Early the next morning, Song Lan’an took the Song household steward to Duke Yingguo’s residence to pay respects to the Grand Princess.

The Grand Princess was already over seventy years old, but her body was still relatively robust. When Song Lan’an saw her, he immediately performed a very respectful formal bow, which greatly surprised the old lady.

With the two households currently discussing marriage, his behavior today clearly indicated he had some important matter to request.

The Grand Princess leaned on her gilded walking stick, her expression solemn and inscrutable.

Song Lan’an rose and said with a smile, “I’ve come to visit today because this junior has a matter to request.”

“Speak and let me hear it.”

“Right now is the crucial time for our two households’ children to form a marriage alliance. Unfortunately, my wife has been seriously ill recently. To avoid affecting the good union between our two families, I wish to ask the Grand Princess to manage the wedding arrangements for the two children.”

“Also, I come today on behalf of my unworthy son. I wonder if it would be too much trouble to ask Duke Yingguo’s household to send a few people to our humble home first to help manage things?”

Hearing these words, a smile gradually appeared in the Grand Princess’s eyes.

Whether Madam Song’s serious illness was real or fake, she didn’t know and didn’t want to know. But Song Lan’an’s attitude now was very clear. Having Duke Yingguo’s household send people to the Song residence in advance to help manage things was making a concession.

Having servants help manage the husband’s household affairs before the new bride even entered the household—this was Song Lan’an informing her that after Ming Xiang entered the household, she could directly take over the household management.

The Grand Princess was very satisfied with Song Lan’an’s sincerity. In just a few words, she agreed and had people begin preparations.

Having completed this matter, Song Lan’an walked out of Duke Yingguo’s residence.

In the carriage, the Song household steward said, “Handing over household authority to Miss Ming, could it…”

Song Lan’an waved his hand and said casually, “Su Yi arranged everything properly years ago, and the household has had no troubles over all these years. There’s nothing to fear now. Besides, although Ming Jiu is somewhat incompetent, the people of Duke Yingguo’s household are not. I believe she’ll manage the household well in the future.”

“Moreover, Yi’er will certainly have left backup plans for Song Fu. You and I need not worry.”

Mentioning his first wife, Song Lan’an’s tone carried a hint more warmth.

“Furthermore, the household will eventually be handed over to Fu’er. Even if Ming Jiu can’t be propped up, it will be his headache. The paths that could be paved for him have all been paved. If he still can’t walk smoothly after all this, there’s nothing I as his father can do.”

“The eldest young master is steady and wise. He will surely surpass his predecessors.”

Song Lan’an smiled, his eyes carrying a trace of imperceptible pride.

How could his and Su Yi’s child not be excellent?

Lowering his eyes slightly, Song Lan’an half-closed his eyelids and began to rest.

Spring had arrived. Song Fu and Ming Xiang’s wedding day drew ever closer, but Madam Song became increasingly panicked. This was because she discovered that now, staying in her room all day, not a single person came to find her.

For three full days, she could hear the servants in the household chattering noisily, yet still not one person came to ask her to come out and manage household affairs.

“It’s so noisy outside. Are they preparing for Fu’er’s wedding?”

Tanzhu nodded. “The household is currently preparing for the ancestral worship ceremony the day after tomorrow. Has it disturbed Madam?”

“Ancestral worship?”

Madam Song suddenly stood up. “Why was I not informed about the household ancestral worship? When worshipping ancestors, heaven, and earth, if the mistress of the household doesn’t appear, what kind of propriety is that?”

Pulling off the forehead ornament from her head, Madam Song was about to change clothes when she heard Tanzhu say, “Madam need not worry. The master said to let you rest well and focus on recovering your health.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The master instructed this servant to accompany Madam in quiet recuperation, to fully recover your health before considering other matters. Madam, you are weak now, so please return to bed and continue resting.”

Madam Song looked incredulous.

What did Song Lan’an mean by this? Was he trying to confine her?

“I need to see the master.”

She was about to leave in her outer robe when she was blocked at the door by Tanzhu. “Madam should return to bed and rest. The master is not at the residence today. Even if you go out, you won’t find him.”

Madam Song’s eyes reddened, her heart both panicked and frightened.

How could she have known that after serving Song Lan’an diligently for over ten years, just because he was biased toward Song Wan, and she used illness as an excuse to stay in bed for two days, he would confine her like this?

Over all these years, even if she had no merit, she had toiled. Could he not speak even a few soft words to her?

He would rather have the mistress absent during the eldest legitimate son’s wedding than coax her even once?

Her vision went black, and Madam Song suddenly fell backward.

These past few days, using poor health as an excuse, she had barely eaten or drunk. Now, with rage attacking her heart, she directly fainted.

Tanzhu stepped forward to support Madam Song and placed a ginseng slice under her tongue.

The heavy ginseng flavor spread from under her tongue throughout her mouth. Madam Song only felt her tongue root go numb, her entire chest cavity and even her breathing carrying a bitter taste.

Tanzhu laid her flat on the bed, then turned to find the household physician. Just as she went out, she ran right into Song Yao.

“Where are you going? Where’s Mother?”

“Madam has been seriously ill these past few days. Second Miss, it would be better not to disturb her.”

“Mother still hasn’t recovered?”

Song Yao looked listless. She had been looking for Madam Song because she had matters to discuss.

After she had refused food and water for two days and two nights, Father indeed hadn’t mentioned marrying her off to that disciple again. She had sent her personal maid to inquire, and the household steward hadn’t sent anyone to continue investigating the Hu family.

It seemed that seeing her unwillingness, Father had given up.

Song Yao had wanted to discuss her marriage arrangements with Madam Song, but Mother had been unwell all this time.

Standing at the door thinking for a long while, Song Yao said, “I’ll go in and check on Mother.”

“Second Elder Sister.”

Pulling back Song Yao, who was about to enter, Song Nian led her aside. “These past few days, Mother has been very worried about your marriage to that disciple. Now that Mother can finally rest a bit, please don’t disturb her anymore.”

Song Yao bit her lip and nodded, signaling for Tanzhu to leave first.

Pulling her back to her own courtyard, Song Nian sighed softly. “Elder Brother’s wedding cannot have any mistakes. These next few days, Second Elder Sister absolutely must not cause a commotion in the household. If you disturb the new bride, it will be our fault.”

Seeing Song Yao’s dismissive expression, she softened her manner and explained again in detail, breaking it down thoroughly.

“Since Father previously had thoughts of marrying Second Elder Sister to a disciple, presumably he won’t put much effort into Second Elder Sister’s marriage in the future.”

“But our new sister-in-law is different. When she first enters the household, it will be to establish a reputation for virtue, so she will certainly do her utmost to arrange good marriage prospects for us. If sister-in-law enters the household, Second Elder Sister must treat her well and…”

“What are you saying?”

Song Yao scoffed. “Have you gone foolish? Mother is still here. When does the marriage of you and me become a new bride’s decision? And one who has difficulty speaking and rarely interacts with people?”

“Although sister-in-law has difficulty speaking, Duke Yingguo’s household is not…”

“Why do you always build up others’ ambitions and destroy your own prestige?”

“Besides, how could Father not care about your and my marriages? Even if I cannot enter the Eastern Palace, Father won’t casually marry you and me off to any unworthy families.”

“This Hu-surnamed disciple is ninety percent likely Father’s way of frightening me.”

Speaking of this, Song Yao’s eyes revealed traces of sorrow. “Among the legitimate daughters in the household, aside from Song Wan, there’s only you and me. Our usefulness is great. How could Father…”

Waste these one or two useful chess pieces for nothing?