Song Zhiyu and his nephew Song Lingsu were ’driven’ out of Chunhui Hall.
Seeing with his own eyes that his grandmother was safe and sound, Song Lingsu felt relieved. His steps became much lighter, but when he looked at his Fourth Uncle’s somewhat sorrowful expression, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
"Fourth Uncle, what’s wrong with you? Isn’t Grandmother doing well?" Why do you look like someone who’s just lost their mother?
Song Zhiyu sighed and gave him a glance, "After being ill, my mother no longer cherishes me."
Is he hearing things?
"In the past, my mother always held me dearly and called me her heartbeat. Not seeing me for a day felt like three autumns passing. Now, I’ve been back home to pay respects to our ancestors long enough, haven’t I? But now that I’ve returned, she hasn’t even called me Zhiyu, her darling, let alone embraced me." Song Zhiyu looked like he was about to cry and said, "Ah, Su, my mother must not love me anymore."
Hearing this, Song Lingsu got goosebumps all over, thinking, Fourth Uncle, you’re sixteen, not six, acting all clingy like a child to your mother—is that appropriate?
Besides, are you sure Grandmother used to embrace you and call you darling, not beat you every day?
Song Lingsu, not wanting to look at his mopey demeanor any longer, clasped his hands and said, "Fourth Uncle, it’s getting late, and we have a family banquet tonight. Oh, and Third Aunt and her family have also returned, so you’ll need to recognize them. Nephew will return to the courtyard to freshen up first, as I haven’t greeted my mother yet."
Song Zhiyu said nothing, and Song Lingsu didn’t mind, turning to leave when suddenly, he heard a smack from behind. He turned his head back.
He saw Song Zhiyu slapping his thigh, exclaiming, "I know it! It must be that boy from Third Brother’s family stealing my mother’s heart. I knew there’d be some brat coming to compete for affection with me."
Song Lingsu’s mouth twitched, and he quickly left.
Fourth Uncle’s narcissistic habit is getting worse and needs treatment.
Song Lingsu first went to the main courtyard to pay respects to Song Madam and unsurprisingly was embraced warmly, with affectionate concern and red-rimmed eyes.
Song Lingsu answered tirelessly, all the while thinking that Grandmother’s distant demeanor wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
"Su’er, why aren’t you responding to your mother’s words? Are you tired? My poor son, rushing back all this way, it must have been hard for you. Look at your little face, it’s gotten so thin." Song Madam looked at her son with pity and said, "I personally stewed some mountain ginseng chicken soup; you should have some before returning to your courtyard."
Song Lingsu said, "Mother, I need to freshen up first..."
"It’s not that urgent; drink the soup first, there’s no rush. I’ve already had the water prepared for your bath, and it’s a medicinal bath. Peony, quickly bring the soup and serve the young master."
Song Lingsu looked pleadingly at Mother Fang.
Mother Fang chuckled and said, "Madam, the young master hurried back day and night, even riding on horseback with Guard Zhou to get here as fast as he did. He must be very tired. He should bathe first to relax, or else no food or drink will be enjoyable. Moreover, it’s almost late afternoon, and the family banquet needs to be arranged. We can’t keep the Grand Madam waiting, can we?"
Song Madam hesitated slightly, looking at her only son.
Song Lingsu pleaded, "Mother, at the family banquet, can’t I have more soup?"
He didn’t need to feign exhaustion, as rushing back was indeed tiring. Plus, riding from the pier to home on horseback, even with a guard accompanying him, was challenging for someone not physically adept, hence his visibly weary appearance.
Seeing this, Song Madam felt even more sympathetic and had no choice but to comply, instructing Peony to personally escort Song Lingsu back to his own Mingxin Hall.