All the nobles in the capital know that the Song Minister’s Mansion is a new noble family, having risen to prominence in just twenty to thirty years. When it comes to heritage, they are still lacking compared to many other families. Precisely because of this, the Song Mansion has been making a concerted effort to change its standing.
For more than twenty years, the Song Mansion has been learning from various noble families, and they even had the audacity to request the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to send an old Nanny from the palace to teach them proper etiquette. Through constant exploration and humorous mishaps, they have gradually grown.
Today, the Song Minister’s Mansion may not yet rival those long-established families, but their etiquette has already become its own template, leaving no room for criticism.
Just look at the present moment.
The Song Mansion is hosting a banquet, with a steady flow of carriages and horses. Guards are directing traffic on the street in front of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Guests disembark at the middle gate, where attendants promptly lead their carriages and horses to designated parking areas, ensuring no congestion occurs.
Upon entering the middle gate, male and female guests are escorted by maids and servants to the courtyard or hall where the banquet is held. Not all accompanying servants can follow their masters; some are left in the rear quarter for tasks. Otherwise, if everyone followed, the servants would outnumber the masters, causing chaos.
Even as more guests arrive, the servants of the Song Mansion remain unflustered and do not shout or call out. Everything proceeds in an orderly manner, with each person having their responsibilities, ensuring no post is left unattended.
Those who witness this, even if they initially hold some disdain for the Song Mansion’s humble origins, admit that achieving such a level in just twenty to thirty years is indeed commendable.
Madam Song, being an Imperial Decree-ranked first tier, does not need to personally welcome every guest at the second gate. She only waits for those whose status or age surpasses hers.
At the second gate, it is mostly the Jiang family and Lu family who go to greet the guests. After exchanging a few words, they are led to Song Ci’s Chunhui Hall, where a large flower hall has been specially arranged for receiving guests.
Song Ci is fortunate to have the palace Nanny’s guidance; otherwise, she would be overwhelmed by the sight of one magnificently dressed noblewoman after another, with vermillion hairpins jingling on their heads.
She is also grateful for the few good memories she retains from her previous life, recognizing several familiar faces and avoiding confusion.
Of course, for those she truly can’t remember, Song Ci casually holds her forehead and says, "I got sick and forgot some things."
No one would doubt the truth in Song Ci’s words, as her illness, which left her unconscious, was well-known in the noble circle. It’s common for the elderly to forget things after a stroke; look at the Old Madam of a certain mansion, who severely forgot her own son.
Fortunately, Song Ci hasn’t become as forgetful as a child; truly, she is blessed by the Bodhisattva to enjoy such fortune.
There are also those naturally curious people who smile while holding a handkerchief, saying, "The Grand Madam seems different after that illness, like a completely different person compared to before."
The comment makes Song Ci shiver.
She glances at the wide-mouthed Madam, and says faintly, "People always need to walk to the gate of the underworld once to comprehend the big truths, just like me, having seen Ox-Head and Horse-Face. I managed to return thanks to my family’s unwillingness to let go. So do you think I wouldn’t change? I can’t live the way I used to. Trust me, if you were in my shoes, you would change too."
So, would you dare to experiment with dying?
It would scare you to death.
The Madam’s face pales, and she awkwardly pulls her lips, saying, "The Grand Madam sure loves to joke."
Ancient people had strong beliefs in gods and Buddhas, especially the elderly. Though they may not have responded well to Song Ci initially, they couldn’t blame her; all are elders hoping to live a few more years. It’s just that this young wife, bringing up an inappropriate topic, truly doesn’t understand social graces.
Madam Song wanted to mediate, but then Nanny Fang arrived and whispered a few words to her. She looked mildly surprised and stood up.