Chapter 477: Chapter 477: A Single Tree Cannot Support a Forest
The Song Familyās Madam was being attended to by her daughter, getting her hair combed and face washed, sitting on the Arhat bed and chatting.
"Your grandmother, nowadays, sheās starting to find fault with me. In the past, she was a real miser," the Madam of the Song Family chuckled.
Ruqian said, "Isnāt it because she values Tian, and youāre not pleased about it?"
The Madam whispered, "Did she give something nice to Tiantian?"
Ruqian nodded and said, "Itās some pieces of jewelry, said to be saved for Tian."
"People get old, and become generous, I thought she only cared about the boys!" the Madam took a sip of tea and said.
Ruqian looked at her meaningfully and said, "You know when people get older, they change. How did you become so willful? Not even as good as an old person."
The Madam feigned ignorance, "What are you saying?"
"Stop pretending, Suāer already told me, youāre still pouting with Father? I heard heās sleeping in the study," Ruqian continued.
The Madam looked a bit embarrassed and said, "It wasnāt me who sent him to the study, it was he who didnāt come back on his own. Should I shamelessly go invite him?"
"If you donāt ask, do you intend for it to continue like this? Arenāt you afraid of chilling Fatherās heart?" Ruqian was a bit speechless. Already a grandmother, yet still acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
"He chills my heart. Which father doesnāt think about his sonās future, instead of favoring outsiders?" the Madam said, a bit annoyed.
Ruqian sighed, "Mother, thatās going too far. Our family doesnāt have many descendants, and they are all legitimate. They grew up together, and their feelings are truly like thereās no difference between them. You call them outsiders, if Second Uncle heard this, how heartbroken he would be."
The Madam felt a bit heated by her words, "But he didnāt help your brother."
"Suāer doesnāt mind, and he doesnāt like it either, so whatās your concern? Not to be rude, Suāer is already fourteen, and the fifth prince is only nine. With the age difference, how could they get along?" Ruqian softly said, "Even as a Study Companion, thereās a preference, and kids, most of the time, like to play with those closer in age."
The Madam was stunned, retorting, "But isnāt Jieāer also thirteen?"
"Jieāer is smooth-talking, clever, and funny, knows how to get along."
The Madam was a bit unconvinced, but couldnāt deny it, as she could clearly see her second brotherās twins were both sharp.
"Mother, Jieāer and the others grew up under your watch. Thereās only a slight difference from being our own blood. I know you want a good future for them too. In our main branch, we currently only have Suāer as the male heir. If we only have him, wouldnāt you also want him to have other brothers to support him?"
The Madam listened, and her expression darkened slightly, her hand unconsciously touching her belly.
Ruqian carefully observed her expression and said, "The more successful Jieāer and the others become, the more they can support Suāer. With these accomplished men holding up the family, the Song Family will never fall, and my sister Qiāer and I will have stable positions within our natal family. With strong brothers, we can stand tall and no one dares to bully us. Mother, surely you understand the principle that one cannot hold up alone, right?"
The Madam scoffed, "Your tongue is getting sharper, I really canāt argue with you."
Ruqian smiled, went over to hold her hand, and said, "Isnāt that just what I learned from you? Iām speaking from the heart, Mother, please donāt hold a grudge with Father anymore, or else if heās angered into taking a concubine, what would we do?"
The Madamās face changed dramatically, "Your father wouldnāt!"
Ruqian replied, "What if?"