When Song Zhiqing felt moved, Madame Lu was somewhat willing despite her surprise; what official wife would be fully delighted to see the children from a concubine lingering before her? Especially since the children's birth mother brought such unpleasant feelings to her.
But after a fleeting happiness, she knew it was not feasible; the children were too young.
Now Song Ci's words further reminded her; both children's mothers were gone, and at such a tender age, truly sending them to be raised in the ancestral home would indeed be heartless. If word got out, her reputation would be ruined.
Reputation dictated by etiquette is harsh on women everywhere; Madame Lu dare not gamble, nor could she let her own daughter bear the awful consequences. After all, if the mother's reputation is bad, the daughter is the first to be implicated.
