Song Lan’an pinched the bridge of his nose, concealing the annoyance in his eyes. But Madam Song continued crying and wailing in the room, making him quite irritated.
“Master, please decline this assignment. With Qianbai now serving as regent, if you speak with him, he’ll surely agree.”
“If you have nothing else, go back to the Buddhist hall and copy scriptures. Calming your mind and nurturing your spirit would also be good.”
Madam Song’s eyes reddened, her heart filled with urgency: “Master only knows to tell this concubine to copy scriptures, copy scriptures. This concubine has been the manor’s mistress for over ten years, yet in the end, I’ve become like a divorced woman returning home, with the fate of having my trusted servants sent away.”
“In this matter, Master has never said a single word of criticism about the eldest daughter, yet you’ve thrown this concubine’s dignity on the ground to be trampled.”
“This concubine knows her birth is humble and unworthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Sister Wan, and this concubine can accept that Master doesn’t value her. But you cannot treat Yao’er and Lan’er’s futures as child’s play.”
Madam Song clutched her handkerchief and stood before Song Lan’an’s desk, looking down at the man before her for the first time.
“Song Fu now has a stable position in the Ministry of Personnel, and Sister Wan replaced Yao’er in going to the Eastern Palace—both have good prospects. But what about Yao’er and Lan’er?”
Hearing Madam Song mention herself, Song Yao lowered her eyes and stood to the side, yet her teeth clenched so hard they ached.
“Yao’er has already come of age, yet her marriage remains undecided. If Master bears the infamy of a national traitor, what will become of Yao’er in the future? With such a reputation on our manor, how can this concubine select a husband’s family for Yao’er?”
“Lan’er is still just a half-grown child—what path can he take in the future?”
Madam Song slammed both hands on the desk, shouting sternly: “Master has spent a lifetime planning for the clan, planning for Song Fu and Song Wan, yet you’ve never once planned for my four children and me. What does this make you?”
Song Lan’an’s brows furrowed tightly: “What national traitor infamy? This order comes from the court. Only those ignorant common folk who don’t understand politics would say a few unpleasant things. How would officials acknowledge this national traitor label?”
Rarely showing some patience, Song Lan’an explained: “You needn’t worry about Yao’er’s marriage. I’ll make arrangements when I return from the Su River. In these chaotic times of war, what family has the heart to discuss marriage?”
“Any family with a bit of backbone and a clear head wouldn’t be arranging marriages at this time. Just wait.”
“Wait?”
Tears as large as beans rolled down in succession. Madam Song glanced at Song Yao standing in the corner, her heart aching so much her entire body trembled.
“Master, give a definite answer. How long do you want Yao’er to wait?”
“Didn’t I say to wait until I return from the Su River?”
Song Lan’an frowned tightly, watching Madam Song’s shrewish display, the patience in his eyes dissipating bit by bit.
“This concubine doesn’t want to wait. This concubine doesn’t want to wait until the Song Manor’s reputation is ruined before hastily selecting some poor family for Yao’er.”
“Then don’t wait. You…”
Pointing to a servant woman beside him, Song Lan’an said: “Go invite the eldest young master and eldest young madam here.”
The woman nodded in agreement, turned and left to invite Song Fu and Ming Xiang over. Ming Xiang stood beside Song Fu and glanced at Song Yao in the corner, continuously shedding tears, sighing inwardly.
When she first married into the Song Manor, she had decided to treat the manor’s young ladies well. She could get along harmoniously with both Song Ni and Song Nian, but Song Yao alone always displeased her.
She didn’t know if it was because Song Yao couldn’t secure a satisfactory marriage for herself or what, but she often saw her speaking with Song Nian with barbed words. Sometimes when facing her, Song Yao would also make sarcastic remarks both openly and covertly.
The two were similar in age. Ming Xiang was too lazy to put on airs as a sister-in-law before her, and naturally didn’t wish to meddle in her affairs.
Seeing Song Yao here today, Ming Xiang knew there must be arrangements for her in the manor, some use for her services.
Standing up straighter, Ming Xiang waited for Song Lan’an to speak.
“Do you intend to arrange Song Yao’s marriage yourself?”
“Naturally.”
Madam Song’s eyes reddened. She had completely seen through Song Lan’an’s character—he absolutely wouldn’t care about Yao’er. If he had even a bit of concern for Yao’er, he wouldn’t delay her marriage until now, saying to wait until his return to handle it.
“Then the second young lady’s marriage shall be entrusted to Madam.”
Finishing, Song Lan’an waved his hand indicating everyone should leave. Song Fu, however, frowned and said: “With the war situation critical now, families with any foundation wouldn’t discuss marriage at this time. Why not wait a bit longer? When Father returns from the Su River, Yao’er’s marriage could reach an even higher level…”
“You speak so lightly.”
Madam Song waved the handkerchief in her hand, grinding her teeth: “Song Wan stole my Yao’er’s fortune. As her elder brother, do you also want to trample her into the mud?”
“You yourself married into Duke Yingguo’s manor and gained a path to success, yet you insist on suppressing Yao’er to prevent her from marrying into a good family?”
All her grief and indignation erupted at this moment. Years of forbearance and compromising had left her unable to speak calmly with these people.
Song Lan’an didn’t favor her—she didn’t care. But Yao’er had already come of age. Among well-born young ladies in the capital, who at Yao’er’s age had not yet settled on a marriage?
How could she not be anxious?
“Mother, don’t worry. I’ll carefully look at families for Sister Yao’s marriage.”
“Look? How long will you delay before looking for Yao’er? Why haven’t you looked for marriage prospects for Yao’er before?”
Madam Song’s eyes were bloodshot: “I wonder what scheme you have, passing over Yao’er to arrange a match with Duke Yingguo’s manor for Nian’er. Are you trying to create discord between the sisters?”
“What mistress in any manor would pass over the elder sister to arrange a match for the younger?”
Madam Song’s voice grew louder and louder. She felt a stifled qi blocking her chest. If she didn’t completely vent it today, she feared it would drive her mad right here.
“You arranged such a high-status family for Nian’er—how do you expect Yao’er to feel? How can Yao’er compose herself before Nian’er?”
“Enough.”
Song Lan’an slammed the desk and stood: “Song Yao, come and tell me—will you follow your mother’s arrangements for your marriage, or wait until I return from the Su River to select a family?”
Song Yao lowered her head, murmuring: “This child… this child doesn’t understand these matters. Everything will follow Mother’s arrangements.”
“Good, good, good.”
Song Lan’an sighed repeatedly: “You two have also heard. Song Yao’s marriage will be decided by her mother. No one else in the manor may interfere.”
“No matter how this marriage turns out in the future, you two must not regret it.”
Finishing, Song Lan’an swept his sleeves and left, unwilling to look at the two of them again.
Song Fu followed closely behind. His mind was full of concerns about the surrender matter—where would he have the leisure to care whether Song Yao was engaged or not?
“If Mother needs anything urgent, you may send someone to find Xiang’er.”
Bowing in courtesy to Madam Song, Ming Xiang left with a faint smile.
As she walked out, she saw Song Nian standing under the corridor eaves, eyes lowered, not knowing what she was thinking. Ming Xiang’s lips parted slightly. After a moment, she ultimately said nothing and left together with Song Fu.
Madam Song came out from the room, Song Yao following behind her with tears streaming down. When the two saw Song Nian, both their faces showed slight discomfort.