When Song Zhiyuan arrived at Chunhui Hall, Song Ci was helping the toddler, Dan Ge’er, sit and play. She was shaking a rattle-drum with one hand, enticing the little fellow to reach out and grab the beads. Unable to catch them, his little bottom bounced up and down as he protested with babbling.

Song Ci chuckled, saying, "You little bean bun, you’re so impatient and quick-tempered. If you don’t learn patience, what will you do in the future?"

"Mother, you’re already predicting his future?" Song Zhiyuan entered the room just in time to hear this sentence.

Song Ci pointed to him and said to Dan Ge’er, "Dan Ge’er, your father’s here."

Spring Fen helped Song Zhiyuan remove his cloak, and he warmed up by the charcoal brazier before walking over to the Arhat bed, kicking off his deer-skin boots. He looked at the young boy, "Dan Ge’er can already sit up now?"

"Rolling at three months, sitting at six. He’s already six months old, so naturally, he should be able to sit. But his little back isn’t strong enough yet, he can only sit for a while with support." Song Ci pushed the boy towards him, "You’ve been so busy as a father that you’ve forgotten how old your son is. Go on, hold him."

Song Zhiyuan lifted his young son, who responded with a grin, showing two tiny, sharp white teeth along his lower gums, adorably charming.

"Oh, he has even sprouted two little milk teeth?"

Song Ci laughed, "They’ve grown noticeably in the past few days."

Dan Ge’er grabbed his father’s beard with his chubby hands, playing and tugging at it painfully, prompting Song Zhiyuan to call him "Little Ancestor" repeatedly.

"Little Ancestor, don’t tug out the Prime Minister’s beard." Deng Shi, somewhat anxious, wanted to step forward and take Dan Ge’er away from him.

Song Zhiyuan waved his hand, "No need, let him play with me. You all go have some tea. I wish to chat with my mother. Nanny Gong, also tell the small kitchen to prepare a hot pot; I will dine with my mother tonight."

Nanny Gong cheerfully agreed, ushered everyone out, and made several arrangements. She returned to the room and stood at the doorway.

Holding his young son, Song Zhiyuan began to discuss Bai Shuilian’s matter.

"This time she really is gone, the third one took action himself."

Song Ci’s hand trembled; she looked over and said, "He personally carried it out?"

Unexpectedly, that little scoundrel is like a wolf; he even dared to put to death someone who once shared his bed.

Truly underestimated him.

"He acted in a fit of rage, his mind heated up." Song Zhiyuan pulled his son’s hand away from his mouth and carefully wiped away the drool with a handkerchief, continuing, "Likely, he wanted to personally confirm she was gone to be at ease, fearing she’d be found alive and drag him down, losing his position."

Song Ci frowned, "With her gone, how will you explain this to the Emperor?"

"The Bai Shi was merely an insignificant pawn, she didn’t manage to learn anything, not even the appearance of her supposed master. To put it bluntly, she was a foolish pawn easily swayed, and since we couldn’t get anything out of her, the Emperor won’t be concerned. What’s more, they’ve been at the mansion for such a long time, but under your watch, they caused no disturbances."

Luckily, she was just a concubine, easily restrained by rules. Even if she held the status of Official Wife, with Song Ci as the mother-in-law, her days would have been no easier.

Song Ci sighed, "I don’t understand how to explain this to the Emperor; as long as you know what to do. But the third one is truly unreliable, his mind often goes astray. As the eldest brother, although he angers you, for the sake of the entire Song Mansion, you must clean up his mess properly. Otherwise, due to his foolishness, the Song Family might face unnecessary troubles, which would be a loss."

This is the dilemma of being the family head. When someone unreliable makes a mistake, the eldest has to clean up after them.