The steward nodded, already calculating in his mind.

The students who had pledged themselves under Master’s tutelage, though not born of prominent families, mostly possessed some talent. Though this would truly be marrying down for Second Miss, Second Miss’s temperament was indeed not suitable for marriage alliances with aristocratic families.

The residence already had one marriage alliance that had turned from kinship to enmity. If another mismatched couple were added, it would truly ruin the ancestral feng shui.

“Among Master’s students, there’s a young man surnamed Hu who’s quite good, and his family circumstances can be considered prosperous.”

This young man surnamed Hu understood propriety and gratitude. Every year during festivals, he would send gifts to the residence and personally come to pay respects to Master. Although Master hadn’t seen him many times, he never complained.

“Tomorrow this old servant will go inquire whether he has already taken a wife.”

Song Lan’an shook his head: “You investigate personally. Don’t ask him directly.”

If that person was one who craved power and was ruthless, he might do something to harm lives.

After giving all his instructions, Song Lan’an returned to the concubine’s courtyard.

He had originally thought that the Crown Prince bestowing items for the inner chambers was giving the Song Residence a hint, but unexpectedly the next day, Minister Luo came to visit.

It turned out that today the Crown Prince had sent him a card, asking him to…

Minister Luo’s old face reddened, unable to speak the words.

Fortunately, Song Lan’an wasn’t a fool. Upon seeing Minister Luo, he knew the purpose of his visit today.

He had no intention of making things difficult for him. As soon as the two sat down, Song Lan’an said: “Yesterday the Crown Prince bestowed some items upon the women of the residence. Today Minister Luo comes…”

“Minister Luo might as well speak directly—which of this humble official’s daughters does the Crown Prince wish to receive into the Eastern Palace?”

Minister Luo coughed lightly, his face full of wrinkles unable to hide the shame on his face.

“It’s… the legitimate eldest daughter of your residence.”

“Which one?”

“The legitimate eldest daughter of your residence.”

Song Lan’an’s brow furrowed tightly as he shouted: “How does this conform to propriety?”

“She is remarrying—how can she enter the Eastern Palace? Has Minister Luo become muddled, actually allowing the Crown Prince to act in this manner? Have you and Minister Huang not tried to counsel him?”

Minister Luo said: “This old official and Minister Song have served in court together for many years. I also know Minister Song is honest and upright, but…”

With a deep sigh, Minister Luo looked at him: “Though your daughter is remarrying, which indeed doesn’t meet the conditions for entering the Eastern Palace, but… let this old official speak from the heart with Minister Song.”

“You became acquainted with the Crown Prince when he was in obscurity. With the assistance the Crown Prince received from you, he will certainly leave a position in the palace for a Song Family daughter. To be frank with you, this old official and Minister Huang originally selected your residence’s Second Miss, but your residence’s Second Miss…”

The Dong Chang knew about Song Yao’s secret meeting with the Crown Prince, Song Lan’an knew, and Minister Luo equally knew. With just a slight mention, Song Lan’an’s face filled with the shame of having failed to properly teach his daughter, and the matter was glossed over.

Minister Luo also had no interest in gossiping about a young lady younger than his own legitimate granddaughter, so the two no longer brought up the matter.

“The Third Miss of your residence doesn’t meet the age requirement, and the Crown Prince felt the daughters of the second branch lacked sufficient sincerity. That’s why he selected your residence’s legitimate eldest daughter and asked us several officials about it.”

“To speak truthfully with Minister Song, this old official also feels this doesn’t conform to propriety, but there truly is no more suitable candidate than her.”

“Though your daughter was previously married to the Chengyang Marquis Residence, she now only holds the status of Chenghui, which presents no great obstacle.”

Asking a legitimate daughter of the Song Family to enter the palace and become a Chenghui with status not even as high as the palace’s female officials—even as Minister Luo spoke these words, his heart was uncertain.

Seeing Song Lan’an’s expression darken after he finished speaking, he hastily added: “The Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace has numerous Good Companions and Good Ladies. Your daughter won’t be lacking anything.”

Song Lan’an raised his eyes and glanced at Minister Luo. Minister Luo turned his head away, unable to bear watching further.

