◎To Take Someone’s Head, One Must Attack Their Weak Point◎

Because of this ambiguous remark, Song Zhiwei finally truly turned around to look at Lan Shanjun.

Separated by the arched gateway, she seemed distinctly different from him, as clear as the separation between the Jing and Wei rivers.

She looked at him—perhaps for some other reason—her gaze like the water of a cold pool, deep and without ripples.

He was slightly startled and frowned, asking, “What does Miss Lan mean by this?”

Lan Shanjun didn’t speak.

Just as he had never said much back then.

Because he had never said much, she could only recall from the moment they met, constantly reflecting on herself, constantly harboring resentment—she wanted him to be like her years later, starting from this very moment, starting from every single word spoken in this moment, having to ponder carefully.

She remembered that he was someone with extremely deep thoughts, but these thoughts were habitually hidden within his cool and distant demeanor, unseen by outsiders. Thus, every smile he showed before others was only because a smile was expected, every furrow of his brow only because someone needed him to frown.

In this way, he finally earned the comment from others: “Like osmanthus, like orchid, a gentleman’s fragrance.”

She had once even sighed that this person lived such a tiring life, truly meaningless. But thinking about it now, if even this hadn’t exhausted him to death, having someone expose him and tear off his mask would truly be heaven’s injustice.

She slowly moved her gaze away from him and turned to leave—to take someone’s head, one must attack their weak point. Since he maintained such propriety, he presumably couldn’t bear having his reputation ruined.

She strode away, leaving only Song Zhiwei standing there in a daze.

Since he had decided to marry her, Song Zhiwei had investigated her past and knew that she had once been lost, grew up following an old monk, and later made a living slaughtering pigs in Huailing.

Her background was simple, her temperament stubborn, and after returning to the residence, she had conflicts with both the old madam and the madam of Duke Zhenguo’s estate.

Mother had been quite dissatisfied about this and said, “How could a pig-slaughtering woman enter our family’s station? Our residence has broad sabers, horizontal sabers, long sabers, and short sabers—but we certainly don’t have pig-slaughtering sabers!”

However, since both Father and he had decided, Mother could only cry and say, “Even if she enters through our doors, I won’t acknowledge her. Just look at how she disrespects her grandmother, doesn’t honor her birth mother, doesn’t obey her elder brother, and doesn’t love her younger sister—you know she’s a troublesome handful.”

Song Zhiwei didn’t care how Mother was. He also didn’t care how Lan Shanjun was. But at this moment, her strange words and behavior made him hesitate about his intention to marry her.

He was unwilling to marry someone he constantly needed to guard against. He needed a wife with a simple temperament to bear children.

But Duke Zhenguo’s estate only had two daughters, and the other one was truly young—too young for him. Waiting until the younger one could marry would take several more years, and he couldn’t wait that long.

Song Zhiwei strode forward, troubled at heart, and when continuing to interact with the Lan family members, there was some perfunctory quality to it.

However, Third Young Master Lan was truly excited and didn’t notice at all, still calling him brother, “Dear brother, from now on, we can also be considered people who have drunk together.”

Song Zhiwei smiled faintly and said, “Yes.”

After drinking a few more cups of wine, he stood up and said, “I still have matters today. Another day I’ll invite you to come drink another round.”

Third Young Master Lan was reluctant to part, almost wanting to go sleep in the same place with him to consolidate their brotherly bond.

Song Zhiwei’s eyes flashed with annoyance, and he said, “Please have someone summon my third younger sister.”

Third Young Master Lan could only watch him leave with longing eyes. When Third Miss Song came out, he finally asked Song Zhiwei, “Which day shall we arrange to meet next?”

Song Zhiwei deeply felt he was like a medicinal plaster that couldn’t be shaken off: “…I’ll write you a letter when I’m free.”

Third Young Master Lan said disappointedly, “Why not tomorrow?”

Song Zhiwei: “I have matters tomorrow.”

Third Young Master Lan: “Why not the day after tomorrow?”

Song Zhiwei: “I’m afraid I won’t have time these coming days.”

Third Young Master Lan: “Then when will you have time?”

Song Zhiwei: “…Next month then.”

Third Young Master Lan: “What time next month?”

Song Zhiwei finally had to give a specific date, “The fifth day of next month, I’ll have wine prepared at home waiting for you.”

Third Young Master Lan finally became happy and said, “Alright, you’ve invited me so warmly, I’ll certainly go.”

Song Zhiwei lowered the carriage curtain.

The carriage rushed along, and all the way to Duke Songguo’s estate, Madam of Duke Songguo had been waiting early. She quickly asked, “How is Sixth Miss Lan?”

Third Miss Song was shy by nature and said, “She doesn’t talk much, but every sentence she speaks makes people feel comfortable. Seeing that I didn’t like tea, she had someone bring fruit drinks.”

She thought for a moment and said, “I always feel that her every movement resembles Yu family’s A’Yu—both have straightforward temperaments and should be easy to get along with.”

Madam of Duke Songguo pressed her lips together unhappily, “You may know a person’s face but not their heart. You’re a young lady of Duke Songguo’s estate—she definitely wants to curry favor with you, so every word and action is done according to what’s good.”

