However, Song Yalin maintained a calm complexion, with an aristocratic ladylike aura emanating from her. She didn’t talk much, instead giving a soft bow. "Lady Mu."
Ji Xinhe raised an eyebrow, finding Song Yalin, the third miss of the Song Family, quite outstanding. Having spent some time in the capital, Ji was familiar with the better-off households, even the popular Chen Yining, who always carries herself with a hint of affectation. Noble ladies like Song Yalin were quite rare.
Young as she was, she showed remarkable maturity, neither arrogant nor hasty, and possessed an exceptional presence. Not only did she outshine Song Yalin, but standing next to just any noble lady, she would also likely overshadow them.
Ji Xinhe smiled: "Madam Song is quite skilled in upbringing."
She didn’t specify whether her compliment was about fostering nieces or daughters, but anyone clearheaded could easily interpret the meaning behind those words.
Madam Song’s smile deepened, revealing a hint of pride – anyone would be pleased to hear such compliment for her daughter. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"I haven’t met Lady Mu before." Madam Song chuckled, sure that she would have remembered if she had ever met a woman of Ji Xinhe’s elegance.
However, she had visited the Winding Pavilion twice without seeing her.
"I rarely leave home, and now being pregnant, I’ve hardly ventured out at all. It makes sense that Madam Song hasn’t seen me," Ji Xinhe gently explained.
"I see." Madam Song lowered her eyes to glance at Ji Xinhe’s belly which was slightly more rounded than usual, despite its subtlety.
Perhaps out of bonding, the two lingered in conversation for quite a while.
Song Yalin and Song Yalin were busy choosing from the jewelry brought by Manager Jin.
After a good while of small talk, Xin He calmly shifted to the main topic. She took a sip of tea and smiled, "Madam Song is indeed blessed. Who doesn’t know about the Song Family’s favor in the Emperor’s eyes? Without mentioning other things, Consort Shu in the palace is simply without rival in prestige."
What Xin He said was dripping in irony, for mentioning Consort Shu reminded her of Concubine Shen in the past, who used to be unrivalled in favor. Yet ultimately, she was merely a chess piece used by the Emperor. Once her utility was gone, how pitiful she would become?
She was reminded of a phrase Concubine Shen had told her in the past, before taking the drastic measure – smart women are often very pitiful. This had been true for both, herself and Concubine Shen.
How about the current Consort Shu?
Though Xin He pondered in contemplation, her eyes showed no sign of worry.
Madam Song laughed lightly, "That is Consort Shu’s own good fortune, we are merely basking in her reflected glory."
As if recalling something, Xin He said, "Speaking of which, I heard from someone a while back that the little young master of your house had fallen seriously ill, and had been sent out of the palace to recuperate. How is the young master now?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Song’s face turned somber. She heaved a light sigh, "My poor nephew has suffered. He contracted some terrible disease. Now, he was sent back to Yu State from the capital for recuperation. He’s just six years old, yet he has to endure this. It’s so..."
Even though Ji Xinhe was slowly sipping her tea, her gaze was focused on Madam Song’s face, observing her changing expressions. Madam Song’s sorrow seemed genuine, which sparked a thought in Ji Xinhe – was the young master of the Song Family genuinely assaulted?
If it wasn’t the doing of the Song’s themselves, and if some outsider was involved, then the possibilities grew wider.
Ji Xinhe lowered her gaze slightly, masking her thoughtful eyes.
"What kind of illness could he have contracted that it’s so severe?" Xin He asked.
Madam Song sensed a hint of suspicion in Ji Xinhe’s tone. Her eyes flickered briefly before saying, "It’s just a bit of frailness. He simply needs some good rest and recovery, nothing more."
It seemed she was bothered because of Xinhe’s persistence in questioning.
Ji Xinhe, sensed her discomfort, but did not panic. Instead, she gently touched her belly and sighed, "I never used to be sensitive, but since getting pregnant, I’ve become extra-concerned about children’s suffering."
Seeing Ji Xinhe’s gesture, the hint of suspicion that Madam Song had just perceived vanished. Her smile became more sincere, "Lady Mu need not worry. You’re looking in good health. When the child is born, he is sure to be strong and healthy."
"I’ll take your kind words.", Xinhe laughed.
Ji Xinhe knew when to hold back. Being practically strangers, for Madam Song to have shared all this was quite a stretch already. Further inquiry would yield nothing. Consequently, Ji Xinhe decided she wouldn’t stay much longer.
She casually picked a few pieces of jewelry and asked Shulan to wrap them up. It was time to stand and make her farewell.
As Ji Xinhe left, Madam Song seemed deep in thought, still gazing after her departing figure.
"Mother, what are you looking at?" inquired Song Yalin in a soft voice. She was always quiet, especially when outside, unlike the noisy Song Yalan.
Madam Song shook her head, "I just found Lady Mu to be quite extraordinary."
The chat they’d just had – she wasn’t sure if Xin He was intentional or unintentional in her words. If it were intentional, she would have to say Xin He’s city was incredibly profound. Even she failed to find any flaw in Xin He’s attitude.
The doubts she had at the moment were certainly tied to her feminine intuition, they were not hard facts.
Song Yalin smiled, "I thought Lady Mu was extraordinary too. She is elegantly mannered, immensely beautiful."
Song Yalan on the other hand, snorted, her tone hinting at surprise and disdain, "All she is, is an unknown nobody from a small household. What’s so extraordinary about her?"
Both, Madam Song and Song Yalin chose to remain silent, as if not hearing her.
Song Yalan liked one of the soft pink, floral-patterned skirts brought in by Manager Jin, "This is a good skirt."
Possibly, she was trying to change the subject.
Feeling ignored, Song Yalan’s pride was hurt. She cleared her throat and said, "I quite like this skirt too. How about Sister gives it to me, please? My third sister is always generous, I doubt if she’ll compete with me over this."
Song Yalan laughed at Song Yalin, her words carrying a hint of provocation.
But Song Yalin was not ruffled in the least. Instead, she smiled gently, "If fifth sister wants it, take it."
Song Yalan felt elated stealing from Song Yalin, she joyfully signaled to the maid holding the dress, "You, follow me to the other room. I want to try it."
"Yes." The maid quickly bowed and followed her.
Watching Song Yalan moving into the other room, Madam Song turned her head to look at Song Yalin. Seeing her calm as usual, selecting from the jewelry on the platter, Madam Song felt very satisfied. Her daughter’s calmness, befitting a head matriarch, proved that her meticulous upbringing hadn’t gone in vain.
"Your fifth sister can merely steal a dress or a piece of jewelry from you. In this generation of our Song family, you are the most outstanding girl. The most valuable things will eventually belong to you," Madam Song stated.
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