At that time, the Li family no longer had anyone serving as an official at court, and within three generations they would be reduced to commoner status. Yet Old Master didn’t hesitate and, braving the pressure, decided on Madam Li.
Later, the entire family of Marquis Huaian, who had married Princess Jin’an, was exterminated. The family of Marquis Jinbei, who had married Princess Xuzhou, was exiled and their property confiscated. The noble families throughout the court lived in constant fear and anxiety. Those nobles who thought marrying the Emperor’s daughters would provide them with an extra shield of protection were mostly the ones whose families were confiscated and exterminated—under absolute power, even the most noble princesses were useless.
Earl Changning truly had deep foresight and far-reaching schemes.
Li Shi no longer dared to use Madam Li’s identity as leverage, and instead turned to discuss Song Yan’s matter with Nanny Yu.
Song Chuyi had lunch in Old Madam Song’s room. Old Madam Song had the small kitchen stew a serving of black chicken soup with codonopsis, angelica, and goji berries added. The smell of medicinal herbs mixed with the fresh fragrance of the soup wafted over.
“Your health isn’t good, so you should nourish yourself properly.” Nanny Huang smiled as she ladled a bowl of soup into a jade cup for Song Chuyi. “This black chicken was just sent from the estate as New Year goods. This year there was a plague and things didn’t go well, so there were only about twenty birds in total. After distributing them to the various branches of the clan, only three remained. Old Madam had two sent to the main kitchen to prepare for Second Master’s return, and this last one was specifically saved for you.”
Old Madam glared at her. “You talk too much.” Yet she urged Song Chuyi to finish all the soup.
Something seemed to catch in Song Chuyi’s throat. She coughed several times before suppressing her sobs, then thanked her in a clear voice.
The little granddaughter kept her head lowered without saying a word, holding the jade cup and drinking the soup sip by sip. Yet Old Madam saw large tears rolling from her eyes and falling into the jade cup.
After the meal, First Madam came to discuss tonight’s welcome banquet.
“Originally we planned to hold a grand affair, and by coincidence the Princess Consort of Duke Yingguo’s Heir also happened to arrive. However, today is already the twenty-first day of the twelfth month, and in three to five days Third Brother and his family will return. Your daughter-in-law was thinking, why not simply wait until Little New Year to hold the grand celebration? When everyone is gathered it will be livelier. Today we’ll just have a family meal.”
This was quite reasonable. Old Madam Song nodded, then suddenly asked her, “I heard you severely reprimanded several old servants today?”
First Madam was startled, but after considering for a moment, she readily admitted it. “Although our family has always treated those beneath us with kindness, we can’t guarantee they won’t develop improper thoughts and stop taking their masters’ words seriously. Starting last month, I heard that the old servants at the second gate have developed a habit of gambling and drinking at night. Several sets of white porcelain bowls and cups went missing from the kitchen—who could investigate such things thoroughly? Better to use this opportunity to give a warning to everyone in the manor, to remind them to serve diligently.”
Old Madam Song nodded. “For large households like ours, what we fear most is the roots rotting from below. How many disasters start from disorder within the family? Take the former Duke Chengguo—” She coughed at this point. “You handled this matter well. Let it be done this way—revoke their wages and rice allowance for two months, and transfer them all to work in the outer courtyard.”
There were no good positions in the outer courtyard—only the rough washing women who laundered the clothes of laborers and servants worked there. First Madam felt this suited her wishes perfectly, and she wouldn’t have to be the villain herself. The corners of her mouth curled in a smile as she nodded in agreement.
She then said, “The Princess Consort of Duke Yingguo’s Heir came to discuss with you about attending the banquet at the Loyal General’s Manor. Have you decided?”
Hearing this, Song Chuyi quickly lifted her eyes to glance at Old Madam.
The Loyal General’s Manor! Su Zhaohe!
The Su family’s ancestors had also been personally enfeoffed by the founding Emperor as Marquis Zhongyi. The Su family’s position was earned neither through military merit nor through imperial favor as maternal relatives, but entirely because back when the founding Emperor was down on his luck, Old Master Su Xin of the Su family had given him an old residence to settle in and make a living.
The founding Emperor, grateful for this kindness, did not forget the Su family when the realm was pacified and rewards were distributed according to merit. He specially enfeoffed Su Xin as Marquis Zhongyi. The Su family developed all the way to the present, and after hereditary rank reduction, they now held the position of Loyal General.
If the Su family couldn’t produce any talented individuals to enter government service, they would soon fade into obscurity.
Old Madam thought for a moment. “When did she say the date was set for?”
“The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month.” First Madam replied with a smile. “I heard that Princess Consort of Prince Zhennan will also attend that day.”
These matters didn’t need to be hidden from the younger generation, so Song Chuyi heard everything clearly and properly.
Among noble families, there were often various banquets held under different pretexts—to cultivate relationships or to ask favors. More importantly, they could use these excellent opportunities to assess suitable boys and girls and make preparations for their children’s marriages.
However, there weren’t many banquets that could attract Old Madam Song. Her generation standing was extremely high, and she was one of the only three remaining Imperially Bestowed Ladies of the highest rank. She was incomparably precious. Even ordinary princesses and county princesses had to give these old noble ladies some face and defer to them.
Song Chuyi felt somewhat confused. If she remembered correctly, in her previous life there was also a gathering on the twenty-ninth of the twelfth month, but it wasn’t at the Loyal General’s Manor—it was at Prince Zhennan’s Manor.
“Since the Princess Consort will also attend, then we’ll go as well.” Old Madam Song nodded and made her decision. “Bring Miss Mi and Miss Bin along too.”
Fourth Miss Song and Fifth Miss Song were fourteen and thirteen respectively—both at the age to discuss marriage arrangements.
“Yes, then your daughter-in-law will send someone to inform the Princess Consort of Duke Yingguo’s Heir.” As First Madam rose, she continued, “Shall we set up today’s banquet in the covered pavilion? The narcissus flowers have all bloomed, filling the entire pavilion—very appropriate for the occasion.”
Old Madam had always loved refined elegance. Hearing this, she smiled. “That’s a good place. How clever of you to think of it. Let’s settle on there. Just one thing—I don’t like it too warm. Don’t place too many warming braziers, lest it become stuffy.”
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted for a while longer, discussing how they should also hold a banquet after the New Year, as a matter of reciprocal courtesy.
Since Song Chuyi needed to go welcome her father and brother, she took this opportunity to excuse herself.
Nanny Xu had been waiting for quite some time. Seeing her return, she quickly pulled her aside and reminded her of many auspicious phrases to say when Song Yi returned.
After a pause, Nanny Xu remarked somewhat oddly, “Today was strange indeed—Second Madam actually quarreled with First Madam. Who knows what got into her.”
Song Chuyi smiled faintly with pursed lips.
However, Qing Tao looked deeply at Song Chuyi.
She had already heard about how Huang Yao had trespassed into the bedroom last night, causing Luyi and Hong Yu to be punished.
Weren’t these matters a bit too coincidental?
It was as if someone had calculated First Madam’s temperament perfectly. First Madam loved her son dearly—after learning he had to go to Qingzhou, she inevitably felt worried, frightened, and unhappy. This particular First Madam didn’t come from any great noble house, so in many matters her actions inevitably showed her background, such as intercepting Lin Hai who was originally supposed to meet Second Master.
And Li Shi couldn’t stand anyone slighting Song Yi, so she would inevitably speak up for Song Yi’s sake.
With Second Madam and First Madam at odds with each other, many matters wouldn’t be so easily accomplished.
Many thanks to those who voted for me, but… could you please vote for this book and not the old one?