When it became known that the young Prince of the Wang Family discovered the scandal of Xia Wang-shi, Song Ci knew this woman would not survive, but didn't expect it to be so quick.
The next day, she learned that Xia Wang-shi was gone, losing her life with the reputation of a grief-stricken, loyal widow. She drank a cup of poisoned wine, discovered dead only when her close maid's calls received no response.
"A loyal widow, what a complete reputation for chastity and integrity. Xia-shi surely had the heart for it," Song Ci said to Nanny. "With such a reputation, at least her daughter will not worry about marriage in the future."
Ancients valued chastity and integrity; a mother's reputation directly impacted her daughter. If a mother was staunch, her daughter wouldn't be much worse, and those families that valued rules and ethics would likely appreciate such a daughter-in-law.
