Madam Cui specially gave Song Chuyi extra instructions. Although the previous incident where Miss Tong from the Marquis Wuning’s estate had accused her of being a lone star of calamity who caused Miss Tong’s fall and injury had now become absurd nonsense, this time when the Empress summoned her to the palace, it was very likely still because of this matter and Master Yuanhui’s affair—specifically to compensate her. Therefore, if the Empress bestowed anything, she shouldn’t overthink it and should just accept it.
In Princess Duanhui’s eyes, this Empress Niang-niang who could be said to have raised her could be considered her mother. She had always been close to Empress Niang-niang, and when mentioning Empress Niang-niang to Song Chuyi, her tone also seemed very relaxed and casual: “In any case, Niang-niang is extremely reasonable and virtuous. Just put your mind at ease—she won’t make things difficult for you.”
Song Chuyi smiled and agreed, but didn’t take Princess Duanhui’s words to heart. She naturally knew that Princess Duanhui meant well and would never harm her. But she believed even more that one couldn’t make judgments too early about anything. No matter who it was, one had to see them with one’s own eyes and personally interact with them before drawing conclusions. If one approached viewing people with goodwill or malice from the start, it was too easy to fall into others’ schemes.
Clerk Xie personally greeted her at the palace gate. Upon seeing her, his eyes couldn’t help but light up. When she was younger it had been harder to tell, but now after such a long interval seeing her again, his gaze could no longer move away—her face bore the dignified restraint particular to young ladies of aristocratic families. On her palm-sized face, a pair of eyes like the finest ink stone soaked in ice water sparkled brilliantly. Yet she had a steady temperament, and though her upturned eye corners were clearly a pair of beautiful, pretty fox eyes, she kept them downcast, concealing a touch of overly bright and flamboyant glamour. A bean-green cloak embroidered with white plum blossoms wrapped around her added several points of elegant refinement. Her movements made not half a sound, nor showed any panic or haste—one could only find her pleasing to the eye.
Clerk Xie praised silently in his heart, thinking no wonder Empress Niang-niang always said Miss Chen still fell somewhat short. Previously he had never known where the shortcoming lay, but seeing now he finally understood the difference—speaking of appearance, she wasn’t inferior; speaking of propriety, she wasn’t lacking either. Yet if the two people stood together for comparison, one’s gaze would certainly rest more on Song Sixth Miss.
She waited in the side hall for a while. The tea barely touched her lips before she set it down, her mind rapidly contemplating the significance of the Empress summoning her to the palace this time—although it was nothing more than representing Emperor Jianzhang in bestowing some things upon her, meaning to reassure the Song family. But she couldn’t rule out that Empress Niang-niang might raise what she had previously revealed to Princess Rongcheng and Princess Duanhui about arranging her match with Ye Jingchuan.
Just as she was thinking, Clerk Xie smiled and came in to summon her: “Niang-niang has already returned. I’ll bring Sixth Miss over.”
Empress Niang-niang should have gone to the Eastern Palace to see His Highness the Crown Prince. She’d heard that although His Highness the Crown Prince had awakened, his body still hadn’t recovered and would need another half year or so of recuperation to fully heal.
She performed her respects properly, then heard someone above suddenly laugh. A voice like konghou strings—indescribably delicate and pleasing to the ear: “At such a young age, to perform propriety in a way so pleasing to the eye is difficult indeed.”
In her previous life, having been the Duchess of Yingguo for so many years and frequently entering and leaving the palace in the early period, rules and etiquette had long been carved into her bones. Now living this life again, naturally she brought them out.
Consort Song laughed and joined the conversation: “She and I were both raised by Grandmother. Grandmother has always been strict with rules, and Xiao Liu’er learned more diligently than I did.”
Empress Niang-niang gently called her to rise, had her lift her head for a look, then smiled and praised to Consort Song: “Not only did she learn the rules well, she’s also truly pleasing to look at. I haven’t seen such an outstanding young lady in many years—she really brings delight.”
After praising her, she granted Song Chuyi a seat. Song Chuyi sat beside the bright red wool cushion, then heard Empress Niang-niang ask: “Eleventh Princess’s good fortune has already been settled. With the Ministry of Rites handling arrangements, next year she’ll be able to leave the palace and move into the Princess’s estate. As her young aunt, do you have any gesture prepared?”
Eleventh Princess was betrothed to the second young master of the Shangqiu Shen family. Next year the second young master planned to stay in the capital for examinations, so the wedding was set for next year—regardless of whether the second young master passed or not, the Princess would marry.
This match hadn’t originally been so smooth—the Shangqiu Shen family was an aristocratic clan, and the eldest son currently held great power over the two Guang regions. Even having the second son who had no title marry a princess wasn’t such an easy matter.
The Shen family was seeking to pledge loyalty to Emperor Jianzhang—having the titleless second son marry a princess served first to demonstrate their family’s loyalty to Emperor Jianzhang, and second, could give the second son a stable, worry-free future. The Great Zhou Dynasty’s princes consort could participate in government. Princess Rongcheng’s prince consort Ye Jingkuan had entered the Commandant’s Office, handling commandant duties, and had always been highly regarded by Emperor Jianzhang.
Emperor Jianzhang had been torn apart too fiercely by his brothers in the beginning. Even after he took power up until now, he still hadn’t been able to completely eliminate these hidden dangers and various factional forces. Now that the Shen family could see the situation clearly, he was naturally happy to grant this favor and let other aristocratic families see. Only then did he permit the Shen family’s second young master Shen An to marry Eleventh Princess.
The Empress’s question was somewhat unreasonable. Although Song Chuyi’s generation was senior to Eleventh Princess, in terms of age they were equivalent. Moreover, she was an unmarried girl—aside from sending some jewelry and trinkets when adding to Eleventh Princess’s trousseau, there was no reason to send other things.
She lowered her brows and eyes, appearing steady and dignified, and carefully responded to Empress Niang-niang’s words: “Reporting to Empress Niang-niang, what I’ve prepared are all playthings for girls in the boudoir.” As she spoke, she suddenly smiled sweetly, revealing the dimple at her cheek: “Princess Highness likes clay figurines from outside. I’m sending her a set of ‘Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers.'”
She expressed herself just like an innocent and charming girl of this age should, making it impossible to see her depths. Examining her own conscience, when Empress Lu was young, she could only have done this much herself. She meaningfully let out an “oh,” seeming quite interested: “I heard this match was you acting as matchmaker for Eleventh Princess. Why are you so stingy, only giving a set of clay figurines with gold powder?”
Song Chuyi’s heart grew greatly alert, knowing the Empress was aware that she had spoiled Consort Xian and Ninth Princess’s scheme back then. Yet her face showed bewildered expression without batting an eye: “Grandmother also said that Eleventh Princess’s marriage was thanks to me. Without my mother’s friendship with Auntie Shen, Madam Shen wouldn’t have dared to aspire to Princess Highness.”
Too clever. So clever she’d somewhat overstepped, slippery as a loach—one couldn’t grasp any handle from her words whatsoever.
The smile at Empress Lu’s lips deepened, but her eyes revealed some scrutiny. She laughed softly.