Song Ni stood up and said, “Since Auntie has matters to discuss with my sister, I won’t disturb you here.” She curtsied slightly and was about to leave when she heard Yang Pianzhi say, “You stay. You should hear this matter as well.”

As she spoke, Yang Pianzhi walked to their side and found an embroidered stool to sit on. Song Zhao had a gentle temperament, even to the point of being somewhat timid, while Song Ni was quietly reserved and inscrutable.

“This matter also concerns you somewhat.” Lifting her hand to pour a bowl of tea from the table, Yang Pianzhi muttered, “Your good-for-nothing father, who years ago was willing to abandon home and family for a concubine, taking a provincial post for ten years and rarely returning—he probably has no mind to care about you either.”

“As for your marriage, I’ll take a look and might as well make the decision for you too.” Song Ni’s hand clutching her handkerchief tightened slightly as she sighed inwardly. Song Zhao, however, kept looking at Yang Pianzhi, signaling her mother to stop saying such embarrassing words.

“What? Is there something that can’t be said? Who doesn’t know that Second Master Song ran off for years without returning? What can’t be said about it?” Turning her head, Yang Pianzhi continued, “Your mother is the same. After shrinking into the Buddhist hall all these years, ignoring everything—now that you’re of age, this marriage matter must be handled, right? I thought that now you’re old enough, she could finally come out and see people. Who would have thought she doesn’t even care about her own biological daughter?”

“Mother prefers quiet, and she also knows that with Auntie looking after Ni’er, I certainly won’t suffer any losses.”

“I will look after you, but I can’t speak for others.” Yang Pianzhi looked at Song Ni. Seeing that she had grown into a graceful young lady, she felt satisfied.

“The Empress has issued a decree saying the palace will hold a Spring Viewing Banquet and wants you two to attend. Most likely, she has thoughts about your marriages.” When mentioning Song Wan, Yang Pianzhi’s eyes held complex emotions—both faint disdain and some envy.

“If you enter the palace, these marriage matters will be decided by others. Who knows what she’s thinking—whether it’s genuine goodwill or false kindness?”

“So I thought I’d come ask what thoughts you two have about your own marriages.” Song Zhao looked at Song Ni, immediately blushing deeply and waving her hands anxiously. Her mother’s way of doing things was always inappropriate, truly leaving one at a loss.

She had never heard of any household’s daughters being able to choose their own marriages. If this got out, their reputations would be ruined. Moreover, her mother only mentioning her was one thing, but if Song Ni was implicated, she wouldn’t know how to apologize.

Pulling at Yang Pianzhi’s sleeve, Song Zhao said, “Such important marriage matters should be decided by the family. Mother, please don’t embarrass us two.”

“Embarrass what? Don’t you see these four doors are tightly closed? There are only the three of us in this room—you, me, and Ni’er?”

“You foolish child, a daughter’s marriage is of the utmost importance. How can it be left in others’ hands?”

“Let me tell you, ever since that one from the First Branch climbed up the social ladder, your two marriages have also heated up. Who knows how many calling cards have been sent to our household?” Song Zhao and Song Ni both lowered their heads without speaking. Yang Pianzhi snorted lightly. “Since you two won’t speak, I’ll say it directly. Zhao’er, for your marriage, I’ve set my sights on the Qi family.”

“The Qi family?” Song Zhao’s eyes widened. “Wasn’t that promised to Song Yao?”

Yang Pianzhi nodded, but her face showed some melancholy. “To be honest, quite a few prestigious families have sent calling cards to our household, but I don’t think any of them are particularly good.”

“Zhao’er, you know clearly what situation our Third Branch is in. Take the Cui family, for example. Previously they didn’t even think much of Song Yao, yet now they’ve turned around and sent their calling card to me, your mother.”

“What kind of dog shit noble family is the Cui family? I see them as just a bunch of people fishing for fame and reputation.”

