Xiang Mingzi finally returned to the Marquis Changning’s residence. The first thing she did was run to see Song Chuyi. She couldn’t even be bothered with propriety and etiquette—after passing through the second gate, she ran all the way to Ningde Courtyard. Seeing Song Chuyi standing under the corridor eaves smiling at her, tears immediately gushed forth like a spring.
“How can you be so worrying?” She let Song Chuyi hand her a handkerchief to wipe her face, breaking into laughter through her tears, yet couldn’t help complaining: “Because of you, Grandmother fell ill twice, and I was so frightened I didn’t know what to do. You’re so inconsiderate!”
Song Chuyi coaxed her: “It was my fault. I did write a letter to Elder Brother beforehand saying I was fine.”
Xiang Mingzi immediately interrupted her: “How is that the same?! With everything, one must fear that one-in-ten-thousand chance. Even if you were an immortal, you’d probably miscalculate sometimes, let alone you’re just mortal flesh and blood. If something had really happened, where would we go to regret it?”
Song Chuyi had no choice but to pick a different topic to divert her attention: “I heard that Brother Li has come to the capital?”
Xiang Mingzi’s marriage was set for the end of this year. The Li family had already come to their door to begin the Six Rites ceremony. Once these Six Rites were completed, it would be about time. Young Master Li’s trip to the capital wasn’t only for the marriage—he was also coming to study at the Imperial Academy for next year’s special examination. Madam Li therefore simply discussed with Old Madam Song and First Madam Song that the young couple need not return to the Li ancestral home to wed, nor go to the Li Yu posting in Shanxi. They could simply hold the wedding at the Li family’s residence in the capital, which would also be convenient for Li Youxian’s exam preparation in the future.
Old Madam Song was delighted beyond measure by this arrangement. She was extremely satisfied with this marriage match. If there had been any shortcoming before, it was that her granddaughter would have to leave her and marry far away. Now knowing that her granddaughter could stay in the capital, the knot in her heart completely loosened—being in the capital meant they could see each other all the time no matter what, which was truly the best possible arrangement.
At the mention of the Li family, Xiang Mingzi’s face immediately flushed red. She reached out to pinch Song Chuyi’s waist: “After being away so long, you haven’t learned anything good, but your teasing skills have certainly been refined!”
The two chatted and laughed as they entered the courtyard together. Xiang Mingzi greeted Old Madam Song with proper respects, then mentioned Chen Jinxin to her: “She’s much better now and willing to go out for walks here and there. She doesn’t go far—there are a few daughters from nearby tenant farming families who suit her temperament well, and she’s actually teaching them to read. When a person has things to occupy them, their spirits naturally improve. She even told me that once the weather isn’t so hot, she’ll come back to pay her respects to you and Grandfather.”
In the past, with Chen Jinxin in such a state, Old Madam Song always worried her life would be short. Though Imperial Physician Sun had indeed said this young lady’s lifespan was likely not favorable, Old Madam Song had received a trust, and with Old Master Song feeling gratitude for Chen Jun’an’s heroic and valiant deeds, the two of them were always especially tolerant toward Chen Jinxin. Two years ago, following Chen Jinxin’s wishes, they moved her from Tongzhou to live at their Suzhou estate for a while, only bringing her back this year. Who knew that perhaps because she’d gone out, dispersed her thoughts, and seen a broader world, Chen Jinxin was no longer the young girl single-mindedly seeking death. Old Madam Song had personally gone to see her once and found her whole person full of vitality and spirit. Though her body was still poor, she now had life in her, and Old Madam Song felt happy for her.
Now hearing Xiang Mingzi speak this way, she felt even more at ease, sighing: “That she can think things through is her blessing. Her maternal grandmother and parents in the heavenly realm surely would be happy for her too.”
Song Chuyi also felt that Chen Jinxin had walked a different path from others—who said women couldn’t live without men, without a respectable marriage, or without their natal families? As long as one’s mind was open, anywhere was the same.
Just as they were talking happily, there was a commotion of bustling activity outside. After a short while, First Madam Song hurriedly entered, first glancing at Song Chuyi before looking toward Old Madam Song and saying softly: “Old Madam, there’s an imperial envoy from the palace outside.”
So fast! Old Madam Song couldn’t help but be startled. She had thought that no matter what, Her Majesty the Empress would wait until the Chen family affair was concluded before bringing up this matter. How had things become so urgent?
“No need to panic.” She quickly calmed herself. Since it was an envoy from the palace, it could only be about Song Chuyi’s matter. The Song family had already mentally prepared themselves for this. Though it came faster than expected, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. She changed into her full ceremonial court dress, had an incense table set up in the great hall, and only then led First Madam together to receive the imperial edict.
Who knew this decree wasn’t summoning Song Chuyi to the palace at all, but rather stating that since Empress Dowager Rongxian had passed away three years ago, all titled noblewomen and officials’ wives were to go to her mausoleum.
Old Madam Song was truly somewhat unable to process this—while the common people of the realm weren’t clear about how Empress Dowager Rongxian had actually died, the Song family knew it in their hearts. In the past two years, the Empress Dowager’s death anniversary had been carelessly glossed over, with no one daring to touch Emperor Jianzhang’s sore spot. How was it that suddenly they wanted to hold a grand ceremony?
Fortunately, they had a son serving as a bureau director in the Ministry of Rites, so their information came faster than others. That evening, when everyone was present, First Master Song said: “The Minister submitted a memorial saying that the Empress Dowager has departed this world for three years, yet her spirit tablet has not been installed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, which truly doesn’t conform to proper protocol.”
Old Madam Song was momentarily speechless, raising her eyebrows in some surprise: “Is this Minister of Rites confused in his mind? Why not bring it up earlier or later, but choose to raise this matter at this particular time?”
Right now the capital was in complete chaos over Old Master Chen’s affair and the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince’s eldest son. Old Master Chen still hadn’t even been escorted back to the capital yet. How could the Minister of Rites submit a memorial now requesting that Emperor Jianzhang observe Empress Dowager Rongxian’s death anniversary?
Even Song Chengru said: “This matter is being handled in such a murky and unclear way that people can’t even grasp where the key point lies.”
It wasn’t entirely impossible to grasp the key point though. Song Jue glanced at Song Chuyi and reminded Old Master Song: “If the Minister of Rites were a fool, he couldn’t have become Minister of Rites. Knowing full well that His Majesty has become even more disgusted with Empress Dowager Rongxian because of this incident—in His Majesty’s eyes, it was precisely because Empress Dowager Rongxian was stirring things up behind the scenes that Prince Duan harbored thoughts he shouldn’t have had. The Minister of Rites’ action is a slap in His Majesty’s face, and also a reminder to His Majesty.”
Song Chengru couldn’t help but smile bitterly: “If you say the Crown Prince isn’t clever, clearly he has some cleverness. Yes, when His Majesty recalls the oppression and humiliation Empress Dowager Rongxian once brought him, and then thinks of the recent remnants of Prince Duan, he will only detest Empress Dowager Rongxian more in his heart, and will only have less patience for Prince Duan and the Huangjue Temple affair. But conversely, his impression of the Crown Prince will improve somewhat.”
Song Jue watched as everyone fell silent, finally drawing his conclusion: “The Crown Prince has probably made up his mind to protect Fan Liangdi.”