Old Madam Song had not entered the palace for quite some time. Entering the palace was, after all, a cumbersome affair, and if she had to go in on the first and fifteenth of every month, her body was truly starting to find it difficult to bear. Therefore, for the past half year or so, it had been First Madam Song who entered the palace on the first and fifteenth of each month. However, this time it was because Consort Song had personally sent word out that she wanted her to come to the palace. She had made preparations early, rising at the fourth watch, and after having breakfast, she left with Xiang Mingzi’s support. She also instructed Xiang Mingzi: “Have Miss Yan and the others eat lunch at my place, and after the sun is less scorching in the afternoon, you can also take a walk in the garden.”

Xiang Mingzi agreed, saw Old Madam Song out the door, and then walked back. She was currently learning household management and administration from First Madam, and having just begun handling many matters, she had not yet fully grasped them. Therefore, she often reviewed old records from previous years. Now that she had seen Old Madam Song off, she made a trip to the council hall and carefully examined the banquet lists from when Song Chumi had married a couple of years ago.

Nanny Kong took the opportunity to bring her a cup of rose honey tea and served it to her to drink before smiling: “Miss, you should also rest for a bit. How can everything be done in such a short time?”

Xiang Mingzi smiled. The Li family had already begun the six rites process, and although completing these six rites would take most of half a year, half a year would pass in the blink of an eye, yet she still had much to learn. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but think of Song Chuyi. If Song Chuyi were here, she would surely be much more relaxed and at ease. The things Song Chuyi taught were much more useful and direct than what she figured out on her own.

Nanny Kong understood Xiang Mingzi’s thoughts very well. Seeing her lost in thought, she asked: “Is Miss thinking of Sixth Miss again?” Nanny Kong was the instructional nanny that Old Madam Song had later engaged for Xiang Mingzi. Although they had spent only a short time together, they got along very well. She was an old hand who had come out of the palace and was accustomed to reading people’s expressions and fathoming their hearts. Although she had never seen how Xiang Mingzi and Song Chuyi got along with each other, from the monthly letters that never ceased, she also knew that Song Chuyi and Xiang Mingzi’s relationship must be excellent.

Xiang Mingzi nodded with a slight smile: “Yes, Xiaoyi wrote saying she would set out at the end of May, and the return journey would take another month. By the time she arrives home, it will surely be July.”

“If you count it, it’s been more than five months since Sixth Miss left in the blink of an eye. Time passes so quickly.” Nanny Kong chatted with her: “July isn’t that far from now. You should learn more skills, and when Sixth Miss returns, you can teach her as well.”

Xiang Mingzi couldn’t help but laugh. Who could possibly teach Song Chuyi?

In comparison, Old Madam Song was not so relaxed at the consort’s Fengzao Palace. She talked with Consort Song for a while, saw the increasingly robust little prince, and then looked at Consort Song: “Your Highness has lost quite a bit of weight.”

Consort Song’s days could not be said to be difficult. Since the birth of the little prince and the Song family’s increasing favor, her position in the rear palace had also risen with the tide. Even if Emperor Jianzhang only looked at the child’s sake, he would still come five or six times a month. The reason she was showing such emotion today was truly because of an extraordinary matter: “Grandmother doesn’t know, the other day when I went to Qingning Palace to pay my respects, Her Majesty the Empress specifically asked me when Xiaoyi would return.”

As for Song Chuyi’s future prospects, the Song family had already reached a tacit understanding with Consort Song. Now that the Empress was bringing this matter up again, Consort Song naturally felt anxious: “From Her Majesty’s tone, I fear she still has intentions toward Xiaoyi.”

Old Madam Song pondered for a long while, then spoke of the matters between Song Chuyi and the Grand Heir at Yangquan. Seeing Consort Song frown, she said: “Your grandfather’s and your brother’s opinion is that if Xiaoyi is willing in her heart, the Song family might as well take the gamble.”

The young son born to Consort Song was, after all, too young. He was a full thirty-some years younger than the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. The other princes had already grown up and gone to their fiefs. No matter how the winds and clouds changed in the future, the imperial throne would not fall into the little prince’s hands. This was also why the Song family had never encouraged Consort Song to compete for anything. Throwing eggs at stones—what was there to compete for?

Seeing Consort Song’s brows slightly furrowed, Old Madam Song said: “Your Highness, the path of relying on imperial relatives does not last long. Our family has never wanted to take the route of imperial relatives. This is also why when you were selected to enter the palace, your grandfather and I were worried rather than pleased. But Xiaoyi is somewhat different. If she wants to choose the Grand Heir, our Song family doesn’t mind taking a gamble on this merit of supporting the dragon.”

The Song family had not caused any trouble by relying on Consort Song all these years, which was a natural advantage. All under heaven could see the excellence and proper conduct of the Song family’s sons. When mentioning Song Chengru, others’ first reaction was not that he was the consort’s father, but rather Elder Song. The Song family could be wealthy and noble relying on the men alone. No one would think when mentioning the Song family that they relied on women’s coattails. Even if Song Chuyi truly married into the Eastern Palace as the Grand Heir’s consort, people under heaven would have nothing to speculate about. This was also why the Empress had been unwilling to give up on Song Chuyi for so long.

Consort Song seemed to be in thought. After a long while, she sighed softly: “I originally thought that forming a marriage alliance with the Prince of Zhennan’s manor would also be the same, after all, they both serve the Grand Heir. But now that you and grandfather already have plans…”

Old Madam Song smiled and shook her head: “Until matters reach the final step, one cannot say that things have become settled. When Xiaoyi returns, we must still ask her what she thinks. Your grandfather is, after all, getting old, and even precious swords must eventually return to their scabbards. When that day comes, the Song family cannot live only on past sentiment. We must think more for the clan and our descendants.”

Old Madam Song had another sentence she didn’t say—even Consort Song herself had to make a choice first. The Eastern Palace’s position was already stable. Unless the Crown Prince committed an unforgivable great crime, Emperor Jianzhang would not easily replace the Crown Prince. The only variables lay with the Grand Heir and Prince Dongping. The Crown Prince’s health was poor. The illness he had suffered at the beginning of the year had already been very dangerous. He might not be able to last until Emperor Jianzhang’s death, and even if he lasted that long, he might not be able to sit on the emperor’s throne for many years. The future still belonged to Zhou Weizhao and Prince Dongping. This was also why Song Chengru always refused to accept the Crown Prince’s olive branch. He himself was not of a long-lived countenance and was calculating in everything—truly not a blessed appearance at all.

As for choosing between Zhou Weizhao and Prince Dongping, the answer was obvious—compared to the sensible Lu clan, the Fan clan’s ambitions were far greater, and Prince Dongping happened to have an excellent relationship with his maternal family…

Since Old Madam Song had said this much, Consort Song knew the family already had plans and felt somewhat reassured. After a moment, she slowly nodded: “Since grandmother has said this, I understand. But you should also be aware that when Xiaoyi returns, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely summon her to come in for a look.”

What “come in for a look” meant, Old Madam Song understood perfectly well. She straightened her expression and nodded, accepted Consort Song’s generous hospitality to have a meal in the palace, and only then left the palace and returned to the manor in the company of First Madam Song.