Shen Xiaohai heard about the Song family sending invitations to the Zhennan Prince’s Manor and the Li family while at a drinking table. Somewhat surprised, he pushed away the girl who had just become his kept woman from his embrace: “They sent invitations to both the Zhennan Prince’s Manor and the Li family?”

Of course he wasn’t so confused—this Li family wasn’t the one that had recently suffered great misfortune and had their home raided, but rather Li Yu, the Governor of Shandong. However, he didn’t quite understand why the Song family would suddenly send invitations to these two families. While they claimed it was to see off their in-law’s mother, the accompanying guests should properly be from the Cui family.

He recalled that he seemed to have been lingering in the courtesan’s quarters for over half a month, remembered that he had made a verbal agreement with Song Yi and even sent a betrothal token, yet Song Yi had never made any further moves. Suddenly feeling unable to sit still, he went inside to get his clothes and ordered someone to prepare his horse.

For once, He Shi actually hoped that the courtesans in the quarters could keep Shen Xiaohai there a while longer. Hearing that Shen Xiaohai had already entered the gate, she couldn’t even hold onto the green tangerine in her hand—it fell with a splat onto the jade-white porcelain plate. Her face turned deathly pale as she glanced at Shen Qingrang and Shen Huiyi sitting beside her.

Naturally, neither Shen Qingrang nor Shen Huiyi fared any better. Both simultaneously felt their hearts leap into their throats, standing up at a loss, heads hanging down without daring to make a sound, like two quails with their heads tucked in, trembling.

When Shen Xiaohai entered the room, he didn’t even look at his son and daughter who were hastily performing their courtesies. He strode directly to the seat of honor and sat down, tilting his head to look at He Shi before asking bluntly: “Has the Song family sent a betrothal token yet?” Speaking of which, he blamed himself for being unable to resist temptation—to think he’d been captivated by a young singing girl, even making her his kept woman, fooling around in the quarters for half a month. If he hadn’t heard someone at the table mention the Song family, he wouldn’t have even remembered this matter—after all, in his view, this affair was already in the bag. He’d already given the Song family a betrothal token, and Song Yi was Song Sixth’s father. What problems could possibly arise?

This time, hearing that the Song family was using an excuse to send invitations to the Zhennan Prince’s Manor and the Li family, he’d thought it over on the road and figured this might be to invite matchmakers as witnesses, so they could come discuss the marriage proposal later. Therefore, his mood had been quite good.

He Shi’s face turned deathly pale as she glanced at him, lowering her eyes for a long while without daring to speak. Only when Shen Xiaohai impatiently coughed did she finally snap out of it and shake her head: “Before, I had someone search for you, but those below said they couldn’t find you. This matter never had a chance to be told to you… A while back, Old Madam Song summoned me over and explicitly said this matter wouldn’t work out.”

Wouldn’t work out?! Why wouldn’t it work out?! Shen Xiaohai’s expression changed dramatically. He narrowed his eyes and looked at He Shi: “Even the betrothal token was accepted by Second Master Song—how could it suddenly not work out?!”

He Shi wouldn’t dare reveal even unto death that their daughter had also participated in scheming against Song Chuyi. She forced a smile and told him: “From what Old Madam Song revealed, the Empress and the Eastern Palace gave Sixth Miss Song rewards heavier than any other noble ladies in the capital this time. They must have such intentions. Now regarding Sixth Miss Song’s marriage, they dare not act on their own authority.”

Excuses, all excuses! How could he not know what the Song family was thinking? Old Master Song clearly wanted with all his might to distance himself from the Eastern Palace, not wanting to attach himself to any faction and remain a pure minister. How could he possibly be willing to let the Eastern Palace bind him through his granddaughter?

This was clearly a refusal to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family!

Since the Song family refused to be bound by the Eastern Palace, and Song Chuyi had such an auspicious destiny, they still didn’t know to go with the flow and agree to this marriage match. Shen Xiaohai unconsciously clenched his fists, resentment growing wildly in his heart.

In other words, their sending invitations to the Zhennan Prince’s Manor and the Li family this time wasn’t at all to ask them to serve as matchmakers to help arrange marriages, but truly was to have them serve as accompanying guests to see off their provincial graduate in-law’s mother back to her hometown?!

Shen Xiaohai couldn’t help but laugh. A breath stuck in his chest nearly prevented him from breathing. He pounded the table viciously.

Both Shen Huiyi and Shen Qingrang were so frightened they jumped up like springs. Unable to maintain her composure and feeling guilty, Shen Huiyi couldn’t control a small cry of alarm.

He Shi was also badly startled. Coming to her senses, she immediately shot her daughter a glance, warning her not to expose herself. She stepped forward, gathering her courage to support Shen Xiaohai, speaking in gentle, soft tones to persuade him: “Since the Song family looks down on us, they must have found a better match. We can calculate, and they can calculate too. Even if she can’t marry the Crown Grandson or a Prince from the Eastern Palace, the Zhennan Prince’s Manor still has a Second Young Master, doesn’t it? I’ve heard this Second Young Master has always had a good relationship with Song Sixth. The Princess Consort of Zhennan has also praised Song Sixth to me several times. I’m afraid the two families have long had a tacit understanding.”

Shen Xiaohai refused to accept fate or resign himself. Glancing at the trembling Shen Qingrang, he frowned somewhat impatiently and questioned him: “I usually tell you to put more effort into getting close to Song Sixth—where has all that effort gone? All day long, you’re out cockfighting and dog racing, leaving proper business undone. I’d like to see what you plan to do in the future!”

Shen Qingrang felt terrible inside as well. Although he feared being implicated by Song Sixth’s destiny and truly couldn’t be said to like Song Sixth, being looked down upon was never a happy matter—especially being looked down upon by a girl who used to cling to him so much.

He hung his head for a long time without answering.

Shen Xiaohai impatiently tugged at his collar and turned to ask He Shi: “The Song family didn’t send our family an invitation?”

He Shi honestly shook her head: “I heard they only invited the Princess Consort of Zhennan and Madam Li—they’re probably truly going as accompanying guests. Having just told us that verbal agreements don’t count, not sending us an invitation is probably to avoid suspicion and awkward encounters.”

Shen Xiaohai felt even more irritated and snapped harshly: “What do you know?! The Song family has absolutely no intention of pushing Song Sixth into the Eastern Palace. Since that’s the case, naturally it’s better for our family to get this sweet plum than for another family to get it. This is a precious treasure!”

Everyone knew she was a precious treasure, but one had to be able to obtain her. He Shi sighed: “But from Old Madam Song’s attitude, she’s determined not to give her to our family. I heard Second Master Song fell ill a few days ago—can he possibly go against Old Madam Song’s wishes?”

“Find a way to make them willing even if they’re unwilling!” Shen Xiaohai became ruthless: “In a few days, arrange to meet with Second Master Song. Have him find an opportunity to bring Song Sixth out too. If the two children take a liking to each other, I’d like to see how the Song family can refuse then!”

Shen Qingrang shrank his neck and glanced at his father, involuntarily shuddering.