Chapter 478: Chapter 478: Giving Way and Stepping Down Gracefully
After being persuaded with both soft and hard tactics by her daughter for a while, Madamās frustration eased a lot, and the mother and daughter returned to Chunhui Hall together.
Mrs. Jiang was teasing Sweetie with Song Ci. Seeing them come in, she greeted them with a smile.
Madam thought of her refusal to meet earlier and felt a bit uncomfortable.
However, Mrs. Jiang acted as if nothing had happened and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, come quickly and see Sweetie. She can even blow bubbles now, itās so amusing."
This was offering a way out.
Madam walked over, looked at her granddaughter, and felt her heart soften. She glanced at Mrs. Jiang, who was full of excitement, and said teasingly, "I know youāre envious, but you have to hold it in no matter how much you want to. Donāt hold her, after all, your body is getting heavier."
Mrs. Jiangās eyes curved into a smile, "Mother says the same thing."
Madam said, "Hmm, just looking is enough." Then, after a pause, she added, "Jieāer is going to the palace to be the study companion of the fifth prince. Have you prepared his clothing and belongings well?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Jiang knew the other had graciously stepped down and deliberately complained, "Sister-in-law, you know that my background isnāt as good as yours, and Iām not as knowledgeable. I definitely donāt measure up to you in etiquette, not to mention the palace rules. Iām worried about how to prepare for him, thereās not even a clue. Sister-in-law, your experience is so vast. Could you help Jieāer?"
Before Madam could speak, she feigned intimacy and held her arm, saying, "Sister-in-law, you see Iām also with child, please have pity on me and help prepare for Jieāer well. In return, Iāll have him kowtow deeply to you, his great-aunt."
She deliberately jested and lowered her stance like this, how could Madam not know she was intentionally placating her? Whatās more, the past relationship wasnāt fake, and being coaxed like this, her heart softened.
"Youāre about to become a mother, and still learn to act coquettish like a little girl, arenāt you ashamed? Alright, since Jieāer calls me great-aunt, how could I not care for him? Iāll have someone prepare his clothing and belongings well. Also, everything in the palace requires connections. Iāll have some extra silver ingots and gold ingots for him to take along. You must know how money can make the world go round, and in the palace, people are even more likely than outside to do things for money."
Mrs. Jiang clapped her hands and said, "Thatās why I often say, Sister-in-law is naturally so considerate. Youāve thought of everything. Sister-in-law, come, letās go to your room and talk in detail?"
Madam was thus coaxed away by her.
Song Ci watched in awe, one willing to lower herself to flatter, the other willing to accept it pretentiously, truly opening her eyes.
"Youāre really something, able to persuade her. It was right for Suāer to bring you here," Song Ci said to Song Ruqian.
Song Ruqian said, "Motherās heart isnāt really bad. She just gets stuck in a rut sometimes. She really hopes for Jieāer and the others to succeed."
Song Ci knew there was some exaggeration but didnāt point it out, saying, "Itās good that you can persuade her. If I, as the mother-in-law, persuade her, sheāll say Iām meddling in the coupleās affairs. But if you, as the daughter, advise her, sheāll listen. Qianāer, harmony in the family leads to prosperity, and united brothers are a powerful force, even if theyāre distant."
"Grandmother, I understand."
Song Ci nodded and didnāt continue on that topic. She glanced at her complexion and asked quietly, "Have you started doing what your mother taught you?"
Song Ruqian was startled.
Song Ci pointed to her belly and gave a lewd smile.
Song Ruqianās face flushed red, and she stammered shyly, "Itās not that fast, just getting prepared first."
Oh my, such an embarrassing thing, Grandmother, please spare me!