The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1563 - 1560: You Really Think I Don’t Know?
Therefore, in the past, even if Song Hong’s actions were inappropriate, as the head of the family and an elder, he wouldn’t think he was wrong.
For example, leaving Song Chongjin outside for more than a decade, completely ignoring him.
Even after bringing him back, he never regretted it. At most, he thought that if he had brought him back earlier for some guidance and not let him marry that girl from the Wang Family, perhaps their father-son relationship would have been better, and he would have been more obedient, not opposed to him in everything.
But now, he had no choice but to reconsider some matters.
Coincidentally, the brainless Laosan and his wife stumbled in, and it was an opportunity to extend some goodwill towards the Eldest Brother’s wife.
Then Lady Gao could say a few good words in between, and the past incidents would be smoothed over.
Song Hong thought that as a father-in-law, he was being quite generous in doing this.
Reflecting on his life of military exploits, aside from being forced by circumstances in his youth to give up Qi Huan,
all these years, he’s only ever changed his mind in front of the Emperor, not even in front of his own mother, the Old Duchess.
For the future of the Duke’s Mansion, he had already conceded, and if the Eldest Brother’s wife was wise, she would know what to do.
Wang Yongzhu was, of course, astonished.
Who was Song Hong? A man so proud he bordered on arrogance.
Of course, he had the capital for such arrogance, being born as the Heir to the Duke, a favored son of heaven.
The only setback in his youth was his childhood sweetheart’s family falling into ruin. Yet it didn’t stop him from deceiving Qi Huan into marrying him, nor delay him in marrying and having children.
Later, with remarkable military achievements, he gained the Emperor’s favor.
His life was a complete success, with a beautiful wife, many concubines, and a large family, living the life of a leading man from the start.
Even though his other sons lacked accomplishments, he still managed to reclaim Song Chongjin, a capable son. Such fortune is truly enviable.
Out of filial duty, even if Song Chongjin was unhappy with him, he still had to maintain appearances.
Hence, for a life winner like Song Hong, having eyes only for himself and the Duke’s Mansion was very normal.
Clearly, he felt no real remorse towards Qi Huan and Song Chongjin’s mother and son, despite acknowledging his mistakes when reclaiming Song Chongjin.
Now, to say such words, the shock it brought to Wang Yongzhu was more than the joy.
She felt that for a man like Song Hong to offer unsolicited kindness meant he was either up to no good or had ulterior motives.
Her eyes showed a hint of wariness.
How could Song Hong not notice?
He was exasperated and annoyed; he had already lowered his head, yet this girl looked so guarded, what was the meaning of this?
But Wang Yongzhu soon regained her composure, regardless of Song Hong’s intentions, because at this moment, his actions were a slap in the face to Song Chongzhao and his wife, including the Maternal Aunt Hou’s lineage, which was a good thing.
By tomorrow, it’s feared that the Maternal Aunt Hou’s lineage would become the talk of the mansion, and everyone would know they were out of favor with Lord Duke.
The servants in the mansion might also have new thoughts because of this.
Having made up her mind, she went along with it, saying, "Third Young Master’s words are interesting. Knowing that it’s the New Year, and everyone aims for family harmony, why is the Third Young Lady making a scene now? Isn’t it inauspicious?"
"On a smaller scale, is the Third Young Lady showing resentment towards Lord Duke, Madam, and me as the Wife of the Heir-Apparent? Why cause such commotion on New Year’s Day, disturbing the household’s peace? What’s her motive?"
"On a larger scale, these things were bestowed by the Imperial Noble Consort. All things from the palace, gifts from the Emperor, represented by the Imperial Noble Consort, how dare the Third Young Lady be so disdainful of them? Is she looking down upon the consort from the palace, or the Emperor? This is a grave crime of deceiving the monarch!"
"How can it be resolved by Third Young Master casually saying a few words and asking the elders to be lenient?"
"Who do you expect Lord Duke and Madam to be lenient with? Third Young Master, I find it odd, since as a couple, especially with Third Young Lady’s behavior today, someone with a clearer head should have scolded her and apologized together. Why was your first reaction to plead on her behalf?"
Song Chongzhao’s complexion turned pale, and he forced himself to say, "Eldest Sister-in-law! What do you mean by this? It’s just a minor family dispute, how could it escalate to deceiving the monarch? I know that Eldest Sister-in-law is a favored lady in front of the Imperial Noble Consort now, and your words carry weight, but you don’t have to oppress us like this, do you?"
"Eldest Sister-in-law, do not forget, you are still the Wife of the Heir-Apparent of our Duke’s Mansion, we are one family. If word leaks out, can we all have our faces shining? If His Majesty and the Imperial Noble Consort pursue the matter, can any of us escape responsibility?"
"Not to mention, our Duke Weiguo Residence is exceptionally loyal to His Majesty, deeply trusted by him. How could His Majesty be so idle as to deal with such a small matter of our mansion?"
Wang Yongzhu raised an eyebrow, gave Song Hong a half-amused, half-dismissive glance.
Unexpectedly, Song Hong had sired such a son. This intelligence, ah, probably got squashed by a door when he was born?
Song Hong frowned when met with Wang Yongzhu’s gaze, wanting to speak, but held back.
"Third Young Master indeed has a great plan, dragging the whole family down, isn’t it? I thought perhaps you and Third Young Lady were deeply in love, ready to share hardships and bear the blame together! But no!"
"Judging by Third Young Master’s tone, seems you were aware of today’s uproar, cooperating with Third Young Lady to put on this show. If Third Young Lady succeeds, you’ll wail together to reap benefits? If not, you act the good cop, say a few good words, and save the situation? Either way, you both risk nothing, right?"
Wang Yongzhu’s words were like knives, laying bare the little schemes between Song Chongzhao and his wife for all to see, clearly and openly.
Song Chongzhao’s face turned white, desperately defending, "I did not! Your words are pure nonsense! Utterly false!"
He bowed down to Song Hong, "Father! I never had such thoughts! You know your son’s character, I—"
Song Hong is a very decisive person, considering his health and the future of the Duke’s Mansion surely resting with Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu.
Song Chongzhao’s petty schemes were apparent to Wang Yongzhu, and most others present as well.
Such confusion, previously too, once the legitimate elder brother didn’t have a chance to rise, he hastily jumped out, making moves that people couldn’t bear to watch.
With this mindset, this capability, he couldn’t even surpass the Eldest Brother’s wife, yet dared to covet such thoughts?
Now with this opportunity, it was good to extinguish those thoughts entirely.
At this thought, he coldly snorted, "Do you think anyone can’t see through your shallow mind? In these two years, your antics of currying favor here and there, isolating others, do you really think I knew nothing?"
