Wang Qiuman was taken to her Fuqu Pavilion by Song Ruqi, and Song Ci and her group naturally found out.
Madam Wei breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It’s somewhat surprising that the child gets along so well with Qi’er."
Song Ci: "Why, is she usually quite introverted? I find her quite composed."
Madam Wei slightly leaned her body, looking at Song Ci said, "Old sister, we’ve been friends for a long time, so there’s no need to hide it from you. You must have inquired about the situation of my grand-niece."
"Is she said to be an orphan?"
A trace of bitterness and sadness crossed Madam Wei’s face. She nodded and said, "She is the granddaughter of my brother from my mother’s family and also from an official’s family. Her father was the Magistrate of Huzhou. Six years ago, my nephew was killed by bandits during a countryside duty. Her mother perished with him upon receiving the news."
"Such deep love?" Song Ci widened her eyes, swallowing hard. Dying for love requires immense courage.
"Indeed, she fulfilled her loyalty saga, yet didn’t consider how hard it would be for Qiuman to continue." Madam Wei wiped tears from the corner of her eyes and said, "After her parents passed away, she lived with her grandfather. Two years ago, my old brother also died, leaving her truly alone."
"That, would be considered absolute bereavement, right?" The entire family perished, leaving just her, which isn’t just an unfortunate fate, but the ancient version of surviving alone.
"Exactly." Madam Wei glanced at her somewhat awkwardly and said, "Old sister, I do know, Man’er comes from a hard life, truly not an ideal choice for a daughter-in-law. I still brought her here for you to see. On one hand, I sincerely hope she finds a good family and a home; on the other hand, I genuinely think she is a good child, smart and capable."
Song Ci pulled at the corner of her mouth, took up her tea, and sipped it, saying, "She turned seventeen this year, right? My Silang is only sixteen."
Madam Wei’s expression was inexplicable as she smiled, saying, "A year’s difference brings a golden rooster. Didn’t you also marry an old man three years your junior? See how well you’re living now, enjoying prosperity endlessly, and your eldest son is a Prime Minister."
Song Ci scoffed: "How can I compare with my old thing, I was a child bride, had no choice. But my Silang isn’t like that, he was born with a silver spoon, never suffered any hardship. Furthermore, he mentioned he wants someone with exceptional beauty."
Wang Qiuman has a nice figure, looks decent, steady and gracious, but seems to fall short of Song Zhiyu’s requirement for beauty.
"Hey, those who please with beauty fade with age. Besides, as the House Mistress, exceptional beauty isn’t necessary. The most important is the ability to manage household affairs, to be virtuous and dignified, and to handle family affairs well. I don’t mean to boast, but my grand-niece, despite her troubled background, is absolutely top-notch in managing affairs. You must know, although her family only left her, she’s managed to protect everything her parents and grandfather left her."
Song Ci raised an eyebrow: "Protected everything?"
If that’s the case, she indeed possesses some tactics and determination. After all, being able to guard wealth on her own as a lonely girl, without siblings, must require an incredibly shrewd mind?
"Naturally." Madam Wei was somewhat proud, saying, "My niece-in-law brought three or four hundred taels of dowry when she married my nephew. She managed it well and doubled it over the years, amounting to several thousand, including my nephew’s estate. How many people are eyeing that fortune? But do you know how Man’er managed?"
Song Ci licked the corner of her lips, thinking I don’t know how she did it, only that my heart was pierced. A girl in her high school years already being a little wealthy lady, it stings.