She asked, “What did the relationship between her and Madam of Duke Zhenguo seem like?”

Third Miss Song was honest: “Quite good, chatting and laughing, not quarreling at all.”

Madam of Duke Songguo fell silent again, then said, “This young lady is indeed from marketplace origins, with deep schemes. Having quarreled like that, she can still speak properly.”

Third Miss Song opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment. She just felt Mother wasn’t being quite right about this. She looked toward Song Zhiwei, “Elder brother must have seen her too—what do you think?”

Song Zhiwei: “Her words and behavior were strange—at our first meeting, she asked me if I knew what a medicine king body was?”

Madam of Duke Songguo understood even better, “See what I mean? Having spent so long in coarse places, she’s learned some lowly tricks. This is seduction—first saying a few ambiguous words to make you care about her!”

“Well now, before even marrying, she already knows the methods of a vixen.”

Third Miss Song frowned deeply, feeling Mother’s words were truly excessive—she wasn’t usually like this.

After a moment, Madam of Duke Songguo came to her senses, knowing she had said some improper things, and cried, “For my eldest son’s marriage, I’ve been comparing against princesses and imperial princesses when choosing. Previously not being allowed to discuss marriage was one thing—after all, he was still young and there were still several suitable families. But now what is this?”

Song Zhiwei didn’t want to hear Mother say these things. Women inevitably placed too much weight on marriage matters, but he didn’t care.

He said, “No matter what, Mother should happily go propose marriage for me.”

What else could Madam of Duke Songguo do? She could only comply!

So after two days, she invited a matchmaker to visit and mentioned this matter to Zhu Shi.

At that time, Zhu Shi was having a heart-to-heart talk with Huihui.

After hearing Lan Shanjun’s words, Huihui thought it over again and again and still decided to have a proper talk with Mother. She had just begun when the old woman from outside came in and said, “Madam Wu has arrived.”

Madam Wu was a close friend from Zhu Shi’s maiden days with whom she got along well, and they still frequently visited each other. Her visits didn’t require invitation cards—she could just come directly.

Zhu Shi then stood up and said, “What were you going to say? Wait until you come back this evening.”

Huihui sighed, “Mother, please go quickly.”

Zhu Shi hurried off. Upon seeing the person, she smiled, “What wind has blown you here?”

Madam Wu was extremely direct and laughed loudly, “Naturally the wind of matchmaking. Come sit with me quickly, and quickly give me a cup of tea. I’m afraid after you hear what I have to say, you’ll be in a daze and won’t offer a seat or tea.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Shi asked curiously, “Who are you matchmaking for in my family?”

She thought again—since she came to her side, it definitely wasn’t for Fourth Brother’s family. Then it must be for her two daughters.

Her daughters’ marriage matters had always been her worry, but now she felt somewhat proud and said, “No matter which one you mention, no matter which family you mention, I’ll remain calm and steady, without blinking an eye.”

Madam Wu was familiar with her temperament. Seeing her like this, she suddenly felt uncertain, “Has your sixth daughter been promised out, or is it the seventh daughter?”

Zhu Shi thought both probably had prospects. But since neither was settled, she didn’t dare say it out loud and only said, “You speak first.”

Madam Wu became serious: “Madam of Duke Songguo asked me to come matchmake. She said these past few days while seeking a wife for her eldest son Song Zhiwei, she suggested this one but he didn’t agree, suggested that one but he didn’t agree. Finally, Madam of Duke Songguo became annoyed and asked him what kind he actually wanted. He said he thought your sixth daughter was quite good—heroic eyebrows and eyes, straightforward temperament, extremely fine.”

Zhu Shi was stunned for a moment, “Ah? Duke Songguo’s estate? Young Master Song?”

Oh my! This is truly…!

She said anxiously, “You’re not deceiving me, are you? Just teasing me!”

Madam Wu felt certain now—even if someone had mentioned it before, they hadn’t agreed. Otherwise at this moment she should be regretful, not still carrying a trace of relief.

She then said, “Why would I deceive you? I’ve also seen your Shanjun—truly beautiful features. Song Zhiwei is also a man—how could he not be attracted?”

Zhu Shi was both happy and worried. Happy because compared to Yu Qingwu, the Song family was simply incomparable, and since this matter required waiting to see Duke Zhenguo and her husband and hadn’t yet given Old Madam Shou a final answer, it could still be reconsidered. Worried because if she agreed to this, it would be difficult to account to Old Madam Shou, and furthermore, if the Song family learned she had actually implicitly agreed to Old Madam Shou, would they blame her family?

The troubles on her forehead were about to show themselves. Madam Wu saw this and was unwilling to wade into these murky waters. She stood up and said, “A major matter of in-laws—how could it be agreed to in a moment? Don’t worry yet. Go back and ask your old madam first.”

Zhu Shi nodded. After all, it was still good news, so she happily saw her out, “Thank you so much.”

Madam Wu: “You’ve finally emerged from hardship to sweetness. You can see heaven knows your difficulties and lets you enjoy the blessings of children.”

