The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The offspring isn’t a concern, the father doesn’t mind, so Jiang could only hope at her mother-in-law’s place, timidly saying she’s taken a liking to the girl from the Fu Family, but Song Ling, that foolish boy, seems to have no idea at all.

Song Ci was delighted upon hearing this, and with a smile said, ”It seems Jie’er is either impervious to romance or his love has yet to blossom, so there’s no need to rush into decisions. Of course, if you truly fancy her, as his mother, you could reach out and get to know her a bit. A good girl is a rare find; missing out on her would be a pity.”

”That’s what this wife thinks too.” Jiang’s brows relaxed as she said, ”It’s said that in a family with a daughter, many suitors come calling, and the Fu family is a distinguished literary family. That young girl made her debut yesterday, surely attracted many with intentions.”

”Naturally, Fu San indeed presents as a domestically fitting woman, virtuous and graceful, certainly outstanding. So, a well-bred girl doesn’t worry about marriage—since you also have daughters, being indulgent is fine, but in major matters she must understand the right from wrong. What you should not do is allow her to do as she pleases; that’s not indulgence, that’s spoiling her to her doom.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang hurriedly stood up and said, ”This wife would never dare disregard family rules and will raise her properly.”

”I don’t mean to warn or blame you, just reminding you—your husband and you are like doting slavish parents. I’m just afraid you’ll go overboard and end up harming the girl. Being a woman is not easy, and joining another family in marriage is even tougher. No matter how good the in-laws are, they can’t compare to her own parents, right? You can spoil her, but others won’t,” Song Ci said. ”So, for her future, no matter how reluctant you feel, be strict when necessary, and educate her well.”

”This wife will remember mother’s teachings.”

Song Ci shifted the conversation back to the earlier topic, saying, ”If you want to scout a match for Jie’er, start slowly. We aren’t in a hurry, and he’s not quite of age yet, hasn’t his love not blossomed?”

”Yes,” Jiang laughed contently, ”It’s perfect because mother’s school is holding a ceremony, and this wife will send an invitation to Madam Fu to attend together.”

”Go ahead.”

...

Since the Charitable School’s preparations started, it’s been about two months; only at the end of October was everything ready to officially unveil it to the public.

On the day of the ceremony, Song Ci dressed in a dignified dark purple robe, hair full of silver threads styled neatly without a hint of disorder, wearing the imperial-given eight-treasure golden hairpin. Lightly powdered, her face radiated energy.

With hours to go before the auspicious time for the ceremony, Song Ci arrived early at the Charitable School. Cui Shiniang, in a moon-white robe embroidered with the Four Gentlemen, wearing her hair in a masculine bun adorned with an amethyst hair crown, embodied a graceful immortal aura.

She led the scholars and gentlemen, all adorned in the school’s uniform issued garments, respectfully offering salutations to Song Ci.

It was a bow of respect.

The scholars, also emotionally excited, uniformly knelt and kowtowed.

”Get up,” Song Ci said with a smile, leaning on Nan Shan’s hand, ”The weather’s getting cold, and kneeling will chill your knees. Stand up quickly.”

Swish swish swish.

Fifty students rose from the ground, looking at Song Ci, eyes full of admiration and respect.

It was this elder who gave them a second chance at life, providing shelter from the storm, and an opportunity to change their destiny.

In their eyes, she was a living Bodhisattva, filled with compassion.

Looking at these children, whether big or small, Song Ci’s eyes curved as she spoke, ”From today, you are officially the first batch of students at Song Ci’s Charity School. No matter your accomplishments or fortune in the future, I hope you won’t forget you came from Song Ci’s Charity School. You bear the responsibility to protect it. Should Song Ci’s Charity School face challenges one day, I hope you’ll offer a hand to help it weather difficulties, so it can continue to aid those like you...”