◎[The Song Family, no male or female lead] Song Zhiwei paired with the two characters “Shan Jun”—it’s actually quite fitting.◎

Duke Songguo returned to his residence with a face full of gloom.

Duke Songguo’s wife had just returned from outside and asked with a smile, “Who upset you?”

Duke Songguo was utterly helpless. “Who could upset me? There’s no one I can afford to offend!”

He said, “Have Third come find me.”

Duke Songguo’s wife asked, “What? Are you going to beat him again?”

Last time, because of Prince Wei’s heir apparent killing Lin Ji, Third had gotten a beating just for being close to him, and even now he could barely walk.

Duke Songguo’s wife advised, “He knows he was wrong now. He knows not to get involved in those matters—don’t blame him.”

Duke Songguo said, “I’m not beating him this time.”

After a pause, he added, “Have First and Second come together as well.”

Duke Songguo’s wife became worried at the mention of her eldest son. “He’s like an old monk. I’ve suggested several young ladies and he doesn’t agree to any of them.”

Duke Songguo waved his hand. “You don’t understand these things. I told you not to arrange matches for First yet. Never mind all that—go call them here.”

Duke Songguo’s wife thought for a moment. “Did the Grand Imperial Grandson agree to his marriage with the Fu family?”

The Grand Imperial Grandson’s Consort’s maiden family name was Fu.

Duke Songguo said, “He didn’t agree.”

He rubbed his brow. “Just go have them come!”

Duke Songguo’s wife nodded and consoled him, “Even if he didn’t agree, it’s fine. I’ve already looked at good young ladies for all three of them.”

Duke Songguo sighed. “Their marriages all need to be discussed carefully. You absolutely must not make verbal promises to anyone.”

He said, “My lady, today is different from the past.”

Duke Songguo’s wife asked, “How so?”

Duke Songguo said in a low voice, “His Majesty intends to depose Marquis Boyuan.”

Duke Songguo’s wife was so frightened her steps faltered. “But that’s Imperial Consort Lin’s maternal family—Prince Qi’s capable right arm!”

Duke Songguo was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “His Majesty is already sixty-four years old.”

Looking back three thousand years, there hadn’t been a single emperor who could live to seventy-four or eighty-four.

Sixty-four was already considered a long life.

He smiled bitterly. “I’ve followed His Majesty for almost thirty years now.”

The glory of the Duke Songguo residence all rested on his shoulders—he’d never let the children in his family enter court as officials.

He was afraid.

His Majesty was truly unpredictable in temperament. He’d spent thirty years learning that while His Majesty lived, it was best for the children not to distinguish themselves.

So even though his eldest son was excellent in every way with a reputation abroad, Duke Songguo hadn’t let him become a court official.

He brought up a name he hadn’t mentioned in a long time. “Do you still remember Duan Boyan?”

Duke Songguo’s wife nodded. “Of course.”

When Duan Boyan was prominent, Duke Songguo was still running errands at the Ministry of Revenue. It was Duan Boyan who, seeing his diligence, smiled and said, “Since you’re a young master from a duke’s residence with such dedication, why not come work by my side?”

Duke Songguo went, and subsequently ended up by His Majesty’s side.

He said, “Back then our family had also declined—it was from my generation that we rose again. But I don’t know—after I die, what will become of our family? Look, do people still set foot at the Duan family’s gate?”

Back then, how His Majesty had rewarded the former Crown Prince and Duan Boyan—didn’t he kill them later anyway?

Duan Boyan and the Crown Prince weren’t even His Majesty’s first strike.

The first strike was Grand Preceptor Zhe.

Grand Preceptor Zhe had been the teacher of His Majesty and Duan Boyan. Later he continued to teach the Crown Prince. At that time he was also riding high, his entire clan distinguished—yet who remembers him now?

Duke Songguo had personally witnessed His Majesty strike these two blows, and no matter how prominent people were, their heads fell. He sighed. “I fear this year, this blade will ultimately fall on Prince Qi.”

He might swing one more blade, but according to His Majesty’s temperament, that would probably be another ten-plus years away.

The first decade, he killed Grand Preceptor Zhe. That was his mentor.

The second decade, he killed the Crown Prince and Duan Boyan. Those were his son and sworn brother.

The third person to be killed—wouldn’t it be Prince Qi?

It’s not as if he hasn’t killed a son before.

He closed his eyes. “Or perhaps, couldn’t it be me? Though my current power is less than Duan Boyan’s was, it’s not far off.”