Zhu Shi: “I also think so—fortunately the children are all worthy.”

Madam Wu smiled without speaking at these words. After she left, Zhu Shi hurriedly went to see Lan Shanjun and explained the matter this way and that, anxiously saying, “With Old Madam Shou, you didn’t agree outright, did you?”

Lan Shanjun smiled, “I didn’t agree. But Mother comes to tell me a bit late. Today is Old Madam Shou’s day to enter the palace. I’m afraid she’ll mention this matter before His Majesty and the Empress—didn’t Mother send her a letter yesterday saying Grandmother also agreed, only needing to ask Father and Grandfather?”

She said softly, “Father and Grandfather are away from home year-round. Old Madam Shou knows this. She probably thinks Mother’s meaning was that it’s already been agreed to.”

Zhu Shi anxiously turned in circles, “What can we do about this?”

She had only been afraid Old Madam Shou would be unhappy if she waited too long!

Whom did she dare offend now?

Lan Shanjun smiled, “Mother is too anxious. Just because someone says they fell in love with me at first sight means it’s love at first sight? That day I did see him once, but I saw between his brows he carried annoyance toward me—”

She said meaningfully, “But he was quite good to Third Brother.”

Zhu Shi had originally been worrying that Lan Shanjun might have lost a good marriage prospect, but hearing her say this, she immediately became anxious, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Lan Shanjun: “Mother, I’ve been reading people’s expressions since childhood. How could I not know how others treat me? And I’m someone who has walked through streets and alleys—I know about matters between men and men.”

She said slowly, “I think that’s how he feels about Third Brother.”

Zhu Shi felt as if struck by lightning.

Lan Shanjun was still analyzing, “Would someone like Song Zhiwei fall in love at first sight? Having seen me only once, he has people come propose marriage?”

She helped Zhu Shi sit down, “Mother, think carefully—even if he fell in love with me at first sight, would Madam of Duke Songguo consent?”

Zhu Shi had been muddled just moments ago, but hearing these words, she immediately said decisively, “She and I are about the same age. After so many years of interaction, don’t I know her? This person has eyes at the top of her head and fundamentally looks down on our family.”

“Moreover, for so many years, she’s held Song Zhiwei like a precious treasure, always feeling only princesses and imperial princesses are worthy. How could she look favorably on our family?”

The more she thought about it, the more she felt this was the case: “There must be deception in this! Shanjun, this matter must be considered carefully and cannot be hastily agreed to.”

“I think carefully—even if Song Zhiwei had deep feelings for you, there would have to be some conflict before Madam of Duke Songguo would agree, right? But now it’s only been a few days?”

She finally understood, “Something’s wrong. This is truly wrong.”

Lan Shanjun quietly watched her pace back and forth in the room.

She actually wasn’t confused. What she should know, she knew.

Then in that previous life, why had she agreed to this marriage?

Was it because she herself had nodded? Because at that time no other high family was willing to marry her? Because no one reminded her that Madam of Duke Songguo definitely wouldn’t agree in such a short time?

But Lan Shanjun didn’t know. In any case, in the end, she had hurriedly and confusedly married over.

She lowered her head in thought. Zhu Shi had already become like an ant on a hot pan, unable to sit still, saying, “Your third brother works at the Ministry of Finance, and the Minister of Finance is Duke Songguo!”

She was nearly crying, “What can we do about this!”

Lan Shanjun: “Mother shouldn’t spread this around. If this kind of thing gets out, I’m afraid it won’t be good for Third Brother.”

Zhu Shi gave a sound of acknowledgment. The more she thought about it, the more wrong it seemed: “All these years, we indeed haven’t heard of Song Zhiwei having many people in his quarters. We only heard he single-mindedly practiced self-restraint and propriety—a gentleman who doesn’t care for women.”

Lan Shanjun smiled, “Is that so?”

Zhu Shi: “If he favors men, that would make sense.”

So when Third Brother Lan returned, she quickly called him over to ask, “How is your relationship with… with Song Zhiwei?”

Third Young Master Lan was in high spirits, “Naturally good. Mother, he even warmly invited me to visit his residence. I was thinking, since I’m already going there, I must get close to him properly. If that day I don’t come back and talk with him by candlelight through the night, just have someone come back to tell Mother to lock the residence gates early and not wait for me.”

Zhu Shi’s face turned green then white, unable to say anything. After a long while, she sternly shouted, “You’re not allowed to go!”

Third Young Master Lan was startled, “Mother, what do you mean by this?”

Zhu Shi gripped his hand tightly, “When I say you’re not allowed to go, you’re not allowed to go.”

Third Young Master Lan felt Mother was being unreasonable. He looked at Lan Shanjun sitting quietly to the side and frowned, “Mother, did you hear something from someone?”

Lan Shanjun nodded slightly at him, then said to Zhu Shi, “Mother, I’ll return first.”

Zhu Shi was full of troubles. She quickly nodded and instructed her, “…You should rest early.”

The implication was for her not to speak of this outside.

Lan Shanjun smiled and said, “Mother should also rest early.”

But Mother probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.