Knowing that Shang Rong intended to introduce her to the Shang family’s thirteenth son, Song Ni obediently stood beside her, lowering her eyes without speaking.

Before long, a tall and slender young man entered from outside.

The youth possessed exceptionally elegant and handsome features, wearing a narrow-sleeved, waist-cinched long robe with a crimson silver-patterned belt at his waist. His entire appearance was bright and neat, presenting a very dashing figure.

Song Ni only glanced once before lowering her eyes, unmoved by his outstanding appearance.

“Young Thirteen.”

“Thirteen pays respects to Noble Consort Shang.”

Shang Rong’s eyes were full of delight as she inquired about his recent studies.

Shang Thirteen had noticed Song Ni the moment he entered the courtyard. He understood Shang Rong’s intentions, but as he had not yet established his career or earned merit, he had no plans to take a wife for now. However, he kept these thoughts to himself, never wanting to cause a young lady embarrassment in such a situation.

After exchanging a few words, he fell silent, allowing Shang Rong to lead him into Changle Palace.

Shang Rong turned to walk toward the Empress’s chambers. Song Ni quietly followed behind her. Just as she was about to turn, Shang Thirteen suddenly raised his hand toward her cheek.

Song Ni frowned and quickly grabbed his wrist.

“This… Miss has misunderstood.”

Song Ni looked up to see him holding a fallen leaf between two fingers—it must have just dropped from a tree. Her face flushed red as she hastily released her grip.

“I apologize, I didn’t mean to.”

Her tone was gentle and soft, appearing as cool and obedient as before, yet Shang Thirteen sensed she wasn’t as docile as she appeared.

The wrist the young lady had just grasped still carried a faint warmth. Shang Thirteen placed his hands behind his back, his face showing embarrassment.

“It’s nothing. It was my gesture that was too abrupt and startled you, Miss.”

Song Ni curtsied slightly toward Shang Thirteen before turning to leave.

Only then did Shang Thirteen realize that this young lady before him showed not the slightest trace of shyness when facing him—she appeared even more straightforward than he was.

Somehow, he suddenly felt that the young lady hadn’t taken a liking to him.

“…”

Inexplicably, Shang Thirteen found himself somewhat bothered by this.

After entering Changle Palace and paying respects to the Empress, he learned that the young lady was from the Song estate.

His gaze swept past the indifferent-looking Song Ni, and Shang Thirteen rubbed his wrist behind his back, a smile playing at his lips.

“The banquet will begin shortly. I won’t disturb the Empress’s family reunion. Thirteen, come with me.”

Shang Rong led Shang Thirteen away, leaving only the Song family members in Changle Palace.

Song Wan held Shen Shiyan, wiping the light perspiration from his forehead, while looking up to ask Yang Pianzi: “Has Aunt selected a husband’s family for Zhao’er?”

Yang Pianzi’s earlier actions had rather surprised her. In her impression, this third aunt of hers was someone who habitually sought petty advantages.

Unless Song Zhao’s prospective family was a hundred times better than the Shang family, Song Wan truly couldn’t understand why she would give up Shang Thirteen.

But Yang Pianzi smiled and said: “I have taken a liking to a certain household, though I’m not sure if they would be suitable for our Zhao’er.”

Song Wan smiled faintly at these words but didn’t ask further.

Clearly, she had no intention of inquiring about Song Zhao’s marriage.

She understood Yang Pianzi’s temperament—if she herself showed any indication of arranging something for Song Zhao, it would only arouse suspicion.

However mixed-up the woman was, she was good to her own daughter. Song Wan wasn’t worried about Song Zhao’s marriage, so she simply held Shen Shiyan and attended to him.

Originally, Yang Pianzi had been somewhat resistant and guarded toward Song Wan, but seeing that she truly didn’t care about their Song Zhao’s affairs, her heart ached terribly.

“You three go out for a walk first. I have something to discuss with Her Majesty.”

After sending the three unmarried young ladies away, Yang Pianzi rubbed her hands together and said: “I’ve taken a liking to the fifth son of the Qi estate for Zhao’er—Qi Sulun.”

