Chapter 829: Chapter 829: The Troublemaker Slanders
Madam Song almost had an accident upon hearing the unsettling news about Song Ci. She was so shocked that she nearly went into early labor, but managed to stabilize herself with several deep breaths. Even after hearing it was just a false alarm, she still felt uneasy and ordered to be carried over in a palanquin.
Without seeing that Song Ci was safe with her own eyes, she would not be able to keep the baby calm.
Jiang Shi was also a bit speechless. Supporting Madam Songâs arm, she softly said, "If you ask me, the third sister-in-law was like a rabbit pushed to the limit, which is why she lashed out."
"No matter how desperate, can it justify hitting someone? She is a legitimate wife, how can she hit her husband?" Madam Song chided in a deep voice, "I think itâs her nature being forced out; she canât change her small-household demeanor, acting like a shrew in the marketplace, utterly disgraceful."
Jiang Shi was noncommittal.
To be honest, if Song Zhicheng had pushed her to such a point, she might not have stopped at a simple beating but would have drawn her sword directly.
Madam Song noticed that Jiang Shi hadnât responded, realizing that she had inadvertently included Jiang Shi in her comment, making her a bit uncomfortable. She pretended not to notice and changed the subject, saying, "Old Third is really something, taking a concubine is one thing, but now he wants to register the offspring under the legitimate motherâs name, trying to make them legitimate children. Why did he take a concubine and have them in the first place? Wanting everything good, his ambitions are too large."
Jiang Shi sighed, "At the end of the day, itâs just bullying the third sister-in-law because her maternal family has no one."
Madam Song pursed her lips and finally said, "No matter what, both of them are at fault and the worst part is taking it to the Old Lady. I was terrified."
"Who isnât? Thankfully, it was just a false alarm."
Jiang Shi also had lingering fears.
Madam Song gritted her teeth, "In the end, concubines are just home-wreckers. Our house was so peaceful before, but ever since that Bai woman stepped in, there are constant disturbances from the third house."
Jiang Shi agreed deeply with these words.
Since Bai Shi entered, the household hasnât been as peaceful as before, at least not on the third houseâs side.
Sheâs truly an instigator.
...
The troublemaker Bai Shuilian slowly woke up, seeing the guilt-ridden face of Song Zhiqing, and felt a sharp pain in her heart.
"Third Brother."
Song Zhiqing hurriedly helped her up, placed a five-colored auspicious pillow under her waist, and apologetically said, "Lianâer, itâs all my fault. If I hadnât come up with such a poor plan, Shuangâer and the others wouldnât have left you."
Bai Shuilian shook her head. Though her eyes were red, she comforted him instead, "Third Brother, you were thinking of Shuangâer and them. I understand. Itâs just unfortunate they didnât have this blessing. But Third Brother, donât feel guilty. Itâs right for a legitimate mother to raise the children. If theyâre with Madam, I, I feel assured. I just fear theyâll cry and cause Madam displeasure because theyâre not used to being away from me."
Song Zhiqing felt even more guilty upon hearing this. How understanding and considerate one must be to bear such pain and say something like that!
"Donât say that, they say mother and child are connected at heart, I know you canât bear it. Rest assured, when thereâs a chance, Iâll bring them back to be with you."
Bai Shuilian forced a little smile and said, "Itâs okay, Third Brother. Youâve just upset the Old Lady; donât upset her further. I still have to copy scriptures for the Old Lady and donât have time to take care of them. But you must be careful and not speak out lightly. I fear nothing else but that the Old Lady might speak ill to the Empress Dowager, affecting your official career."
Song Zhiqing felt a chill in his heart and after a long pause, stammered, "She wouldnât, after all, we share in whatever happens."
But, would she really not? She has an uncle who is a First Rank Prime Minister and holds a leisurely Sixth Rank position herself. Losing me, a Fifth Rank official, means nothing to the Song Family.