Chapter Twelve: Grandmother Has Become Generous

Song Ci delighted in all things beautiful, including people; she appreciated both lovely women and handsome men. At this moment, two handsome youths sat at her feet, one on each side, massaging her legs, which made her beam with joy.

“There’s no need for you to do this—Grandmother adores you both dearly,” Song Ci said with a smile, gently ruffling their hair before drawing her feet back. “Now, get up, lest you hurt your hands.”

Song Lingzhao and his twin brother exchanged a glance, surprised by how amiable their grandmother was today. Smiling, they replied, “To show our filial piety to Grandmother brings us no pain at all.”

Song Ci was deeply moved; her heart softened even more. “Good children,” she said warmly.

Standing nearby, Lady Song, the eldest daughter-in-law, added with a laugh, “Mother, since Zhao’er and Jie’er are so devoted, you must reward these two brothers handsomely.”

Song Ci recalled how elders often delighted in bestowing rewards upon the younger generation. “Reward them, of course they must be rewarded.”

As the saying goes, one is never pained to give what isn’t their own. Song Ci thought that after so many years of living in luxury, the original matriarch must have accumulated a fair bit of private wealth. Since it wasn’t truly hers, she might as well bestow it upon her descendants, which seemed only fitting.

She glanced at Madam Gong, blinking meaningfully to signal it was time for the rewards.

Madam Gong stepped forward with a smile. “What would the Dowager Lady like to reward Second Young Master and Third Young Master?”

Song Ci turned to the twins. “What do you like?”

The twins were momentarily taken aback. Did this mean they could be rewarded with whatever they wished? When had Grandmother ever been so generous?

They looked toward their mother, who subtly shook her head. So they said, “We’re not particular, Grandmother. Whatever you choose to give us, we’ll cherish.”

This stumped Song Ci; she was new here and didn’t know what would be appropriate to give.

But wasn’t that what a confidential secretary was for?

She looked again at Madam Gong, who suggested, “Second Young Master has a fondness for martial arts. There’s a black dagger in the Lady’s treasury—perhaps he could have that? As for Third Young Master, he loves literature. There’s a piece of premium Cloud Smoke Ink. The only question is whether the Dowager Lady is willing to part with it.”

At the mention of Cloud Smoke Ink, Lady Song’s pupils contracted slightly, though her smile did not falter. Her eyes, however, betrayed a hint of longing.

“What is there to hesitate about? All my possessions will one day go to them anyway—let them have it,” Song Ci declared boldly.

Lady Song’s heart twinged with envy. She shot a resentful glance at her second daughter—such a fool. Had she stepped forward to show a bit of filial piety, the ink might have been hers by now.

To be fair, Lady Song was of noble birth and high standing; she was not lacking in fine things. It wasn’t that she begrudged the loss of an inkstone. But premium Cloud Smoke Ink was rare, mostly found in the collections of scholarly families. Who would have thought the Dowager Lady had some, and would give it to the third son? If only Su’er were here, he would surely write even more beautifully with it.

Lady Song couldn’t admit—even to herself—how envious she felt.

Song Ci, meanwhile, hadn’t forgotten her granddaughter. Pointing to Song Ruqi, she said, “And this child—let’s not leave her out. I think I saw a red beaded bracelet in my jewel box earlier. She’s so fair-skinned; it would suit her. Little girls look lovely in bright colors.”

Madam Gong gave Song Ruqi an approving look and, smiling, instructed a maid to fetch the bracelet.

With that, any trace of envy in Lady Song’s heart vanished. Casting a sidelong glance at Song Ruqi, she chided, “Qier, aren’t you going to thank your grandmother? Her treasures are rare indeed.”

Song Ruqi hadn’t expected to receive a reward just for sitting quietly and was understandably startled. Since one shouldn’t refuse a gift, she rose and bowed to Song Ci with proper respect, offering her thanks. And when she finally held the smooth, lustrous beads in her hands, she couldn’t suppress the joyful smile that bloomed on her face.