CHAPTER 478: CHAPTER 478: GIVING WAY AND STEPPING DOWN GRACEFULLY

After being persuaded with both soft and hard tactics by her daughter for a while, Madam’s frustration eased a lot, and the mother and daughter returned to Chunhui Hall together.

Mrs. Jiang was teasing Sweetie with Song Ci. Seeing them come in, she greeted them with a smile.

Madam thought of her refusal to meet earlier and felt a bit uncomfortable.

However, Mrs. Jiang acted as if nothing had happened and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, come quickly and see Sweetie. She can even blow bubbles now, it’s so amusing."

This was offering a way out.

Madam walked over, looked at her granddaughter, and felt her heart soften. She glanced at Mrs. Jiang, who was full of excitement, and said teasingly, "I know you’re envious, but you have to hold it in no matter how much you want to. Don’t hold her, after all, your body is getting heavier."

Mrs. Jiang’s eyes curved into a smile, "Mother says the same thing."

Madam said, "Hmm, just looking is enough." Then, after a pause, she added, "Jie’er is going to the palace to be the study companion of the fifth prince. Have you prepared his clothing and belongings well?"

Hearing this, Mrs. Jiang knew the other had graciously stepped down and deliberately complained, "Sister-in-law, you know that my background isn’t as good as yours, and I’m not as knowledgeable. I definitely don’t measure up to you in etiquette, not to mention the palace rules. I’m worried about how to prepare for him, there’s not even a clue. Sister-in-law, your experience is so vast. Could you help Jie’er?"

Before Madam could speak, she feigned intimacy and held her arm, saying, "Sister-in-law, you see I’m also with child, please have pity on me and help prepare for Jie’er well. In return, I’ll have him kowtow deeply to you, his great-aunt."

She deliberately jested and lowered her stance like this, how could Madam not know she was intentionally placating her? What’s more, the past relationship wasn’t fake, and being coaxed like this, her heart softened.

"You’re about to become a mother, and still learn to act coquettish like a little girl, aren’t you ashamed? Alright, since Jie’er calls me great-aunt, how could I not care for him? I’ll have someone prepare his clothing and belongings well. Also, everything in the palace requires connections. I’ll have some extra silver ingots and gold ingots for him to take along. You must know how money can make the world go round, and in the palace, people are even more likely than outside to do things for money."

Mrs. Jiang clapped her hands and said, "That’s why I often say, Sister-in-law is naturally so considerate. You’ve thought of everything. Sister-in-law, come, let’s go to your room and talk in detail?"

Madam was thus coaxed away by her.

Song Ci watched in awe, one willing to lower herself to flatter, the other willing to accept it pretentiously, truly opening her eyes.

"You’re really something, able to persuade her. It was right for Su’er to bring you here," Song Ci said to Song Ruqian.

Song Ruqian said, "Mother’s heart isn’t really bad. She just gets stuck in a rut sometimes. She really hopes for Jie’er and the others to succeed."

Song Ci knew there was some exaggeration but didn’t point it out, saying, "It’s good that you can persuade her. If I, as the mother-in-law, persuade her, she’ll say I’m meddling in the couple’s affairs. But if you, as the daughter, advise her, she’ll listen. Qian’er, harmony in the family leads to prosperity, and united brothers are a powerful force, even if they’re distant."

"Grandmother, I understand."

Song Ci nodded and didn’t continue on that topic. She glanced at her complexion and asked quietly, "Have you started doing what your mother taught you?"

Song Ruqian was startled.

Song Ci pointed to her belly and gave a lewd smile.

Song Ruqian’s face flushed red, and she stammered shyly, "It’s not that fast, just getting prepared first."

Oh my, such an embarrassing thing, Grandmother, please spare me!