Miao Ansu was slender, with glossy black hair and large almond-shaped eyes that could express both anger and joy, making her exceptionally beautiful. However, the sharpness in her gaze detracted from her softness, giving her features a distinct edge that made her seem difficult to approach. At that moment, with her brows arched and her eyes wide open, this impression intensified.
“What nonsense! He’s just a good-for-nothing relying on his ancestors’ legacy to live off the fat of the land!” Miao Ansu shouted, her voice growing louder as she was held back by two maidservants. “Father always says he dotes on me, yet now he wants me to marry a man who can’t even inherit his family’s estate. Can you bear to see me living off a meager income of a few hundred taels a year in a big house? By then, I won’t even be able to take care of myself, and who will you and my brother rely on…”
Miao’s father turned pale with fear, quickly covering her mouth and whispering, “My little ancestor, keep your voice down. This marriage is a royal decree; we can only be happy about it. How can there be any reluctance? If someone hears you and spreads the word, our Miao family will be in big trouble! Not even your father, nor the ladies in the palace, can protect you!”
With a sudden effort, Miao Ansu pulled her father’s hand away from her mouth. “Father, tell me the truth. Did you seek this marriage, or was it bestowed by the palace?”
“Of course, it was bestowed by the palace,” Miao’s father replied, feeling quite frustrated. “Do you think I’m foolish enough to marry you off to a second son?”
“That’s not right!” Miao Ansu exclaimed in surprise. “Isn’t the Empress Dowager always at odds with the ladies in the palace? How could she suddenly decide to marry me to the second son of the Duke of Ying? Although the Duke of Ying’s family is prestigious, I’ve heard that their heir is quite formidable. Their estate is so well-guarded that even the most notorious bandits wouldn’t dare to steal from them. Do you think I can act like a sister-in-law to such a person? When it comes to dividing the family property, would I dare to compete with him?” She began to cry, “Father, this isn’t an elevation; it’s pushing me into the fire!” She tugged at her father’s sleeve. “You absolutely cannot marry me off to the Song family!”
“I know, I know,” Miao’s father said helplessly. “But now that the decree has been issued, there’s no chance of changing it. If you don’t marry him, what can you do?”
Miao Ansu whispered, “There are so many sisters in the family, and the nobles in the palace and the Song family haven’t seen me. Can’t you just find someone else for me to marry?”
Miao’s father was startled and quickly replied, “Nonsense! That would be treason! You’d be putting our entire family at risk! Do you want to bring disaster upon us?” Fearing that his daughter would continue to argue and say something even more outrageous, he shook off her hand and sternly said, “Stop thinking about nonsense. Just stay at home and prepare for your marriage. If you dare to act out, don’t blame me for turning my back on you!” He then turned to the maidservants attending Miao Ansu and warned, “If the sixth miss goes missing, I will sell your entire family—women to the brothels and men to the salt mines!”
The maidservants turned pale with fear, trembling as they responded.
Miao’s father called in a few rough servants and threatened, “You all stay in front of the sixth miss’s room. If a fly comes in, you’ll be waiting for the slave traders to come for you!”
The servants dared not be negligent and quickly agreed.
Only then did Miao’s father leave for the hall.
Miao Ansu was so furious she could hardly contain herself, but her family was resolute, knowing the stakes were high. She had no choice but to wait for the Song family to send a marriage proposal.
Song Mo was quite pleased with the match and instructed Du Wei, “Keep an eye on the Miao family and find an opportunity to meet with them.”
Du Wei was puzzled.
Song Mo smiled, “If I don’t express my stance, how would the Miao family dare to demand a high bride price from the Song family?”
Although the Miao family was greedy, he didn’t mind indulging their avarice a little.
With a smile, Song Mo turned and headed to the Jing’an Temple alley—Dou Zhao had taken the child back to her family for a short visit.
Song Han was in a state of confusion.
He wanted to marry the renowned Jiang family girl, known for her loyalty and strength, not this obscure sixth daughter of the Miao family! How could the Empress suddenly grant him a marriage?
Did his brother know about this?
His father had gone to the Third Prince’s residence; would there be any change in the situation?
Clinging to a glimmer of hope, Song Han sat in the Xiangxiang Courtyard’s hall, waiting for Song Yichun to return.
So when he heard that Song Yichun was back, he hurriedly went to greet him.
“Father,” he looked at Song Yichun with eager anticipation, “What did the Third Prince say?”
“What else could he say?” Song Yichun’s brow was furrowed with disappointment. “We can only go to the palace to express our gratitude and discuss the marriage with the Miao family.”
Song Han fell silent, supporting Song Yichun as they entered the inner chamber.
While the maidservants helped Song Yichun change, he couldn’t help but ask, “Father, do you know what kind of family the Miao family from Wanping is?”
Mentioning this made Song Yichun even more uncomfortable.
“They are Miao Taifei’s family,” he replied irritably. “They originally ran a general store, but after Miao Taifei gained favor in the palace, they switched to construction. With the frequent changes in the Ministry of Works over the years, the Miao family has lost their support and has been living off their past glories.”
In other words, they were a fallen family!
Song Han felt humiliated, his face turning red with anger as his hands clenched into fists.
How could he face anyone after this?
