Another year, and spring had arrived once again.

The capital had reached the time for posting auspicious spring couplets. In the Eastern Palace, servants had long since prepared all the necessary items, yet no one had the mood for it.

Ever since Shang Chong, Song Lan’an, and the others departed for Su River, the Shang and Song residences had endured countless contemptuous glares. Even Song Wan in the palace occasionally heard vile words that reached her from outside.

Seeing her indifferent expression, Ji Rong once suggested punishing those people, but Song Wan stopped her.

Those people spoke such words due to their limited perspective. She could not bear to be harsh with them, and moreover, it was precisely because those people held Dongning in their hearts that they possessed such passionate fervor.

Ji Rong looked at Song Wan, refraining from mentioning how the third young master of the Su family cursed most viciously. When Madam Su disciplined her son in the street, having the household steward beat him until his skin split and flesh tore, it still failed to prevent him from seeking out Song Fu the very next day.

Nowadays, the main gates of both the Shang and Song residences remained tightly shut day after day, not daring to open even slightly.

Though other officials’ households also received some criticism, none were scolded as miserably as the Shang and Song families.

Ji Rong dared not tell Song Wan these things. Since Su River had been without news for quite some time, both the court and the inner palace were filled with anxiety. He had no intention of adding further chaos for everyone.

“Your Highness, the eldest young madam of the Song residence requests an audience.”

Heng Zhi entered the room to report. Song Wan rose to receive her.

Ming Xiang carried a presentation box in her hands, smiling gently when she saw Song Wan.

“Sister-in-law, what brings you here today? Has something happened at the residence?”

With a long sigh, Ming Xiang opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. After gathering herself for a moment, she finally said, “There is something, but it’s nothing major.”

Inviting Ming Xiang to take a seat, the sisters-in-law began their conversation.

“You’ve always been clever, so even without me saying it, you should know what opinion people outside currently hold of our residence.”

Song Wan nodded, her eyes showing sorrow.

Her father valued his reputation above all else. If he heard the common people cursing him like this, he would surely be beside himself with rage.

“Everyone in the residence, from top to bottom, now keeps the doors closed and refrains from going out, afraid of doing something that might provoke the people’s dissatisfaction. The residence hasn’t sent anyone out to purchase supplies for several days, truly fearing we’ll incur heaven’s wrath and the people’s resentment.”

“Sister-in-law has worked hard.”

Ming Xiang shook her head, her large eyes filled with helplessness. “I’m not here to discuss this matter. What I want to say is that Mother insists on arranging a marriage for Song Yao at this critical juncture. There’s already been quite a commotion in the residence for some time. With Father away, I…”

Hearing this, Song Wan finally understood Ming Xiang’s meaning.

Although Lady Song was a second wife, she was still Ming Xiang’s elder. With Father not in the residence now, it was difficult for her to constantly contradict Lady Song’s wishes. If word got out, people would surely say the new daughter-in-law was fierce, oppressing her mother-in-law until she couldn’t breathe.

But how could this possibly be the time to arrange a marriage for Song Yao?

Her father had just shouldered the world’s condemnation to defect to the enemy state. If they now conducted a grand wedding celebration, wouldn’t it be adding fuel to the fire?

“Before Father departed, he said Mother should have full authority over Song Yao’s marriage arrangements. I…”

Ming Xiang’s eyes reddened. “I can’t bear it.”

How could she bear to let Song Lan’an and the Song residence carry such an embarrassing infamy? When would Song Yao’s marriage not be suitable? Why must it be rushed in these few days?

But though her heart was troubled, she couldn’t very well disobey the words of Song Lan’an and Lady Song.

“What does Elder Brother say?”

“My husband says to leave everything to Mother’s judgment and tells me not to interfere.”

“But I feel sorry for Father. Father has been cautious and meticulous his entire life, taking each step carefully. Now he must be… by his pillow companion…”

How could she be willing?

How could she possibly be willing?

Ming Xiang pressed her lips together, forcibly holding back the tears in her eyes. “Wan’er, I’m not afraid of the whole world cursing me. I’m not even afraid of the whole world cursing Song Fu, because I know what kind of person my husband is. But Father is different. Everyone in the world may fail to understand Father, and we as children may not comprehend him, but she is different.”

“Husband and wife are one body. Her words and actions are no different from Father’s. How can she, and how dare she?”

This action of hers—what difference was it from roasting Song Lan’an over a fire?

Ming Xiang wiped her tears. After venting her anger, the pent-up frustration in her heart dissipated considerably.

