Chapter 396: Chapter 396

Song Ci received a tribute gift from Song Zi, a pair of Sheep White Jade Guanyin Bottles, the jade as smooth as mutton fat, extremely exquisite and beautiful.

After admiring them for a while, Song Ci asked Nanny Gong to put the bottles back into the box, saying, "Zi is quite generous; it seems that her husband has amassed a fair amount of ’perks’ in office."

Nanny Gong chuckled and said, "Whether the perks are substantial or not doesn’t matter; the Lin Family is also quite wealthy, with plenty of good stuff in their coffers."

"Having many good things, but being willing to give them away is the true measure of generosity. Some misers, who would rather keep them collecting dust than gift them away, aren’t they only satisfying themselves, regardless of how much they have?"

"Why do you think our lady is so clever? I heard that every family received lavish gifts. Fourth Master even got a potted ruby pomegranate plant, almost half a person’s height, as a wedding gift. As for the Prime Minister, he received a book of ancient texts. From the oldest to the youngest, everyone got something, no one was left out."

Song Ci clicked his tongue, "They’re indeed thoughtful, truly living up to the title of a clever person."

"If the Old Madam likes this pair of Guanyin bottles, why not place them in the small Buddhist hall with some willows?" Nanny Gong suggested.

Song Ci glanced at the jade bottles in the box, recalling the eerie wind in the Buddhist hall before. If a gust came by when they were on the altar, wouldn’t this pair of bottles become a casualty?

"Yes, put them in the Buddhist hall."

If they are to be ruined, so be it; after all, they won’t accompany her in the future. Just place them where they can be seen regularly for aesthetic pleasure. If they get smashed to the ground, at least it will make a sound.

Original self: Oh my, when it’s not yours, you just spend lavishly and willfully, you profligate woman!

Song Ci: How about reversing the trope?

Nanny Gong put the box away, planning to swap the bottles in the Buddhist hall later.

"Has Old Master returned to the mansion?" Song Ci asked Hong You, who just entered.

Hong You smiled and curtsied, saying, "Replying to the Old Madam, the doorman reported that the Old Master just returned to the mansion."

Song Ci acknowledged with a sound, and asked no more.

She inquired, merely for the sake of her youngest son’s dignity. After all, with her youngest son getting married, if he, as a father, wasn’t at the border or anything and didn’t return to the mansion, people might think he had some dissatisfaction.

So he had to be there, otherwise, she wouldn’t spare him.

Old Master Song sneezed twice, rubbed his nose, and looking at the concubine-born daughter in front, said, "Since you’re back, stay a couple more days in the mansion."

"Father, I was thinking of doing just that. Planning to return to the house on Eight Mile Alley after Fourth Brother’s wedding," Song Zi smilingly said and concernedly added, "The weather is getting colder these days, please take care of your health. This cloak is made for you by me personally, using tiger skin. Please try it on?"

Old Master Song looked at the cloak held by the maid behind her, and with her help, put it on, saying, "It’s quite majestic and warm, very good. Father appreciates your filial piety."

Song Zi smiled, "As long as you’re satisfied, Father."

After sitting with him for a while, she took her leave.

In the courtyard, she encountered Mistress Shui, hesitated for a moment, slightly bowed, and smiled faintly before leaving without further conversation.

Mistress Shui stood there with a somewhat bitter expression, asking, "Is that the gu niang?"

The maid Ding Xiang replied, "Replying to Mistress, yes, she just returned to the mansion yesterday. Judging by her conduct towards you, she still seems quite polite."

Yet, Mistress Shui was unconvinced. Polite? Not necessarily, it was merely because they met face-to-face that she paid respect, and it was rather distant at that.

Though she is a concubine-born gu niang, she is the only sister of several masters in the mansion. How could someone of her status compare? Paying a courtesy was merely to avoid criticism.

Mistress Shui suppressed the bitterness in her heart, smiling gently, "Let’s go inside." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the NoveI~Fire.net