The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant
Chapter 57 Madam Song’s Major Mishap

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Madam Song’s Major Mishap

The worker at Shangzhen House was sweating profusely, feeling very troubled, because two esteemed individuals had arrived, and he couldn’t afford to offend either. Faced with Zhao Mingyao’s ’threat,’ he found himself at an impasse, unable to say anything, his face turning red with anxiety.

"What, you won’t sell for twice the price? Surely, you’ll agree to three times the price," Zhao Mingyao asked angrily, her eyes nearly blazing as she stared at the worker.

The worker twitched the corners of his mouth and looked at Song Ruqi, whose expression changed as her lips pressed into a line.

"Second sister..." Song Ruwei was almost in tears, tugging at Song Ruqi’s sleeve.

Song Ci walked over and said, "What have you all taken a fancy to? It’s almost noon; quickly settle the bill and go eat."

She casually took the hairpin from Zhao Mingyao’s hand and said, "After all this shopping, is this the only thing you liked?"

Zhao Mingyao looked at her empty hand in astonishment.

"Grandmother."

Upon seeing Song Ci, Song Ruqi inexplicably felt a sense of having found her anchor.

Song Ruwei was even more relieved, bowing to Song Ci and saying, "Grandmother, we’ve finished shopping."

With their grandmother present, they now had someone to back them up.

"Oh, you’re here," Song Ci seemed only to notice her two granddaughters, then turned her head to look at Zhao Mingyao, feigning surprise: "Who is this lovely young lady? My old eyes are so blurry that I thought she was my granddaughter."

Zhao Mingyao snapped out of her astonishment, seeing the silver hair and the wrinkled, smiling face of the other party, and remembering her identity—not only was she a first-rank Imperial Decree Madam but also an elder of the grandmother’s generation. Though she was unwilling, she could only kneel and say, "Zhao Mingyao greets the Dowager."

Song Ruqi felt a bit triumphant; no matter how arrogant you were, you still had to bow and pay respects before my grandmother.

"No need for formalities." Song Ci waved her hand and held up the hairpin, saying, "It seems I’ve made a mistake. Is this yours?"

Song Ruqi hurriedly said, "Grandmother, this is a hairpin that the third sister had her eye on. We were about to pay, but Zhao Mingyao insists on competing with us for it."

"Oh, is that so?" Song Ci looked at Zhao Mingyao.

Zhao Mingyao replied, "My younger sister’s birthday is this month, and I thought this hairpin would suit her well. I intended to give it to her as a birthday gift. Dowager, would your esteemed house be willing to help achieve this beautiful gesture?"

"Pah! Who doesn’t know you absolutely disdain your concubine-born sisters? Would you really be so kind-hearted as to give a birthday gift? Clearly, you just want to compete with us. Who are you trying to disgust?" Song Ruqi spat.

Zhao Mingyao was about to lose her temper when Song Ci reproached, "Qi’er, don’t be rude to County Lord Hehui. Apologize at once."

"Grandmother." Song Ruqi was stunned. They had agreed that the one who provoked was at fault, yet the other had come to provoke them and was now acting aggressively?

"Apologize."

Song Ruqi’s eyes turned red, but under Song Ci’s slight headshake, she lowered her head and quietly murmured an apology.

Zhao Mingyao smiled triumphantly, "The Dowager knows the rules, unlike some people."

Song Ruqi was furious, biting her lip fiercely.

"Regarding etiquette, the Prime Minister’s Mansion certainly understands, and since the County Lord Hehui is personally taught by the Commandery Princess Chunping, she must understand even better," Song Ci said with a curved lip.

Zhao Mingyao raised her head proudly, "Naturally."

"That’s wonderful! I knew Commandery Princess Chunping’s adherence to rules wouldn’t falter, and the County Lord also knows that a gentleman does not take what others favor. Ruwei, go ahead and wear it. The County Lord was just teasing you; she never intended to compete with you." Song Ci handed the hairpin to Song Ruwei.

Zhao Mingyao was taken aback, "No, this hairpin..."

"What, does the County Lord intend to take what others favor?" Song Ci feigned difficulty, sighing, "I was hoping to ask Commandery Princess Chunping for advice on etiquette, but was I wrong all along?"

Zhao Mingyao: "..."

She realized she was mistaken. The young one was bad, and the elder was exceedingly so, having dug a pit and spread grass, leading her straight into it.