The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Zhiyuan’s gaze could be described as severe, and his tone carried a hint of an irrevocable warning.

Madam Song’s face turned from pale to green, then bright red. She understood in her heart, perhaps her mother-in-law had said something about her in front of Song Zhiyuan.

She forced a smile and said, ”I understand. The Emperor has always been in good health, and such a sudden incident concerns me for the family’s future as well. It’s my first time facing such a major event, so I lost a bit of composure. Fortunately, mother was there to handle the situation.”

Song Zhiyuan sighed and said, ”The Emperor’s sudden illness is indeed frightening, and I am also on edge. However, the closer we are to matters of life and death, the more we must remain clear-headed and calm. Xiangyi, when you married me, the Song Family had nothing. You followed me through adversity to where we are today, achieving the status of nobility. Are you willing to let this title be stripped away after just a few years?”

Madam Song’s face looked somewhat displeased; naturally, she was unwilling.

”Unwilling, right? I am also unwilling. My ambition and vision are vast, to lead the Song Family to greater prosperity. How prosperous? The kind of prosperity that even when faced with major changes, the family has the foundation to preserve itself,” Song Zhiyuan looked at her and said, ”I also hope you can support me well.”

”Prime Minister, I have not done well enough, I made a fool of myself before you.”

Song Zhiyuan said, ”You are my legitimate wife, Madam. I trust you will do well. Take this incident as an experience and a warning. In the future, regardless of what happens, just remember one thing: nothing is more important than the stability of the Song Family. Only with the Song Family stable can you talk about anything else. If the Song Family is unstable, then all the wealth and glory will be nothing but an illusion, a thing of the past.”

Madam Song’s face burned hot, as if she had been slapped several times, making her feel ashamed and uneasy.

Song Zhiyuan, too, stopped at this point and said, ”The Emperor’s sudden illness has caused chaos everywhere. There will be some shifts in power in the capital soon. I just returned from the palace and would like to rest, but the situation does not allow for it. I need to go to the council chamber to meet with Mr. Jun and the others. I fear I won’t return to the main residence tonight. If it gets late, I will rest in the small study. You need not wait for me; rest early. You’ve been worried and tired these past few days.”

Saying this, he stood up and was about to walk out.

”Prime Minister, won’t you have some soup before you go?”

”Send it to the council chamber. If there’s more, send it all there. I’ll eat and drink with the advisors,” Song Zhiyuan smiled.

Madam Song had no choice but to force a smile in agreement and see him out.

Mama Fang led Peony carrying a tray into the room. Seeing Song Zhiyuan was gone, she couldn’t help but ask, ”Madam, the Prime Minister?”

”There are matters to discuss in the council chamber. Have someone send all the soup there. If there’s not enough, let the kitchen prepare some late-night snacks. The Prime Minister will dine there as well. After he returns, the courtyard is to be locked up.”

Upon hearing this, Mama Fang noticed her face didn’t look too good, so she instructed Peony to make the arrangements and stayed by Madam Song’s side, quietly asking, ”Madam, did you have a disagreement with the Prime Minister?”

Madam Song shook her head, ”A disagreement would be easy. But you have been with me for many years; you know what kind of person the Prime Minister is. Is he the kind to have disagreements with me? If there’s an issue to address, he will address it. Even in reprimanding and reasoning, he wouldn’t be the fierce kind. Sometimes, I wish he were harsh, rather than cutting me with a soft knife, leaving me ashamed.”