What Madam Xie said was different, and Granny Zeng also knew that.
It’s not just about the upbringing Jiang Rongshu received at home before her marriage.
Furthermore, the path that Song Wenjing is destined to take is different from that of his other brothers.
He will have to face the intrigue and backstabbing of officialdom in the future. As his wife, she must be able to manage the inner quarters well and know how to greet and send off the wives of various officials.
It’s obvious that Rong Shu isn’t naturally good at social maneuvering.
That’s why Xie was so strict with her.
Granny Zeng said, “It’s because you’re willing to promote her, but the Third Madam has really made a lot of progress these days.”
Madam Xie agreed, “She’s been married for over a year now and has made some progress, but her temperament is still too weak. She actually let that fifth branch of the family take advantage of her and say such awful things.”
Xie is actually a very protective person.
On the surface, all the sons of the different wives were treated equally.
But if it’s not something that comes from your own belly, it’s bound to be a little inferior.
Moreover, since they were even bullying her own daughter-in-law, she naturally wouldn’t stand idly by.
But she was also very worried.
My son will be going to the capital to take the imperial examination in the spring.
According to what Headmaster Liu said, Song Wenjing should at least get a second-class ranking this time.
When he first enters officialdom, he will naturally have a lot to do.
Xie believed that if Song Wenjing stayed in the capital, he would have many social obligations to attend to.
Given Rong Shu’s current state, there will definitely be many things she won’t be able to handle if she goes to the capital.
It would be better to let her get pregnant and stay in Jiangzhou for two years.
Once she has properly trained the person, then she can go to the capital.
That’s what she thought, but unfortunately, Song Wenjing only goes home for a maximum of three days a month these days.
She even asked Rong Shu, only to learn from her daughter-in-law’s hesitant words that they didn’t always have sex when they shared a bed.
Then I thought of my son, who had always been proper, upright, and dignified since childhood.
If she doesn’t come up with a solution, with one being honest and the other indifferent, when will they ever have a child?
That’s why she wanted to give it a push.
Besides, Song Wenjing is already twenty-two, and it’s time for him to have a child.
Thinking it over, Xie instructed, “Go to Pujing Temple to pray for blessings in a few days until the winter solstice.”
…
Night fell.
Mei Yun carried a lantern, and Rong Shu held Mei Yun’s arm as they walked very slowly toward Songtao Garden.
Her vision wasn’t very clear; even with a lantern, it was still somewhat blurry.
Mei Yun walked carefully, muttering, “The days are short in winter. Next time you go to the East Courtyard, please bring two more people to help carry the lanterns.”
Rong Shu didn’t dare to be careless with her feet, taking each step carefully.
Songtao Garden is located south of the Song Mansion. To get there from the east courtyard, you have to pass through a small garden.
The small garden is beautiful during the day, but at night the cobblestone paths become difficult for Rong Shu to walk on.
When they finally returned to the courtyard, Rong Shu felt that the lights here were not even as bright as those outside.
The Song family was not short of money; candles were lit along the corridors and in the small gardens on her way back.
On the contrary, their courtyard was much darker to her.
Mei Yun saw it too, and she said, “This servant will escort you back to your room, and then I will call Granny Liu to talk to you.”
This morning, Mei Yun instructed Granny Liu that the lights in the courtyard should remain on as before.
Granny Liu said that it was Third Master’s order yesterday that half of the lights in the courtyard were removed.
Mei Yun immediately spoke up for her master, “How many times a month does the Third Master stay in this courtyard? Naturally, he should prioritize the convenience of the Madam.”
Granny Liu thought it made some sense, so she agreed.
Who would have thought that things would be the same today, with no regard for Rong Shu’s instructions whatsoever.
Mei Yun knew that her wife was kind-hearted and gentle, so she didn’t mind playing the villain.
Rong Shu tightened her grip on her hand. “There’s no need to say anything.”
She only needed to think for a moment to know that it must have been Song Wenjing’s order again, otherwise Granny Liu wouldn’t have been so bold as to deliberately remove those lights.
“Madam?” Mei Yun asked, puzzled.
Rong Shu said softly, “She was just following orders. Granny Liu isn’t the kind of person who would cheat or do something wrong. Don’t make things difficult for her.”
Her voice was very calm, and Mei Yun had no choice but to agree, even if she wanted to speak up.
Rong Shu thought that she would just have to make do for a while. Anyway, it was getting colder and colder, and she basically wouldn’t go out after dark, staying in her room.
Moreover, Song Wenjing will be going to the capital after the New Year, and she can light as many lamps as she wants in the courtyard then.
She wanted to secure her position as the third wife of the Song family, so even though she had given up on him, there was no need for her to create conflict with him.
Thinking about it this way, the stinging pain in my heart gradually subsided.
She returned to her room, and the maid Chunyun, who was waiting outside, respectfully said, “Madam, Third Master is in the study.”
Rong Shu nodded and went into the inner room.
Mei Yun followed and lit two more lamps in the room. Rong Shu then felt that the surroundings were brighter and her vision was much better.
Mei Yun remembered her needlework from last night, bit her lip and said, “Please don’t do needlework at night anymore, it will hurt your eyes even more in the long run.”
Rong Shu knew that she was doing it for her own good. In the end, Mei Yun fell off a cliff with her in the last life, so it was ultimately her fault that she dragged Mei Yun down with her.
Moreover, the two have been friends since childhood.
“I know that things will be more relaxed next month, so we won’t have to do it anymore.”
She’s been doing a lot of embroidery lately, but only because she’s short on money.
Once she gets through this period, she will naturally know that she should prioritize her health.
Moreover, the income from needlework was very limited, so she had to find other ways to earn some money.
Because Song Wenjing had returned, Mei Yun asked her, “What would you like me to prepare for tonight’s midnight snack in the small kitchen?”
Without giving it much thought, Rong Shu casually said, “Just do whatever you can find. It’s getting cold, so don’t make things too complicated.”
Mei Yun sensed that her wife seemed to have grown colder in her attitude towards the Third Master.
However, she felt it was inappropriate to interfere in matters between her master and his wife, so she went to give the instructions.
Not long after Mei Yun left, the gauze curtain outside the house was lifted, followed by steady footsteps approaching step by step.
Rong Shu took a deep breath before getting up to greet him, a faint smile on her face.
“Third Master is back.”
Song Wenjing looked at her expression as soon as he came in.
Her already porcelain-white face now had a slightly pinkish tinge, perhaps because she had just returned from the East Wing and was chilled.
He looked much better than yesterday, without the dejection and loneliness he had seen last night.
He walked up to her and asked, “Did the ointment I gave you last night work today?”
He lowered his voice slightly, making him seem more approachable than usual.
Rong Shu lowered her eyes slightly and said, “Yes, I am much better today. Thank you, Third Master.”
She was very polite, as always, virtuous and dignified.
Song Wenjing suddenly felt uneasy, but couldn’t quite put his finger on what was wrong.
He simply said, “Unbutton it, let me see.”