The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 995: Chapter 995: Discordant Voices Amid Harmony

Returning to the corridor, Madam Wen was overwhelmed by Madam Ji’s chatter and cast a pleading glance at Princess Anping for help.

Princess Anping’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, ”What are Madam Wen and Madam Ji discussing that you find so fascinating? Could you share it with me as well? Madam Song was just telling me about the customs and practices of Yu Hang, and I’m struggling to keep up. You’ve just returned from Jiangnan, please share your stories with her elderly self.”

Song Ci glanced at Princess Anping, thinking, you really are quite the clever one.

Madam Wen was eager to extricate herself from the situation and, after apologizing to Madam Ji, naturally walked over, sat next to Song Ci, and smiled, ”It’s been a long time since Madam has returned to her old home in Yu Hang, hasn’t it?”

Song Ci’s ancestral home is a small village in Yu Hang. Nowadays, it has been renamed Song Family Village, not because all the villagers have the surname Song, but because the village produced the world-renowned Prime Minister Song.

Initially, the village wanted to be called Fengqi Village, to signify the auspicious place where Empress Dowager Wang once resided, but Song Zhiyuan stopped them.

Falling into hardship among commoners is not exactly a good reputation to keep; there’s no need to dwell on this dark history and cause any more annoyance.

Thus, to avoid offending the noble, it was renamed Song Family Village. Today, you could rightfully call this place a geomantic treasure land. The Song family, despite their rise, hasn’t forgotten their roots. They’ve built an ancestral home, repaired ancestors’ cemeteries and temples, and established a Song clan school.

Additionally, they’ve planted many peach and plum trees, symbolizing the saying ’students all over the world.’ Every blossom season, thousands upon thousands of plum blossoms bloom, making it a sought-after place for countless painters, transforming a once unremarkable Song Family Village into the most renowned village in the area.

As Song Ci would say in a modern tongue, it is the most beautiful village of the Great Qing.

Madam Wen, adept at socializing, smiled, ”A couple of years ago, I also visited Song Family Village to admire the scenery. It’s even more beautiful now, I hear the clan school has produced several scholars and candidates from surrounding villages are vying for spots to study there.”

Song Ci replied, ”Our Song family has been living in the capital for many years. Back home, we owe it to the local folks who managed and supported it, making Song Family Village what it is today.”

”That’s not entirely accurate. I heard that the Song Mansion allocates funds annually to the village for education and road maintenance, a testament to your benevolent heart,” Madam Wen praised.

”Saying ’benevolent heart’ makes me undeserving. It’s just about acknowledging the past, never forgetting those who dug the well. What we do is simply to remember our roots,” Song Ci smiled gently. ”If we truly cultivate a few talented individuals, it benefits the Heavenly Family and the Great Qing. This will depend on officials like Master Wen and others leading wisely. As long as everyone works together, I’m sure the Great Qing will thrive more and more.”

Princess Anping playfully added, ”With all this praise, are you expecting me to deliver a message to my royal brother for a reward? If you don’t treat me to a good drink, I won’t pass on the message.”

”There’s no need to trouble you for the delivery. If you want a drink, just come to my home, and I will personally mix you a unique drink, unlike what you usually have,” Song Ci laughed.

Madam Qian, standing nearby, chuckled and interjected, ”Madam, you mustn’t play favorites. Everyone who listens should get a share.”

”Yes, yes, we’ll shamelessly ask for a glass too.”

”Alright then, it’s already autumn, perfect for crabs. I’ll have my daughters-in-law arrange a chrysanthemum banquet and send out invitations to all of you.”

Everyone laughed and assured they would definitely attend.

Amidst the cheerful laughter, an inappropriate voice suddenly rang out, melancholy, ”Where does this place put our Princess?”