There is nothing in this family that Song Ci cannot hear, let alone just the small temper of a granddaughter.
Neither Song Zhiyuan nor Madam Song would let her leave.
With the arrival of Song Ci, the previously tense atmosphere had dissipated quite a bit, even Song Ruqi herself breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Just now, she seemed to have acted impulsively, daring to question her father.
Seeing her second granddaughter standing behind her mother with a somewhat uneasy demeanor, Song Ci said to Song Zhiyuan, "The child is still unwell, speak calmly so as not to scare her."
Song Zhiyuan gave Song Ruqi a faint glance, and it would be untrue to say he wasn’t disappointed; despite being spoiled, she should have a sense of understanding and gratitude.
She claims to be unloved?
It’s hard to believe she could say that.
"Your grandmother is here, so I might as well speak frankly with you. I do have my eye on a scholar; from both character and learning, he is an excellent choice. As a father, I have high hopes for him, which is why I had that slight thought," Song Zhiyuan said to Song Ruqi. "However, your mother is unwilling, and I suppose you are also unwilling. So let’s consider it as if I never mentioned it to your mother, just idle talk. I didn’t expect you to catch wind and feel wronged, believing your father intends to betroth you to a poor scholar, causing yourself to fall ill. Do you think that’s appropriate?"
"I..." Song Ruqi bit her lip, feeling somewhat ashamed.
Song Zhiyuan no longer looked at her and turned to Song Ci, giving a wry smile, "Mother, I’ve let you witness a joke."
Song Ci said, "What’s there to joke about with one’s own granddaughter? The matter of grandchildren’s marriages should rightfully be the decision of you as parents. As a grandmother, I am one step removed and shouldn’t interfere. But since I’ve overheard, shall I say a few words?"
Song Zhiyuan and Madam Song quickly said, "Mother, please do speak."
"Then I shall. Eldest son, don’t blame your daughter for feeling wronged and heartbroken. It’s not impossible for a Prime Minister’s daughter to marry into a poor family, but you’ve overlooked one point: the compatibility of the two families’ circumstances. Qi’er was raised with pride and luxury since childhood and has never known hardship. She doesn’t even know what hardship feels like."
Song Ruqi was somewhat surprised; she hadn’t expected her grandmother to stand by her and speak on her behalf, but those words afterwards made her feel something was off.
She pursed her lips and glanced at Song Ci, not daring to interrupt.
"At the time of her birth, you were already in the officialdom, and the family already had servants, with no worries about food and drink. To say she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth is true for her generation, including Fourth Son," Song Ci continued. "All these children talk about is which restaurant is tasty, which clothes are beautiful, which jewelry is exquisite, writing poetry, and painting, playing the zither, and admiring flowers. But what about the poor kids who are the same age as Qi’er? What are they doing?"
Song Zhiyuan remained silent, and even Madam Song pondered quietly.
"Our family is of poor origin, and what you did in the past is what the poor children do now. For instance, the scholar you favor earns silver by copying books to buy paper, brushes, and ink, while your daughter buying a garment could feed their entire family for months. When he’s farming the land, she’s painting and playing the zither. Tell me, can your daughter converse with him about farming and planting?"
"Marriage is mostly about the daily necessities, the grains, oils, soy, vinegar, and tea. We needn’t look at others, just look at you and Madam Gu, who also came from a high status to marry into a poor family. How did you make it through, how did your wife endure it? I believe no one understands better than her!"
Madam Song was startled, her eyes suddenly reddened.