Chapter Thirty-Five: The Matriarch Speaks of Filial Piety

Song Ci was dressed in a pale moon-colored casual suit, stretching her aging limbs in the courtyard as usual. If not for her advanced age, the stiffness of her bones, and her frail health, she would have taken up yoga directly instead of having to make do with tai chi. There was no other way—her old bones could only be moved gently; if she pushed herself too hard and something snapped, she’d be bedridden for the rest of her days, which would be worse than death itself.

“Madam, the third lady has brought the children to pay their respects,” said Nanny Gong softly, hands respectfully at her sides.

Song Ci’s movements paused slightly as she was turning the Taiji circle. Without looking back, she replied, “Didn’t I tell them to rest instead of coming to greet me?”

“You’re considerate, but as a daughter-in-law, she wouldn’t dare take it at face value,” Nanny Gong answered.

Song Ci sighed helplessly. “Isn’t it always the case? No one believes you when you tell the truth, but they do when you lie.”

“Then, Madam, would you like to see them or not?”

“Let them come.”

Nanny Gong glanced at a little maid, who quietly slipped out. In no time, Lady Lu appeared with the two children. Upon seeing the scene before her, she was momentarily taken aback.

What on earth was Lady Song wearing? It looked almost like underclothes, yet she was walking about the courtyard in them, and those movements—what were they supposed to be? Oh, right, she’d heard that after the old lady’s recent illness, she’d taken to exercising often—was this her so-called exercise?

It was rather odd.

Watching Song Ci moving slowly yet gracefully, Lady Lu dared not speculate further. She simply bowed in greeting. “Daughter-in-law pays her respects to Mother.”

“Grandchildren pay their respects to Ancestress.”

Only then did Song Ci stop. She took the warm handkerchief that Red Date handed her and dabbed at the light sweat on her forehead. “I told you, since you just returned, you should take some time to settle in and not rush over to greet me. Why come all the same?”

“It is my duty as a daughter-in-law to attend to Mother…”

“That’s enough. When I need you to serve me, I’ll have someone summon you. Your only task is to look after the children. When I say you needn’t come pay your respects, I mean what I say—it’s not a trap. The children are still young and have just endured a long, tiring journey. Getting up so early is too much for their little bodies.” Song Ci looked at the yawning, chubby boy and felt sleepy for him herself. “Let them go back for a nap. These formalities are pointless.”

Her words made Lady Lu blush with embarrassment. She stammered, “Daughter-in-law is anxious to do right.”

Seeing her so uneasy, Song Ci suddenly felt fortunate to be the eldest, with no mother-in-law towering over her. Otherwise, every word might be held against her.

Was she really so intimidating?

She beckoned to the round, plump child. “Come here, little dumpling.”

Song Lingzhou trotted over and looked up at her.

Song Ci gently pinched the little tuft of hair tied at the top of his head and smiled, coaxing him, “You don’t need to get up so early every day to pay those formal respects to your grandmother. If children don’t get enough sleep, they won’t grow tall. You promised me you’d grow up to be a tall, handsome man—don’t let yourself be short.”

In his childish voice, Song Lingzhou replied, “But Grandmother, of all virtues, filial piety comes first. It’s only right for your grandson to greet you morning and night.”

“True filial piety isn’t about appearances. It’s about real action. If a few greetings could make your grandmother live a hundred years, I’d gladly accept them—but it’s not so. True filial piety comes from heartfelt respect and gratitude, from understanding and tolerance, not from complaints, disdain, or reproach. Only by acting from the heart does one truly fulfill filial duty.”