“I didn’t know how to handle this matter, so I thought to enter the palace and ask you and Aunt. But Eunuch Chang said Aunt has been worried about Su River these past few days, sleeping restlessly at night. She’s taking her midday rest right now, so I came to ask for your advice.”

“Let her do as she wishes.”

Song Wan smiled faintly. “She doesn’t understand Father, but Father understands her. What she’s capable of doing and what she will do—Father has probably already anticipated it a hundred steps ahead.”

“Since Father spoke beforehand, Sister-in-law should just follow through.”

“For the Su River journey, Father surely gave Elder Brother instructions. Since both Father and Brother say to let her have her way, Sister-in-law should simply fulfill her wishes.”

Ming Xiang said, “But if Father returns and faces universal condemnation…”

“A hundred steps later, Father will surely have a backup plan. Sister-in-law need not worry.”

After Song Wan’s explanations, Ming Xiang finally felt at ease. She grasped Song Wan’s hand and murmured, “I’m frightened in my heart.”

Since Father departed for Su River, Song Fu’s reactions had been extremely unusual. He often stood outside Father’s study for a very long time, that appearance as if he were reminiscing about past scenes.

She knew in her heart that Father must have given some instructions before departing, but every time she saw Song Fu like that, she didn’t know how to console him.

Ming Xiang was worried and afraid, but she knew she shouldn’t ask and couldn’t ask.

Song Wan patted Ming Xiang’s hand, speaking gently, “No need to be afraid. At Su River, we have Old Master Shang and Father there. In the residence, we have Elder Brother. We have nothing to fear.”

“I understand now.”

Patting Ming Xiang, Song Wan smiled. “Which family has Mother chosen for Yao’er to make her so anxious?”

“Wan’er, do you know the Qi family descended from Duke Liguo?”

Song Wan blinked. “The Qi family that married a concubine-born young miss from Prince Zhongjing’s residence?”

“Precisely.”

“Mother has chosen Qi Sulun, the fifth legitimate grandson of the Qi residence, for Song Yao.”

“Since Wan’er knows of them, you should also know what kind of situation their family is in.”

Song Wan’s brows slightly furrowed. “Though the Qi residence is of noble birth, they haven’t produced outstanding descendants for many generations. Now only an empty shell of a framework remains—they’ve long since declined.”

“Moreover…”

Song Wan paused slightly. “I have some history with the legitimate eldest grandson’s wife of the Qi residence.”

“Back in my maiden days, we met a few times. Earlier at the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence, I once considered marriage prospects for the second young master of that household. The Qi residence sent over an invitation, but I declined it.”

Ming Xiang’s eyes widened. “This… could it be that the Qi residence has held this grudge and harbors some twisted intentions?”

Song Wan shook her head. “That shouldn’t be the case. There are far too many families where marriage prospects between these two households didn’t work out. If they held resentment over such a small matter to the point of wanting to marry back their sisters, it would be truly absurd.”

“What Wan’er says makes sense.”

Ming Xiang said, “A family that even the concubine-born daughters of the Marquis of Chengyang’s residence wouldn’t consider, yet Mother is rushing to arrange this match. I don’t know what she’s thinking. And given that the Qi residence can respond favorably at this juncture, it’s clear they’re not a prudent household.”

“I actually know why.”

Song Wan understood Lady Song fairly well. If you spoke of malicious intent, she had none, but she simply never knew what it meant to think deeply and plan far ahead.

She had always only looked at the inch or two in front of her toes. In choosing the Qi residence, it was likely because she only heard “descended from Duke Liguo,” and that being legitimate-born would prevent Song Yao from being overshadowed by Song Nian, so she agreed.

“She’s always favored Song Yao. She probably doesn’t want Song Yao to be inexplicably inferior to Song Nian in the future, or perhaps Song Yao made such a fuss that she had no other options, which is why she hastily made this decision.”

“She cannot be unaware of the Qi residence’s situation, yet she still stubbornly persists. Clearly, she’s single-mindedly focused only on obtaining a high family status.”

And given the Song residence’s poor reputation at present, with this marriage being arranged so urgently, they could only choose such a family that was neither high nor low, caught in between.

The sisters-in-law both sighed together, momentarily uncertain for whom they should lament.

“If that’s the case, then I won’t stand in Mother’s way anymore. Yao’er’s marriage will be left to her judgment.”

Song Wan nodded helplessly.

Whether Lady Song or Song Yao, both were the type who would jump off a cliff—the more you pulled them back, the more they leaped. If you let go, they might actually develop a timid heart.

But once they began obstructing them forcefully, they would surely create some foolish incident.

Song Wan sighed. “Let her do as she wishes. Life and death are fated; it’s hard to say clearly.”