Song Ke hadn’t expected Xiang Lan to ask such a question and fell silent. After waiting for a moment and seeing Song Ke still hadn’t answered, Xiang Lan’s heart slowly sank. She withdrew her hand from Song Ke’s grasp and forced a smile, saying, “You shouldn’t stay here too long, you should go back.”
Song Ke quickly grabbed Xiang Lan’s hand and said, “About us… once things settle down, I’ll slowly bring it up with my mother.”
Xiang Lan suddenly raised her head and saw Song Ke smiling at her. She blushed slightly and hesitantly said, “You…”
Song Ke gently tapped her nose with his finger and said, “Before going to the capital, I’ll send a matchmaker to propose.”
Xiang Lan felt a warm fire in her heart. She wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart filled with both bitterness and joy, like a little bird chirping, ready to fly out of her chest.
Song Ke wiped the tears from her face and smiled, saying, “Silly girl, why are you crying? Tears of joy?”
Xiang Lan only then realized her face was covered in tears. She hurriedly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, lifted her face, and gave Song Ke a radiant smile.
That smile was like the rising sun, as brilliant as a blooming lotus, leaving Song Ke somewhat dazed. Originally, he had been extremely hesitant. Since placing in the second rank of the imperial examinations, noble families in the capital, learning he was still unmarried, had been eagerly sending matchmakers, including some high-born ladies. Previously, he would have carefully chosen someone of matching family status and character, whose father-in-law could serve as a patron for his career. But somehow, whenever he thought about marriage, he thought of Xiang Lan. He always felt that Xiang Lan was his wife from a previous life who had drunk the waters of forgetfulness, forgetting their past, but fate had brought them together again in this life. He already felt grateful respect for Madam Shen, and now directed that feeling doubly toward Xiang Lan, loving her wit and charm, unable to let her go.
Today when Xiang Lan asked about his decision, he had planned to ask for more time to think, but seeing her disappointed expression, his heart moved, and he unconsciously spoke those words. After blurting them out, he felt a vague regret, but now seeing Xiang Lan’s joy, he suddenly felt that marrying her wouldn’t be bad at all—many scholars from humble backgrounds married common wives and still worked their way up. He, Song Ke, was no less capable than others; with his abilities, he would surely establish a career.
As they smiled at each other, just as Xiang Lan was about to tell him about her previous life, they heard Ludou saying softly from outside the gate, “Young Master, Aunt Chen is coming back from the neighbors.”
Song Ke quickly said, “I have to go now, I’ll come back in a few days.” With that, he opened the door and slipped away.
Xiang Lan’s lips curved in a smile as she picked a rose and tucked it in her hair, humming a tune as she went inside.
Meanwhile, when Song Ke returned home on horseback, he saw Juan Hua asking him to go to Aunt Song’s room. As soon as Aunt Song saw Song Ke, she said, “Where did you run off to just now? Come quickly, you’ve been away from home for so long, I have several matters to discuss with you.”
Song Ke sat down and asked, “What matters?”
Aunt Song smiled and said, “The daughter of the Marquis of Xianguo, Miss Xian, you’ve met her before, what do you think of her?”
Song Ke was startled.
Aunt Song continued, “After you achieved success in the imperial examinations, the Marquis eagerly sent congratulatory gifts. Their lady and great-aunt also came and praised you highly. Great-aunt hinted at their interest, and the Marquis favors you too. If you’re interested, just send a matchmaker directly, and it’s sure to be settled immediately.” Zheng Baichuan had originally not thought highly of Song Ke, but Zheng Jingxian kept pestering him with praise for Song Ke. Now that Song Ke had passed the imperial examinations, Zheng Baichuan saw that despite his young age, he had such good fortune and seemed promising. He could help advance his career in the future, potentially earning titles that would benefit his wife and children. Moreover, he doted extremely on Zheng Jingxian, knowing her proud nature made it difficult for ordinary men to catch her eye. Now that she had finally taken an interest in someone with promise, he had tacitly approved.
Song Ke lowered his head and after a while looked up and said, “Miss Zheng is still childish and somewhat willful. I don’t particularly like her.”
Aunt Song said casually, “Well, a pampered girl naturally has some temper, it’s understandable. She can be taught gradually later. I think she’s quite good, well-educated, and proper.”
Song Ke said seriously, “Mother, have you forgotten how it was when we were a widowed mother and orphaned son? After father died, everyone turned their backs on us. The Marquis didn’t even attend the proper burial. When I went to ask about the family division of property, he wouldn’t even see me. With such old grievances, I really cannot marry his daughter.”
Hearing Song Ke’s words, Aunt Song deflated and sighed, “Ah, when you put it that way, it makes sense. I just thought Miss Xian was good, and the family status was good…”
Song Ke softened his voice and said, “As they say, ‘Marry down for a wife, marry up for a daughter.’ If we bring in a daughter-in-law of such high status, mother won’t be able to direct her, wouldn’t we have to treat her like an empress?”
