When Song Zhiyuan walked in, he saw the Madam of the Song Family stand up, so he smiled and waved her down with a hand.
"No need to get up; you’ve had a long day today. Just stay seated."
Although the Madam of the Song Family was pleased with his thoughtfulness, she did not sit down happily. Instead, she curtsied in respect, helped him settle onto the Arhat bed first, and then sat on the other side.
Song Zhiyuan kicked off his shoes, drew one leg up on the couch, rested his hand on the table near the couch, and took a sip of the tea handed to him by a maid before casually flipping through the list of gifts.
"I’ve already had a tiring day today; why pore over these right now? They can enter storage tomorrow without urgency."
The Madam of the Song Family smiled and said, "Since I’m lounging anyway, there’s no harm in taking a look. Prime Minister, see here, the Eldest Prince sent a pastels-covered lucky Ru Yi beauty vase."
She extended a finger and pointed to the list’s record, saying, "Even the Fourth Prince sent a blazing tree with silver flowers. Do you think we should return it?"
Additionally, both the Second Prince and the Third Prince sent very precious birthday gifts, which made her both pleased and proud, yet a bit apprehensive. Should they be accepted?
Song Zhiyuan deliberately looked over the page recording the names of the gifts sent by the various princes and pondered, "Choose a few precious items in return and send them back."
The Madam of the Song Family obediently acknowledged.
She took a sip of tea and began talking about several small incidents that happened at today’s banquet, seeing Song Zhiyuan idly flipping through the list of gifts.
Song Zhiyuan didn’t even lift his head: "As long as there were no major issues, it’s fine. But Fourth Brother brought Su’er and the others to tightly guard the front yard, catching quite a few with wandering hearts."
"Prime Minister, would their actions make the princes feel uncomfortable?" The Madam of the Song Family hesitated a bit.
After all, they were princes, visiting as guests, yet they were treated like convicts, followed wherever they went. Perhaps this was the most stifling experience they ever had while visiting other mansions?
Song Zhiyuan glanced over, his voice calm: "You must remember one thing: the Prime Minister’s Mansion is not a sieve full of holes. Even if one holds the rank of a prince, the Prime Minister’s Mansion isn’t a place where they can wander about as they please, let alone being a prince."
The Madam of the Song Family flushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed: "I just fear they might report it to the Emperor."
Song Zhiyuan chuckled softly: "Report what? Report that they came uninvited and wanted to wander the Prime Minister’s Mansion as if it were their own backyard?"
The Madam of the Song Family felt increasingly awkward and quickly picked up the tea to cover it up.
Seeing her , Song Zhiyuan said, "As the Madam of the household, you’re aware of the kinds of issues that can arise in the inner residence. If you’re worried about offending people and let them wander the mansion recklessly, then should any issues arise, it would indeed make the entire capital city laugh at us."
"Today is different from the past. I am now the Prime Minister, and you are an Imperial Decree Madam of the first rank. There’s no need to constantly worry about offending anyone, especially in our own home. Show your confidence. The inner residence did well today; none of the young ladies made any trouble."
The face of the Madam of the Song Family flushed crimson: "I’ve disappointed the Prime Minister."
Song Zhiyuan clasped her hand and said, "Xiangyi, there’s no need to feel as aggrieved as when you first returned home. Everything I can give you, I have. I only hope that you can walk hand in hand with me for a century and lead the Song Family to even greater glory."
No wonder people say that with Song Zhiyuan’s eloquence, he could turn the dead to life. In the court, he can rebuke a hundred officials, leaving them speechless.
And in his own residence, he can proficiently use his eloquence to coax his own wife into being so moved that she’s at a loss.
Look, the Madam of the Song Family was both moved and touched, also feeling guilty, thinking her husband was too good, and it was she who was lagging behind.