Chapter 18: Retreat, Lost Courage

Song Ci claimed to be weak, and she wasn't entirely pretending either. Her soul and body were still in the process of merging, so this was indeed a time when she appeared rather unwell.

The old Master Song looked a bit worried and said, "You, don't pretend with me. Earlier, you were full of energy."

"Which old person's health doesn't suddenly decline? Back in the day, not only did I have to do farm work, manage household chores and children, but I also had to earn money to support us. I wore out my body early on," Song Ci said weakly. "When I'm gone, who you decide to protect is none of my concern."

The old Master Song was taken aback, looking at Song Ci's frail little frame, feeling somewhat conflicted and said, "Since you're unwell, don't say so much. Nanny Gong, aren't you going to help your mistress back?"

"Yes."

But Song Ci looked at the Two Qiaos and said, "But what about these Two Qiaos? And this lady here?"

The old Master Song turned and looked at Wu Dan, "Aren't you going to apologize to the Grand Madam? It's just a peony; was it worth offending her over?"

Wu Dan: "..."

Wait, you clearly said you loved peonies to the point of obsession!

The old Master Song, seeing her not moving, couldn't help but frown.

Wu Dan quickly knelt and apologized to Song Ci, "I was the one who offended the Grand Madam, it was truly my fault. Please, Grand Madam, forgive me for being young and ignorant this time."

Song Ci straightened up and said lightly, "Miss Peony, in the Prime Minister's Mansion, even the youngest and most ignorant will know their status and position. I hope the young lady understands as well."

She turned, holding Nanny Gong's hand, and walked away.

The group soon disappeared from Master Song's sight.

Wu Dan, scolded by Song Ci's indifferent words, turned red with embarrassment, and looking at the old Master Song, her eyes were full of grievance: "Old Master, do you really love peonies that much?"

"Of course," the old Master Song said, looking at the Two Qiaos with a pained expression, a thousand taels just flew away.

"But the Grand Madam..."

Master Song touched his nose and said, "She was sick earlier, I'm just accommodating her for now. I will settle this account with her in the future."

Wu Dan thought, not believing a word of it, coward.

Clearly, he backed down.

...

Song Ci, holding Nanny Gong's hand, walked to another rose garden.

Nanny Gong said, "Grand Madam, can your body still handle it? Or should we call it a day?"

"It's fine, I was just bluffing that old fool earlier!" Song Ci sat on the wooden bench of the Hexagonal Pavilion, adorned with wind chimes, holding her hand, and said, "If I didn't pretend to be weak, he'd still want to argue with me. I can't be bothered with him."

Nanny Gong was amused and asked, "Grand Madam, should we investigate that Peony Lady?"

Song Ci looked at her with suspicion.

Nanny Gong said, "A person who genuinely loves cultivating flowers doesn't have that kind of ambitious gaze. From what I see, she wants more than just tending to the old Master's flowers."

Song Ci immediately understood, "You're saying she could become the old man's woman? A concubine?"

"If the old Master wishes, it's quite likely."

Song Ci suddenly felt a bit disgusted and said with disdain, "It's just a matter of time before two of them get involved, but this woman is a bit silly."

Nanny Gong raised an eyebrow.

"She thinks she's so clever, taking a unique path of being loyal and straightforward, but doesn't realize her words and actions are ridiculous. It's her good luck; in any other place, do you think a mere commoner who clashed with a person of my stature would still live to see the afternoon sun?" Song Ci played with the Two Qiaos in her hand and said, "A person who's clever in a clumsy way is fated to be cannon fodder, let her be. But whether she appeared before me by coincidence or intent, you should have someone investigate."