“Does Sister-in-law look down on my nephew?”
“I meant no such thing.”
Madam Song looked at Yang Pianzi and thought for a moment. “Third Sister-in-law’s maternal family could be considered an esteemed clan in Jiangnan, but I wonder why your nephew hasn’t remarried?”
Seeing that her words carried curiosity but no mockery, Yang Pianzi answered casually, “My eldest brother and sister-in-law have both passed away, so there’s no one to arrange marriage matters for him. Moreover, my nephew is an honest man—taciturn by nature and single-mindedly focused on the family business. That’s why he still hasn’t remarried.”
“Coming to the capital now is also because the clan wants me to arrange a match for him.”
As she spoke, Yang Pianzi frowned slightly, as if thinking of something.
She cleared her throat, her face showing a smile. “My nephew is handsome and steady in temperament. Speaking words that may be treasonous—since my short-lived brother and sister-in-law departed early, whichever young lady marries him can directly manage the household.”
“If that young lady is clever, controlling my nephew would be an easy matter.”
“Most importantly, my nephew has long resided in Jiangnan…”
Glancing at Madam Song, Yang Pianzi chuckled. “Jiangnan is quite far from the capital. It wouldn’t be easy for him to return.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Song pressed her lips together. “This person is indeed quite suitable. As his aunt, you should put more effort into helping him.”
After saying this, Madam Song spoke a few more pleasantries, then left with a faint smile.
Seeing her depart, Yang Pianzi spat. “What rubbish. I thought she was going to act as matchmaker for my nephew.”
Thinking of the ready-made candidate right here in the residence, Yang Pianzi’s eyes darted about as her mind immediately became active.
Her nephew truly was quite good. If not for Song Wan’s high birth and having Imperial Consort Yun cherishing her, such damaged goods wouldn’t even catch her eye or be worthy of her nephew.
The image of the silver embroidered vest with hundred blessings that Song Wan had worn that day flashed before her eyes. She curved her lips in a smile and went off cheerfully to find her nephew.
Song Wan had quite a few good things in her possession—best not to let outsiders benefit from them.
Twisting her waist as she walked out, Yang Pianzi was so delighted she seemed to carry wind with her, her back straighter than before.
Returning to the third branch, Yang Pianzi’s maid asked, “Why is Third Madam so happy today?”
She removed the heavy golden hairpin that had been weighing painfully on her neck, smiling as she pointed toward the main branch. “That one has hatched a crooked scheme, wanting to send off that great Buddha who was brought back to the residence the other day. But it seems she doesn’t want to speak up herself, so she’s tossed the bait right in front of me.”
“You mean Miss Wan?”
“Exactly.”
The maid said, “So will Madam take the bait or not?”
Yang Pianzi raised her eyebrows, her eyes showing delight. “Since this pie falling from the sky has already hit me on the head, naturally I’ll take it. She just wants me to make the first move so she can smoothly push things along while keeping herself clean. I’m only taking on a bad reputation—what’s there to be afraid of?”
“Moreover, Miss Wan is clever. If it works out, my nephew will have gained a great bargain. If it doesn’t work out, she won’t blame me, an aunt from a different branch.”
“Should this matter be mentioned to Sixth Master Yang?”
“Don’t tell him. That man is quite dull—he definitely won’t agree.”
Having said this, Yang Pianzi began carefully pondering how to proceed with this matter.
Having merely dropped a subtle hint, Madam Song paid no further attention to the matter. Her heart was anxious about Song Yao and the Crown Prince’s affair—where would she have the energy to find a good family for Song Wan?
Moreover, Song Wan’s status was so shameful. If she actually approached families she knew well to arrange a match for her, people might even misunderstand it as coming to humiliate the man’s side.
Yang Pianzi’s nephew was a widower—Song Wan matched him more than adequately, and he surely had nothing to be particular about either.
“Isn’t Madam afraid Third Madam won’t take the bait?”
“Hmph, how could someone so shallow not take the bait? Moreover, Wan’er is still the legitimate eldest daughter of the residence of the Grand Councilor. What is her nephew? Just you watch—within three days she’ll definitely make a move.”
The dowry servant by Madam Song’s side nodded, then carefully brought up the matter of Song Yao and Song Nian learning etiquette from the palace nannies.
After three to five days passed, the residence’s gatekeepers came to report that Yang Pianzi’s nephew had come today to pay respects to his aunt. Madam Song knew the opportunity had arrived.
“In a few more days it will likely snow. Today, summon all three young misses. I’ll take them to the residence’s storehouse to select bed warmers and have cloaks made.”
The servant by Madam Song’s side acknowledged with a sound and left with a smile.
When Song Wan received word from the residence’s maid, she was reading in her room. Upon hearing this, she acknowledged faintly.
“Miss, this servant will light your hand warmer for you.”
Heng Zhi entered the room, using tongs to place red charcoal into a brass hand warmer, then carefully covered it with thickened cotton-lined soft leather before handing it to Song Wan.
Heng Wu helped Song Wan put on a small jacket. Just as she was about to change her own clothes, she heard Song Wan say, “Have Jinshu come with me.”
Holding the warming furnace, Song Wan went to Madam Song’s courtyard together with Heng Zhi and Jinshu.
“The palace recently bestowed some silver squirrel fur. The quality and color are excellent. Your father and I don’t care for such things, so I thought to have silver squirrel fur vests made for you sisters.”
Madam Song looked at Song Wan and her sisters, smiling. “It’s just that these vests haven’t been made much in the residence before, so I don’t know your sisters’ current measurements. Today happens to be perfect to measure you all together.”
“Also, Yao’er and Nian’er seem to have grown taller as well. Let’s replace the cloaks in their rooms too.”
Imperial Consort Yun had bestowed quite a few fur cloaks to Song Wan, so she didn’t lack such things. Song Yao and Song Nian, however, rarely received even one or two pieces. Hearing this, Song Wan had no objection and quietly followed behind Madam Song toward the embroidery room.
Having left the main branch courtyard and just reaching near the ornamental gate, Madam Song suddenly said, “Since we’re all having silver squirrel fur vests made, why not also make each of you sisters an embroidered twin lotus brocade jacket?”
“New Year is nearly upon us. Huanhua brocade is festive and auspicious, suitable for girls your age.”
Madam Song smiled as she said to Song Yao and Song Nian, “You two follow Yun Jin to fetch those four bolts of Huanhua brocade from the storehouse. Be careful on the way and don’t snag the silk threads.”
Watching Song Yao and Song Nian leave, Song Wan’s eyelids drooped slightly as she stood to the side waiting.
Seeing this, Madam Song said warmly, “Is Wan’er cold? Take Mother’s hand warmer.”
“Thank you for Mother’s concern. Wan’er is not cold.”
Song Wan turned her head to glance at Jinshu. Jinshu stepped forward and stood behind her.
As several people waited quietly, three or four people suddenly entered from outside the ornamental gate. The one leading was Yang Pianzi, with a middle-aged man of about twenty-five or twenty-six following behind her.
Upon seeing everyone, the man hurriedly stopped and tried to retreat back outside the ornamental gate, but was blocked squarely by Yang Pianzi’s servant behind him.
He stumbled and tottered several steps before steadying himself.
Yang Pianzi acted as if she was completely unaware that an outside man had intruded upon the residence’s womenfolk, cheerfully greeting Madam Song and Song Wan.
“Sister-in-law, what are you doing? Bringing Wan’er out to view the scenery?”