The Duke Ying’s mansion had become like a sieve, with so-called “secrets” spreading faster than ever.
Naturally, Song Han’s clamoring about marrying Jiang Jiexiu could not be kept from Song Yichun.
However, Song Yichun maintained an eerily silent stance on the matter.
Song Mo was quite perplexed: “Could it be that Father doesn’t oppose Tian’en marrying cousin Jiexiu?”
As far as he was concerned, he would be happy to see his cousins find stable marriages, whether to the Duke’s family or elsewhere. He just feared that his father shared Song Han’s thoughts, which could end up harming cousin Jiexiu.
Dou Zhao, however, didn’t believe it.
Song Yichun’s attitude was already quite clear – he absolutely wouldn’t let things go smoothly for Song Mo. But he also didn’t want Duke Ying’s lineage to end, so he had to keep at least one of his two sons under his control. Finding a powerful wife’s family for Song Han had thus become inevitable.
She said, “Even if the Second Young Master wants to marry cousin Jiexiu, it depends on whether the Jiang family agrees. Why should the Duke play the villain? If this matter spreads, people will only say that the Duke respects his late wife and is willing to seek a criminal official’s daughter as a bride for his second son for the sake of his wife’s family. It’s a win-win situation in terms of face and substance, so why not do it?”
Song Mo nodded in agreement.
He understood the Jiang family.
If the Jiang family were still at the height of their power, even if they weren’t entirely satisfied with Song Han, they would reluctantly agree to this marriage proposal if the Duke asked for it. But now that the Jiang family had fallen from grace, accepting this proposal would seem like currying favor with the powerful. The Jiang family would refuse.
Dou Zhao had another concern.
In her previous life, one major reason the Prince of Liao used Song Mo was because he was the nephew of the Marquis of Dinguo. He could utilize the connections built up by the Marquis of Dinguo’s household over generations and mobilize the assassins nurtured by the Marquis. In this life, Song Mo was destined not to wholeheartedly help the Prince of Liao plot rebellion. Would the Prince turn to use Song Han, who was also the Marquis of Dinguo’s nephew?
If Song Han married Jiang Jiexiu, in the eyes of those who had received favors from the Marquis of Dinguo, Song Han might seem even closer to them than Song Mo.
Of course, if Jiang Jiexiu married into the family, facing her daily would make Dou Zhao feel uneasy.
So early the next morning, she urged Song Mo to go to Fourth Aunt Jiang’s place early: “We slept peacefully last night, but who knows how Fourth Aunt spent her night? There’s a lot to do today. If we go early, we can help out and also pass a message to Fourth Aunt, letting her feel at ease about sending cousin Lizhu off to be married.”
Song Mo thought Dou Zhao’s words made sense, so even though the wedding was set for the hour of Si in the evening, they went to Fourth Aunt Jiang’s place before the hour of Mao.
Dou Zhao informed Fourth Aunt Jiang about Song Yichun’s attitude and tactfully probed: “Song Han is young and has spent the past few years studying under the Duke. He has a sincere heart towards you, but he might not have thought things through completely. Please don’t blame him. The good thing is that his intentions are pure, and you should be pleased about that, Fourth Aunt.”
Fourth Aunt Jiang pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, “I appreciate your good intentions. This is all the more reason why we should return to Huzhou soon. A few years ago, the Liuzhou Garrison Commander Liu sought to marry his eldest son to Jiexiu. It was only because our Second Master had shown him kindness that our ancestors feared people would say we were taking advantage of favors, so we didn’t agree to the marriage.
Later, with the passing of our ancestors, the children’s marriages were all delayed. Before I came to the capital, I heard your First Aunt say that now the Liuzhou Garrison Commander Liu is again seeking to marry his eldest son to Jiexiu. She felt that the Liu family was too far from us and worried that Jiexiu might not adapt well if she married there, so she consulted with me about it. At that time, I was fully focused on Lizhu and didn’t have time to consider it.
Now that Lizhu is married, I also have time to properly discuss the children’s marriages with my sister-in-law. I’m afraid we’ll have to disappoint the Duke’s kind intentions.” After saying this, as if fearing Dou Zhao might be at a disadvantage, she added meaningfully, “I know that as a daughter-in-law, you need to consider both your father-in-law and your husband. But your father-in-law is a widower, and at his age, if he doesn’t remarry now, he will in the future. You just need to take good care of Yangtang. As for the Duke’s affairs, as long as you maintain appearances, that’s enough.”
Dou Zhao felt both amused and exasperated.
Fourth Aunt Jiang must have thought she was sent by Song Yichun to probe about the marriage!
Amidst her mixed feelings, Dou Zhao felt grateful to Fourth Aunt Jiang.
If there had been even a hint of distance, she wouldn’t have spoken so openly to her.
This showed that Song Yichun’s attitude towards Song Mo also made the Jiang family uncomfortable.
She smiled and nodded, reminding Fourth Aunt Jiang: “I’ve already sent people to keep an eye on the Second Young Master. It’s just that Duke Ying’s mansion is still under the Duke’s control, and some things are difficult to discuss. What I fear now is that if this matter spreads, the Duke will be seen as a man of sentiment and loyalty, while the Jiang family might be accused of being short-sighted and using the Duke as a stepping stone.”
Fourth Aunt Jiang thought briefly and understood Dou Zhao’s meaning. She smiled and said, “I understand. I will take precautions against such eventualities.”
Since the Jiang family had sent Fourth Aunt to accompany the bride, it was clear that Fourth Aunt was capable of handling matters independently. Dou Zhao felt reassured and, after chatting with Fourth Aunt Jiang for a while, went to the main hall.
As she lifted the curtain leading to the back room, Jiang Jiexiu entered.
