The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Zhiyuan stood in his court attire at the gate of Song Ci’s courtyard, silently observing the inside of the courtyard which hadn’t fully lit up yet, his mind still filled with the dream he had before waking up.

It was somewhat bewildering.

Yet he inexplicably remembered Master Jinghui’s words from several years ago: when the Song Family faces calamity, a noble figure will assist in overcoming the crisis.

Since Lin Qing came to the mansion, he assumed she was that noble figure, hence he had treated her courteously all these years.

But after having this dream, he realized he was mistaken. That noble figure was probably his mother, Song Ci.

The stabilizing force of the Song Family.

Thinking about the Song Ci in the dream and in reality, along with the fate of the Song Family, he felt a suffocating sensation.

If it truly were as in the dream, would the Song Family still have today? Would it have long been involved in the succession dispute, only to be suspected by the emperor and lose favor?

Song Zhiyuan’s chest felt acidic and swollen. He clenched his fist, his expression somewhat conflicted.

Creak.

The courtyard gate opened, and an old woman appeared. She was startled to see a figure standing at the door. Upon recognizing Song Zhiyuan, she hurriedly crossed the threshold and bowed to greet him.

”Prime Minister, are you here to pay respects to the Madam at this hour?”

It’s still very early, not quite time for the morning visit.

Song Zhiyuan asked, ”Is the Madam awake?”

The old woman glanced back; there was already movement from the main room, then she smiled and said, ”She should be awake, the girls are inside attending to her.”

Song Zhiyuan then went inside.

Song Ci had just woken up. As she grew older, her sleep became shallower, and with summer already here, she simply got up after waking.

She hadn’t washed yet when she heard Song Zhiyuan had arrived.

She was somewhat surprised and said, ”What time is it now? Shouldn’t he be going to court?”

Song Zhiyuan walked in just in time to hear this, and with a smile, he said, ”Before going to court, I came to pay my respects to you, mother.”

He looked over; Song Ci hadn’t changed clothes yet, only wearing a large robe, her head full of silver hair loosely tied up, making her appear extremely frail and aged.

Over the years, Song Ci had indeed aged significantly, looking dry and frail, as if a gust of wind could sweep her away.

Seeing his mother’s face full of wrinkles yet smiling, Song Zhiyuan felt his nose sour, and his eyes moistening.

He feared he might soon lose his aging mother.

Song Zhiyuan felt an immense discomfort in his chest. He took a slight breath and said, ”Mother, after I return from court, I’ll accompany you for lunch.”

Song Ci hesitated for a moment, her eyes curved, ”Alright, you go on to court. A proper prime minister shouldn’t be late.”

Song Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, bowed to her, and left.

Song Ci turned to Nanny and asked, ”You see, isn’t it strange for the eldest to come pay respects at this hour? He never does.”

Nanny said, ”Perhaps the cool weather made him restless and unable to sleep.”

”I don’t think that’s the case; rather, it seems...”

”Hmm?”

Song Ci immediately smiled wryly and chose not to mention it, saying, ”Girls, come assist the old lady with rinsing her mouth.”

In fact, she wondered if it was an illusion as she felt an eerie sense that Song Zhiyuan had seen through her.

Felt like her disguise was almost uncovered.

It was truly baffling!

Song Zhiyuan then got onto the carriage and instructed Jiang Fula, who was waiting by the carriage, ”You send someone to Songshan Temple to check if Master Jinghui has returned from his travels. If not, do you know the master’s whereabouts?”

Jiang Fula was somewhat puzzled but responded respectfully.

Only then did Song Zhiyuan lower the curtain, close his eyes, lean back against the carriage wall, press his swollen chest, and exhale a long breath.