After watching Song Ci leave, Madam Lu slumped onto Nanny Zhou, feeling completely exhausted, yet not a single tear could be shed.
Song Ci’s visit to divert her attention had somewhat alleviated her sadness, but every time she thought of Song Zhiqing’s affairs, she couldn’t help but tremble all over. Original content can be found at noᴠelfire.net
Nanny Zhou handed her a cup of tea and comforted her, "Madam, don’t think too much. The Old Madam was blunt, but she was right. The matter is settled, and what you should do now is plan for yourself and the young master and miss."
"I know, I’m just unwilling and restless," Madam Lu said through gritted teeth. "How long have I returned to the capital? Less than a year, around just half a year, and he could not withstand loneliness?"
Not even half a year, perhaps less than two months after she left, he had already been with someone else and had a child so quickly.
Madam Lu subconsciously touched her abdomen, feeling an intense sense of irony and bitterness.
It is said that this Bai Shuilian, as her name suggests, is like a lotus in water, gentle and graceful, pure and elegant, with a voice soft and sweet like water.
If she were truly holy, would she willingly become a concubine?
None of this is the crux, though; the main point is, once she left, outsiders assumed that Bai Shuilian was the legitimate Deputy Magistrate’s wife.
Thinking of these news made Madam Lu’s face contort with anger, almost viciously.
A fine wretched concubine!
"Madam, you absolutely must stay calm. If you don’t, you’re falling into that wretched maid’s trap," Nanny Zhou said in alarm, seeing her mistress’s twisted expression.
Madam Lu took a deep breath.
"How many years can a man’s affection and tenderness last? Nanny, I truly believed, once foolishly believed he wanted the heart of a single person, never to part. Ha!"
Nanny Zhou sighed softly; who believes such nonsense is foolish indeed.
"It’s not too late to realize this now," Nanny Zhou steadied herself and said, "Though there is that cheap concubine over there, she can’t stay with the master there forever. The child in her belly must eventually be added to the family genealogy, right? What’s more, the Prime Minister’s Mansion, don’t you think she wants to come back?"
Madam Lu tightly clenched her handkerchief.
"As long as you sit in the position of the official wife, you can keep her in check, and she won’t rise above you, not to mention you have the Old Madam’s backing!" Nanny Zhou advised, "The Old Madam said she’s someone who values the legitimate grandson. Even if that Bai woman gives birth to a golden phoenix, she won’t surpass the young master. So, Madam, it’s better to focus on educating the young master and miss well. Your social connections here are something Bai Shuilian can never match."
In Nanny Zhou’s view, no man compares to the importance of children. After all, they’re the flesh of one’s own body, and if your children succeed, that surpasses everything. As for men? Let them do as they please.
That’s not without precedent; isn’t Song Ci an example of this?
Now, who outside does not envy her? Even without the slightest knowledge or culture, she’s still honored because of her son!
"Nanny, I know right from wrong." Madam Lu gritted her teeth.
Nanny Zhou said no more; saying too much might make her dwell on it, which wouldn’t be good.
"Mother, I heard you fainted."
Song Lingzhou and Song Ruwei entered with faces full of urgency and worry, rushing to her side to carefully examine her complexion.
"Mother, you look so pale. Is there anywhere you’re uncomfortable?"
Looking at her children’s concerned and frightened expressions, Madam Lu’s eyes reddened, and she pulled them into her embrace, choking up, "Mother is fine. Don’t worry, what’s yours, no one can take away!"