Chapter 116: Chapter 116: On Tact and Precision
Song Ci admitted she was old, but each time someone mentioned it, she felt a bit aggrieved and upset inside, wanting to yell back, "Iām only twenty-eight this year."
Yet, she couldnāt.
Especially now, not only could she not mention it, but she also had to placate this distinguished person.
"Lady, illness is what ages a person. I was really worn out recently," Song Ci sighed softly. "But, well, old is old. Given my age, as long as these old bones can still eat, drink, and walk to pay my respects to you, thatās enough."
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Wang felt even more distressed. "You say that, but you never come. Since the beginning of the year, how many times have you sent your card to enter the palace?"
Song Ci remained silent.
She somewhat admired the old lady she used to be; this person knew her boundaries.
Logically, being able to call the most distinguished Empress Dowager a sister was a great honor. Certainly, one would cling to this strong connection to protect themselves and ensure the prosperity and safety of their family.
But she didnāt. She didnāt regularly visit the palace to see Empress Dowager Wang, yet she didnāt grow distant either. Apart from sending something during holidays, when she had free time, she would still make a pair of shoes for the Empress Dowager, indicating that she was thinking of her.
Song Ci felt the original old lady was truly calm and didnāt get overexcited because of her connection to the reigning Empress Dowager. She handled her limits very well, and it was precisely this poise that made Empress Dowager Wang cherish her even more.
Look at how sensible they are, while her so-called in-laws?
People usually have this nature: Iām more distinguished and stronger than you. Itās fine to be nice to you, but if you get clingy from just a bit of kindness, overly eager, it can become annoying.
Itās better to be genuine as it is now, without constantly emphasizing old relationships, which canāt be severed.
Song Ci snapped back to reality and said, "Lady, you know my temperament. I just donāt like faking smiles with all those people. The palaceās protocol is tiring too."
"Nonsense, I bet youāre just worried about embarrassing Prime Minister Song." Empress Dowager Wang interrupted her, teasingly saying, "You know, things are different now. Yunzhi is the Prime Minister, and you are also the Imperial Decree Madam of the first rank. Even if you break the rules, who would dare to show you attitude?"
"I naturally know, if anyone dares to show me attitude, wouldnāt I have your support?" Song Ci replied with a smile, speaking untruthfully, "Iām honestly just getting lazier; the older I get, the less inclined I am to mess around."
Nonsense, your heart yearns for the vibrant world outside, the vast horizon.
"I canāt win against you, but looking at you now, your complexion has improved. I heard thereās a medical lady attending to you closely at home? Seems her medical skills are quite good," Empress Dowager Wang observed Song Ciās complexion as she spoke.
Song Ci nodded and said, "You donāt know how worried everyone at home was when I fell ill, and I was scared too. Just lying in bed, unable to open my eyes, was terrifying. So now Iām taking great care, eating medicinal diets, getting acupuncture, and even boxing. By the way, boxing is also good for health. Would you like to learn with me?"
Song Ci wanted to teach the Empress Dowager Tai Chi Boxing too. If she was well, the Song Family would be fine, having shared meals from the same pot.
By doing so, if she lived long enough, even if Song Ci left first, there would still be someone to protect the Song Family.
The more Song Ci thought about it, the more feasible it seemed to pull her into this āsquare danceā group.