This was the palace’s compensation for the hunting ground incident—those who went along were all important officials Emperor Jianzhang regularly relied upon, or deeply favored imperial relatives and established noble families. The female family members of these people had all suffered considerable fright, and many had nearly lost their lives. For instance, the young lady from Assistant Minister of Justice Tong’s family had even broken her leg, and it was still uncertain whether this would impede her mobility in the future. Though everyone openly believed the explanation that the Eastern Sea people had caused the chaos, who didn’t know internally that this matter was orchestrated by Prince Duan and Chen Xiang? The palace issuing these gifts at this time was clearly meant to pacify people’s hearts.
And after Old Master Song presided over the Yangzhou corruption case this time, he claimed illness and stopped attending court, which perfectly suited Emperor Jianzhang’s intentions. For his sensible understanding of the times, the palace’s rewards this time would be heavier than those given to other families. Old Madam Song was not surprised. Upon entering her room, she had Yushu remove her headband and changed into everyday clothes before emerging from behind the screen, asking First Madam, “Have you inquired?”
First Madam knew what Old Madam Song was asking and quickly nodded. “The celestial envoys came to all the families who returned from the hunting grounds today, but our family along with Elder Chen’s and Elder Du’s families received the heaviest rewards.”
These were all matters within expectation. Old Madam Song saw that First Madam seemed to have something difficult to say, and raised her eyebrows in apparent surprise. “Why do you look like that? Could there be something else?”
“Old Madam, you don’t know—Her Majesty the Empress also specially bestowed a pair of twin dragons fighting for pearls linked white jade bracelets and a pair of twisted silk triple-ring fortune, prosperity, and longevity mutton-fat white jade bracelets… specifically for Xiaoyi.” Seeing Song Chuyi reveal a surprised expression, First Madam knew she probably hadn’t anticipated this beforehand either. She stepped forward several paces to personally hand Old Madam Song her tea, adding, “And that’s not all. The Crown Princess from the Eastern Palace also bestowed a jade-green hidden emerald jade pendant and a mutton-fat twin fish jade pendant. Fan Liangdi also bestowed a white jade Chiyou ring, saying it was for Xiaoyi to play with.”
When news of Song Chuyi’s horse race with Ninth Princess at the hunting grounds reached the capital, both Old Madam Song and First Madam had been frightened half to death. Now that they had finally calmed down somewhat, these rewards had simultaneously caused their hearts to suspend in anxiety once again.
Xiang Mingzi, who had also gone to the hunting grounds and suffered fright, received only a set of ivory jewelry. Why would Song Chuyi’s rewards be so much more substantial? And this was even under the circumstances where she had been criticized for having an inauspicious fate and had struck a member of the imperial family?
Were the Empress and the Eastern Palace expressing their gratitude to Song Chuyi and the Song family? Or was there deeper meaning—for instance, were these rewards completely meant to tell the Song family that although they had handled Prince Duan’s matter well and been of great help, they shouldn’t withdraw so quickly?
Old Madam Song saw Song Chuyi also lift her head with a thoughtful expression, and quickly instructed First Madam, “Go ask quickly whether, besides Xiaoyi, any other young ladies from other families received such valuable rewards.”
The Empress’s bestowal could still be dismissed—one could say it was out of consideration for Elder Song and Consort Song. But for the Eastern Palace to do the same was clearly indicating they didn’t want Old Master Song to leave their ship.
If the rewards for young ladies from other families were all ordinary, then Song Chuyi’s reward would truly be unique, and it would be difficult not to attract attention.
Yushu had already presented the items. The blue-green jade pendant with hints of pink hidden within the emerald, suspended from a five-colored silk braided cord, appeared even more brilliantly lustrous. Old Madam Song glanced at it once and had it covered again with red cloth, her face unable to suppress her worry.
What exactly did Her Majesty the Empress and the Eastern Palace mean by jointly bestowing these gifts, and specifically to Song Chuyi? The Eastern Palace’s waters ran deep—Fan Liangdi alone was enough to make people retreat three houses away. Yet this time the Eastern Palace had separately bestowed so many things. Could there be other plans?
And the best way to keep the Song family firmly bound to the Eastern Palace’s ship with no way down would undoubtedly be for the Song family to marry off another daughter. Could the Eastern Palace possibly be planning this?
But which prince from the Eastern Palace did Her Majesty the Empress intend to have form a marriage alliance with the Song family? By then, the Song family would have just struggled out of one whirlpool, only to immediately wade into even murkier waters—the discord between the Crown Princess and Fan Liangdi was an almost tacitly acknowledged secret, and there was likely still a long road of struggle ahead between the Crown Prince and Zhou Weiqi, who was born of Fan Liangdi.
She was still frowning, unable to figure out the reasoning, when Nanny Huang hurried in to report that Madam Feng had arrived. First Madam was probably busy with matters related to the rewards at the moment, so it was Third Madam Yun Shi who had received Madam Feng. As she entered, Old Madam Song clearly saw worry on Third Madam’s face that she couldn’t hide.
To stay any longer would be inappropriate and would make Third Madam mistakenly think they were watching Song Chumi’s humiliation for entertainment. Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi exchanged glances and both hurriedly rose. After exchanging courtesies with Madam Feng, they made excuses about changing clothes and left together.
Old Madam smiled and invited Madam Feng to sit. Her attitude was warm and benevolent. Madam Feng was a perceptive person and first breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, knowing her approach had aligned with Old Madam Song’s intentions. She spoke respectfully yet without losing dignity. “Ordinarily one shouldn’t separate a newly married young couple, but these are rules passed down from our ancestors that we dare not alter at will. I hope in-law Old Madam and in-law Madam won’t blame me for being presumptuous.”
Third Madam Song now wished she could enshrine Madam Feng, afraid she might develop an aversion to Song Chumi because of this matter. How could she dare say anything about blame or not blame? She quickly forced a smile and shook her head. “The common saying goes ‘marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog.’ The principle of a married woman obeying her husband has existed since ancient times. There’s no reason to make exceptions just for our family. She doesn’t understand proper conduct—I must trouble in-law Madam to take the effort to discipline and teach her.”
Madam Feng had harbored criticism of Song Chumi’s behavior from the start. Now seeing the Song family’s clear stance, and that even Third Madam was not muddled, those little grievances all dissipated. “What words are these, in-law? Now that she’s married into our family, I can only regard her as my own daughter.”
In just a few words, the itinerary was settled. Old Madam Song thought for a moment and said, “Since in-law Madam is departing in six days, we’ll host a family banquet here as a farewell for in-law Madam. There’s something I must still instruct in-law Madam about—please don’t indulge her temperament out of consideration for our faces. There has never been a girl who left our family who didn’t obey her mother-in-law’s words. Whatever needs to be said, in-law Madam should feel free to teach her.”
That evening, First Madam came to Ningde Courtyard before dinner was served, shaking her head at Old Madam Song with great worry. “Besides Xiaoyi, no one else received such substantial rewards. That young lady from the Chen family also received a few items bestowed from the Eastern Palace, but they were nowhere near as eye-catching as Xiaoyi’s.”
Elder Chen had contributed even more than Elder Song in the Yangzhou corruption case matter. Though the Crown Prince couldn’t openly give them excessively heavy rewards, the private benefits would certainly be substantial. Yet even these couldn’t compare with Song Chuyi’s rewards.