Yang Pianzhì usually seemed like a crude and unreasonable person in the household, but when it came to her daughter’s marriage, she appeared to transform into a different person entirely.

Thinking of the things Yang Pianzhì had done, Song Nian lowered her eyes, feeling bitter inside.

The Qi family that Song Yao looked down upon had been treated like a treasure by Yang Pianzhì.

First, she would visit the Qi residence from time to time, chatting with Madam Qi and playing card games. Then she would frequently inquire after Qi Sulun’s wellbeing with warmth and concern.

When Qi Sulun came to feel that her manner was considerate and she was quite amiable and approachable, Yang Pianzhì immediately brought Song Zhao to the Qi residence.

She had probably calculated that Madam Qi was someone who couldn’t distinguish what was important, deliberately giving the other woman an opportunity to trick Qi Sulun into offending Song Zhao.

Qi Sulun already looked down on his own mother’s behavior, and now having offended the young lady from a family of respected elders, even before Yang Pianzhì said anything, he couldn’t hold himself together first and felt deeply guilty.

Madam Qi desperately wanted this marriage to happen, so she immediately seized upon this excuse to have the two families arrange the betrothal.

Yang Pianzhì, having grasped her mindset perfectly, used this opportunity to make outrageous demands, forcing Madam Qi to sign an agreement stating that Qi Sulun would establish a separate household in the future, and that for his entire life he would neither take concubines nor divorce his wife.

Thinking of this, Song Nian suddenly felt somewhat envious of Song Zhao.

In the past, Mother had cursed Yang Pianzhì countless times behind her back, calling her an unseemly piece of gutter trash. Yet this very person who was accustomed to throwing tantrums and making scenes had schemed exhaustively for the sake of her own daughter, forcibly securing for her a marriage that was actually quite good.

Qi Sulun’s temperament was acceptable. Although the young couple would establish a separate household, they ultimately hadn’t divided the family property. In this way, he could enjoy the dignity of being from an aristocratic family without having to suffer under his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law at home.

Moreover, Qi Sulun harbored resentment toward his birth mother in his heart, and even before marrying, his loyalty already lay with his wife’s maternal family. This would undoubtedly save much trouble in the future.

Before Song Nian herself had even left the household, Yang Pianzhì had been tormenting Third Uncle’s favored concubine daily in the residence, forcing him not only to take out his private savings to add to Song Zhao’s dowry, but also to secure a position for Qi Sulun.

During that period, sounds of wailing and crying frequently came from the third household.

According to the servants, the Third Madam and Third Master were fighting fiercely.

Now that she had married out, Song Nian didn’t know whether Qi Sulun’s position had been secured. But regardless of whether it had been settled, Song Nian felt that given Yang Pianzhì’s nature, this matter would succeed no matter what.

If Third Uncle couldn’t endure it, he would certainly go seek her elder brother. He was an elder, and her brother would always give him some face.

Song Zhao would be happy in the future—perhaps even better off than both she and Song Ni.

Although the Ming and Shang families were noble relatives with power and influence, there were truly many vexing matters within them.

Even just after marrying into the Ming family for a few days, Song Nian had already grown weary of the circumstances where she constantly had to engage in verbal sparring with her sisters-in-law and had to be careful and cautious in all her words and actions.

The only consolation was that Ming Shiqi treated her with reasonable consideration.

Song Nian raised her head and smiled gently when she looked at Ming Shiqi.

Ming Shiqi extended his hand and under the table took Song Nian’s hand in his palm.

His wife was quiet and reserved, with occasional hints of sadness in her eyes, which always involuntarily stirred Ming Shiqi’s compassion.

Feeling the warmth coming from his palm, Song Nian’s lips curved slightly upward.

Seeing the smile appear on her face, Ming Shiqi released her hand, comforted in his heart.

Having received this comfort, Song Nian withdrew her hand and picked up the jade chopsticks from the table.

In this movement, she revealed a string of rough Buddhist prayer beads worn on her wrist.

Song Nian’s eyes grew slightly moist as she looked at them.

