Chapter Thirty-Nine: Fourth Uncle, Narcissism Is a Disease That Needs Treatment

Song Zhiyu and his nephew Song Lingsu were both ‘driven’ out of Chunhui Hall.

Having seen with his own eyes that his grandmother was safe and sound, Song Lingsu felt the tension ease from his heart, his steps growing lighter. Yet, catching sight of his fourth uncle's somewhat woeful expression, he couldn't help but grow anxious.

“Uncle, what’s the matter? Isn’t Grandmother perfectly well?” Why do you look as if you've lost your mother?

Ah, knock on wood!

Song Zhiyu cast him a forlorn glance. “After falling ill, my mother no longer cares for me.”

Song Lingsu blinked in confusion. Had he misheard?

“In the past, my mother would always hold me close, calling me her darling over and over. If she didn’t see me for a day, it was as though three autumns had passed. Now, I’ve been away at the ancestral home long enough, haven’t I? I’ve finally returned, and she hasn’t called out to her precious Yu’er even once, let alone embraced me.” Song Zhiyu looked as though he might burst into tears. “A-Su, my mother must not love me anymore.”

Listening to these words, Song Lingsu’s skin crawled with goosebumps. Uncle, you’re sixteen, not six—is it really appropriate to cling to your mother like a child?

And are you quite sure Grandmother hasn’t been spanking you daily instead of cuddling you and calling you her treasure?

Song Lingsu had no patience for his uncle’s melancholy and sentimentality. He clasped his hands in a polite farewell and said, “Uncle, it’s getting late, and there’s a family banquet tonight. By the way, Third Aunt and her family have also returned. We’ll have to recognize a few faces. I’ll go back to my quarters to wash up first—I haven’t even paid my respects to my mother yet.”

Song Zhiyu said nothing, and Song Lingsu didn’t press the matter. He turned to leave, when suddenly he heard a loud smack behind him. Turning back, he saw Song Zhiyu slap his own thigh and exclaim, “I’ve figured it out! It must be that brat from Third Brother’s family who’s come back and stolen my mother’s affection. I knew it—some little scoundrel would come to compete with me for her favor!”

The corner of Song Lingsu’s mouth twitched. He quickly walked away.

His fourth uncle’s narcissism was growing worse by the day—something had to be done.

…

Song Lingsu first went to the main residence to pay his respects to Lady Song. As expected, he was immediately pulled into a warm embrace, smothered with affectionate endearments and concerned questions, her eyes growing red as she spoke.

Patiently, Song Lingsu answered each question, thinking all the while that, in truth, Grandmother’s distant attitude wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

“Su’er, why won’t you answer your mother? Are you tired? My poor child, you’ve hurried back all this way—it must have been hard on you. Look how your little face has grown so thin.” Lady Song looked at her son with deep concern. “I’ve made ginseng chicken soup myself. Have some before you return to your quarters.”

“Mother, I should wash up first…” Song Lingsu replied.

“It won’t take a moment. Drink the soup before you go—your bathwater is already prepared, and it’s a medicinal bath. Shaoyao, bring the soup for the young master.”

“Yes, madam.”

Song Lingsu looked pleadingly at Madam Fang.

Madam Fang smiled and said, “Madam, the young master has traveled day and night to return so quickly, and even now, he only managed it thanks to Guard Zhou’s horse. He must be exhausted. Better to bathe and rest first—food and drink will taste better that way. Besides, it’s nearly dusk, and there’s still the family banquet to prepare for. We wouldn’t want to keep the Dowager waiting, would we?”

Lady Song hesitated, glancing at her only son.

Song Lingsu added his own earnest plea, “Mother, at the banquet I’ll have an extra bowl of soup—would that do?”

There was no need to feign fatigue—he truly was exhausted from the journey. Even with an escort and a horse, the ride from the wharf to home had been taxing for one unaccustomed to martial pursuits. His weariness was plain for all to see.

Seeing this, Lady Song’s heart ached all the more. She could only relent, instructing Shaoyao to personally escort Song Lingsu back to his own Mingxin Hall.