CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: MR. LU TEACHES HIS DAUGHTER

Lu Shi escorted Madam out of the Meijun Garden, and only when she could no longer see her did she turn back to the main house.

"Madam, the inner room has already been arranged. Would you and the Young Master and Miss like to rest for a while?" said the trusted servant, Auntie Zhou, with a smile.

Although the servants had tidied up quite a bit while Lu Shi took the children to pay respects to Song Ci, it was still a mess, and Lu Shi was indeed tired. She nodded at these words and led the two children into the inner room.

Just as Madam said, her main residence awaited her own arrangement, so only the furniture was placed. It was all premium pear wood, even the screen, which was made of pear wood—not luxurious but certainly not mediocre.

Lu Shi glanced around briefly and then told Auntie Zhou, "First tidy up the Young Master and Miss’s rooms. There’s no need to open too many of Miss’s trunks; in a few days, she will choose a new courtyard for herself and move out, saving the trouble of repacking. Just take out some clothes."

"Yes."

"These tasks are light. Have Ru Yi and the others do them. You should prepare the gifts for the family so they can be sent to the mother-in-law and sisters-in-law tomorrow," Lu Shi instructed.

Auntie Zhou nodded, "I have taken note of all Madam’s instructions."

After a few more instructions, Lu Shi let her go, and then she took the two children to sit on an Arhat bed by the window, leaned on a soft pillow, and let out a long breath.

A maid brought in some tea and quietly withdrew.

Song Ruwei personally offered her a cup of tea, then poured one for her little brother and sat beside the Arhat bed herself.

Lu Shi said, "There’s no need for you to keep busy, just rest. This journey has been tiring enough."

Song Ruwei smiled gently, "I’m not tired."

Song Lingzhou took a sip of tea and said, "I’m not tired either. Mother, I want to go out and wander around the courtyard."

"You little monkey, you can’t sit still. Where’s the meeting gift your grandmother gave you? Hand it over to me for safekeeping, so it doesn’t get damaged," Lu Shi chided.

Song Lingzhou took off the Jade Life Lock from his neck, handed it over, and said, "Mother, Grandmother is quite nice, not fierce at all."

Lu Shi’s eyes showed an indescribable look, and she smiled, "Then you should show more filial respect to her."

"I know. Mother, I’m going out to play," Song Lingzhou said as he ran out.

Lu Shi quickly called on Jixiang to take some people to follow him, to ensure he didn’t disappear since the Prime Minister’s Mansion was quite large.

After her son left, Lu Shi looked at her daughter and said, "Since your Aunt agreed to let you choose a courtyard, what do you think? When do you plan to choose?"

"No hurry, I’ll choose after settling matters with you, Mother."

Lu Shi intended to teach her, "How do you plan to choose?"

Song Ruwei was still young and didn’t quite understand, so she just looked at her mother.

Lu Shi pulled her closer and said, "Wei’er, who do you think is the most important person in the Prime Minister’s Mansion? By lineage, it’s naturally your grandfather and grandmother, but the real authority rests in your Uncle and Aunt’s hands. You should respect them and those in the main branch."

Song Ruwei pursed her lips.

Lu Shi stroked her face and said, "The legitimate line of the main branch is more distinguished than anyone else, even though there are only three young ladies of your generation. But Wei’er, you can’t compare to your two elder cousins."

"Mother..." Song Ruwei felt a bit aggrieved. She understood this; although she was also a legitimate child, she was from a secondary line, how could she compare with her cousins?

"Your elder sister is already married, and your second sister is engaged. There are no other girls in the mansion. Be close to them, build a good relationship, and you will fare better in the future," Lu Shi suggested. "Since you want to pick a courtyard, why not rely on your second sister for advice? Wei’er, affection is nurtured over time."