Since Song Chuyi said so, Consort Song went along with the decision. “If that’s the case, then it’s settled. In a few days, I’ll go speak with Consort Cai about it.”
In the palace, no matter when, it was best never to speak up for your own ideas directly. It was very necessary to cultivate one or two mouthpieces. Consort Song clearly had already mastered this principle thoroughly.
Song Chuyi glanced at Old Madam Song, becoming even more certain that Song Chuchen was deeply hidden and unfathomable. She raised her guard to one hundred twenty percent.
Once this matter became an imperial decree, it would be set in stone. No matter how reluctant Song Yi might be, he would have no choice but to comply. Old Madam Song felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from her heart and couldn’t help but break into a smile.
Seeing Old Madam Song’s expression improve considerably, Grand Madam naturally felt more at ease as well. She carefully instructed Consort Song on various matters requiring attention, but in the end still couldn’t help worrying somewhat. “Your Ladyship, since Little Yi told you to be careful of Ninth Princess and the others, please take it to heart.” She lowered her voice with some gravity. “It’s not that everyone praises her, but rather that what Little Sixth says has never once been wrong.”
Consort Song also nodded along and instructed Zhuyi to go check if there were any summons from Qingning Palace—earlier, Qingning Palace had sent word that there might be an audience.
She then turned her head to stare at Old Madam Song. “As for the Cui family…” She hesitated and glanced at Song Chuyi. Seeing Song Chuyi lower her head in a perfectly composed demeanor of eyes observing nose, nose observing heart, she couldn’t help but sigh at how flawlessly this child had been taught. She softly continued the topic. “Have they given us a response?”
According to Consort Song’s thinking, Second Uncle couldn’t just remain a widower indefinitely—after all, he was not yet forty years old and still pursuing an official career. As for the candidate for this second wife, if possible, naturally the Cui family would be best.
She had mentioned this idea to both Old Madam Song and Old Master Song at the time. Old Master Song shook his head, saying they shouldn’t go hitting that wall again, but Old Madam Song still wanted to try.
After all, if the second wife came from the Cui family, the connection between the Cui family and the Song family would only grow closer, and Song Chuyi and Song Yan’s lives would be somewhat easier. Since they would all be from the same clan, with blood ties, it would be far better than those of unknown background.
Song Chuyi was surprised and raised her eyelids. She had naturally long anticipated that Song Yi would take a second wife, but had never imagined the candidate would come from the Cui family.
But then her heart began to beat anxiously—the Cui family wasn’t the type to sell their daughters for glory. Logically speaking, having already lost one Cui Zhanmei, there was absolutely no way they would give up another Cui family daughter, probably not even a distant relative from a remote branch. Yet these past days, the Cui family did indeed seem to be in close contact with the Song family. Cui Shaoting had even hinted at forming an alliance. Could it be that the Cui family truly had such intentions?
Speaking of this matter, Old Madam Song’s expression dimmed somewhat again. She sighed quietly. “It won’t work. Madam Cui has already responded to us.”
Although Consort Song knew the Cui family would absolutely refuse to give up another legitimate daughter, she had thought that perhaps some distant relatives might still be willing to offer one. She hadn’t expected them to refuse outright, and her expression showed some gravity.
Old Madam Song immediately followed up. “But the Cui family doesn’t want to stop associating with us either.” She explained the matter concerning Song Chubin and Song Chuxuan, her lips curving slightly upward. “This is their roundabout way of telling us that while Cui family women cannot be given, they can strengthen the relationship in other ways.”
Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised by the deep, winding implications behind these people’s single decision. She thought to herself that indeed there were always people beyond oneself and heavens beyond heavens. Although she knew some things from the past and the future, there were still many things she needed to learn.
This was also a blessing in disguise—it was still better than being estranged until death. The Song family truly needed a reliable ally. Consort Song nodded and asked about Fifth Uncle Song Qian. “Fifth Uncle’s matter should also be settled sooner. Although Little Fifth’s marriage has Madam Cui helping to arrange things, he still has younger siblings below him. We can’t let there be no one managing the household forever. We must be urgent about this, but the candidate absolutely cannot be chosen carelessly.”
Otherwise, if they encountered another Wang Jinsi or Li Jingsu, no one could bear it.
Old Madam Song told her about her own plans. “You don’t need to remind us about this matter, Your Ladyship. We’ve always kept it in our hearts. That Wang woman in the past truly made Fifth Son suffer greatly, which was also due to our negligence as parents. Naturally, we must take a longer view in the future. Although we need not fixate on the girl’s family background, character and appearance are of utmost importance.”
She paused and proposed a candidate. “I think the youngest concubine-born daughter of the Earl of Guangping’s family is quite good. Her status is suitable, and our two families have had dealings. When the Su family incident happened last time, she was also there. Despite her young age, she remarkably didn’t panic like the others.”
Consort Song also felt satisfied hearing this and nodded slightly. “Since Grandmother has made plans, naturally there won’t be any mistakes. After the new year passes, it will have been a full year. If you have this intention, you should send word to the Earl of Guangping’s family as soon as possible.”
Grand Madam smiled and interjected. “Old Madam has the same thought. A few days ago at Huangjue Temple, she even happened to meet the Countess of Guangping.”
Song Chuning clutched her thick cloak, coincidentally also at Changsha’s famous Guanyin Temple to offer incense. She clasped her hands together in prayer, then lifted her skirt and stood up. Led by a young nun into the rear courtyard’s guest room for rest, she looked fixedly at the person seated in the place of honor. She turned her head to look at Madam Fang beside her. “Teacher, this person you mentioned is her?”
Hearing some dismissiveness in her tone, Madam Fang responded with an ambiguous smile and nodded composedly as she began the introduction. “This is the prince’s wet nurse, Nanny Qin.”
Prince Duan’s wet nurse? The Lady Ci’en who would later be honored as an adoptive mother by Prince Duan after his ascension to the throne?
Song Chuning was somewhat shocked and immediately put away her contempt, stepping forward to perform a proper courtesy.
Her disdain when first approaching and her solemn respect after learning the identity both fell completely within Nanny Qin’s eyes. She imperceptibly pulled at the corner of her mouth, her face full of kindness. “Please rise quickly. How can I deserve such courtesy from the young miss?”
Song Chuning stood up with Madam Fang’s assistance and sat composedly in the first chair to her right, furrowing her brow with some disbelief. “Could it be that Nanny Qin actually intends to personally make a trip to Shu?”
What could such a woman, no matter how capable, accomplish? Could she really travel thousands of miles to Shu?
Nanny Qin gave a mocking laugh and covered her mouth. “Eighth Miss loves to joke. Someone like me without the strength to truss a chicken—even if I went, what could I do? I’ve merely come to inform Miss Song that the message has already been sent out. Before the new year, this matter will certainly have a response.”