“Thank you for your trouble, Nanny.”

Nanny Song nodded and left with a smile.

Madam Song’s face was ashen. Song Wan’s gaze swept across her face before quickly withdrawing.

Though Song Wan had few memories of her birth mother, according to Elder Brother, Mother had been a renowned talented woman in the capital back then.

The number of families who had sought to marry Mother was beyond count. Even the Old Madam of the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence had once considered seeking Mother’s hand for the Old Marquis.

She didn’t know why Mother had ultimately married into the Song family, but Song Wan could be certain that her mother had been an extremely intelligent woman.

From childhood, she had known that Mother had left many old servants for her in the residence. Not to mention Nanny Song, who managed the Song residence’s inner courtyard and had raised her from infancy—even some of the minor stewards were all confidants her mother had left behind.

Mother had told Nanny Song that people’s hearts change easily. Those who appear dull and timid now may not remain timid after having their own children, nor continue to keep to their proper place.

It was just that in the past, Madam Song’s actions hadn’t been excessive. When she was young, Song Yao and Song Nian were still small, and Madam Song had no time to manage her, so naturally she didn’t know the woman’s true nature and had never used the methods Mother left behind.

Later, when she went early to the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence as a widow, she hadn’t taken Madam Song to heart either.

Apart from paying respects during festivals and sending seasonal gifts, the two had no other interaction.

It wasn’t until Madam Song harbored selfish thoughts and wanted to send her back to the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence that she lost some patience with her.

And the matter with Yang Xun a few days ago had truly begun to annoy her.

Song Wan lowered her eyelids slightly, too lazy to look at Madam Song’s tearful expression.

It wasn’t that she hadn’t given guidance—it was just that Madam Song’s vision was too shallow and short-sighted. She truly couldn’t spend every day, morning and night, guiding her to see further ahead.

Half an hour had passed. Those servants had all packed and stood before Song Wan’s courtyard. Li Zhen had her people lead them away one by one, causing many young servants of the Song residence to watch in shock.

Song Yao and Song Nian stood outside the courtyard. Song Yao was about to step forward but was pulled back by Song Nian.

“Elder Sister, what are you doing?”

“I’m going to question Eldest Sister—by what right does she treat Mother this way? All these years, even if Mother has no achievements to speak of, she has endured hardships. Now she’s sending away everyone by Mother’s side. How will Mother maintain her standing in the residence from now on?”

Song Yao’s eyes reddened. “Now everyone in the residence knows Mother can’t even protect her own confidants. Who will think highly of us or work for us in the future?”

“Mother has been the main wife of the Song residence for ten years. If today’s matter spreads, won’t she become the capital’s greatest laughingstock?”

Song Nian’s face was stern as she held Song Yao back. “If today’s matter spreads, people will only say Mother sent people back to her natal family to care for her concubine mother. If you make a scene about this regardless of consequences, that’s when Mother will truly become the capital’s greatest laughingstock.”

Unable to control servants and unable to control her daughter, allowing the Song residence’s legitimate Second Miss to publicly quarrel and argue with her maternal aunt—she would definitely be saddled with a reputation for being domineering, rude, and disrespectful to elders. And Mother’s reputation for incompetence and lack of virtue would probably never be washed clean in this lifetime.

She had said long ago that Eldest Sister’s marriage matters couldn’t be rushed. But Mother and Song Yao thought she was too young and never listened to her.

Now look what had happened—what kind of mess had been stirred up?

Song Nian kept her small face composed. “Second Sister, don’t cry. I’ve already sent someone to find Father. Father will stand up for Mother.”

The two of them waited outside the courtyard for a long time. Even after Madam Song stumbled out of Song Wan’s courtyard in a daze, Song Lan’an never appeared.

After Madam Song left, Song Wan found a seat beside Li Zhen. The two sat quietly drinking tea without speaking, until Heng Zhi and Heng Wu had properly arranged the greeting gifts Li Zhen had brought for Song Wan. Only then did the two exchange a smile.

