Palace banquets mostly served to foster connections between sovereign and subjects, but for the matriarchs of prestigious families, this was also an excellent opportunity to find matches for their children.

When Shang Thirteen was summoned to Changle Palace by Shang Rong, the Shang family knew that Noble Consort Shang must have taken a liking to some young lady and wanted to play matchmaker for her nephew.

When Shang Thirteen’s mother saw her son return from Changle Palace, she smiled and asked: “Which family’s daughter has your aunt taken a fancy to?”

“Why so glum? Did the young lady not take a liking to you?”

“But this is quite normal. Your aunt has keen judgment—she’s excellent at reading people and situations. That young lady must be exceptional, so perhaps many families have taken an interest.”

Shang Thirteen raised his head: “Why does Mother say this? Am I somehow lacking?”

“Oh my, your reaction really proves what Mother said—the young lady truly didn’t take to you?”

With that, Madam Shang covered her mouth and laughed.

Seeing his wife laughing so heartily, Master Shang turned to ask what happened. Madam Shang replied: “Rong’er arranged for Thirteen to meet a young lady, but she didn’t take a liking to him.”

Finishing her words, Madam Shang giggled again.

“Oh? Which family’s daughter? Your sister’s judgment would never be poor.”

Seeing both his father and mother’s faces full of amusement, Shang Thirteen felt embarrassed, the tips of his ears turning slightly red.

“She’s the legitimate daughter of the Song estate’s second branch.”

“Song Jianping’s daughter?”

Madam Shang said: “The Song estate’s second branch caused quite a commotion back then. This Song Jianping hasn’t returned to the capital for many years, and even his wife, Liu Shi, hasn’t appeared in public for a long time.”

“Although Song Fu now enjoys the Emperor’s favor and is part of the Empress’s maternal family, your aunt wouldn’t favor a Song family daughter just for that reason.”

“For your aunt to specifically summon you to meet her, this young lady must be quite outstanding.”

Madam Shang’s face was full of smiles: “Mother can roughly imagine the young lady’s situation in the estate, but she showed no delight upon seeing you, indicating she’s not a shallow person who only values family status.”

“My son has a fine appearance, yet the young lady wasn’t immediately smitten, showing she has her own judgment and isn’t easily swayed.”

“Such young ladies are usually excellent at managing households and bringing prosperity to their husbands. If you like her, my son, you must act quickly.”

“Mother speaks too soon.”

“Is that so?”

Madam Shang said: “In a while, when the young ladies and gentlemen compose poetry and display their talents, Mother will send your eleventh brother. He’s not yet betrothed—who knows, that Song family daughter might take a liking to him.”

“Mother.”

Shang Thirteen’s brows lifted, his handsome features suddenly showing some sharpness.

Madam Shang, however, couldn’t stop smiling.

“Young people can’t take teasing. Why do you tease him?”

Master Shang patted his wife’s hand, signaling that young people’s matters should be left to them.

The Shang family trusted Shang Rong’s judgment and already had a favorable impression of Song Ni. Madam Shang also made up her mind to observe this second branch Song family daughter during the ladies’ viewing session, to see if she was truly as excellent as she imagined.

Halfway through the Spring Banquet, the Emperor and Empress left successively, and the matriarchs of various estates began leading their younger generations to socialize and visit.

Two pavilions with water features were set up in the Imperial Garden—neither too far nor too close, so they wouldn’t disturb each other yet could observe the activities at the opposite pavilion.

Inside were writing desks with brushes and ink, zither platforms, and chess boards arranged by palace maids and eunuchs.

These places were traditionally used for unmarried noble daughters to display their talents. If someone with outstanding appearance and literary talent appeared, they might catch the Emperor’s eye and be brought into the harem.

But Shen Qianyu had no interest in this. With no unmarried imperial princes or princesses in court, these two water pavilions had now become venues for official families to arrange matches.

The three Song daughters weren’t ones to show off, especially Song Ni and Song Nian, who were exceptionally reserved.

Song Zhao occasionally glanced toward the water pavilion, watching others compose poetry, but Song Ni and Song Nian stood beneath the pavilion platform, silently accompanying Ming Xiang and Yang Pianzi.

Shang Thirteen stood with a group of young gentlemen from noble families. Originally, he had wanted to display some of his abilities before that young lady, but unexpectedly, Song Ni showed absolutely no interest in today’s gathering of men and didn’t appear at all.

Not seeing the person he wanted to see, his expression became indifferent, and he couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

“Why did Ming Seventeen leave after coming up for just a while? I wanted to play a game of chess with him.”

“Just now I saw him leave the water pavilion with the Duchess of Yingguo. He must be visiting some family.”

Two young gentlemen in fine robes held chess pieces, absentmindedly making moves.

Their families had already arranged marriages for them, so appearing here now was merely for show. Several with no desire to display themselves gathered together, chatting desultorily.

“He’s probably visiting Madam Song. The Ming and Song estates are related by marriage—this Ming Seventeen might well marry a Song family daughter.”

“Ming Seventeen is betrothed to the Song family?”

“Don’t know, haven’t paid attention.”

The group mentioned it briefly and moved on, but Shang Thirteen took it to heart.

His brows lifted, and with one hand on the water pavilion’s railing, he vaulted over and out.

“Oh my, young master, please be more careful.”

“Eunuch Tang, please find my mother and tell her I wish to pay respects to the Song family elders.”

“This servant will go at once, but please don’t frighten this servant like this again. If you get hurt, Noble Consort Shang won’t spare this servant.”

“Understood.”

Dropping this remark, Shang Thirteen headed in the direction of the Song family’s female relatives.

With the Song estate’s prominent status, Ming Xiang hadn’t rested since entering the palace, busy receiving guests and socializing with other estates’ matriarchs. Even now, several madams surrounded her, their words overtly and covertly inquiring about the marriage prospects of the estate’s daughters.

Yang Pianzi watched from the side with secret satisfaction. Just as she was thinking about Qi Sulun’s wavering stance, she saw Madam Qi approaching with a delighted expression.

As soon as she drew near, the families who had been conversing quite warmly before successively departed.

Everyone knew her temperament and feared that being too close might involve them in any embarrassing incidents, tarnishing their own reputations by association.

Ming Xiang didn’t know how to interact with Madam Qi. Seeing her aunt-in-law bringing Ming Seventeen from afar, she quickly pulled Song Ni and Song Nian forward to greet them.

Halfway there, Shang Thirteen suddenly appeared from somewhere, blocking everyone’s path.

Song Ni and Song Nian stood behind Ming Xiang, their expressions unchanged, both with slightly lowered eyes, not raising their heads.

“The thirteenth son of the Shang family pays respects to Madam Song.”

Seeing him suddenly step forward, Ming Xiang was somewhat surprised.

Although today was indeed a day for unmarried young ladies and gentlemen to meet, suddenly approaching female relatives without family elders present was quite presumptuous.

Ming Xiang was about to frown when she heard Shang Thirteen say: “My mother was delayed on the road by some matter. Fearing she might neglect Madam Song, she instructed me to come pay respects first.”

Shang Thirteen turned around to see Madam Shang leading two Shang estate maids, striding briskly toward Ming Xiang.

As she passed the Duchess of Yingguo and Ming Seventeen, she even quickened her pace, overtaking them to stand before Ming Xiang and the two young ladies first.