Chapter 1005: Chapter 1005: I, Parkinson Ci
Even though a Madam from the Uncleās Mansion passed away, given Song Ciās status, there was no need to attend the funeral in person. Therefore, only Madam Jiang and Madam Lu were sent to offer condolences.
Madam Jiang didnāt feel much about it as she hadnāt seen the person, but Madam Lu was somewhat pensive. Sharing a carriage with her on the way, she brought up the incident that happened during the Autumn Festival in the Sunflower Garden.
Madam Jiang was a clever woman and chuckled at once, "That Ji Madam was so foolish, itās no surprise she met her end."
For saying such treasonous words, wasnāt she courting death?
Any family head with a bit of sense would have dealt with it immediately. Otherwise, if such news reached the Emperor, what would happen? Would they think the Ji Family wanted to rebel and hoped for the Xia Dynastyās resurgence instead of wishing for the Great Qingās prosperity?
So, to avoid the Emperorās wrath, they had no choice but to sacrifice this silly daughter-in-law.
"I heard that Ji Madam couldnāt even recognize all the characters and made a lot of jokes while fighting over household authority with her two sisters-in-law. She couldnāt even manage the disputes in her own room, let alone the whole household. Naturally, she got suppressed by the Second Madam everywhere," Madam Lu sighed. "All this fighting, and in the end, she met an untimely death. What was it all for?"
She felt a bit wistful, for yesterday this person was still proudly showing off in front of her, and in the blink of an eye, she turned into someone from the underworld. It was indeed lamentable.
Madam Jiang glanced at her and said, "Exactly, no amount of fighting and scheming compares to the peace of mind of closing the door and living oneās own small life. As the saying goes, no matter how you plan, manās schemes are inferior to heavenās will."
The remark carried a hint, and Madam Lu managed a forced smile.
Death extinguishes the flame, and thereās no interest in mentioning it again. The two sisters-in-law quickly changed the topic, and they soon arrived at the Earl Anle Mansion.
...
The autumn air was dry, and Song Ci drank two cups of pear honey water before reclining on the Arhat bed under the southern window, unwilling to move. She took a rattle-drum to amuse the little boy lying on the bed, telling him little stories she knew, ignoring the maids bustling in and out of the room.
Nanny Gong was also embroidering a small garment. Song Ci glanced over and said, "Youāre not young either; let the younger maids handle these things. If your eyes arenāt up to it, ruining the embroidery is one thing, but pricking your finger would make my heart ache."
Nanny Gong nearly burst into laughter, "Even at my age, Iām not so old that I canāt see the needle. Donāt tease the old servant."
Seeing her trying to thread the needle, Song Ci took an interest and said, "Come, come, let me do it. Iām good at this."
She pretended to grab it, scaring Nanny Gong, "Donāt, youāll prick your hand." She handed over the needle and thread.
Song Ci took it, recalling from memory, she licked the end of the thread. Holding the needle in one hand and the thread in the other, she attempted to thread it.
As soon as she tried, goodnessāshe trembled like she had Parkinsonās. The eye of the needle was barely visible, let alone threading it.
Song Ci was triggered, squinting her eyes, trying several times with growing gravity, finally setting it down with an embarrassed, dejected look.
Nanny Gong quickly said, "Youāre such a precious person, not having touched needlework in so long, your hands have naturally become out of practice."
"No need to comfort me. I understand," Song Ci said wistfully. "Inwardly, I may feel like a fresh-faced eighteen-year-old, but physically, Iām already an old man of sixty. I overestimated myself."
So, Iāve gotten so old I canāt even thread a needleāitās Parkinsonās Ci.
Nanny Gong: "..."
How can the old servant comfort you now? Iām at a loss!