The next day, when First Madam heard Li Qingzi mention this matter, her face couldn’t help but show a smile. “His Highness is a person who values loyalty and affection.” In the future, this realm would belong to Zhou Weizhao. For the Song family and Consort Song, a new emperor who valued loyalty and affection was naturally far better than one who didn’t. She pressed her lips together, feeling her eyes grow somewhat teary. “If only Old Madam could have heard this—how happy she would have been in her heart. Of all her granddaughters, she always cherished Xiao Yi the most…”
Li Qingzi’s eyes also reddened upon hearing this. Old Madam had been an exceptionally kind person, never treating her coldly because of her family background, never saying a harsh word even when she had no children for three years. Such a kind and benevolent elder was truly difficult to find even with a lantern. Moreover, although Old Madam Song had favored Song Chuyi, she hadn’t been bad to her other grandchildren either. Xiao Renyi, as a great-grandson, had received the most gifts.
First Madam’s sadness lasted only a moment. After collecting her emotions, she asked the young mistress, “By the way, has everything been arranged properly for Yan’er’s Chuzhou Pavilion? Since he won’t be going to Shu anymore, the furnishings for Chuzhou Pavilion must be properly prepared. Although your Second Aunt has good judgment, we still cannot be careless. And Master Qingfeng’s residence…”
Old Madam Song’s funeral had somewhat exhausted First Madam. She had lost over ten pounds, and recently she was often dizzy and light-headed, so many matters had been handed over to the young mistress.
She had always remembered Old Madam Song’s admonishments—children all needed to be trained through experience, the power held in one’s hands need not be valued too highly, one must know how to delegate authority, one must not be harsh to daughters-in-law, and family traditions were of utmost importance…
The young mistress quietly acknowledged and showed First Madam all the items taken from the storeroom. “Everything has been arranged according to the original layout of Chuzhou Pavilion, with many additional items…”
First Madam glanced over and, seeing that the items were indeed all appropriate, smiled and praised her. “Very thoughtful. Even if Xiao Yi came to do it herself, it would be about the same. You’ve always treated them well—this is your blessing…”
The young mistress smiled and shook her head, then discussed with First Madam the gifts to send to the Lu family and the Zhennan Prince’s Manor this time. “Both families have ties with our family. Should we send one gift or would it be better to send two separate ones?”
However, they themselves could not go—they were all in deep mourning.
First Madam thought for a moment. There didn’t seem to be such precedent in past years, but these matters need not necessarily be bound by old customs. They had deep friendship with the Zhennan Princess Consort, and because of Song Chuyi, they also had kinship ties with the Lu family. She said, “Send two gifts then…” She personally went over the gift lists with the young mistress. After watching the young mistress leave, she leaned against the support pillow to rest for a while, when she heard that the First Master had returned. She quickly rose to receive him.
First Master Song was observing mourning at home and rarely went out. This time he had gone to the Qingxu Temple in the suburbs to establish a spirit tablet for Old Madam Song. Seeing First Madam stand up, he waved his hand to let her sit, then asked, “Has lunch been sent to Father?”
Old Master Song and Old Madam Song had always shared an exceptionally deep bond. When Old Madam Song suddenly passed away, even someone as astute as Old Master Song seemed to have lost half his life, his spirit and vitality completely gone in an instant.
First Madam quickly nodded. “It’s been sent…”
First Master Song sat down but immediately stood up again. “I’ll go check on him.”
He was somewhat worried. His parents’ feelings for each other ran extremely deep. Recently, Old Master Song couldn’t eat and had aged even more visibly.
First Madam acknowledged and saw him off, then instructed Nanny Jin, “Tell the kitchen to prepare dinner for Old Master more carefully. Old Master has a poor appetite—make some light, easy-to-eat dishes…”
When First Master Song arrived at Ningde Courtyard, it was Nanny Huang who came out to greet him. Nanny Huang’s hair had turned completely white. She curtsied and told him, “Old Master is at the ancestral hall.”
First Master Song then changed direction toward the ancestral hall, finally seeing his father there.
Old Master Song was using a feather duster to remove dust from the memorial tablets. The figure that usually appeared so tall now seemed incredibly frail, and he hadn’t even heard the sounds from outside.
He was focused intently on supporting Old Madam Song’s spirit tablet, crying with great restraint.
Losing one’s companion in old age was truly the cruelest thing.
First Master Song’s own eyes couldn’t help but redden. He went forward, called out “Father,” and gently tried to console him. “Please restrain your grief. Mother, beneath the earth, wouldn’t want to see you like this either…”
Old Master Song laughed bitterly and followed First Master Song out, asking him, “Someone came from the palace to bestow gifts?”
First Master Song nodded. “They were specifically bestowed upon you…”
Although Old Master Song had retired from the Grand Secretariat, the rewards from the palace had actually increased, flowing almost endlessly.
First Master Song sighed. “You were right—retreating from rushing currents is sometimes the safest method.”
Old Master Song said nothing and asked First Master Song about Master Qingfeng’s arrangements. “Has everything been arranged properly for Master?”
Master Qingfeng was humorous and witty, full of wonderful remarks, and extremely open-minded and perceptive about worldly matters. Chatting with him was always relaxing and pleasant. Since Old Madam Song’s passing, Old Master Song had felt indifferent about everything and couldn’t muster much interest, but when spending time with Master Qingfeng, there was still some enjoyment to be found.
“Everything has been arranged. Master will return in the next couple of days.” He continued, then also told Old Master Song about palace matters. “Originally, the Ministry of Rites was going to select consorts for His Highness, but His Highness personally went to decline. The next day, censors used this as an issue, saying our Song family’s household education was poor, that the Grand Princess Consort had been taught to be so jealous…” Seeing Old Master Song frown, he smiled. “But His Highness the Grand Prince said the Grand Princess Consort was not jealous at all, and had even considerately offered to select consorts for him, but he himself wasn’t interested. He said he wanted to follow Emperor Wen’s example and devote himself wholeheartedly to bringing blessings to the people of Great Zhou…”
Such beautiful words he knew so well how to speak. Old Master Song shook his head with a rueful smile, but his mood improved considerably. “When your mother was alive, the one she loved most was Xiao Yi. She dreamed of Xiao Yi living well. If she knew His Highness treated Xiao Yi with such devotion, she could rest in peace.”
First Master Song extended his hand to help him down the steps. “The Grand Princess Consort also specifically sent things down to you today, all for nourishing your health. She also specially had the imperial envoy convey a message, asking that you absolutely must take good care of your health…”