She boldly looked at Fourth Aunt Jiang and asked directly, “Mother, are you going to marry me off to Liuzhou?”
“How could that be possible?!” Fourth Aunt Jiang laughed lightly, taking Jiang Jiexiu’s hand and sighing, “How many Jiang family girls have married military men, only to become widows at a young age? Aren’t there enough examples? It’s just that we were supported by the Marquis of Dinguo’s household and worked for them, which was our duty, so we had no reason to complain or blame. Now that the Jiang family has survived the calamity, we’ve done our best to fulfill our ancestors’ wishes. From now on, we must live for ourselves. We won’t discuss the children whose marriages have already been arranged, but for you and the others, your First Aunt and I have the same idea – we want to keep you all by our side.”
Jiang Jiexiu’s eyes reddened, and tears began to fall silently. Whether from grievance or relief, she called out “Mother.”
“Silly child!” Fourth Aunt Jiang stepped forward and embraced Jiang Jiexiu’s shoulders, whispering, “When you handed those things to me, I already knew your intentions. Although our family has fallen on hard times, with your First Aunt around, she won’t let you suffer any losses.”
Jiang Jiexiu nodded, smiling through her tears, “And with you, Mother!”
Fourth Aunt Jiang chuckled, saying, “I’m no match for your First Aunt’s courage and strategy,” as she took out a handkerchief for Jiang Jiexiu to wipe her tears. “There will be many guests today, so don’t let anyone notice anything amiss.”
Jiang Jiexiu nodded and only left the resting room when she felt her face showed no traces of tears.
Jiang Jieying was leaning against a pillar under the eaves of the back room, staring absent-mindedly at the azure sky.
Hearing movement, she raised her head and nodded at Jiang Jiexiu.
Jiang Jiexiu hesitated for a moment, then walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Jieying, leaning against the pillar. Imitating her earlier posture of looking up at the sky, she asked softly, “What are you looking at?”
A flock of pigeons flew across the sky, their shrill whistles breaking the courtyard’s tranquility.
Jiang Jieying gazed at the sky, murmuring, “I was wondering if I’ll ever have the chance to see the sky of the capital again…”
And the people, she added silently in her heart.
Her fingers gently fiddled with a string of agarwood beads on her wrist.
Jiang Jiexiu turned her head, her gaze lingering on the beads for a moment.
She remembered that four years ago, during the Lantern Festival, when they were still young ladies of the Marquis of Dinguo’s household, Song Yangtang, the heir of Duke Ying’s mansion, came to offer congratulations to their grandmother. Besides the gifts for the elders, each of the sisters received a string of agarwood beads.
Sister Hanchu had tossed hers into her jewelry box, while she had happily placed hers under her pillow. But their fourteenth sister had worn hers on her wrist, never parting with them day or night.
So when their home was confiscated, their beads were lost, except for the fourteenth sister’s, which she had managed to keep.
But even so, what difference did it make?
She looked up at the sky and said softly, “Our sister-in-law is beautiful and kind… Judging by our cousin’s behavior, he seems to cherish her dearly… He used to be the type to leave at a moment’s notice, and sending a servant to inquire was already considered thoughtful… Now he comes to pick her up every day after work… He’s doing very well…”
But a mist appeared in her eyes, and a sense of bitterness welled up in her heart.
Jiang Jieying, however, recalled the time when she and her sisters were hiding behind the holly trees, secretly watching their brothers practice archery. When they were discovered, she and her sisters giggled and hid in the rockery. The thirteenth sister, being the slowest, was caught, but she calmly stood her ground, her big eyes fixed unwaveringly on Cousin Song, saying, “I saw that the brothers were all shooting well, so I came specially to cheer for you.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the memory.
All those past events were like a beautiful dream. What was the point of dwelling on them now?
“Yes!” she said sincerely, “Knowing that our cousins are all doing well, I have no more worries.”
The sound of laughter could be faintly heard approaching.
Jiang Jieying smiled, straightened up, and lightly dusted off her clothes, saying, “Thirteenth Sister, it seems guests have arrived. Shall we go out to receive them?”
Jiang Jiexiu smiled and agreed, “Alright.” The sisters went to the main hall arm in arm.
Jiang Lizhu returned home on the third day after her wedding, and the Jiang family women left the capital on the fourth day.
By the time they left, all the families who had attended Jiang Lizhu’s wedding knew that Fourth Aunt Jiang had decided to keep the other girls in Huzhou, so that the younger brothers, still in their childhood, would have someone to rely on.
Despite this, Song Han did not give up.
He knelt in the main courtyard of Duke Ying’s mansion, begging Song Yichun to arrange for him to marry one of the Jiang family’s daughters.
In his words, being able to strengthen ties with his mother’s family would surely please his mother in the afterlife and gain her approval.
In no time, Song Han’s reputation for filial piety spread far and wide.
Song Yichun summoned Song Mo and his wife to his study, and with a wry smile, said to Song Han, “Unfortunately, both Jiexiu and Jieying are already betrothed. If you want to marry your cousin, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a few years.”
The other Jiang daughters were still young.
But Song Han replied, “As long as Father agrees to let me marry a daughter of the Jiang family, I’m willing to wait a few years.”
His resolute tone made Dou Zhao suspicious.
It was understandable that Song Han admired Jiang Jiexiu and wanted to marry her. But the Jiang family had rejected him, and he had gained a reputation for filial piety because of it. Why was he still insisting on marrying a Jiang family daughter? Moreover, judging by his tone, it seemed that any Jiang family daughter would do. So was he truly in love with Jiang Jiexiu, or was it just because Madam Jiang had once considered betrothing Jiang Jiexiu to Song Mo?