The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

After leaving the main courtyard, Song Lingsu led Guan Shuyan back to their own Chenxiang Pavilion. Seeing that Guan Shuyan was always one step behind him, he had to stop and reach out to pull her along.

Guan Shuyan, blushing, glared at him: ”What are you doing? The people below are all watching.”

Song Lingsu glanced back, and when the crowd understood and stopped, he led her forward by the hand.

Guan Shuyan’s face was as red as the morning glow, unable to free herself, she could only let him lead her.

”You’ve just married into our family, so you’re still unfamiliar. I’ll lead you.” Song Lingsu said with a smile.

Guan Shuyan felt sweetness in her heart, and said: ”We can just walk, there’s no need for you to hold my hand.”

”I just want to do this.” Song Lingsu held her hand and said, ”Mother can be quite stubborn sometimes, if you’re ever wronged, you must tell me, don’t keep it to yourself.”

Guan Shuyan raised her eyebrow deliberately and said: ”Tell you? Can you actually help me out?”

”Helping depends on the matter and how to approach it. If I blindly support you, it’s likely that Mother will take a private dislike to you and hold it against you, which would be counterproductive.” Song Lingsu said, ”If you’re injured soon after marrying, and keep it to yourself, you’ll surely feel awful. I’m your husband, I should naturally share in your troubles.”

”Understand.”

Song Lingsu smiled and continued: ”If I’m not around, you can go to Chunhui Hall to speak with Grandmother often. She’s understanding and open-minded and likes you, she’ll definitely stand by you.”

Right now, it’s the honeymoon period, the new rooms shouldn’t be left empty. He would remain in the mansion, but once the month is over, he would have to go to the Academy to study, and by then Guan Shuyan wouldn’t be able to follow.

Guan Shuyan said with a mix of laughter and tears: ”It’s just the first day and you’re already saying these things as if Mother would truly mistreat me.”

Song Lingsu gave a wry smile: ”I know handling daughter-in-law and mother-in-law relations can be tough, isn’t this just being prepared for eventualities?”

”I think it’s you who are being a worrywart.” Guan Shuyan teased him and they began laughing together.

...

On the third day after the wedding, Song Lingsu accompanied Guan Shuyan early to return to Duke Dingguo Mansion, behaving like a dutiful son before his mother-in-law, then followed Duke Dingguo and his brother-in-law to the study for conversation and drinks.

Because the Duke Mansion’s Heir’s wife had gone to serve beside the Eastern Governor, Guan Jia’s second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Zhan, had long returned to help manage household affairs, now tactfully leaving to let Mrs. Guan and her daughter speak privately.

When a daughter returns, all mothers have the same questions: Is the son-in-law considerate? Is the room harmonious? But seeing Guan Shuyan’s radiant face, there’s no need to ask.

Guan Shuyan shared with her mother some of Song Madam’s actions over the past few days.

Mrs. Guan touched her head and said: ”No matter how considerate the elders are, you’re young now, agile, so being punctual for morning and evening greetings is essential to avoid being gossiped about. As for managing the house, there’s no rush, if you can do as the adults delegate to you about seventy percent well without causing major issues, that’s enough.”

”Why seventy percent?”

Mrs. Guan smiled and said: ”Seventy percent allows for remaining thirty percent as a buffer. Since you’ve just entered the residence, showing too strong or too capable might make your mother-in-law feel you’re too ambitious and seeking to seize power. After all, she’s been Madam of Prime Minister for many years; she won’t truly want to relinquish control, so you shouldn’t overstep her, even if you have the capability. Wait until she voluntarily relinquishes control in the future, then present yourself, it’s not too late. So avoid major mistakes, and even minor flaws are no big deal.”

”In the Song Family, Song’s Madam can be entrusted and relied upon, her judgments are correct and clear-thinking; you should learn from her, it’ll be very beneficial down the road, understand?”

Guan Shuyan was thoughtful.