Chapter Fifty-Three: The Grandmother of Double Standards and Banditry

After Song Ci finished her reasoning, Song Ruqi, the others, and the maids and servants in the private room all fell into deep thought.

Song Ruiwei glanced at Song Ruqi, her eyes full of questions. Wasn’t it said that this venerable ancestor lacked any great wisdom? Yet, listening to her words just now, not only were they quite reasonable, she even knew how to quote famous sayings.

“Grandmother, you say that tolerance is a sign of magnanimity, but what if someone tries to bully us?” Song Lingzhou spoke up, his mouth full of pastry, making his words a little unclear. “If we’re to be like a tree, are we still supposed to yield to others?”

Song Ci took a handkerchief and wiped the pastry crumbs from the corner of his mouth. “Someone tries to bully us, you say?”

Song Lingzhou nodded, swallowed the pastry with a sip of tea, and spoke more clearly, “Yes. We didn’t provoke anyone or start any trouble, but they insist on picking on us. Should we still back down, just to show the Prime Minister’s household’s magnanimity?”

Song Ci spat disdainfully.

“Of course not!”

Song Ruqi’s eyes brightened slightly. Here it comes, Grandmother’s coarse side—she hadn’t changed.

Song Ci snorted, “If we’re minding our own business and someone insists on bullying us, we’d be fools to just stand there and take it. In situations like that, the right thing to do is to roll up your sleeves and fight back.”

“Fight back?”

“Exactly—deal with them!”

A few servants coughed awkwardly. The old madam’s words were quite bold.

Song Ruqi couldn’t help but ask, “Then why did you just speak of magnanimity?”

How double-faced.

“Magnanimity depends on the person and the occasion. Some people simply don’t deserve our forbearance. Remember this: The Prime Minister’s household has its magnanimity, but it also has its dignity and authority. We don’t use our status to bully others, but we are not people who can be bullied. You must each have a line in your heart. If someone crosses it, don’t hesitate—roll up your sleeves and act. If you can’t handle it yourself, call for help. The adults will take care of things.”

Song Ruqi’s mouth twitched. Such a bandit-like air—truly, that’s her.

Song Lingzhou’s eyes curved with delight; he liked his grandmother’s temperament, it suited him well.

Song Ruiwei sneaked a glance at Song Ci and felt even more strongly that the old woman before her was nothing like the person her mother had described. Could this really be the same person?

Song Ci was unaware of her granddaughters’ thoughts and continued, “Let your grandmother teach you one more thing, and remember it well: those who start trouble are beneath contempt. So, if you run into someone unreasonable, forget about magnanimity—don’t be afraid, just fight back!”

“Grandmother, there are always people whose status is higher than ours,” Song Ruqi said helplessly.

The Prime Minister’s household was indeed prestigious, but above them were people of even greater rank—royalty, for instance, and there were old noble families with more fame than their newly risen household.

“The same rule applies—those who start trouble are beneath contempt.” Song Ci glanced at her. “Little girl, it’s not just the daughters of the Prime Minister’s house—even boys like you, chubby as you are, need to remember: we don’t go looking for trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either, understand?”

This was the guidance of an elder; no matter how reluctant Song Ruqi and the others were, they had no choice but to rise and respond.

“Grandson (granddaughter) will remember Grandmother’s teachings.”

Song Ci thoroughly enjoyed playing the role of teacher. She smiled contentedly, waved her hand, and said, “Enough with all the lecturing. We came out to shop, so go and enjoy yourselves. Buy whatever you like. I’ll wait here for the shopkeeper, have a cup of tea, and then I’ll go out and see if there’s anything suitable.”

Song Ruqi thought it over—shopping was a good idea—and pulled Song Ruiwei out with her, followed by several maids and old servants.

Song Lingzhou, however, didn’t follow; he was already busy eating again.