Chapter Seventy-Three: Come and Experience the Fierce Words of the Mother-in-Law

“Greetings, Mother.”

Lady Song and the others rose and bowed to Song Ci in unison.

Song Ci raised her hand. “You may rise; there’s no need for such formality.”

Lin Qing followed behind her, bowed respectfully to Lady Song and the others, then straightened.

“Mother, your energy is even better than yesterday. It seems Doctor Lin’s skills are truly exceptional.” Lady Song, seeing the healthy flush in Song Ci’s cheeks, could not help but feel pleased.

When the matriarch’s health is good, the household remains stable; there is no need to worry constantly about mourning rituals. As for the other elder of the family, Lady Song never doubted her well-being—after all, she had recently taken a second wife and looked a good ten years younger than her peers. Living another twenty or thirty years should pose no problem.

“Indeed, Mother, your complexion is so radiant today that I almost thought you’d powdered your face,” Madam Jiang chimed in with a smile.

Madam Lu, seeing her two sisters-in-law offer compliments, laughed and said, “Mother, if you have any secrets to maintaining your health, you ought not to be stingy in sharing them with your daughters-in-law.”

“So early in the morning, your tongues are coated with honey. Did you all have sweet porridge for breakfast?” Song Ci looked at her daughters-in-law, each with their own charm, and said, “What health secrets could I possibly have? It’s just that Lin Qing’s acupuncture works wonders. After a session, I feel lighter and more at ease.”

Lin Qing did not claim credit, smiling gently. “I dare not take all the praise. Your daily practice of boxing has played its part as well.”

“Very well, I speak only the truth, no need for modesty,” Song Ci patted her hand, then turned to Lady Song and the others. “You've come so early to pay your respects—are the children off to the clan academy already? Have Wei’er and Zhou gone as well?”

Madam Lu rose and replied, “Yes, Mother. Today they went together with their brothers and sisters. I saw them off before coming here.”

“So early at the academy—can they adapt?” Song Ci mused, realizing these children started their studies even earlier than modern primary school students. Poor things.

“Mother, Su’er and the others all grew up this way. Have you forgotten?” Lady Song smiled. “Rising with the crow of the rooster is a Song family tradition.”

“The children do have it tough,” Song Ci sighed softly.

Lady Song and Madam Jiang exchanged glances. They’d heard that when the Prime Minister was young, he would rise before dawn to study, urged along by the matriarch wielding a cane. But now, with the grandchildren, she couldn’t bear to be so strict. Such is the affection that skips a generation.

Song Ci then asked Madam Lu if Song Ru Wei had chosen her courtyard yet.

“She has, Mother. It’s at the Glazed Pavilion. Wei’er said that once she’s settled, she’ll invite Grandmother over for a feast,” Madam Lu replied with a smile.

Song Ci was intrigued and instructed Madam Gong, “Remember to select a gift to congratulate the little girl on her new residence.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Madam Lu, somewhat overwhelmed by the favor, hurriedly rose to thank her on behalf of her daughter.

“What were you saying about prescriptions earlier? Is someone feeling unwell? Have Lin Qing administer a treatment,” Song Ci, feeling spry, was in the mood to chat idly with her daughters-in-law. After all, in this ancient world, with no internet or television, what else were women to do together but gossip and discuss family affairs?

Lady Song coughed lightly and glanced at Madam Jiang—let them all experience their mother-in-law’s forthright words.

Madam Jiang showed no embarrassment, and seeing Song Ci’s improved vitality after acupuncture, her gaze toward Lin Qing grew warmer.

“It’s not that I’m unwell,” she said with a smile, “but I wish to have a daughter. Yet, there’s been no progress. I’d like to ask Doctor Lin to take my pulse and help me adjust my health, so I might be blessed with a precious girl.”

Lin Qing: “…”

She had come to the Song residence primarily to serve as the personal physician to the matriarch, but now everyone seemed to regard her as a goddess of fertility.