Song Wan said, “Troubling Maternal Aunt to make a trip for such a small matter—it really is making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“It’s not entirely for you.”

Li Zhen patted Song Wan’s hand. “It’s because of your worthless Third Cousin…”

“Your uncle is sending him to Jingshan Academy. Even if you hadn’t written to me, I would have been bringing him to the capital. Moreover, your uncle knew about the matter between you and the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence and had long said I should come see if there was anything the family could help with.”

“Making Uncle and Maternal Aunt worry—that’s Wan’er’s fault.”

“What fault or no fault.”

Li Zhen sighed, her eyes showing some heartache. “Don’t blame your maternal aunt for speaking bluntly. Though Su Qi’s actions were somewhat confused, her words aren’t without reason. Staying in the Song family isn’t a long-term plan for you. Better to make plans for yourself early.”

Hearing this, Song Wan smiled faintly, but her eyes carried three parts loneliness.

The young lady’s cheeks were soft and rosy. Just a gentle blink conveyed seven parts flirtatious charm. Seeing this, Li Zhen’s thoughts suddenly stirred.

“Wan’er!”

Song Wan raised her head, her face still carrying bright, gentle affection.

Li Zhen grabbed her hand and smiled. “Wan’er, what do you think of Su Xie?”

“Third Cousin?”

“Yes.”

Li Zhen’s eyes lit up. “Though Su Xie is two years younger than you, you would after all be marrying back into your own family. Whether your uncle or I, we would both treat you like our own daughter.”

The more she spoke, the more she felt this matter had promise. Li Zhen smiled. “That boy Su Xie is unruly. After you enter the family, you can help your maternal aunt properly discipline him.”

“Wan’er, think it over carefully. Your maternal aunt is sincere.”

She held Song Wan’s hand, speaking word by word. “Rather than leaving your marriage in others’ hands, better you make your own decision early. If you agree, your maternal aunt will have Su Xie come formally request your hand in marriage.”

Song Wan was somewhat surprised for a moment, but had to admit that Li Zhen’s proposal stirred her heart considerably.

Maternal Aunt was right. Rather than leaving marriage matters to Madam Song, she might as well marry into Uncle’s family.

Uncle and Maternal Aunt wouldn’t look down on her for being remarried, and Su Xie had two elder brothers above him. Her cousins-in-law were also kind people. Regardless of whether Su Xie liked her in the future, she could seek a peaceful corner in the Su residence where no one would disturb her.

Song Wan pressed her lips together, silently pondering this marriage match.

Seeing she was also somewhat moved, Li Zhen was very pleased.

Su Xie had a good nature but a restless temperament—ordinary young ladies probably couldn’t control him. But Wan’er was different. Wan’er was beautiful, gentle, and intelligent. Her Su Xie would surely like this cousin.

She understood her own son best. As long as Su Xie saw Wan’er, he would definitely be moved.

The more Li Zhen thought about it, the more she felt this marriage couldn’t be better. If she brought Wan’er back to the residence, her husband wouldn’t have to worry daily about Song Lan’an not treating Wan’er well.

“Just think about it, just think about it. I’ll write to your uncle to make him happy too.”

Song Wan was about to stop her, but saw Li Zhen smiling as she went with her maid to the guest quarters where the Song residence was hosting her.

When Li Zhen left the next day, she repeatedly urged Song Wan to consider it carefully.

Unable to make up her own mind, Song Wan mentioned this matter to Song Fu.

Song Fu had also been worrying about her future prospects these days. Hearing about this, he was somewhat moved as well.

Setting aside what Su Xie was like, just Uncle, Maternal Aunt, and Eldest Cousin Su Zhen would protect Wan’er and ensure she lived safely and worry-free for life.

He thought about his sister’s future path day and night. Even when on duty at the Ministry of Personnel, when he had free time, he couldn’t help but be distracted.

Shen Qianyu looked rather curiously at the worried Song Fu and, after thinking, couldn’t help but approach.

“This prince sees Lord Song lost in sorrow. I wonder what troubles you?”