Mrs. Qi was sitting on a small couch, dabbing at her tears.
Nan Zhi brought her a bowl of sweet soup and advised, "Auntie, my lady understands your good intentions and has no intention of blaming you."
Song Wanchu was really fond of this cousin - in - law.
Before she got married, she liked to be with her cousin - in - law. Her skills in needlework had gradually improved thanks to her cousin - in - law's careful guidance.
She came from a scholarly family but didn't mind that her husband was a merchant. Gentle, virtuous, and well - educated, after marrying into the Qi family, she even learned to read account books and helped her husband manage shops and farms.
The couple had been married for sixteen years and had six sons, all of whom were outstanding.
The only regret was that they had no daughter.
Mrs. Qi was thirty - four years old this year and thought it was hopeless for her to conceive.
It was her aunt who suggested that she adopt a girl from Song Wanchu.
Mrs. Qi took a fancy to Sui Sui at first sight.
She really liked Sui Sui because Sui Sui's eyebrows and eyes resembled Song Wanchu's in some ways. She was charming and had a stubborn look in her eyes.
Sui Sui was cute, lively, diligent, filial, and had a sweet mouth. When she tried to please people, it would really make them happy.
Song Wanchu and Mrs. Qi were sitting opposite each other across a small table.
She reached out her arm and held Mrs. Qi's hand.
"Sister - in - law, can you accept that Sui Sui wants to learn martial arts?"
Mrs. Qi sighed, "I know she likes practicing martial arts, but after all, she's a girl. She doesn't need to go to the battlefield. It's improper for her to be waving swords and guns all day long. She doesn't learn needlework or read books, and she knows nothing about the four arts of the Chinese scholar. How can she get married in the future?"
From her perspective, her way of teaching her daughter was not wrong.
Daughters raised in a big family should have some skills to rely on.
She wanted Sui Sui to become a well - educated and virtuous lady and marry into a noble family in the future. This was a mother's well - intentioned plan.
Since ancient times, big families have been raising their daughters in this way.
Song Wanchu couldn't blame her for the way she taught.
"Sister - in - law, I know your good intentions, but learning these things makes Sui Sui unhappy, so she wants to escape. This child is different from ordinary girls. There's an unruly soul hidden in her heart."
Mrs. Qi was stunned for a moment. She wanted to ask if happiness was more important than the future. What unruly soul? Girls should be well - behaved.
If girls all became unruly, wouldn't the world be in chaos?
She thought so in her heart but couldn't bear to say it to Song Wanchu.
Her younger sister was still too naive.
"Wanchu, you should persuade Sui Sui. If she doesn't like it, she can learn slowly. I won't force her."
Song Wanchu smiled gently, "A cage can hold a parrot but not an eagle. I'm willing to let Sui Sui soar freely."
"But you have so many daughters. Are you going to let each of them do whatever they want?"
"Some people are just like this by nature. And there are also some girls who are gentle, well - behaved, like reading books, and like needlework. Each of my daughters should live freely, instead of being forced and trained into the kind of people that big families like.
Just like Sui Sui, you like her liveliness, but if you force her to learn things she doesn't like, she will lose her liveliness after a long time of suppression."
Mrs. Qi understood.
Song Wanchu didn't intend to let Sui Sui go back with her.
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
She really wanted a daughter.
But she didn't have the face to ask for another one.
Each of the more than sixty children here was the apple of Song Wanchu and Liang Yuzhou's eyes. They were reluctant to part with any of them.
Mrs. Qi had to give up.
She forced a smile with red eyes, "You and Liang Yuzhou must be the couple with the most children in the world. In the future, when they all get married and have children, you'll have to take care of your grandchildren. I'm afraid you'll be exhausted."
Song Wanchu also laughed.
Sometimes, being tired was also a blessing.
After seeing off Mrs. Qi, Sui Sui ran over and gave Song Wanchu a big hug.
"Thank you, Mother."
Song Wanchu gently patted her on the back, "Don't be too happy. Your tough days are yet to come. Since you've decided to learn martial arts, your father will be as strict with you as he is with your brothers. Don't come to me crying and complaining then."
Sui Sui's eyes were firm and shining with joy, "Don't worry, Mother. I definitely won't!"
"Alright, it's getting late. Go back and have a good rest. Xin Qing shares a room with you. Although she's your elder sister, she's new here and shy. She doesn't dare to say anything when she's in trouble. You should take good care of her and help her more. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mother."
Sui Sui was led away by Nan Zhi.
Only then did Song Wanchu have some free time. She picked up the sweet soup on the table and took a sip.
Liang Yuzhou pushed the door open and came in. She gave him a charming smile.
The man curled his lips, "Finally have some time to look at your husband?"
The couple had to worry about more than sixty children and deal with all kinds of emergencies as soon as they opened their eyes every day.
Especially Song Wanchu, who took care of everything personally.
Although Liang Yuzhou said so, he picked up Song Wanchu and let her sit on his lap.
His warm palm gently stroked her face.
This face was still as charming as ever, but in the past five years, there was more tenderness of a mother in her eyebrows and eyes.
Song Wanchu leaned on his shoulder.
"Have you punished those who didn't study hard by beating their hands?"
"I beat their hands and their bottoms. They'll have to sleep on their stomachs tonight. Let's see if they'll learn their lesson!"
Song Wanchu pursed her lips and laughed.
She loved Liang Yuzhou, but in the past, she really thought he couldn't be a good father.
He was unrestrained, unruly, despised the powerful, didn't care about power and family honor. He was petty - minded, vengeful, used all kinds of means, and was very ruthless.
None of these qualities met the standard of a good father.
But unexpectedly, the children he taught were all of excellent character.
The happiness in life was that the person you loved could always surprise you.
"Sometimes, I really want to throw these kids to the northern border and let Shi Luohan and Yaoguang raise them."
Liang Yuzhou pinched her waist, "How long has it been since you last looked at me properly?"
Song Wanchu looked up and stared at him intently.
With a smile on her lips, she kissed him on the lips.
All of Liang Yuzhou's grievances instantly vanished into thin air.
He hugged Song Wanchu tightly, "What on earth did I do to deserve to be the happiest person in the world?"
This was also what Song Wanchu wanted to say.
They still had a long, long time to create more happiness.
In February in Yunzhou, the spring was warm, the grass was growing, and the warblers were flying.
In the capital, the cold wind was still biting.
On the Qianyuan Hall, Lu Sihong was sitting upright, with a storm brewing in his eyes.
There were piles of memorials on his imperial desk.
Each one said that the queen had been the only favorite for five years, but the harem had been empty, which didn't conform to the ancestors' rules.
The court officials advised Lu Sihong to hold a beauty - selection to fill the harem and have more children.