Chapter Forty-One: The Ancestor Decides

Song Ci said they shouldn’t wait for the old master any longer, which made Lady Song’s heart skip a beat. She glanced at Song Zhi Yuan, uncertain what to do. Song Zhi Yuan smiled at Song Ci and said, “Mother, why don’t we wait a little longer? Father said he’d return, so he probably will—most likely he’s been delayed on the road.”

“Your father’s promises, how much can you really trust them? He agrees to something one moment, and the next he might change his mind. Peonies and birds are probably more important to him than sharing a meal with us!” Song Ci laughed dryly.

On the day Song Ci awoke and met Lady Peony, the old master had taken her to visit an old friend’s manor. The friend had acquired a rare parrot that could sing, and after years of careful cultivation, his Imperial Yellow peonies were in bloom. He’d invited the old master to come admire them.

Clearly, peonies and birds mattered more than the old wife; the old master trotted off with Lady Peony without a second thought. That friend’s surname was Fu, and the manor wasn’t far from the capital. When the servants went to deliver the message, the old master promised to return, but now the banquet was about to begin and he was nowhere to be seen.

Song Ci wasn’t truly the old master’s wife, so she didn’t indulge him. In fact, his absence made her feel even more at ease.

“Besides, how long are we supposed to wait? You adults may not be hungry, but the children certainly are,” Song Ci said, looking at the younger ones.

“Grandmother, we have snacks to fill our stomachs, we’re not hungry,” Song Ling Zhou replied, holding up a piece of snowflake pastry.

Song Ci glared at him. “But your grandmother is hungry. No matter how tasty the pastries are, can they compare to roast chicken? I’ve already ordered the kitchen to prepare roast chicken and stewed beef. The beef has been marinated with spices and stewed all day until it’s tender and falling apart; the sauce poured over rice is good enough for two big bowls. The roast chicken is crispy-skinned and fragrant.”

Everyone swallowed, their stomachs rumbling audibly.

Her vivid description, coupled with it being mealtime, made them hungry whether they’d been before or not.

Song Ling Zhou quietly set aside his pastry; it no longer seemed appetizing. He’d rather save room for beef and roast chicken.

Song Ci was satisfied to see everyone quiet down. Supported by Granny Gong, she stood up and declared, “Come, let’s eat.”

...

What was a family banquet? In Song Ci’s mind, it meant the family gathering around a table for a reunion meal. As an actress, she’d rarely had such chances to dine with her family, always rushing from one job to another, filming or promoting something.

Here, it was her first time taking part in a family banquet, her first time sitting with her ‘family.’ From left to right, she saw the eldest son’s household, the second and third branches—each missing their husbands—then the fourth branch, where the good-for-nothing fake ‘Baoyu’ was currently lecturing the chubby boy, twisting his ear.

It was at Song Ci’s insistence that everyone sat together; originally, men and women were to be seated separately. Song Ci argued that there weren’t many principal members in the household, just a dozen or so, so it was easier to talk if they all shared one table.

She was the family matriarch, so her word was law. There truly weren’t many people, so they switched to a large, long table and gathered around it.

The maids entered in a line, carrying silver trays and cloths to help the masters wash their hands and faces.

Lady Song and her two sisters-in-law rose, intending to serve Song Ci personally, but she refused.

“This is a family banquet, no need for formalities—everyone should feel at ease.”

Lady Song could only look to Song Zhi Yuan, who smiled and said, “We’ll all listen to Mother.”

Everyone sat down again, speaking quietly among themselves while keeping an eye on Song Ci, ready to obey her instructions.

The children had their own little group; Song Ling Zhou quickly made friends with several cousins, including his relatively young fourth uncle.

Song Ru Wei had already become close to Song Ru Qi by seeking advice on choosing a courtyard. In just a short while, they’d grown quite friendly—after all, they were the only two girls in the family.

“The old master has arrived.”