Song Chuyi understood this feeling very well. She herself had been anxious and uneasy for quite some time with her own wedding approaching. Thinking about it, all the reasonable advice that should be given had already been said by Old Madam Song and the others. Even Song Chengru was particularly attentive to his granddaughter’s—formerly his granddaughter-in-law’s—marriage. He had specifically spoken to Xiang Mingzi at length beforehand to comfort her. Since his daughter’s life had been so miserable, Song Chengru and Old Madam Song always hoped that their daughter’s only bloodline would live well.

She turned to face Xiang Mingzi. In the lamplight, Xiang Mingzi’s expression was particularly worried. She squeezed Xiang Mingzi’s hand and said softly: “This is different. When Aunt married back then, she relied on passionate impulse, rushing into the fire like a moth without care—liking him simply meant liking him. Grandfather and Grandmother didn’t have time to investigate his character, and couldn’t dissuade Aunt, so they married her off. Later, he was constantly posted to distant assignments. With the emperor far away in the mountains, no matter how capable Grandfather and Grandmother were, with poor communication there was nothing they could do. But now it’s different. You and I have both met Brother-in-law Li. Grandfather, Grandmother, and Eldest Brother have investigated him thoroughly. We all know what kind of people Madam Li and the Li sisters are. As long as you live your life well after marrying into their family, nothing will be unsatisfactory.” She paused, seeing Xiang Mingzi listening attentively, and continued: “Even if there are unsatisfactory matters, if you feel they’re not unacceptable, endure what you can. If you cannot endure, don’t worry about the relationship between the two families—come back and tell Grandfather and Grandmother. They’re not the type to let their own children suffer grievances.”

Song Chuyi had always been someone who could persuade others but not herself. After being persuaded this way by her, Xiang Mingzi felt much more at ease. She pulled Song Chuyi close and chatted on for a while longer before finally falling asleep.

The next day, Madam Du arrived exceptionally early. The betrothal between the Du family and the Marquis of Guangen’s household had already been settled. Both parties had agreed that after the New Year, the formal betrothal gifts would be exchanged. This time, for the bed-laying ceremony at Xiang Mingzi’s wedding, Old Madam Song had personally requested her to serve as the bed-laying matron, which had settled her heart considerably.

Upon arriving, she first went to Old Madam Song’s Ningde Courtyard and said with a smile: “The young ladies in your household are each raised more lovely and beautiful than the last. You truly know how to nurture people.”

First Madam Song was so busy her feet barely touched the ground, but Old Madam Song was much more leisurely. She smiled benevolently and shook her head at Madam Du: “I dare not accept such praise. Madam Du, surely your granddaughters are all excellent? I find your eldest granddaughter to be particularly fine.”

The smile on Madam Du’s face deepened. Finding a moment, she said to Second Madam Er Yun Duan: “I was thinking, since my Fang Xi is still young after all, she might not handle many matters properly. I’d like her to learn from the Madam first.”

The “Madam” she referred to was naturally the Marchioness of Guangen.

Er Yun Duan was the Second Madam of the Marquis of Changning’s household. Although she was a second wife, she was still Song Chuyi’s legitimate stepmother, wasn’t she? Moreover, these two had always had a good relationship. If Er Yun Duan hadn’t received Song Chuyi’s approval, how would she have agreed to this match?

That was why Madam Du had forced herself to return with a smiling face—previously at the Song household, she had been rebuffed quite a few times.

Er Yun Duan went with the flow and smiled warmly: “There’s nothing much to learn. Since we’re joining families, we’re not outsiders. I won’t hide it from Madam—my only concern is my mother.”

Madam Du hastened to declare: “I dare not say anything else about our Fang Xi, but her character is first-rate. Even our old master only praises her filial piety.”

Filial she certainly was, but to whom she was filial—Er Yun Duan smiled without speaking.

Li Er came to fetch his bride and was thoroughly tormented. There was no help for it—he had far too many brothers-in-law. The Song family was close-knit, and since Song Chengru, the old master, had not yet divided the household, each of his young brothers-in-law was difficult to deal with. Most of those he brought along to fetch the bride were his classmates from the Imperial Academy, all talented young men in their own right, yet they were nearly prevented from entering by these brothers-in-law.

After finally passing through five trials and slaying six generals to enter, he was already drenched in sweat. Then he was blocked at the entrance to Xiang Mingzi’s courtyard by Song Yan and the others, unable to budge. He was so anxious he nearly called his most difficult eldest brother-in-law Song Jue and youngest brother-in-law Song Yan “ancestors” before finally getting through.

Song Jue personally carried Xiang Mingzi out the door. As he handed the red silk ribbon to Li Er, he didn’t forget to warn him: “If you dare treat my sister poorly…”

How would he dare?! Even before getting married, he had already been thoroughly tormented by Song Jue and Song Yan. Add to that Song Jie and the others who were not to be trifled with either. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and felt deep sympathy for his future co-brother-in-law, His Highness the Crown Grandson.

Old Madam Song was happy for her granddaughter, but being old after all, she couldn’t bear partings. In the end, she still cried. First Madam Song, Second Madam Song, and others all came forward to accompany her with jokes and comfort before the matter was finally settled.

After comforting Old Madam Song, Song Chuyi took Ren Yi’s hand and went out together. Ren Yi had now grown quite a bit taller, almost reaching Song Chuyi’s waist. Moving his little legs energetically to keep up with Song Chuyi’s pace, he looked up and spotted his father, then quickly pulled at Song Chuyi: “Auntie, Father is up ahead!”

Song Jue should have been accompanying the bride to the Li residence and not yet returned. Song Chuyi was somewhat surprised. She walked a few steps toward Song Jue: “Eldest Brother, shouldn’t you be at the Li residence for the wedding feast? Why have you returned at this time?”

Song Jue had someone lead Ren Yi away, then walked side by side with Song Chuyi: “The two families aren’t far apart anyway. It was chaotic everywhere there, and there’s still some time before the evening banquet, so I simply came back first.”

After walking for a bit, he clasped his hands behind his back and stopped: “Commander Lai of the Imperial Guard has left the capital.”

Song Chuyi’s heart skipped a beat. Every time Lai Chenglong left the capital, nothing good came of it. Hearing the words “Lai Chenglong” and “left the capital” together, she couldn’t help but have an ominous premonition. She raised her hand to rub between her brows: “If it requires the Commander of the Imperial Guard to personally leave the capital, no one would believe it’s not a major matter. Where did he go?”

Song Jue shook his head: “This time, I don’t know.”

In the past, they had at least known. Recently, due to Emperor Jianzhang’s admonishments and wariness, the exchange of information between Lai Chenglong and them had long been severed.

But if Lai Chenglong was willing, passing along a message wouldn’t be difficult.

Song Chuyi was silent for a moment: “Where does Brother think Commander Lai has gone?”

She could no longer quite grasp Emperor Jianzhang’s temperament now. Since she couldn’t guess accurately, and Lai Chenglong hadn’t sent any message, she could only rely on someone well-informed.

And Song Jue was undoubtedly that well-informed person—he had already been promoted to Chiliarch of the Yulin Guard, a true imperial attendant who walked before the throne.

Sometimes Song Chuyi herself didn’t understand why, if Emperor Jianzhang was now wary of Zhou Weizhao growing too powerful and had admonished the Song family, he still didn’t replace the Song family members close to him.