Song Jue had waited a long time without receiving a reply from Song Chuyi, and his expression had been somewhat dark these past few days. When Li Qingzi carried Ren’er to greet him at the door, she couldn’t help feeling a bit frightened, calling out “husband” in a small voice before going to instruct the servants to set out the meal.
As soon as little Ren’er was set down, he wobbled over to hug Song Jue’s leg. He only came up to Song Jue’s knee, stumbling as he embraced it, looking up at Song Jue with a smile: “Daddy… Auntie, auntie!”
Song Jue couldn’t help but laugh. The wet nurse Song Chuyi had found for little Ren’er was a bit too dedicated and conscientious—she’d raised him plump and white, his face round and full of baby fat. He looked exactly like a tangyuan dumpling, so white and tender that one couldn’t help wanting to take a bite. He freed one hand to pinch his son’s chubby cheeks, then turned to ask Li Qingzi who followed behind: “Has a letter come from Jinzhong?”
Li Qingzi smiled gently as she took out a handkerchief to wipe a bit of drool from her son’s mouth, nodding lightly at Song Jue: “Yes, Sixth Sister sent a letter back. They couldn’t find you outside, so they sent it in.”
Song Jue avoided her reaching hands that meant to take Ren’er, his voice carrying a trace of tenderness: “You’re about to give birth any day now. Don’t hold this little chubby caterpillar, in case he accidentally kicks and hurts you.”
Ren’er seemed to understand, his jet-black pupils staring intently at his father as he waved his little hands in great dissatisfaction.
The meal had already been laid out on the table. Ren’er’s wet nurse hurried over to take him and lead him outside. Li Qingzi supported her belly as she sat across from Song Jue, the smile on her round face deepening as she gently agreed.
“Sixth Sister went to Yangquan.” Li Qingzi reached over to place some food on Song Jue’s plate with her chopsticks. Seeing Song Jue pause his chopsticks and look over, she immediately continued: “His Highness the Grand Prince fell into an ambush and was injured. She took the Cui family’s people on a trip to Yangquan. Later she even helped the Grand Prince capture the bandit chief Ma Yuantong. On the way back, she and the Grand Prince acted as bait together to draw out the true mastermind behind it all…”
This content was written for Old Madam Song and Old Master Song to read. Song Jue didn’t need to think to know how critical the situation must have been at the time. An attack aimed at the Grand Prince, yet requiring Song Chuyi to serve as bait together with him? His gaze darkened, and he immediately thought of the water bandits Song Chuyi had encountered on the boat—the Chen family, Huangjue Temple. These two parties had previously wished desperately for Song Chuyi’s death. Perhaps their treacherous hearts had not died?
The Chen family could now barely look after themselves. Elder Chen had already been thrown into the Ministry of Justice prison a few days ago. Even if they had previous arrangements, it would be impossible for them to dare act so brazenly after the spring examination incident came to light. Then it must be… Huangjue Temple?
These bald donkeys were truly becoming more and more accomplished. Song Jue’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes turned ice cold. In any case, eliminating one was eliminating, and eliminating a whole group was also eliminating. He should think of a way to make these bald donkeys all meet their deaths.
Song Chuyi never revealed such matters to Old Madam Song, because she feared Old Madam Song would worry. At most she would only write to inform Grandfather and himself. Song Jue stared at his wife with some puzzlement: “Is there something else? This letter was written to Old Madam?”
Li Qingzi had been his wife for so many years—hearing him ask this way, she knew what he meant. Meeting his gaze, she set down her chopsticks: “It was indeed for Old Madam, and also mentioned matters concerning Prince Zhennan’s manor. Old Madam is very worried because of it… You know, Old Madam had previously intended to betroth Sixth Sister to the Second Young Master of Prince Zhennan’s manor. Sixth Sister specifically wrote back about this matter—it seems she’s already made her decision.”
When Song Jue went over that evening, he also heard Old Madam Song mention this matter: “She said she’s already explained everything clearly to Second Young Master Ye, that she doesn’t like him and doesn’t want to delay him…”
Old Madam Song looked at this eldest grandson who had always been most satisfactory, her brows drawn together, unable to hide her weariness: “I knew from the start that she didn’t like Second Young Master Ye, but I thought that when it comes to living a life together, whether you like someone or not is all empty talk—as long as you can walk through life together, that’s enough. Now it seems this little girl doesn’t think that way.”
What worried Old Madam Song most was that Song Chuyi and the Grand Prince were getting too close. On the boat she had relied on His Highness the Grand Prince’s help, and when His Highness the Grand Prince fell into an ambush at Yangquan, she had led people through the night to rush to Yangquan to help. These two were really walking far too close together.
Old Madam Song wasn’t very willing to see Song Chuyi drawn into the imperial family, especially since the Crown Princess and Grand Prince weren’t favored by His Highness the Crown Prince, and there was the covetous and ambitious Consort Fan Liangdi and Prince Dongping standing by. If Song Chuyi were to marry His Highness the Grand Prince, the future she would face would be endless troubles.
Song Jue, however, was more open-minded than Old Madam Song about it. He personally took the bird’s nest congee that Nanny Huang handed up and passed it to Old Madam Song, softly comforting her: “You needn’t think too much about it. Xiaoyi is a child with proper judgment. She knows how to choose her future path. If you’re worried about her, we’re still here—we’ll always be her support. If you’re worried that Xiaoyi will implicate our Earl Changning Manor in choosing sides…” Song Jue’s words paused, then he continued with absolute certainty: “That’s also completely unnecessary. Though the Crown Prince is inadequate to scheme with, this realm ultimately belongs to the Eastern Palace. Even if we needn’t choose sides for the next ten or twenty years, we eventually cannot avoid having to pick a side. It’s only a matter of sooner or later.”
As for Consort Fan Liangdi’s faction versus the Grand Prince’s faction—whether Song Chuyi was involved or not—their choice was beyond question. Naturally, His Highness the Grand Prince, who had numerous connections and understandings with the Song family, was more worthy of the Song family’s investment.
Old Madam Song had been afraid that her eldest grandson would develop resentment toward his sister Song Chuyi over this matter. Hearing him speak this way, her heart settled back into her stomach, and genuine warmth appeared in her eyes.
“Since you say so, nothing could be better.” Old Madam Song sighed somewhat: “When your eldest sister entered the palace back then, I always felt it ruined her entire life. What I was thinking was that having your sister be the one was already enough—I didn’t want Xiaoyi to walk this path as well. But if Xiaoyi is willing to walk it, and truly likes His Highness the Grand Prince, then I rather hope she truly does walk it.”
Song Jue raised his eyes to look at Old Madam Song, and only after a long moment did he nod: “Your grandson understands Grandmother’s meaning. Xiaoyi has been influenced far too deeply by that dream. I also often worry that she’ll get stuck in a mental dead end in the future. If she still has the energy to like someone, that’s her good fortune. I would only hope for her happiness.”
Song Jue had struck at the heart of Old Madam Song’s concerns. Since Song Chuyi had awakened from that dream, she had become clever and perceptive, appearing fine in every way—except when it came to her future marriage, where she couldn’t think clearly and feared it like a savage beast. But living this one life, could she really learn from nuns and cut off her hair?
Having someone to like was always better than having no one to like. With this fondness, she would have the motivation to live her days well.