Madam Song said awkwardly, “Wan’er, you’ve truly misunderstood your mother. That you think of me this way—are you still holding a grudge over what happened before?”

“Wan’er wouldn’t dare.”

Song Wan replied softly, then said nothing more.

Being called short-sighted by a junior twice now, Madam Song felt both embarrassed and unable to refute it. She could only perfunctorily say a few words telling Song Wan to rest well and not worry about what others said, before taking Song Yao and Song Nian away.

The moment the mother and daughters stepped out of Song Wan’s courtyard, their expressions all darkened in unison.

“She really is…”

“Shut your mouth.”

Madam Song snapped in a low voice. Song Yao swallowed back her grievances along with her words.

Only after the three returned to their own courtyard did Song Yao start crying silently with reddened eyes.

Song Wan had said that Father had arrangements for her and her sister’s marriage matters, but Song Yao felt even more uneasy in her heart. Father had always only valued Elder Brother—when had he ever managed the womenfolk’s affairs?

Mother often said Father favored Song Fu and Song Wan, yet that favoritism had still sent Song Wan off to be a widow. What kind of marriage could someone like her, who didn’t win Father’s favor, possibly be arranged?

Though afraid in her heart, she dared not voice a single objection. For an unmarried young lady to pick and choose about marriage matters—if word got out, Father would probably beat her to death.

The more Song Yao thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, unable to stop herself from wiping away tears.

“Second Sister, don’t cry anymore.”

Song Nian looked at their mother’s worried face, then at her sister crying so sorrowfully, and felt her own heart grow sour.

After a long while, Song Nian finally said, “What Mother and Elder Sister should be doing now isn’t sitting here crying to the heavens. Even if you cried down the city gates, it would be of no use.”

“Rather than that, you’d better save that energy and think about how to deal with this situation.”

Madam Song sat up and said wearily, “You’ve always been clever, so tell me—what can I do? What can your sister do?”

Though she was nominally the main wife of the Song household, Song Lan’an had always been indifferent toward her, never once showing warmth. All these years she’d always vaguely felt she couldn’t compare to his first wife, so naturally her actions and words had less confidence behind them.

Especially after that incident when she’d acted from selfish motives, wanting to send Song Wan back to the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence—after that, everyone in the household, old and young alike, treated her even worse than before.

In the past, Song Fu and Song Wan would at least call her “Mother” when they saw her, and Song Fu had treated her with some respect. But now?

Now when Song Fu saw her, he didn’t even call her Mother.

“What would I dare do now? If I do anything more, I fear your father will sever ties with me and drive me out of the residence.”

Song Nian frowned. “Acting behind Father’s back naturally won’t work—having no proper justification will surely invite criticism.”

“Stop showing off your learning. If you have any good ideas, hurry up and share them.”

Song Nian sighed inwardly, then said, “Father won’t let Eldest Sister stay in the residence forever. Mother, why don’t you directly ask Father if he has any plans to arrange another marriage match for Eldest Sister?”

“Exactly.”

Song Yao stood up. “Since Eldest Sister has completely severed ties with the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence, she can’t possibly return there. So why not find her a marriage match soon, preferably marrying her off somewhere far away?”

“The capital has so many new happenings every day—in just three to five months, people will probably forget all about Eldest Sister.”

Song Nian shook her head. “We mustn’t be too hasty. We need to proceed gradually…”

“Mother, you should go ask Father quickly. If Father agrees, you can start looking for suitable families for Eldest Sister right away.”

She was about to come of age soon—how could she afford to wait any longer?

There weren’t many families in the capital that could arrange marriage matches with the Song household. She absolutely did not want to be married off elsewhere.

Song Yao urged her mother to go inquire with Song Lan’an. Madam Song pressed her lips together, thinking this was indeed the only solution.

Find Song Wan another marriage match and marry her off far away. Then the residence would return to how it was before, peaceful and quiet. The face Song Wan had lost could be regained bit by bit by the other young ladies of the household.

