The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Without major rituals like ancestor worship or offering sacrifices to heaven, and with the disaster still unresolved, within the Imperial Palace, the Emperor did not attend the morning court but instead took a day off, leading many nobles and ministers to speculate privately, with various families secretly trying to obtain firsthand information.

But Emperor Chu fell ill in the middle of the night, and Eunuch Zhou was on strict guard immediately. After Song Zhiyuan arrived, the two guarded Yangxin Hall like an iron barrel, with no information leaking out. Outsiders could spread rumors however they wanted.

The absence of nine tolls of the mourning bell in a single day indicated that the Emperor was still alive, and even if there were speculations, nobody dared to act recklessly.

Thus, this firsthand information was exceptionally important, as it concerned families’ future strategic decisions.

Meanwhile, the Song Minister’s Mansion received many spies, including those with close relationships who directly visited. Among them, the Duke Dingguo Mansion sent Autumn Festival gifts as relatives, while the Duke Ying Mansion visited under the pretense of seeing Song Ruqi, and the Duke Zhongyong Mansion from Madam Song’s family also came, all hoping to catch some news from the Song Family, especially since Song Zhiyuan was the Emperor’s closest confidant.

Song Ci had long instructed Madam Song to use her poor health as an excuse for needing the daughters-in-law to serve medicines, thereby refusing to receive visitors.

This act made others believe there was something amiss, prompting them to report to their respective families.

Duke Ying Mansion.

Madam Liao of the Duke Ying Mansion listened to the servant’s report, her face somewhat displeased, and turned to the Duke Ying, saying, ”You’ve heard it too. We are all relatives by marriage, yet you take it seriously, but they might not. Any whispers, not a word leaks out, hidden tightly.”

The Duke Ying glanced at her lightly and said, ”Enough. Today in court, I didn’t even see Song Yunzhi’s face, which itself is unusual. Why even ask? Moreover, Song Yunzhi is the Emperor’s closest confidant; whether public or private, he must prioritize the Emperor. Furthermore, if Song Yunzhi didn’t value this marriage alliance, would he have planned that position for our third son?”

Madam Liao retorted, ”Isn’t that just for his daughter, wanting our third son and them to stay as far away as possible? Otherwise, among the numerous prime positions in the capital, could he not plan one for our third son?”

”You’re simply being unreasonable. The third son isn’t the eldest son nor is he under your name as the eldest. Inheritance of the family estate wouldn’t even come to him. Having a good father-in-law planning for him is already fortunate for him. Are you being sour because you can’t stand your son’s good fortune?” The Duke Ying sternly said, ”Prime positions in the capital exist, but more are without real power. Going to Jiangnan to experience some years of practice with real power is more advantageous. If you, a woman of thoughtless kindness, don’t understand, then don’t speak recklessly.”

Seeing his displeased expression, Madam Liao immediately softened her tone, joking, ”Look at you getting worked up. I don’t mean it like that; I just can’t bear to see our son leave. Also, the third son’s wife has already given birth safely, yet hasn’t returned to the mansion. I’m anxious to see our grandson, just making a small comment.”

The Duke Ying said solemnly, ”You are the Duke Ying’s wife, Lady of the house; you should have a composed demeanor. Such petty behavior will make others laugh at our Duke Ying Mansion. I don’t wish to hear such remarks again.”

With that, he stood up, swung his sleeve, and left.

Madam Liao angrily smashed a celadon teacup.

Duke Zhongyong Mansion.

Madam Gu also grumbled to her mother-in-law about Madam Song’s coldness.

”There’s a saying about married women being like spilled water, and it really seems true. Mother, I feel the older sister is increasingly distant from our Marquis Mansion. Who are we but her close family, yet she doesn’t even leak a word to us, completely disregarding her family’s feelings.”