Aunt Song laughed, “What would I need to direct her for? As long as you young couple are happy together, I’d willingly work like an ox or horse.” Seeing Song Ke’s rejection of this matter, she felt somewhat disappointed inside, thinking of persuading him slowly later. After a pause, she continued, “There’s another matter. After the first month, a matchmaker came to propose to Tan’er. It’s the only son of the Provincial Inspector of Zhejiang, Wu Youwei, named Wu Liang. I heard it’s the Provincial Inspector’s family, quite prestigious, but when I asked the Lin family’s inner household women, they all said to carefully examine his character. Since it’s our family matter, they couldn’t say too much, but seeing their hesitant manner of speaking, I’m quite worried… Later, Wu Liang came to visit once, bringing many gifts. I saw that though he’s not very tall, he looks proper and spirited, and his words were extremely sweet, so I worried he might be glib… I heard his family plans to buy him an official position, and he says he has fields and land, lives in a three-courtyard residence, and has a medium-sized garden.”
Song Ke pondered briefly and said, “The Provincial Inspector of Zhejiang, though not a high position, has real power and direct access to the emperor. The family status is quite respectable, but Wu Liang’s character is unknown. I’ll make some inquiries.”
Aunt Song nodded repeatedly.
The next day, Song Ke visited the Lin family, and after paying respects to the elders, had tea with Lin Jinting. While chatting, they discussed Wu Liang’s marriage proposal. Lin Jinting smiled and said, “So Wu Liang has fallen in love and proposed to your family. This fellow has always been a playboy, but taking a fancy to your cousin shows his first instance of good taste.”
Hearing these words, Song Ke frowned and asked, “What do you mean by ‘playboy’?”
Lin Jinting said, “It means he has a reputation for being a ladies’ man, has had several favorites in brothels, and likes drinking and gambling. But he’s not a mediocre person, quite clever. Though his father is somewhat pedantic, he’s good at making money, earning quite a bit under his father’s banner, and getting along well with everyone. Some days ago, they caught a salt merchant smuggling salt, which at minimum would result in exile. Somehow that salt merchant connected with Wu Liang, who was ruthless enough to extract nearly half the merchant’s family fortune. After some maneuvering up and down, guess what happened? Within two days, that salt merchant was back home, having found another unfortunate soul to take the blame. Though that scapegoat had also smuggled a small amount of salt, who’d have thought he’d end up taking the fall for such a big case? His family was ruined trying to help him, and in the end, he was forced to confess and was exiled to Zhangzhou, thus concluding the case.”
Song Ke’s face darkened as he said, “This is terrible, does Wu Liang have any sense of justice or law? A toad wanting to eat swan meat! We absolutely cannot marry my sister to someone of such character! Not only would my mother and sister resent me for life, but being related to such a person would be utterly shameful. He has no real abilities, just a belly full of vicious schemes. Being a wastrel is bad enough, but using his father’s position to corrupt justice and break the law—he’ll surely come to a bad end someday. As they say, ‘If a child is not taught, it is the father’s fault,’ and his father indulges him.”
Lin Jinting said, “Wu Youwei had him late in life and the whole family treasures him like their eyes, too fond to discipline him… Besides, Wu Youwei is busy with official duties, and Wu Liang is good at sweet-talking people, so his father probably doesn’t know about his misdeeds outside. Yifei, if you reject him, find a polite way to do it. This man is vindictive, don’t make him an enemy.”
Song Ke smiled and said, “I understand, and thank you for telling me the truth.” After talking a while longer, he took his leave. Later, they declined the Wu family’s proposal, saying that Song Danchai was still young and Song Ke hadn’t yet arranged his marriage, so they couldn’t proceed out of order.
This matter should have been concluded. However, that day in the study while drinking tea, Lin Jinting’s servant Lu’er had been serving tea and overheard their conversation. Lu’er was loose-tongued, and later while drunk outside, he embellished the story when telling others. At the time it was just gossip and amusement, but unexpectedly the story spread, and through various twists and turns reached Wu Liang’s ears. Wu Liang immediately jumped up in anger, thinking to himself: “That Song Ke, he’s just a minor official who just passed the imperial examination, what does he mean by ‘a toad wanting to eat swan meat’? He dares to openly disregard me and spread such disgraceful rumors about me. Just wait until I get the chance to teach you a lesson, then you’ll know my power!” He harbored a deep grudge.
Leaving aside unnecessary details.
After returning home, Song Ke had been busy with social obligations for several days and selling property, considering how to bring up the matter of Xiang Lan with Aunt Song. Amid his busy schedule, an incident occurred. Song Ke wanted to sell a manor in Jinling, and the buyer, named Li Jia, had originally agreed on a price. However, Li Jia went back on his word and insisted on buying at a lower price. The Song family naturally refused to sell, so Li Jia came to make trouble, causing a scene. During the argument, the Song family’s steward accidentally injured Li Jia. Song Ke quickly ordered people to bring gifts to visit him, and after receiving the benefits, Li Jia backed down.
This should have been the end of the disturbance, but after a few days, rumors spread saying that Song Ke “failed to control his servants properly, allowing them to cause trouble” and “used his power to bully and oppress the common people.” Song Ke thought it was just idle troublemaking, but since the rumors somewhat damaged his reputation, he prepared gifts and visited Li Jia’s home. However, Li Jia refused to let him in and repeatedly claimed to others how innocent he was.
What Song Ke hadn’t expected was that this matter would provoke censorate officials to submit memorials criticizing him, pointing out that he was “arrogant with success and unfit for important office.” Song Ke had no foundation in court, and being so young when passing the examinations had already aroused much jealousy, so many took the opportunity to attack him. There were naturally righteous officials at court who spoke up for Song Ke, and others who used this to attack political enemies. Thus, this small dispute suddenly spread like wildfire, growing increasingly intense.