This was something Mother had sent to her before her marriage. These prayer beads were crudely made, with each bead apparently ground out bit by bit by hand. Though they didn’t look particularly refined to the naked eye, she had carefully felt each and every one of them.

Those beads appeared ordinary, but there wasn’t a single rough spot on them anywhere.

The simple wooden prayer bracelet worn on Song Nian’s wrist truly didn’t match her silks and satins or her jade hairpins and pearl ornaments, but Song Nian only felt a sense of calm when wearing it.

“Madam…”

Ming Shiqi gently called to Song Nian. She raised her head to look and discovered Song Wan was watching her with a face full of tenderness.

She realized that the Empress must have just said something to her, but she had been lost in thought and hadn’t heard.

“It’s nothing. I only noticed Third Sister hadn’t eaten much and wondered if the food wasn’t to your taste.”

“It suits my taste. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

Song Wan nodded gently and smiled, letting the matter pass without further inquiry.

She thought that if she were Song Nian, she probably would have difficulty developing any sisterly affection for herself either.

Blood kinship—some people could perhaps only be related by “blood” while finding emotional closeness difficult.

Song Wan had always been perceptive and open-minded. For matters that couldn’t be forced and need not be forced, she simply let them be, allowing them to develop as they would.

Although she and Song Nian came from the same household, the coolness between them was known to all. After watching for a few moments, Shang Rong paid it no mind and devoted her attention with delight to Song Ni.

“These two young couples are truly well-matched. The young men are handsome and the young ladies are beautiful. If they have children, who knows how clever and adorable they’ll be.”

Song Nian and Ming Shiqi were slightly bashful.

They were all newly married couples, so discussing such topics naturally made them feel somewhat embarrassed.

However, Song Ni showed no reaction at all. Her expression remained natural and composed, without the slightest hint of coyness.

Seeing this, Shang Shisan gently squeezed her palm under the table.

Song Ni turned to look at him. Shang Shisan raised his eyebrows slightly, as if to say his wife should display some bashfulness…

But he hadn’t expected that Song Ni would actually press his hand in return under the table, curving one finger to gently write the character for “quiet” in his palm.

She found him troublesome…

Shang Shisan’s handsome eyes widened as he glared huffily at his wife, but the ticklish, tingling sensation from his palm went straight to his heart.

The young woman’s palm was warm. Shang Shisan wanted to pull away, but Song Ni gently held him in place.

Her movements were very gentle, yet Shang Shisan instantly became obedient, the tips of his ears tinged with a slight blush.

A grown man—how could he argue with a woman? Since she didn’t want him making a fuss, he would obey. After all, no one would control him tonight, and he could make all the fuss he wanted in bed.

Thinking of the intimate moments the two of them had shared on the bed these past few days, Shang Shisan’s face turned bright red, and his palm grew hot as well.

Feeling his body temperature rising ever higher, Song Ni couldn’t help but glance at him in surprise.

They were husband and wife after all. With his every movement and even a single glance, she knew what this man was thinking. Song Ni widened her eyes and glared at him angrily. Shang Shisan immediately lowered his head and quietly went about eating.

Seeing him settle down, Song Ni turned her slightly flushed face away.

The movements of the two young couples—four young people—seemed secretive, yet were fully displayed before Song Wan and Shang Rong’s eyes. The two women exchanged glances, both raising expressions that were caught between tears and laughter, yet also delighted for them.

“Ah, youth—it truly is wonderful.”

At these words, all four young people blushed. A moment later, Shang Shisan said with a smile, “Aunt and Her Majesty the Empress are also still young. Why do you speak as if you’re already old?”

This remark made Shang Rong burst into laughter, and Song Wan also stroked her abdomen, feeling emotional.

In another ten or so years, perhaps her children would also be like this, holding hands with the ones they loved and walking before her and Shen Qianyu, displaying to her the purest emotions in this world.

Only…

Song Wan smiled slightly.

She just didn’t know whether the little one in her belly was a little prince or the little princess she and Shen Qianyu so longed for.