As the Madam of the Song Family hurriedly entered her mother-in-law's room with the help of a maid, she saw the two elder ancestors of the family staring each other down in a deadlock.
This wasn't the main point.
The point was, her mother-in-law had truly awakened.
Seeing Song Ci leaning against the bed, gasping for breath yet clear-headed, the Madam was so overjoyed that she almost wanted to kneel and bow several times in gratitude to the Bodhisattvas.
"Mother, you've finally woken up."
Song Ci had already noticed this elegant and dignified middle-aged beauty of about thirty years, her eyes red, her eyelids dark. Was she not the eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Gu, of this body's original owner?
Behind the beautiful woman followed another slightly younger, spiritedly handsome lady—was this the second daughter-in-law, Madam Jiang?
The room was crowded with people, making the air quickly turn stale and oppressive, aggravating Song Ci's irritation.
"Open the window; my chest feels quite stuffy."
At the command of the Old Madam, someone immediately complied, opening the window, allowing a subtle fragrance of flowers to drift in.
With Song Ci's awakening, everyone—be it daughters-in-law, the nanny, or maids—gathered around her, showing warmth and concern, feeding her water and wiping her face, nearly pushing the Old Master Song to the side.
Old Master Song felt slightly neglected by everyone, tinged with bitterness in his heart.
He was supposed to be the head of the Song Family.
"Mother." An urgent call along with footsteps sounded from outside.
Everyone quickly made way and paid their respects.
"Master, you're back." The Madam stepped up two paces to meet him, taking the official hat handed by him with some excitement, saying, "Mother has awakened."
Before Song Ci could clearly make out who had arrived, her hand was warmly grasped by a large hand, and upon closer inspection, she inhaled sharply.
A middle-aged handsome gentleman, with a beard, appeared cultured, graceful, mature, and magnetic, exuding the authority of one in a high position, was looking at her with the gentlest and most concerned expression.
Song Ci was somewhat overwhelmed.
This was precisely the ideal model figure in the eyes of countless young women.
"Mother, you really worried us."
The word "mother" snapped Song Ci out of her daze, her eyes becoming vacant.
Indeed, this body was the mother of that handsome gentleman, his biological mother.
Seeing his mother on the verge of tears, Song Zhiyuan grew anxious and asked, "Mother, what's the matter, is there anywhere you're feeling unwell? Someone, quickly fetch my plaque and invite the head of Lu Courtyard."
Song Ci looked at Song Zhiyuan, silently reminding herself, this is my son—I must act according to the script.
She pressed her lips down slightly and said, "I'm fine, just old and useless; it's my fault for worrying you this time."
Song Zhiyuan and the Madam were so frightened by her words that they immediately knelt down without a second thought, "Mother, how could you say such a thing? Cutting out our hearts, is it? It's your unfilial sons who failed to take good care of you, how could it be your fault?"
"Indeed, Mother, whatever your daughters-in-law have done wrong, just say so and don't keep it in your heart," the Madam was more terrified than her husband, Song Zhiyuan. Having married into the Song Family for over ten years, when had she ever seen the Old Madam admit to a mistake?
Even if there was a mistake, it was as if there was none; after all, she was the mother-in-law, the ancestor!
Song Ci was stupefied; wasn't she speaking reasonably? How did it come to kneeling and trembling?
"No, why are you kneeling, all of you get up to speak."
"Rise, rise... cough cough." Song Ci hurried and began to cough.
Chaos erupted once more.