CHAPTER 508: CHAPTER 508 MADAM IS A PERCEPTIVE PERSON

Song Ci’s gaze skipped over the old housekeeper and landed on the steward mother beside him.

Her figure was round and stout, clad in a horse-face skirt. Her hair bun was adorned with a bright and heavy golden hairpin, and her ears wore a pair of golden earrings. Her face was full of rosy light. As for the degree of flattery in her smile?

It was syrupy sweet!

Serving in the Prince Mansion is truly comfortable. The stewards are well-fed and well-dressed, not losing to those small rural gentry at all.

"Old Madam, if there are any discomforts from your first arrival, or if the servants are not attentive enough, I will rearrange a new set of people to serve you," the old housekeeper asked with a smile.

Song Ci replied with a smile, "Nothing of the sort. Your arrangements are extremely attentive. When I stepped in here, I almost thought I had returned to Chunhui Hall at the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"That is all due to the Commandery Princess’s orders. She insisted on arranging it according to the residence of the Old Madam at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, fearing that you might not get used to living here or have trouble with the bed," the steward mother said with a flattering smile.

Song Ci laughed heartily, "How thoughtful."

The old housekeeper added, "Please feel at home as if you were at the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If any servant is inattentive, feel free to deal with them."

Song Ci raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Prince Dingbei’s Mansion has its rules, inattentiveness probably doesn’t exist here. If there truly are one or two disobedient ones, isn’t the old housekeeper and Mother Lu here? Why should a guest like me handle it? I’m here for a brief stay, just a guest, not involved in managing."

The old housekeeper’s brow twitched slightly, and he cupped his hands, saying, "We wouldn’t dare trouble you with management affairs. The Commandery Princess is expecting, and with the Prince far away in the Northeast not returning, having you here as an elder to oversee and stabilize us is something the entire Prince Dingbei’s Mansion is grateful for. So, Old Madam, if there are any commands, please do not hesitate to speak up."

"Then I won’t be polite!"

"Please rest well, I will take my leave now," the old housekeeper rose to say his farewell.

Song Ci waved her hand with a smile.

The old housekeeper and Mother Lu walked out of Cixi Hall, exchanging a glance.

"It seems Song Old Madam is a broad-minded person, not one to take on affairs. I’ve heard she doesn’t wield power at the Prime Minister’s Mansion either," Mother Lu said with relief.

The old housekeeper clasped his hands together and said, "The Old Madam is an insightful person. Naturally, someone like her understands what is needed at her age. Wield power? At this age, what is there to gain from competing with the household daughter-in-law except mutual animosity? Looking at the harmony throughout the Prime Minister’s Mansion, it’s mainly because this Old Madam lives transparently and clearly."

Mother Lu nodded in agreement, how many Old Madams among the nobility cling to the authority of managing the household at their old age, openly and secretly contesting with the daughters-in-law, causing disharmony in the home. Those who care about appearances can at least maintain surface harmony, but some families don’t even care about appearances, nearly tearing faces apart.

"Regardless, you still need to admonish those serving at Cixi Hall. Serve wholeheartedly, and if anyone is truly sneaky and lazy, just drive them out, don’t disgrace the Prince Mansion," said the old housekeeper.

"Rest assured."

"I trust your handling, but I must remind you. You know this Old Madam is not only the Commandery Princess’s mother-in-law but also the esteemed Old Madam of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Her status isn’t much less than our Prince’s. If the subordinates slight her and treat her casually, others will only say the Prince Mansion is arrogant and doesn’t understand manners and rank," the old housekeeper said to her calmly. "Most importantly, the Commandery Princess respects, cherishes, and values the Old Madam greatly. With the Princess gone early, I see the Commandery Princess treats her like her own mother."

This reminder implied that slight and trickery might not provoke the Old Madam, but the Commandery Princess will surely take action.

Mother Lu, having reached this position, naturally understood the implications, and her demeanor immediately became solemn.