novelSusiti Chapter 1224: Using the Opportunity to Warn Madam
Chapter 1224: Using the Opportunity to Warn Madam
Song Ci returned to the Prime Minister’s Mansion after having lunch at the Princess Mansion. After taking a nap, drinking medicine, and playing with the little bean bun, Dan Ge’er, in the east wing, she continued her day.Madam came right on time for her morning and evening duties, mainly to see if there was any news about Song Ci’s visit to the Princess Mansion.
"Mother." As Madam entered, she saw Song Ci sitting cross-legged on a warm heated brick bed covered with a thick carpet, in front of her was a pile of blocks painted in various colors and shapes.
It was said that this set of blocks was personally planed by Song Lingzhou, using a design given by Song Ci. He cut it himself, polished it with sandpaper, and lacquered it for Dan Ge’er to play with.
Besides this set of blocks, Song Lingzhou also made a small wooden cart with wheels that could be pushed.
Now, Song Ci was with Dan Ge’er, stacking blocks, with the wooden cart sitting beside them.
Madam’s eyes warmed; no wonder the little one was so attached to his grandmother, as Song Ci was quite patient in playing with the child.
Song Ci casually pointed to a stool nearby, but Madam chose not to sit on it; instead, she sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, right next to Dan Ge’er, and handed him a block.
Dan Ge’er glanced at her and took a while before accepting it.
Madam felt a surge of joy and, like Song Ci, picked up a block and added it to the stack.
Song Ci glanced over and said, "I know why you’re here. Let me share some good news: I have asked Princess Anping to be Su’er’s matchmaker. With the Princess’s prestigious status, this engagement will be respectable, and the Duke Dingguo Mansion will see our sincerity."
Madam smiled, saying, "With Mother at the helm, everything goes smoothly. I believe the Princess will soon bring us good news."
Song Ci nodded, "Both families are familiar with each other, so there shouldn’t be much hesitation. The Duke Dingguo Mansion will agree. However, since Guan Liu has not reached marriageable age, agreeing only means exchanging betrothal letters for now. If we’re to discuss the wedding date, it would be late next year at the earliest, possibly the year after or even later."
After the engagement, there’s no rush to send the girl away, especially since Guan Liu is cherished at home and still young. It’s normal for the Duke Dingguo Mansion to want to keep her for a couple more years.
"If they’d like to keep her for two more years, that’s fine. If Mother is eager for great-grandchildren, once Six Daughter reaches marriageable age, I will work more closely with Madam Guan," Madam said joyfully.
Holding Dan Ge’er’s hand, Song Ci placed a round block upright on a rectangular one, and it stayed steady without falling. She couldn’t help but praise and encourage him, before continuing the conversation with Madam.
"As I get older, I’ve come to understand much more. When a new daughter-in-law enters the family, it doesn’t matter if she conceives immediately. Girls at fifteen or sixteen are still children; their bodies aren’t fully developed. Giving birth at this time can be harmful. It’s true that childbirth is like passing through the ghost gate. That’s why when they reach seventeen or eighteen, their bodies are stronger, making childbirth easier and reducing risks."
Madam’s hand stiffened on the block, looking at Dan Ge’er, recalling when she gave birth to him.
Song Ci pretended not to notice and continued, "So, if we want things to proceed smoothly, I’d prefer to have children a bit later. Remember this: when the new daughter-in-law comes, there’s no rush. A year or two without pregnancy isn’t crucial; we can wait three or four years as long as her health is fine. But if, in haste to bear children, she consumes all kinds of random supplements or invites dubious influences, it would only endanger our lineage and be counterproductive."
Madam detected the underlying message and felt a chill in her heart, probingly asked, "Mother, what do you mean by this?"