Especially since Song Mo was marrying the daughter of the esteemed Dou family, whose father was a two-time top scholar and a Hanlin Academy scholar… Wouldn’t he be forever unable to hold his head high in front of Song Mo?!
If he married a Miao daughter, aside from Song Mo, no one else would benefit. No wonder his father suspected that this matter was related to Song Mo.
But how had Song Mo managed this?
Suddenly, Song Han felt foolish and naive.
Rather than trusting others, he should trust himself.
No matter whose idea it was to marry him to the sixth daughter of the Miao family, they would not get their way! Even if the sixth daughter of the Miao family married into his family, he would make sure she knew that being Song Han’s wife was not an easy task!
Determined, Song Han felt a bit more at ease and quietly asked Song Yichun, “Father, my brother has already taken office before getting married, and now I’m about to marry as well. Could you help me secure a position with the Emperor? It would save me from being idle and looked down upon by my in-laws.”
Song Yichun’s expression darkened. “Isn’t studying important?”
“Everything else is inferior; only studying is paramount,” Song Han quickly replied. “How could I think studying is unimportant? It’s just that people are short-sighted, and without ten or twenty years of effort, it’s hard to see results. I’m just worried about being ridiculed by others, and I have to do this to cope with their scrutiny.”
Song Yichun was pleased with his answer and nodded slightly. “Tomorrow, I will go to the palace to express our gratitude. I’ll mention your marriage to the Emperor. Since it was granted by the palace, having a position to speak of will make the marriage seem more respectable.”
Song Han respectfully lowered his head and replied, “Yes,” secretly relieved.
However, Song Yichun felt a bit uneasy.
The Empress Dowager had always been harsh on Miao Taifei, and now that Song Han was marrying Miao Taifei’s niece, he wondered if the Empress Dowager would look unfavorably upon Song Han. If the Empress Dowager truly held a grudge, it would be troublesome!
Thinking of this, he felt a headache coming on and called for Tao Qizhong.
But it was Zeng Wu who entered.
He approached Song Yichun with a flattering smile and said, “Mr. Tao has been out and hasn’t returned yet!”
Song Yichun frowned.
Tao Qizhong had been increasingly sluggish in his work.
Was it because he was getting old?
Should he consider replacing his advisor?
Song Yichun stood there, deep in thought.
Ever since he had fallen out with Song Mo, Tao Qizhong’s strategies against Song Mo had become mild and ineffective. It was clear that he still feared Song Mo, the heir of the Duke of Ying, and was hesitant to act decisively. He had overlooked this point in the past, allowing Song Mo to grow in power.
If he left and replaced his advisor, no one would hold him back.
Song Yichun nodded to himself and went to the study.
Meanwhile, Song Mo was sitting in the east wing of the Dou family’s residence in Jing’an Temple. His father-in-law was holding his son, beaming with joy.
“Why is this child so obedient?” Dou Shiying exclaimed, having rushed home from the office to hold his grandson, reluctant to put him down. “I remember when Shou Gu was this age, she cried all the time, driving me to distraction. I had to escape to the study in the outer courtyard to rest until she was six months old before I dared to approach her and see what she looked like.” He concluded, “This Yuan boy must take after you!”
Song Mo couldn’t have been happier.
But in front of his father-in-law, he was afraid of losing his composure and didn’t dare to show too much joy, so he could only smile modestly. “You flatter me, Father-in-law!”
Dou Zhao, who had tidied up the room for Song Mo, entered and overheard the conversation, feeling a sudden wave of emotion.
Some people mature early, while others take longer. Both his father and Wei Tingyu belonged to the latter category. Although they were not young when they married, they still had childlike dispositions and took a long time to adapt to being parents. When they heard their child cry, they would only avoid the situation, which also related to their personalities. In contrast, Song Mo was the opposite; he never shied away from challenges and always sought clarity. When the baby cried at night, he would check if he was hungry or needed changing, or if he was uncomfortable due to his position. After a few times, the child would sleep soundly in his arms. Although Dou Zhao was taking care of the baby, with Song Mo’s help, she found it easier than when she had a whole entourage of wet nurses and maids around her.
She chuckled softly and cleared her throat.
Dou Shiying felt a bit awkward.
Song Mo quickly said, “Are you done tidying up? Father-in-law was just reminiscing about your childhood. I didn’t expect you to be so mischievous back then.”
He actively helped his father-in-law out of the conversation, earning a grateful glance in return.
Dou Zhao laughed, responding, “Everything is ready,” as she went to take the child.
Dou Shiying stepped aside, avoiding Dou Zhao’s reach. “The child is sleeping so well; what if you wake him up? I’ll hold him instead.” He had already held the baby for nearly two hours and didn’t mind his sore arms.
Dou Zhao looked at Song Mo for help, feeling helpless.
But Song Mo pretended not to see, lowering his head to sip tea.
This guy only knew how to please his father-in-law!
Dou Zhao shot a glare at Song Mo.
Song Mo couldn’t help but mutter to himself.
The baby was a month old, and the maternal family would come to recognize their grandson. The son-in-law had to return home after delivering the child.
The only reason he could stay overnight at Jing’an Temple was that he had won his father-in-law’s favor.
At this moment, he could only play dumb.