted them as concubines for their sons and grandsons, or even as official wives.

Don’t underestimate those palace maidens—one should not take them lightly. Having stayed in the palace, especially serving nobility, they are as good as gilded. The knowledge they possess is no less than that of ordinary noble ladies, particularly with first-class training in rules and manners. How could they be lacking?

Such palace maidens are a good match as an official wife for those from smaller households, especially those who hold minor ranks—they are even more prized.

Of course, palace maidens with such standing are also sometimes rewarded by the Emperor to the officials.

Song Zhiqing thought that with this matter, after obtaining an ”exemplary” character and being chastised, things would pass. He had been trying hard to figure out ways to bring his illegitimate children back to Bai Shuilian’s side, as she missed her children fiercely and grew weaker day by day, pretending nothing was wrong, making him heartbroken.

As for those illegitimate children, during their time in the Plum Garden, there was not a day they didn’t cry; they could only be coaxed. He tentatively asked Mrs. Lu if they could send them back.

And how did Mrs. Lu respond?

She said these days, other than her morning and evening greetings, she doesn’t dare to show up in front of Song Ci for fear of displeasing the old lady. Even her sisters-in-law subtly warned her not to anger Song Ci. So, she didn’t dare anger her and said he should say it himself.

Song Zhiqing dared not.

The ”exemplary” character was like a tightly bound spell, haunting him relentlessly.

With Mrs. Lu unwilling to intervene, he could only look for other ways, but unexpectedly, another matter awaited him.

Emperor Chu bestowed upon him a retired palace maid as a Noble Concubine.

It was like a sudden thunderstorm in June, leaving Song Zhiqing completely stunned.

When he accepted Bai Shuilian, he didn’t know what went wrong; he just felt right, his mind was set, and he took her. But with other women, he hadn’t any such desires. Otherwise, how could he have only one concubine?

But now, the Emperor has gifted him a Noble Concubine.

When Song Zhiqing heard the summons to Chunhui Hall, his first thought was that his peaceful days were gone for good. His second thought was no wonder the old man let him off so easily—it was all waiting for him now.

Song Zhiqing felt an indescribable sense in his heart, though he dared not defy.

After all, it was a gift from the Emperor. Only a madman would dare resist—this was definitely a warning.

On the other hand, Mrs. Lu, upon hearing the news, was likewise a bit bewildered, but soon composed herself and instructed Nanny Zhou, ”You don’t need to follow me to Chunhui Hall. Moyun Inn is currently empty; take some people to tidy it up and prepare for the newcomer to move in.”

Nanny Zhou looked at her with some concern, ”Madam...”

Mrs. Lu smiled, ”It’s nothing. If another one comes, it might not be a bad thing.”

With someone to evenly share Bai’s favor, she, as the Official Wife, could well be like the fisherman, leisurely watching the fish fight for food.