CHAPTER 537: CHAPTER 537: THE RESENTMENT OF THE LU FAMILY

Hearing her sister-in-law directly ask about her husband’s concubine arrangements, Lu felt a moment of embarrassment, and her smile turned a bit stiff.

If she hadn’t known Madam Song’s temperament well, she would have thought that the lady was deliberately trying to make her look foolish, given her position as the head mistress.

Lu composed herself and said, "Elder sister-in-law, it’s just a concubine, what honor is there that’s worth your effort to arrange? Not to mention, she is a lowly maid who hasn’t even served tea to the Lady. You elevate her, and it’s a loss of your status."

Madam Song sensed the annoyance in her words and said, "I know you’re upset, but surely we can’t just leave her outside the door, can we? In a family like ours, she has borne a child for our third son. If we shut her out, what if he ends up keeping her outside?"

Lu retorted sarcastically, "Elder sister-in-law, having an illegitimate child outside is even more disgraceful than a child born to a concubine. Unless she wants her child’s future completely ruined, she will force her way into the Song Family no matter what."

A concubine’s child at least has a legitimate path and recognized standing within the family, but an illegitimate child, without acknowledgment, is nothing and has a terrible reputation.

"That’s why, you see, she must enter the household eventually, and she’ll need a place to stay," Madam Song remarked.

Lu said with some disdain, "There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, our Prime Minister’s Mansion is quite large. When the time comes, we can casually clear out a courtyard for her to live in; there’s no need to prepare so hastily since she’s not even here yet."

Madam Song knew well that Lu planned to make things difficult for that concubine.

After some thought, she said, "In any case, it’s something for your branch of the family. Since you’re the mistress, I’ll leave it up to you to handle the arrangements when the time comes."

Hearing this, Lu felt somewhat grateful, stood up, and saluted her: "Thank you, elder sister-in-law, for your understanding."

Madam Song sighed and said, "We’re all women here, so I truly understand the pain in your heart."

Lu’s eyes warmed as if on the verge of tears, but she held them back.

"Rest assured, even if that person returns with the third son, nothing will change. You’ve helped me a lot since returning, and I keep that in mind," Madam Song comforted her, patting her hand. "Even the second sister-in-law has said, among us, we sister-in-laws are the true sisters, the others are nothing more than jokes. You, don’t fret, there’s no need to get upset with those things. If you get too worked up, it’ll just benefit those things and play right into her hands."

"Elder sister-in-law..."

"Look at you, crying again, quick, wipe it off. I assume Zhou’er and the others have heard the news and are on their way here," Madam Song teased with a laugh.

Just as she finished speaking, Song Lingzhou’s chatter could be heard.

Sure enough, Song Ruwei and Song Lingzhou quickly burst in, saw Madam Song was also there, and promptly saluted, standing obediently to the side.

"Then it’s settled. I won’t interrupt you ladies any longer," Madam Song said as she got up to take her leave.

Nanny Zhou personally escorted her out.

Watching their aunt leave, Song Lingzhou asked anxiously, "Mother, I heard that Father is being transferred back to the capital?"

"Indeed," Lu replied, patting his hair fondly, "Your aunt mentioned that your father will likely return to the capital to reunite with us in September."

"That’s wonderful! I’ve been dreaming of Father. Once he’s back, we won’t be separated anymore!" Song Lingzhou joyfully spun around in circles.

Seeing this, Lu felt a tinge of heartache and chided, "You only think of Father? Don’t you miss Mother?"

"How could I not? I see you every day! But Father—I haven’t seen him in so long!" Song Lingzhou grinned widely.

Song Ruwei looked at her oblivious little brother and sighed. Couldn’t he see that their mother wasn’t truly happy?