December nineteenth was the day Song Yi would formally welcome his second wife. The invitations had already been sent out. Old Master Song and Old Madam Song’s intention was that since this was just taking a second wife, there was no need to make a big fuss—just invite close friends and relatives they regularly associated with, and set up a few lively tables.
Although they said a few tables would be enough, when they actually calculated it all, a few tables weren’t nearly sufficient. After adding and subtracting, they finally settled on seventeen tables. Fortunately, the Changning Earl’s household was quite spacious—a few tables could be set up in the covered corridor, ten tables in the garden, and the women’s banquet would be separately arranged at the Tingxiang Pavilion.
After First Madam Song and the others finished listening to the gossip and saw off Madam Cui, she took the guest list and showed it to Old Madam Song: “No invitation was sent to Duke Yingguo’s household.”
Indeed, they shouldn’t send an invitation. Sending one would be giving them face. In any case, they’d already torn off all pretense. With the Changning Earl’s household now taking the lead in not sending invitations to Duke Yingguo’s household, and with them having no official positions to their name, gradually no one else would invite them either. Before long, Duke Yingguo’s household would truly be squeezed out of the circle of nobility.
While they were speaking, Song Yi came in to pay his respects. He first greeted Old Madam Song, then exchanged pleasantries with First Madam Song, before looking somewhat uneasily at Old Madam Song: “About the bed-pressing ceremony on that day…”
When taking a second wife, Song Yan should be called to sit on the bed, symbolizing the wish for an early birth of a noble son. Old Madam Song glared at him: “Can’t you go talk to your own son yourself? If you don’t even have this much capability, what kind of father are you?!”
Ever since Song Chuyi told him to stop interfering in her and her brother’s affairs, Song Yi had been constantly apprehensive and truly couldn’t insert himself into managing things. He already had a conflict-averse nature to begin with, so he simply gave up completely, pretending he was invisible. Besides paying his daily respects, he dared not meddle in anything extra.
Now, for him to rashly bring up the matter of having Song Yan sit on the bed, Song Yi truly found it difficult to open his mouth.
First Madam Song quickly stepped in to smooth things over: “Second Uncle, you’re being too modest. You’re the children’s biological father—blood is thicker than water. Show more concern for the children in daily life, say a few more caring words, and even the coldest temperament should come around. These two children aren’t the type to be difficult or inconsiderate.”
Her words made Song Yi hang his head even lower.
Old Madam Song was truly furious, feeling Song Yi was weak and useless. If he hadn’t been single-mindedly protecting that disaster Song Chuning back then, it wouldn’t have led to him becoming so estranged from Song Chuyi and Song Yan. That aside, it was all in the past. But Duke Yingguo’s household had done something foolish that time, and at his age, he still didn’t know how to be a proper father, didn’t even know how to ask about his children’s feelings. They were his children, yet he seemed to be the one most able to wash his hands of them.
“You’re even worse than that wife of yours who hasn’t even entered the door yet!” After enduring and enduring, Old Madam Song still couldn’t help narrowing her eyes: “She hasn’t even married in yet, but she already knows to send people to inquire about what Xiaoyi and Brother Yan like to eat and play with. She even sent two sets of finely crafted, excellently made clothes—you can tell at a glance she put her heart into it. But what about you?!”
The matter of Song Chuyi being schemed against still left a burning anger in Old Madam Song’s heart. If only she’d had a reliable father, how would Song Chuyi have gotten entangled with the Shen family and their demons?
If Song Yi hadn’t been so muddled and indecisive about relationships, Song Chuyi wouldn’t have become like an elderly nun who’d renounced the world at such a young age, treating marriage prospects like snakes and scorpions.
Song Yi was scolded until he hung his head, his spirit completely deflated—ever since he was framed and imprisoned, the Ministry of Personnel had never issued his new appointment, and he knew it was his father pulling strings behind the scenes.
Staying home idle every day, he became increasingly dispirited—his eldest brother and even his third and fifth brothers were all out holding positions and doing well, speaking with confidence at home, while only he…
After Old Madam Song finished scolding him, she worried he might take it the wrong way. She felt that talking to Song Yi was even more exhausting than talking to little Ren. Sighing, she looked at him again: “Don’t go twisting things in your mind again. I’m just saying a few words to you plainly. You should also pay more attention to your own children. To be fair, what you did before was truly too hurtful. How can a person’s heart warm up in just one day? If once doesn’t work, put in more effort. Once you’ve married your wife and your temperament has settled down, would your father really keep you idle at home for life? Take advantage of this time to sober up properly and know what you should and shouldn’t do. Otherwise, being such a muddled person your whole life, even I will look down on you.”
Song Yi’s eyes gradually brightened as he listened. After thinking it over, he honestly responded with a yes, finally deciding to go find Song Yan himself to discuss the matter.
Old Madam Song watched his retreating figure and shook her head directly: “He truly requires too much worry, not even as good as a child.”
First Madam Song quickly tried to console her: “Mother, don’t worry too much. Second Uncle has changed somewhat recently. Our future sister-in-law is also someone who understands things clearly. Once she enters the household, everything will get better.”
Although the Earl Guangping’s family had completely fallen from nobility, what was rare was that all the children in the family were well-raised. If not for the trouble that befell the family, and the fact that their daughter had been delayed three years by her father’s mourning period, then delayed over a year more by the Empress Dowager’s mourning, she wouldn’t have been available to be someone’s second wife.
Though she was a bit older, what was rare was that she knew propriety and when to advance or retreat. She seemed like a good person too—she already knew to ease relations with her stepchildren before even marrying in, which was a good thing.
That evening, Song Chuyi was about to go to Old Madam Song’s Ningde Courtyard when she heard from Luyi that Song Yan had been called to the main courtyard of the second branch. After thinking it over, she asked: “It’s about sitting on the bed the day before the wedding, right?”
After the incident with Han Zhi, Song Yan had rapidly matured and already knew what should be done at what time, so Song Chuyi didn’t feel worried.
Qing Tao nodded, fastening the ties of her cloak for her, then smiled at her: “Speaking of it, this new madam of ours is truly a rare thoughtful person. She actually made a complete set of clothes for each of your four seasons and sent them over. Looking at those stitches and workmanship, I could tell they truly all came from the same person’s hand. Being so thoughtful shows she’s someone who understands propriety.”
At the very least, having this intention showed she meant to get along well in the future. Song Chuyi nodded, thought it over, then said: “Since that’s the case, on the nineteenth I’ll wear the outfit she sent.”
This could be considered returning the favor. She also didn’t hope Song Yi’s new wife would be someone like Tong Shao who couldn’t handle things and had to make a scene all the time. If there was a reliable wife to manage him, his conduct would become more orderly, and she wouldn’t have to constantly worry about him either.
Qing Tao crisply replied yes, then specifically handed her a hand warmer to hold before looking her up and down: “This cloak was sent by Princess Consort Zhennan, it really looks beautiful.”