As soon as these words left her mouth, not only Song Wan but even Ming Xiang was shocked.

Given the Song estate’s current status, their Song family daughters absolutely should not form marriage ties with the Qi estate.

Ming Xiang said: “Third Aunt, how could you have taken a liking to the Qi family? This… Zhao’er could choose much better. The Qi family would hold her back.”

Yang Pianzi said awkwardly: “The common saying goes ‘marry low, wed high,’ but I feel that marrying too high isn’t necessarily good either.”

She herself had married high. Outsiders might think it looked impressive, but she knew best what kind of life she led.

What was so good about marrying into such a prestigious family? Every day required morning and evening attendance to the elders. Every aspect of eating, drinking, and daily life was constrained. Even marital relations between husband and wife had to be calculated and arranged by the household. A whole family full of endless troublesome matters.

Being a daughter-in-law in a great household meant that even wanting to eat a simple meat dish alone required reporting to the estate. Earned money also had to be turned over to the common fund. No matter how compatible the young couple was, if there was no pregnancy within a year, concubines and secondary wives would be taken for the husband to spread his branches and leaves.

She had seen enough of such families.

Yang Pianzi didn’t want Song Zhao to marry into such an estate. She wanted Song Zhao to live her own life as a young married couple.

After thinking, Yang Pianzi said: “I’ve had people investigate these past few days. Although the Qi estate has a matriarch with mysterious ways, this fifth son of the Qi family is exceptionally fine.”

That day she went to the Qi estate, she had taken a liking to Qi Sulun and also saw that he was quite impatient with that old Qi woman.

Before even entering the family, if the husband was already at odds with his mother-in-law, how could the daughter-in-law worry about not establishing her position later?

“I don’t want Zhao’er to suffer the rules of a great household. I’m planning that if the two’s marriage can be arranged, I’ll have Old Third Song exert some effort to have Qi Sulun transferred outside the province, letting Zhao’er accompany him so the young couple can live their own lives.”

Ming Xiang frowned: “Qi Sulun is merely a low-ranking clerk in the Ministry of Rites. How could he be transferred?”

Moreover, what kind of person was Third Master Song of the estate? Others might not know, but as his wife, how could she not know?

Where would he have the ability to arrange the transfer of an official?

Yang Pianzi smoothed her hair awkwardly: “Not right now, of course. After the two have been married for two or three years, it wouldn’t be impossible to make such plans.”

Song Wan smiled faintly at these words.

Yang Pianzi was saying this for her to hear, hoping she would help support Song Zhao and perhaps in the future find a provincial posting for Qi Sulun.

Before anything had even happened, her own family members were already calculating on having her interfere in court affairs and seek benefits for the family.

“Is Yan’er hot? If so, Mother Empress will have Heng Zhi help you remove this garment.”

“Yan’er isn’t hot. Yan’er wants Mother Empress to play with Yan’er.”

Song Wan gently patted Shen Shiyan’s back, then looked up to tell Ming Xiang: “Zhao’er and the others will likely feel constrained alone in the palace. Sister-in-law and Third Aunt, why don’t you go keep them company so the palace people don’t offend them.”

Ming Xiang nodded, smiling as she stood and pulled the still-talking Yang Pianzi out.

Heng Zhi saw everyone out, then took the chubby Shen Shiyan from Song Wan’s arms.

“Third Madam is truly too unreasonable.”

Heng Wu spoke indignantly, but Song Wan just smiled: “Let her be.”

In any case, she had no intention of interfering in court affairs, nor could she bypass the mother to arrange Song Zhao’s marriage. She felt tenderness for Song Zhao and could only look after her more in other ways.

Song Wan was coaxing Shen Shiyan when a palace maid came to report that the Old Madam of the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate, along with the Marquis of Chengyang and the fifth young lady of the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate, had come for an audience.

Upon hearing the words “Old Madam of the Marquis of Chengyang’s estate,” Song Wan felt somewhat dazed…