The former residence of the Song Minister’s Mansion was the Princess Mansion. In front of the main gate is a small square, as large as a basketball court, surrounded by the residences of high-ranking officials and nobility. The Five Cities Military Department frequently patrols the area, making it the safest place with no petty vendors or miscellaneous personnel, keeping it exceedingly quiet.
If you turn east from the square at the main gate of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, you will reach Zhengyang Street, one of the most expensive shopping streets in Shangjing. If you’re looking to buy unique items that ordinary shops can’t offer, this street won’t disappoint, provided you have money in your wallet.
At about the third quarter of the hour of Shen, a simple carriage appeared on Zhengyang Street, followed by several other carriages. Although the leading carriage looked plain, those with sharp eyes quickly moved aside. The reason was simple: the carriage bore the emblem.
That was the crest of the Song Minister’s Mansion.
In other words, these were family members of the Right Minister. Who didn’t know that the Right Minister was currently riding high, and the Song Minister’s Mansion was a flourishing noble family? Who would dare not to yield?
The curtain of the carriage window was gently lifted from inside, revealing a round little face, curiously peeking out with sparkling black eyes blinking, full of mischief.
"Zhou’er, sit properly. You’re sticking your head out. How inappropriate. Have some manners."
A crisp voice came from inside the carriage.
The little face turned back, giggling, "Sister, there are so many shops on this street, so many things for sale, and they’re very beautiful, unlike our Shanxi. I really like it."
Inside the carriage, a young girl of about eight or nine sat upright, her hair styled into two small buns, adorned with two pearl flowers, one with a strand of tassel gently swaying with the movement of the carriage.
She held a scroll in one hand, while the other rested on her lap, and she solemnly said to the six-year-old boy with rosy cheeks and white teeth opposite her, "Shangjing is certainly not like Shanxi. It is the most prosperous and distinguished capital of our Great Cheng and the Emperor’s territory, how can it compare? Here, the officials, many have ranks higher than our father’s."
"I know, but however high, it can’t be higher than our uncle’s, right? Uncle is the Prime Minister; the other officials must listen to him." The boy lifted his chin proudly.
This speaking child was from the third branch of the Song family, the family of Song Zhiqing, and his two children, Song Ruwei and Song Lingzhou.
And between them sat a charming yet dignified young woman, no more than twenty-five or six years old, with gracefully arched eyebrows and slightly upturned phoenix eyes. Her hair was styled high as she looked at her two children with a smile.
This was Madam Lu, the third wife of the Song family.
"Zhou’er, what did your father and mother say before we set off? Even if your uncle is the Prime Minister, we mustn’t act rashly outside. Otherwise, people will say that the Song family has no manners or sense of propriety." Madam Lu looked at her eldest daughter with satisfaction and said, "See, your sister sits with proper posture, which is how a noble lady should present herself."
Song Ruwei’s eyes gleamed upon hearing her mother’s praise.
"You all talk about rules everywhere, how truly boring." Song Lingzhou puffed his cheeks and murmured, "Not only boring, but also very rigid."
Madam Lu frowned, "Zhou’er, do not be rude. Especially in front of your grandmother, you mustn’t be disrespectful, do you understand?"
Song Lingzhou stared with wide eyes, "Why, grandmother isn’t a monster. If I’m disrespectful, she wouldn’t eat me, would she?"
"Of course, Grandmother isn’t a monster, but she’s our ancestor. If you act with decorum, that’s what’s proper." Madam Lu’s gaze turned distant as if remembering something, "Your grandmother does not like people who defy her."