But the facts were indeed thus. Among the Crown Prince’s Good Companions, those with terrible diseases had terrible diseases, those with half-ruined faces had half-ruined faces. Now with one remarrying Chenghui added, it seemed there was nothing particularly worth discussing either.

“Minister Song need not feel burdened. Entering the palace together with your residence’s legitimate daughter this time will also be the daughter of General Zhaowu.”

Minister Luo thought for a moment and continued persuading: “Though the Crown Prince acts without pattern, he truly has calculations in his heart. Minister Song need not worry about what the court officials will say.”

Since Good Lady Shang and Good Lady Wu entered the Eastern Palace, the important court officials had already understood the Crown Prince’s ambitions and tastes.

Now, apart from the position of Crown Princess which they still watched closely, whatever the Crown Prince wanted to do with the other positions, they were too lazy to care anymore.

Remarrying was much better than having a terrible disease.

“Minister Song, please consider carefully. The Crown Prince said if you’re unwilling, he won’t force the matter either.”

Song Lan’an’s brow remained tightly locked as he said hesitantly: “Let this official think… let this official think.”

“Then this old official won’t disturb Minister Song further. If Minister Song reaches a decision, please inform this old official, and I’ll have the Imperial Clan Court handle this matter.”

Seeing Song Lan’an’s troubled expression, Minister Luo considerately took his leave.

Only after Minister Luo left the courtyard did Song Lan’an snort and laugh.

“How difficult it must have been for him to pave the way for Wan’er like this.”

By today, looking back on all of Shen Qianyu’s actions, he had to praise—this boy’s mind was cunning.

Walking to Song Wan’s courtyard with a smile in his eyes and brows, Song Lan’an restrained his smile before entering.

Song Wan was reading in her room. Seeing him arrive, she quickly came out to greet him.

“Wan’er pays respects to Father.”

“We’re family, no need for excessive courtesy.”

Song Lan’an paused slightly: “Do you know about the Crown Prince wishing to receive you into the Eastern Palace?”

“Wan’er knows.”

“Oh, when did you learn of this?”

Song Wan said: “The day Father had Aunt take Wan’er into the palace to meet the Crown Prince.”

How could she know that Shen Qianyu had been hiding things from both sides, running around alone to settle the matter of her entering the palace?

Now that Song Lan’an asked in this manner, Song Wan answered truthfully.

Hearing this, Song Lan’an looked at her. Seeing she was still kept in the dark, he couldn’t help but sigh that the Crown Prince had performed this one-man show wonderfully.

“Does the residence need to prepare anything for you?”

“Wan’er lacks nothing. Thank you for Father’s concern.”

Afraid Song Lan’an would worry about her, Song Wan gently said: “Aunt will look after Wan’er in the palace. Father need not worry.”

Song Lan’an responded lightly. He had originally wanted to offer a few words of guidance, but he understood Song Wan’s temperament well enough. The words reached his lips but were swallowed back.

After a long silence, he finally said: “If you encounter any difficulties, you can go to Zhongyang Palace to find Eunuch Yuan.”

“Wan’er understands.”

The father and daughter fell silent again, but Song Lan’an showed no intention of leaving, so Song Wan waited at the side.

“There are many places in the palace requiring management. I’ll have Nanny Song send you some bank notes.”

“Thank you, Father.”

Song Lan’an nodded and finally left quietly.

The Eastern Palace was pressing urgently, and since the Chenghui position was low, entering the palace didn’t require grand ceremonies. From when Shen Qianyu first conceived the idea, in merely two or three days, Song Wan was quietly received into the Eastern Palace.

Though she had frequently entered the palace to visit Song Yuning since childhood, she had never had the state of mind she did today.

Following the eunuch from the palace gate into the Eastern Palace, as Song Wan stepped through the Eastern Palace’s main entrance, she suddenly paused.

“Chenghui Song?”

“Please, Eunuch.”

The eunuch who came to receive her was completely respectful. Song Wan smiled faintly and followed.

Just as she entered the Eastern Palace, she saw Shen Qianyu standing not far away.

Seeing her, that person smiled warmly, his eyes and brows carrying a familiar quality that put Song Wan at ease.

Somehow, she suddenly relaxed.

Perhaps it was because she was certain that the “Ji Rong” she knew indeed had no intention of harming her.