What was urgent now was Song Chuyi’s wedding. Their wedding date was set for the sixth day of the tenth month, an excellent day. Song Yi, as a prefectural magistrate, couldn’t take leave to return, so only she had come back alone.
Though not her birth mother, Yin Yuanduan truly acted with genuine kindness. Naturally she couldn’t interfere with the dowry—the betrothal gifts sent by the imperial family were extremely precious, and the gift list would naturally be discussed by Old Madam Song and First Madam Song. However, as the stepmother, she was generous with her own gifts. She took out all the few items she had for her own trousseau and gave them all to Song Chuyi. Holding her hand, she sighed: “When we were away, I couldn’t help worrying about you constantly. How could you suffer so many calamities and misfortunes? Fortunately, it’s all passed now…”
Yin Yuanduan was already four months pregnant, but her lower abdomen wasn’t very prominent yet. Wearing loose silk garments, her complexion actually looked quite good. She composed her expression and brought out her mother’s letter to show Song Chuyi, not avoiding the matter at all: “They say it’s about a marriage proposal. Do you know what candidates there are?”
She didn’t make Song Chuyi guess, but immediately mentioned the lady who had come to negotiate about the Du family’s collateral branch: “My mother was startled—she never expected it would actually be Elder Du’s legitimate eldest granddaughter. I heard that Madam Du once had intentions of adding to Mingzi’s trousseau? This time she’s not adding to the trousseau, but has set her sights on me instead.”
The legitimate eldest granddaughter of an Elder, who had initially been planned to match with Zhou Weizhao as a side consort, was suddenly being offered to the Earl Guang’en household—the scheme behind this was as obvious as day. Xiang Mingzi couldn’t help but stare in astonishment: “This is truly generous of them.”
In some families, daughters were born with a price tag already attached, waiting to be sold. What was there to be generous or not generous about? Elder Du wouldn’t feel the least bit regretful. Yin Yuanduan understood this all too clearly and dismissed it with a slight derisive laugh: “I’ve already had Mother refuse. Fortunately my mother isn’t muddled—she sent someone to inform me that very day. Although it’s just a marriage match and wouldn’t really affect me even if it went through, much less affect you, I simply didn’t want to give the Du family this ladder to approach you. Forget it.”
After marrying the Grand Prince, the future was already destined to be turbulent. Elder Du still wanted to plant seeds now to add chaos and complications later—it was truly nauseating.
Xiang Mingzi couldn’t help but feel that Old Madam Song’s judgment was extraordinarily accurate. The Yin Yuanduan she had chosen was truly someone who was many times smarter than Song Yi and much more clear-headed than Song Yi. These inner chamber interests and relationships, she calculated them all crystal clear.
Song Chuyi also smiled. Recently Yin Yuanduan had been increasingly good to her. She understood in her heart that Yin Yuanduan was someone who wholeheartedly hoped to live a good life. Now that she was pregnant again, she feared that when the child in her belly was born, it would make Song Yan and Song Chuyi feel uncomfortable in their hearts. In everything, she was much more attentive and thoughtful than before. Song Chuyi didn’t dislike this stepmother who conducted herself properly and was extremely good at dealing with people. At least since she came, Song Yi hadn’t caused any more trouble. She placed her hand on Yin Yuanduan’s belly: “Mother has worked hard on this journey. You should rest first. These matters can be discussed later.”
“If we discuss them later, we’ll have been schemed against.” As she spoke, she sighed again: “Even my situation has been carefully considered in their schemes—you can see how overwhelmed you must be now. His Highness the Grand Prince is at the height of his power. I’m afraid you’re having a difficult time?”
Hechun personally added tea and water for them, then took the opportunity to report to Yin Yuanduan: “Madam, Fourth Young Master hasn’t returned to the household yet.”
Seeing Song Chuyi frown, Xiang Mingzi knew she was thinking again about the vexing matter of Song Yan going to Hubei. She squeezed her hand comfortingly: “This time it’s not about going to plead with Uncle. I heard Big Brother mention something—it seems Second Young Master Ye is looking for him. Don’t worry.”
At the mention of Ye Jingchuan, Yin Yuanduan couldn’t help but glance at Song Chuyi’s expression. Seeing her only sigh, she felt sorry for Ye Jingchuan in her heart—compared to the Grand Prince, marrying Ye Jingchuan would truly be much more relaxed and pleasant. With Song Chuyi’s capabilities, she could live extremely well without any effort at all.
But she also knew this matter couldn’t be mentioned again, so she smiled and changed the topic: “Tomorrow is Mid-Autumn Festival already. Fortunately we made it back in time. After Mid-Autumn, we can still drink Mingzi’s wedding wine and add to her trousseau.”
A few days ago at the Princess’s residence, it was Ye Jingchuan who had told Song Yan about Prince Zhennan’s household also intending to send a daughter to become the Grand Prince’s side consort, and had Song Yan warn her. Song Chuyi frowned. She felt she hadn’t done anything—Ye Jingchuan’s heavy sentiments truly made her feel unworthy of receiving them.
Even Song Yan felt that Second Brother Ye was truly a good person—he couldn’t be better to Song Chuyi. He looked at Ye Jingchuan and opened his mouth wide: “My elder sister’s wedding day is on the sixth of the tenth month. Although you said you’d leave early, you never said you’d leave this early! Why must you depart immediately after Mid-Autumn? Isn’t this too hasty?”
Ye Jingchuan rubbed his head: “It’s been decided long ago. This time I’m going under Magistrate Wang, the Regional Commander of Taizhou under Uncle Guo’s command. I hear his ability to train troops is first-rate—he’s repelled the Japanese pirates several times. September just happens to be when he finishes recruiting and begins training. If I go before September, that’s the proper thing to do.”
Song Yan let out an “oh,” then felt somewhat worried: “I heard that recently, for some reason, the Japanese pirate troubles have become increasingly severe. Grandfather said the Cabinet has already received countless memorials reporting this, and bad news predominates. When you get there, you must be extremely careful.”
The casualties were quite severe, and Ye Jingchuan had always liked running to the front lines—it was truly worrying.
Ye Jingchuan himself wasn’t worried about these things. He nodded to Song Yan, then instructed him: “I heard from my elder brother that the Princess has already done her utmost to persuade Empress to abandon the idea of establishing side consorts for His Highness the Grand Prince. Now Princess Consort Gong is also no longer a threat. But urge her more often—when water is too full it overflows, when the moon is too full it wanes. His Highness the Grand Prince should restrain his brilliance for a period of time. Tell her to restrain her temper as well. I know the principle that the tree desires stillness but the wind won’t stop, but in the future she should learn to accept the losses she ought to accept. Sometimes accepting loss is a blessing…”
In just half a year’s time, Ye Jingchuan, whom Song Jue had said was merely somewhat naive, had already become this perceptive. But none of that mattered. What mattered was Ye Jingchuan’s sentiment—after being rejected, not only did he not become angry from humiliation, he still always thought of Song Chuyi in everything like this. It was truly extremely rare. Even Song Yan couldn’t help but feel moved on behalf of his sister and sighed: “Our two families have always been close. Second Brother Ye actually doesn’t need to avoid things so much—it would be the same if you spoke directly to my elder sister.” Every time he did something good, he didn’t tell Song Chuyi, which made one feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Ye Jingchuan shook his head and pulled his lips into a smile: “No, it should be avoided. I once had such thoughts—seeing her again would cause her trouble. If I tell you, it’s the same. I don’t expect anything from her, so how could I use my own sentiments to burden others—Song Chuyi is not someone who can accept others’ kindness with peace of mind.