The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Madam Ru’s face was ashen, allowing Madam Jiang and the others to gently console her, but she remained unmoved, her tears falling silently until Jiang mentioned her two children, which finally stirred her.

”Elder sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, why is my life so miserable, time and again, what wrongdoing has our third branch committed to deserve such disgrace?” She wept, pounding her fists and stamping her feet, ”It’s not even over some significant event that we suffered this misfortune. It was because of an external affair, and you tell me, when the children learn the truth, how will they cope? What authority does he, as their father, have left?”

Madam Song said, ”The news has all been sealed off, there’s no way the children will know, rest assured.”

Madam Ru shook her head with a bitter smile, ”How can paper wrap fire? If they don’t know now, one day they’ll find out the truth.”

”By then they will have grown and will understand. Sister-in-law, given this situation with our third brother, prepare for the worst, which is being bedridden and unable to pursue his career. You must pull yourself together and focus on properly raising your children,” Jiang gently advised.

If Song Zhiqing is bedridden, he can no longer hold office; his career is effectively ruined, leaving her hopes solely on her children.

Realizing this, Madam Ru couldn’t hold back any longer; a pain burst from her chest, a sweetness in her throat, and she spat out blood, collapsing into Jiang’s arms, as if mourning her deceased parents.

How could her life be this cruel?

...

Song Zhiqing suffered such severe injuries, and on New Year’s Day no less. It’s nearly impossible to keep the younger generation in the manor unaware; upon hearing the news, they all went to the warm pavilion to visit.

Seeing their father’s wretched state, Song Ruwei and Song Lingzhou cried like rain, trembling and pitiful beyond measure.

Song Lingjie, being clever and cunning, had of course inquired from the elders and knew exactly why his third uncle was like this. Though there was pain in his eyes, it was overshadowed by disappointment.

Third uncle was truly irresponsible; it’s one thing to keep an external affair, but to go out on New Year’s Eve and come back in such a state — if the fourth brother learned the truth, how disappointed and desolate he would be.

He recalled the woman he saw that day, a flash of coldness and disgust crossing his eyes.

Song Zhiqing lay unconscious; it was only natural for Song Ruwei and Song Lingzhou, as the eldest son and daughter, to serve by his side, personally keeping vigil until he woke up. Song Lingsu and the others consoled them for a long time before leaving the warm pavilion.

Song Lingsu motioned the servant to step back before saying to Song Lingjie, ”I heard grandmother has already ordered that woman to take a miscarriage-inducing drug and has sent her away from the capital.”

Song Lingjie sneered, ”Grandmother’s approach is decisive indeed, and merciful too. If it were left to me, I’m afraid I would’ve dealt with the person altogether.”

This woman, she has ruined one Song Zhiqing, ruined the third branch; she deserves to die.

Song Lingsu, hearing his harsh words, said, ”What you’re saying might make people think you’re brutal and heartless.”

”If you don’t uproot it, the spring breeze will make it grow again. I’m just trying to prevent future troubles,” Song Lingjie replied indifferently.

Song Lingsu said, ”You have a point, but as the sages say, ’Leave a way out for others, and meet them kindly in the future.’ Ajie, some matters might need drastic action, but others don’t require you to erase every trace, give the other side a way to live, to avoid hurting heaven’s order and bringing upon yourself retribution. After all, karma always returns.”

Song Lingjie stood still, facing him, their eyes meeting.

Song Lingsu looked at him and said, ”Elder brother hopes you remember, if you push someone to a dead end, they’re bound to burn their boats, fighting to the death, resulting in mutual destruction. Perhaps you might win, but this process inevitably incurs heavy, possibly unbearable costs, so why bother?”

Song Lingjie’s expression eased, and he said, ”I’ve remembered it.”