Chapter Fifty-Eight: Song Ci’s Disappointment

Song Ci had once been part of the entertainment industry; she knew all too well the nature of competition. Zhao Mingyao clearly intended to compete with her granddaughters for the hairpin, deliberately making things difficult for them. Song Ci was no fool; she didn’t snatch it back directly. For one, it was beneath her status, and for another, if a venerable elder intervened in a quarrel between children, it would bring disgrace to the Prime Minister’s household if word got out.

Yet she couldn’t simply let Zhao Mingyao snatch it away, or else would the young ladies of the Prime Minister’s residence always have to give way to others when shopping in the future? So she took a circuitous approach, using etiquette and protocol to lay a trap for Zhao Mingyao to fall into.

With so many people present, and since Zhao Mingyao had just boasted of her mother’s mastery of proper conduct, Song Ci lavishly praised her. If Zhao Mingyao persisted in snatching the hairpin, she would be seen as lacking in propriety and grace. Let’s see if she and her mother could then maintain their reputations.

Zhao Mingyao was seething inside, but couldn’t openly refute Song Ci’s words. She was aggressive, but not foolish; to agree with Song Ci would be to admit that she and her mother were deficient in etiquette.

But that didn’t mean she would let that little minx have it so easily. With a sneer, she said, “A noble person does not covet what others desire. Of course I understand that. The young ladies of your household are certainly fortunate, with the Grand Madam doting on them so much—even buying them such trifles.”

“Of course,” Song Ci replied with a chuckle, pretending not to notice the sarcasm. “Naturally, I dote on my granddaughters. Does the Grand Madam of the Marquis of Mingyang’s household not dote on you, County Princess?”

Zhao Mingyao’s face darkened. Her own grandmother favored only the illegitimate son and had little affection for her. Even her few illegitimate sisters received more kindness than she did. Song Ci’s words were a deliberate twist of the knife.

“Grandmother, Wei’er already has a hairpin. If the County Princess truly wants this one, I am willing to give it to her,” Song Wei said, holding out the hairpin to Zhao Mingyao with both hands.

“Third Sister, you clearly liked this hairpin. It caught your eye at first glance,” Song Ruqi said in disbelief. Grandmother had just helped her win the hairpin, and now she was offering it up? Was this not a slap in someone’s face?

Song Wei smiled. “Second Sister, I’d like to be a noble person for once—let others have what they desire.”

Let others have what they desire? You’re only eight years old—what are you pretending to be so magnanimous for?

Song Ruqi was beside herself with frustration.

Song Ci narrowed her eyes. “Wei’er, tell me honestly, do you truly not want this hairpin? If you want it, it’s yours.”

There was a seriousness in her tone.

Song Wei hesitated, glanced down at the exquisite hairpin in her hands, lightly bit her lip, and shook her head. “Grandmother, I don’t particularly like it.”

A trace of disappointment flickered through Song Ci’s eyes. Was it because this eight-year-old was too mature for her age, or because her words didn’t match her heart?

Song Wei’s heart gave a nervous flutter.

Zhao Mingyao had only wanted to vex Song Ruqi; she had no real desire for the hairpin. Seeing Song Wei’s act of magnanimity, she looked utterly disdainful. “No need. A noble person does not covet what others desire—keep it for yourself. Grand Madam, I take my leave.”

She gave Song Ci a curt curtsy and left with her maid.

Song Wei grew increasingly anxious; the hairpin in her hand felt as if it were burning hot. Had she done something wrong?

Song Ci took the hairpin from her, handed it to the shop assistant, and said, “Wrap it up.”

The assistant accepted it with trembling hands, offering a string of compliments.

“Everything’s settled—let’s go to Yipinxiang for lunch. I’ve heard the food there is especially good,” Song Ci said cheerfully, pretending not to notice her granddaughter’s flustered expression as she turned to leave.

The group followed her out. This insignificant little episode, thanks to those with an interest in stirring trouble, soon spread far and wide.