“Such a family—Song Ni could go there, but you cannot.” Song Ni looked up at Yang Pianzhi, sighed slightly, then lowered her eyes again in silence. Her aunt’s behavior was bizarre and unconventional. In the past, she only thought the woman deliberately made things difficult for her, but after years of living together, Song Ni had to admit that most of the time, she was genuinely acting in her interest.

Song Ni kept her eyelids half-lowered, pretending she hadn’t heard Yang Pianzhi’s words. Song Zhao, however, blushed terribly, carefully tugging at Yang Pianzhi’s sleeve under the table and blinking at her.

“What are you doing?” Brushing away Song Zhao’s hand, Yang Pianzhi continued, “Opportunists like the Cui family absolutely will not truly respect our Third Branch’s daughters.”

“How difficult must life be for a daughter-in-law looked down upon by her husband’s family?” As she spoke, Yang Pianzhi’s tone softened.

Though Song Cangshun was Song Manor’s Third Master, he really wasn’t any good catch. Back then, she had been determined to climb up the social ladder, never imagining she’d latched onto a rotten root, a worthless man. All these years, neither inside the manor nor outside, had anyone ever respected her. Naturally, she didn’t want her own daughter to live such a life.

“Though the Qi household has declined, this Qi Su Lun still has some semblance of a person. Now he’s even observing mourning for Song Yao—he can be considered a man of honor and loyalty.” Upon hearing this, Song Ni looked up and pursed her lips slightly but didn’t speak.

Song Zhao, face flushed, murmured, “He’s probably not doing it for that reason.” Her mother couldn’t see through such simple logic. Song Zhao clutched her handkerchief, feeling that her mother’s choice of marriage for her was truly not reassuring.

Yang Pianzhi, however, said, “Never mind what he’s doing it for. Just listen to Mother explain the reasoning behind this.”

“If Qi Su Lun is sincere, it shows this person has upright character and is a real man. If he’s not sincere, it means the Qi household’s scheming heart reaches to the heavens—they’re a whole family of muddleheads.”

“Actually, based on my understanding of the Qi household, this matter seems more like something Madam Qi would do.”

“Zhao’er, such a family may seem to act despicably and inappropriately, but the more they’re like this, the more you can move like fish in water there and live comfortably.”

“Do you know why?” Song Zhao shook her head.

“Because any relationship in this world, especially between husband and wife who share a bed, should most emphasize mutual benefit. When benefits are involved in the connection, the affection becomes seven or eight parts more reliable.”

“The more the Qi household wants to scheme their way through the Empress’s maternal family’s connections, the more they’ll enshrine and cherish you. In contrast, families like the Cui family may seem noble with reputations to uphold, but in reality, their conduct is even worse than the Qi household’s.”

“They previously looked down on Song Yao, yet now they’ve sent a calling card to our branch. Tell me, if you marry into the Cui family, will they treat you sincerely?”

“Mother is just afraid they’ll use you to get close to the Empress and the First Prince on one hand, while deep down looking down on you on the other.”

“If you marry into such an unprincipled family, in the future you’ll only be mistreated by your husband’s family. They absolutely won’t treat you well.”

“So Mother feels they’re not as good as families like the Qi household who display their greed openly. At least in the future, it will be easy for you to manipulate them.”

“As long as that one from the First Branch doesn’t fall, you’ll always receive respect from your in-laws. More importantly, if you suffer grievances at the Qi household, Mother can still mediate for you. Even if I have to go to their door and tear that old Qi woman’s mouth apart, she won’t dare do anything to me. But if you go to the Cui family and suffer mistreatment, Mother won’t be able to say anything.”

Upon hearing this, Song Ni’s eyes seemed moved. Song Zhao also gradually felt her mother’s words made sense. After thinking, Song Zhao felt somewhat guilty. “Since the Cui family is so unworthy, Mother shouldn’t say Ni’er could marry there either.”

Yang Pianzhi shook her head. “Song Ni is different from you. Even though her father isn’t in the capital, he still holds an official position. Moreover, her mother comes from a prominent clan. You and she…” At this point, Yang Pianzhi paused slightly. “Cannot be compared.”