Duke Songguo’s wife turned pale with fright. “How could that be?”

Duke Songguo countered, “Why couldn’t it be?”

“When he sees someone standing out, His Majesty becomes displeased.”

He said, “Go call those three over. The Grand Imperial Grandson pointed out a path for me today.”

Duke Songguo’s wife hurried to call them, and the three young masters of the Song family came over.

The eldest was steady and noble, the second was wooden and honest, the third was impetuous and frivolous.

Of these three children, he placed the most hope in the eldest. The eldest was indeed excellent, but the timing wasn’t right now.

He didn’t dare let the eldest take office.

He said, “Our family has reached a life-or-death moment.”

The second was shocked, the third angry. “Just because I got close to Prince Wei’s heir apparent for a few days?”

Only the eldest didn’t speak. Instead, he paused before saying, “Father, is the Grand Imperial Grandson willing to have the Fu family form a marriage alliance with our family?”

Duke Songguo shook his head. “He’s not willing.”

Song Zhiwei said, “I guessed as much. Although His Majesty is willing to let the Grand Imperial Grandson have contact with you, he probably doesn’t want you to get too close.”

Once the word “marriage alliance” came out, it would blur the lines between ruler and subject—His Majesty wouldn’t like it.

But he also understood his father’s thinking. He felt that His Majesty was old, and the youngest Grand Imperial Grandson might win, so he wanted some credit for supporting the dragon.

His Majesty had conveniently provided a stepping stone, so he wanted to take the opportunity to step over.

His father was in the thick of things and inevitably had blind spots. But Song Zhiwei felt that the more it was like this, the more they couldn’t act this way. “The Grand Imperial Grandson probably thinks the same way.”

He asked, “What does the Grand Imperial Grandson mean then?”

Duke Songguo replied, “At the time, Third Young Master of the Duke Zhenguo residence happened to be there. He casually pointed and said someone like from the Duke Zhenguo residence would be just right.”

An aristocratic family, but one that had declined—just like the Song family of before.

Song Zhiwei was silent for a long time, then said, “The Duke Zhenguo residence would indeed work.”

He said, “Father, since we’re marrying, let me be the one to marry.”

Duke Songguo frowned. “You’re willing?”

Song Zhiwei nodded. “This is the best solution. I’m the eldest son, the future Duke Songguo. For me to marry a young lady of such status would be most appropriate.”

Duke Songguo actually had this intention as well. But he had high hopes for his eldest son and hesitated. “Should we have Third marry instead, and you wait a bit longer?”

Song Zhiwei shook his head. “Since we’re doing this, we should do it thoroughly. Why drag it out? Father, you’ve been increasingly hesitant and indecisive lately—this might not be good.”

He’d made his decision. Standing up, he said, “I’m the eldest son. Even when it comes to marriage, I should go first. If it fell to my younger brothers instead, it would inevitably lead to…”

He pointed in the direction of the palace. “Lead that person to overthink things.”

Duke Songguo thought about it. “All right—should we switch to a young lady from a different family?”

Song Zhiwei said, “The Duke Zhenguo residence is simple—it’s actually the best choice.”

He smiled with an ambiguous meaning. “The Grand Imperial Grandson’s casual pointing actually landed on the most suitable family for us.”

Duke Songguo shook his head. “It probably wasn’t intentional. Third Young Master Lan going to the Ministry of Revenue was decided last year. The Grand Imperial Grandson going to the Ministry of Revenue was only decided last month.”

He said, “Today I brought up this matter, and he just pointed at someone. He didn’t say it definitely had to be the Duke Zhenguo residence.”

Song Zhiwei hesitated. “Perhaps I’m overthinking it.”

…

In the Eastern Palace, the Grand Imperial Grandson was in a good mood and ate two bowls of rice.

The Grand Imperial Grandson’s Consort looked at him with concern. “Are you really all right?”

The Grand Imperial Grandson said, “I’m fine.”

He said, “I even accomplished a good deed.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson’s Consort was curious. “What good deed?”

The Grand Imperial Grandson replied, “I made a match for Song Zhiwei.”

The Grand Imperial Grandson’s Consort said, “A few days ago you had me quietly inquire about the three sons of the Song family—it was to arrange marriages for them?”

The Grand Imperial Grandson placed a piece of chicken in her bowl. “Where would I have that kind of leisure?”

He smiled. “I only arrange matches for the best ones.”

Song Zhiwei paired with the two characters “Shan Jun”—it was actually quite fitting.