Thinking this, Madam Song took a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes, then stood up to seek out Song Lan’an.

Song Nian opened her mouth behind her, wanting to say something, but was pulled aside by Song Yao. “Come with me to my room to make decorative knots.”

Song Nian sighed inwardly and could only follow them.

When Madam Song went to find Song Lan’an, he had just returned from outside. Seeing her approach, Song Lan’an said, “I was just looking for you.”

“What matter does the lord have?”

“There are two teaching nannies who came out from the palace. Go make arrangements. Starting today, send these two to Yao’er and Nian’er’s side to have them properly learn palace etiquette.”

“From the palace?”

Madam Song instantly understood what Song Lan’an had meant by “having his own arrangements.”

She couldn’t help but feel secretly delighted, revealing a gentle smile. “This wife understands.”

Song Lan’an continued, “For the next while, have the two children stop their needlework so they don’t strain their eyes. Also, be careful they don’t get bumped or bruised, leaving external injuries. Arrange everything else as you see fit.”

Madam Song agreed with a smile.

Seeing Song Lan’an was in a good mood, she added, “This wife has one more matter to ask the lord.”

“Speak.”

“It concerns Wan’er.”

Seeing no particular reaction on Song Lan’an’s face, Madam Song lowered her head slightly. “This wife wonders how the lord plans to arrange things for Wan’er? If the lord has no particular thoughts, this wife was thinking of helping Wan’er find another family?”

“A woman’s youthful years are so few. To waste them further would truly be delaying Wan’er.”

Song Lan’an frowned. Madam Song smiled. “The lord has arrangements for Yao’er and Nian’er. If in the future someone uses Wan’er to attack Yao’er and the other’s character, it will be difficult to handle.”

Song Lan’an looked at Madam Song with a half-smile. Madam Song’s heart lurched, and she nervously gripped her handkerchief tighter.

“You decide. Just carefully select a superior family—consider it giving the Crown Prince an explanation.”

Mentioning the Crown Prince, Song Lan’an showed more interest. “The Crown Prince is quite capable. He’s already gained more than half the court’s support, and even His Majesty has uncharacteristically begun acknowledging the Crown Prince’s status.”

His Majesty’s only desire was to leave a striking mark in the history books. He feared being criticized by the court historians, so now that he knew the Crown Prince’s ascension would only benefit him, he went along with it.

In the end, Emperor Wenhui had no great ability.

“Wan’er’s marriage cannot be arranged casually. Choose carefully.”

Madam Song’s face lit up with joy as she agreed, no longer calculating about Song Lan’an’s previous indifferent attitude toward the two children.

Eager to return to her room and tell Song Yao and Song Nian this good news, she said the lord should continue his work and withdrew.

Knowing Song Yao’s marriage prospects had such a wonderful outcome, Madam Song’s steps were noticeably lighter. She was heading toward the main wing when she heard Yang Pianzi calling out to her from afar.

“Sister-in-law, please wait.”

“Does Third Sister-in-law have business?”

Having seen her today, Madam Song felt the other woman wasn’t as detestable as before—she even seemed rather straightforward and likeable. Naturally, her words were also warmer than usual.

Yang Pianzi, however, smiled without warmth. “What’s come over Sister-in-law today? So happy? If there’s good news in the residence, don’t forget about us in the third branch.”

“No wonder your maternal family has become so prosperous. Third Sister-in-law, with your nature of taking advantage wherever you go, I’d never believe you couldn’t make a fortune.”

Yang Pianzi’s mouth twitched, but she couldn’t very well make a scene.

After a long while she said, “It’s about my nephew. He’s currently visiting the residence. I was thinking of having Song Fu take him around the capital to see the world. They’re about the same age, so…”

“Your nephew?”

Madam Song blinked. “If I remember correctly, he’s been a widower for many years, is that right?”