The more worried Old Madam Song’s heart became about Song Chuyi’s matter, the more frequently Song Jue investigated and tested Ye Jingchuan. Every few days he loved to invite him along when going out to wine shops and teahouses.
Ye Jingchuan had always sneered at such places, but helpless when the one inviting him was Song Chuyi’s eldest brother, he lost his temper and willingly followed behind Song Jue like a tail, together with Song Yan.
After coming and going several times, he discovered that nothing in this world could truly be judged by appearances. He had always thought that those who frequented such places were all wastrels and ne’er-do-wells, but upon arriving here he discovered that understanding worldly affairs was itself learning.
For instance, the newly promoted lecturer for Prince Dongping was the Deputy Director of Studies from the Imperial Academy. This Deputy Director’s surname was Hu. Previously he had been an instructor in Fujian, then step by step climbed up until he finally rose to Deputy Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy. Then he was promptly transferred to the Eastern Palace to serve as lecturer for Prince Dongping—currently he was riding high with his star on the rise.
For another example, Song Jue should originally have been promoted to Vice Commander of the Yulin Guard, but at the last moment His Majesty personally selected Guo Huaiying’s son Guo Yantang for this Vice Commander position. Guo Huaiying had courageously resisted pirates in Fujian and governed the pirate troubles with great hardship. His Majesty’s action was also to indirectly reward meritorious officials.
There was also Clerk Xia from the Messenger Office. He had taken examinations for many years without even passing the imperial examination, being merely ranked with jinshi candidates. Yet because he had run errands in the Messenger Office for so long, and being well-featured and handsome with a fluent command of official speech, he was now promoted into the Personnel Ministry’s Merit Assessment Bureau as a clerk—this was an excellent plum position. Who knew how much silver many distinguished families had spent trying to secure this position for their sons and grandsons, yet unexpectedly a handsome man got the advantage.
This information was chaotic and disorderly. These people’s conversation jumped from one topic to another, yet the information contained within encompassed major and minor court affairs. No wonder Father and Elder Brother always said there were unavoidable social obligations outside. Looking now, coming once really could teach one quite a lot. He looked at Song Jue beside him conversing and laughing with ease, then looked at Song Yan who was already handling such occasions with ease and composure despite his youth, and couldn’t help clicking his tongue in amazement—these Song family people were truly each one stranger than the last. Someone like Song Yan, who neither inherited a title nor was very old, yet Song Jue dared to bring him to such places and even allowed him to drink…
When he returned home and the Prince of Zhennan and Ye Jingkuan asked him why he’d been going out so frequently lately and often drawing silver from the accounts, he honestly spilled everything, then added somewhat puzzled: “Song Jue brings me and Song Yan along together each time, but after going there’s no follow-up…” He truly couldn’t make heads or tails of it.
This was Song Jue testing Ye Jingchuan’s character and also observing how he handled matters.
The Prince of Zhennan was somewhat worried for his son. Ye Jingchuan had disliked studying since childhood and also disliked these literary pursuits. When others were his age they always loved watching opera and strolling through gardens, but he squatted in the training grounds every day watching people practice martial arts. When he got a bit older, he simply wanted to go to the battlefield.
He had thrown him to Xibei for tempering, then later had him stay in Fujian for three years.
But in Xibei his uncle had guided him, and going to Fujian he’d had Guo Huaiying’s care. Speaking of it, Ye Jingchuan truly didn’t have much cunning. Previously he had always worried that if Ye Jingchuan married Song Chuyi, he wouldn’t be able to subdue this clever girl.
Yet Ye Jingkuan felt this was a good thing. Even if Ye Jingchuan didn’t need to inherit a title, even if he only wanted to be a general, that didn’t mean being a brute. The proper cunning and methods must be possessed, and how to conduct oneself and handle affairs must still be learned.
What Song Jue said was originally correct—understanding worldly affairs is itself learning; skillful handling of human relationships is literature. These things were unavoidable when in official circles. Even the Prince of Zhennan and he often had to lower themselves to drink with others and call each other brothers. How much more so for Ye Jingchuan? Learning these things now was also timely.
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help laughing heartily several times: “Our mother consort has gone to the Marquis Changning’s estate so many times, and what needed to be said has all been said. The Marquis Changning estate’s response was to say they’d decide after returning from Jinzhong, but the testing of you has already begun. Song Jue himself is shrewd—at such a young age he already passed the military imperial examination. Look at him—can’t he get along with anyone? Even the Wei family who cling to Prince Dongping call him brother warmly. This is real skill. Now that he’s bringing you along, he wants to see if you’re savvy. You’re not young anymore. If you truly want to marry Song Sixth Miss, you need to pull yourself together and properly study these matters of official career and economics. Don’t let Song Sixth Miss manage your inner household properly while you yourself keep stumbling outside, or don’t even have any social obligations—that won’t do at all.”
Ye Jingchuan, having received this reminder, although still somewhat half-understanding, knew that this was Song Jue testing him. From then on, he summoned up his full energy, listening carefully at banquets. When he returned home and didn’t understand something, he’d ask his father and brother. The next day when looking for Song Jue, he’d discuss yesterday’s interesting incidents and insights with Song Jue.
Song Jue, seeing he understood his meaning, though his reactions were still somewhat slow, could clearly see he was studying earnestly. His heart gained several points of satisfaction, and when going before Old Madam Song, he also spoke several good words about Ye Jingchuan: “One can tell that previously he never engaged in cock-fighting or dog-racing—he’s upright. Although he follows me out now, he has proper boundaries and knows what matters should be done and what shouldn’t. He’s also beginning to understand what to say to what people… Compared to Sixth Sister, naturally he’s still far behind, but having this dedication is already rare.” Upright character was the first priority. Otherwise, being however smooth and perceptive in worldly wisdom and human relationships would be in vain.
Old Madam Song turned to look at Madam Cui and Madam Yu, couldn’t help sighing: “Even Brother Jue speaks well of him, so he must truly be good. I actually really like this young man… If he can subdue Xiaoyi, then I truly can close my eyes in peace.”
Madam Cui had also gradually noticed something wrong with Song Chuyi. Hearing this, she couldn’t help sighing along: “What Old Madam says is right. If she could come around, this would truly be an excellent match.”
At this point, Madam Yu instead saw things most clearly. Hearing this, she smiled and advised them: “After all, the fated connection hasn’t arrived yet. Right now Xiaoyi is still young—who knows which day she’ll come to her senses on her own. Us worrying for her here now is useless. We’d be better off thinking about how she should answer when Empress Niang-niang questions her during this palace visit.”
Empress Niang-niang had long ago summoned Song Chuyi to the palace, but with these various matters dragging on, it had been delayed until now. Now with Master Yuanhui’s incident having occurred, Empress Niang-niang’s reason for seeing Song Chuyi would absolutely not be about any lone star of calamity. It should be to console and reward her, also counting as indirect compensation to the Song family.