Song Ci loves wealth, but she does not disdain the poor; her words only come from practical considerations, based on her own experiences.
Marriage, whether in ancient times or today, is about matching families of equivalent social status. Marriages where the families are of similar standing are always more stable than those with a significant economic disparity. After all, daily life involves matters like food, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea, and it also involves the environments in which the couple grew up.
I say that cow dung can be composted for the fields, but if you ask what composting is and make a fuss, how could that work?
"Mother, I am very grateful to have married into the Song Family," said Madam Song with reddened eyes.
Song Ci sighed, "Gu, right now you can say you have no regrets, but when you were a young girl, there was always some dissatisfaction in your heart. You simply could not disobey your parents’ orders, or perhaps you were also genuinely attached to Dalang, which made it relatively easier for you. But marrying into a poor family from a noble one is often difficult; the number of women who become bitter over it is countless."
"You, a noble lady, married into the Song Family, which had nothing back then. Do you know how much you sacrificed? Dalang knows, and so do I. For this, I am grateful to you and to the Gu Family for being willing to marry off such a distinguished daughter to our Song Family. I might not want to admit it, but I am grateful. Without the support you provided with your dowry back then, our Song Family could not have had a stable household, and Dalang could not have thrived. Gu, let me just say, you are wonderful." Song Ci smiled softly.
This is not merely her own claim, but the words of the original old lady. Despite her tough exterior and the occasional slight torment towards her eldest daughter-in-law, she inwardly acknowledges this daughter-in-law greatly.
Madam Song was moved beyond words and began to cry while clutching her handkerchief.
She decided that henceforth, she would never utter a word against her mother-in-law, nor allow anyone else to.
Song Ci then looked at Song Zhiyuan and said, "Your wife is unwilling, because she herself grew up this way. As a mother, she naturally doesn’t want her daughter to endure the hardships she did. After all, the daughter is her own flesh and blood, so how could she bear it? And Qi’er feels disheartened because she believes that with her status and appearance, how could she be limited to marrying only a scholar from a poor family with no other choices?"
Song Zhiyuan gave a wry smile, "Mother, I haven’t imposed my will on her. I just thought the young man was good, and that’s why I had a fleeting thought about it."
"Hmm." Song Ci then looked at Song Ruqi, "You heard everything, didn’t you? Your father doesn’t actually want to betroth you to a scholar from a poor family. He just thinks that person is good and is suitable as a son-in-law. He is purely interested in the individual, not their family background."
"Qi’er, you should be thankful. Your father has power and influence, yet he values more than just power and wealth. Otherwise, what kind of families do you think your siblings would end up marrying? Marriage customs dictate parental decisions, so even if your father insisted on engaging you to someone from a poor family, you wouldn’t be able to say anything. You might oppose him, but it would have no effect. If your father was obsessed with power, he could have used your marriage to forge alliances for greater benefits. For instance, Prince Dingbei is currently seeking a new wife. If your father wanted to, would you be willing to marry there? That would indeed be a tremendous fortune, entering as the Great Princess Consort. But if the other party is an old man and there are sons older than you, would you be willing to follow?"
"Grandmother (Mother/Madam)..."
Song Ruqi and her parents simultaneously interjected with reproach.
Song Ruqi felt both embarrassed and shocked, while Madam Song was worried because it was inappropriate to speak of such matters since her daughter was not yet of age. Song Zhiyuan, on the other hand, was speechless.
His mother was still his mother. She speaks without heed.