Chapter 13

The eldest daughter-in-law of the third household asked, “Which family in Haining is this young gentleman from?”

The second lady replied, “The Huang family of Haining, formerly the household of Governor Huang. He’s the eldest grandson of the main branch, the eighth son.”

At this moment, Zhu Manman interjected, “I heard he’s quite handsome as well. At only nineteen, he passed the imperial examination last year and has already received the Ministry of Personnel’s notice to enter the Hanlin Academy. Apart from his family background being a bit lacking, there’s really nothing else wrong with him!”

The second lady disliked how her eldest daughter-in-law spoke without thinking—saying “family background is lacking” in front of so many people would surely cause disharmony between the families once word got out.

As expected, the Duke frowned slightly and said, “His family background is not lacking. The Huang family is also a prominent clan, only without a noble title. But what is a title, really? In two or three generations, it’s nothing. A good family tradition and upright character are the marks of prosperity. Your mother has chosen well for this marriage.”

Zhu Manman lowered her head and murmured, “Yes.”

The conversation continued about the Huang family and the second lady’s daughter, Wei Zhi, discussing when the marriage might take place. The second lady’s joy was obvious, while Song Yan stood aside, saying nothing.

She thought it a strange coincidence—why had her mother-in-law refused to let Wei Xi marry into the Huang family, yet the second lady’s Wei Zhi was promised to them instead?

Could it be that the renowned Huang family, unable to marry Wei Xi, sought Wei Zhi instead?

That was hardly proper; Wei Xi was only a few years younger than Wei Zhi, and they were aunt and niece.

After spending most of the day together and enjoying a meal in the afternoon, everyone returned to their own quarters. The second lady managed, after much persuasion, to gift the Azure Dragon lying in the ink pool to Princess Funing. Wei Xiu watched coldly from the side, saying nothing, while the second master gazed at the flower with obvious reluctance.

Not long after returning, Song Yan instructed her maid to visit her aunt’s house the next day to inquire about the marriage between the second household and the Huang family.

No sooner had she given this instruction than someone came from Yian Courtyard to summon her.

She went at once. Madam Zhang sat on her couch, looking unwell, and asked, “I heard Zhi’er has been promised to the Huang family of Haining?”

Song Yan replied, “Yes, Mother. I only learned of it today in the Embroidery Hall.”

“Is this the same Huang family you mentioned before?” Madam Zhang asked again.

“I believe so,” Song Yan replied.

Madam Zhang paused, “They say he passed the imperial examination and has entered the Hanlin Academy?”

Song Yan said, “That’s what I’ve heard. Aunt told me earlier that he was very likely to enter the Hanlin.”

To pass the imperial examination and be admitted to the Hanlin Academy, then serve a few years in the provinces before returning to serve in the capital—this was the pinnacle of a government career, and barring any mishaps, he would surely become a future Grand Secretary of the Cabinet.

“This Cheng Qiaozhen truly has more schemes than a lotus root. To keep such a matter hidden until everything was settled!” She sighed, then looked at Song Yan with a hint of reproach, “You too—why didn’t you mention that the boy would enter the Hanlin? If you’d told Xi’er, what a fine match it would have been! Xi’er is the eldest daughter of the main branch; they originally sought her. Now, Cheng Qiaozhen has snatched the opportunity.”

Song Yan was momentarily speechless.

She had indeed mentioned it, but her mother-in-law had dismissed the match.

If they had shown no interest, how could she have pressed the matter? She was not Xi’er’s own mother!

Now the second lady had seized the opportunity and earned the Duke’s praise. The coveted match was sweet only when fought for, and Madam Zhang now felt regret.

Song Yan was angry but knew that this was a charge she could not refuse; her mother-in-law would pin the blame on her, and she had no choice but to accept it.

After enduring in silence for a while, she finally said, “Mother is right.”

Nurse Zhao, who understood the intricacies perfectly, comforted her, “Xi’er is still young, no need to rush. Perhaps she’ll end up with some prince or nobleman, and that won’t be inferior to the Huang family.”

Madam Zhang grunted, seeming a bit relieved, then turned to Song Yan, “Though you’re her stepmother, you must pay attention. Keep an eye out for Xi’er. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen—just a few years, and time flies by so quickly. Once she’s past the right age, it’s no longer her choosing others, but others choosing her.”

Song Yan remained silent: What position did she have to seek a match for Wei Xi? Passing along a message had already caused trouble; if she truly helped arrange a marriage, who knew what would happen?

She could only grumble inwardly, but outwardly she maintained a meek demeanor and replied softly, “Yes.”

Madam Zhang gave a few more instructions before saying, “Since their marriage is settled, let’s leave it at that. It would be unwise to mention it again. Just pay more attention in the future; if Xi’er is promised to a good family, it will only benefit you.”

Only then was Song Yan allowed to leave.

She finally understood that her mother-in-law had summoned her merely to assign blame, making the marriage’s failure her responsibility for not passing along the information properly. The role of intermediary had not been fulfilled, leading the second household to seize the opportunity. If Wei Qi asked in the future, it would not be her mother-in-law’s fault, but hers.

She endured this grievance but had no recourse.

Returning to her room, Song Yan no longer felt like practicing embroidery; she simply sat by the bed, sulking.

Qiu Yue tried to console her, “Madam Zhang is just like that—avoids responsibility, bullies her daughters-in-law, always afraid to confront the second lady.”

Song Yan said bitterly, “Madam Zhang never gets involved, and the second lady can’t be counted on for anything. Both are formidable.”

“Only the third lady is a bit kind,” Qiu Yue said, then realized her remark was inappropriate and quickly fell silent.

Chun Hong suggested, “If you’re feeling upset, don’t dwell on it. Think about something else. You love to read—why not read for a while?”

She meant popular storybooks rather than proper literature. Song Yan had always enjoyed these, especially tales of scholars and beauties in love; she had read nearly all available on the market. She only stopped after her own marriage plans changed, when she was to wed Wei Qi, and her world felt bleak and hopeless.

Now that she was married, life simply went on, and it seemed her spirit had been worn down by time. She had grown accustomed, and mentioning those storybooks no longer depressed her.

She asked, “Did you bring my books?”

At the time of her wedding, her mind was muddled, paying little attention to what was packed. Her maids handled everything, and she knew nothing of what had been brought.

Chun Hong quickly replied, “They’re here, packed in a trunk. I’ll fetch them for you.”

She rummaged and brought two books.

“I’ve read these,” Song Yan said, taking them and searching herself. She found several volumes she had bought but hadn’t yet read.

Having been upset tonight, she skipped embroidery and settled down to read.

One book had been thrust upon Chun Hong by a vendor, who promised it was good and sold it cheaply. Chun Hong, not knowing better, bought it. Upon opening it, Song Yan was surprised to find the vendor hadn’t lied—it was actually well-written.

The author clearly possessed literary talent and didn’t, like others, write about noble families with no logic—stories of prime ministers’ daughters eloping with notorious thieves and the like. This one felt authentic, as though written by someone truly of good birth.

Enjoying the tale, she lounged on the couch, absorbed, until she heard a noise and turned her head to see Wei Qi entering from the side room.

Qiu Yue and Chun Hong were both absent, leaving her unprepared. She had transitioned from reclining to lying prone on the couch, legs raised, and was startled. She scrambled upright.

In her haste to hide the book, put on shoes, and straighten her clothes, she accidentally dropped the book, quickly retrieved it, and tucked it under the couch cushion.

“Why… why have you come, my lord?” she stammered, her face flushed.

Wei Qi had almost never visited the back courtyard during the day and had never seen her in her room during daylight hours. At night, when he came, she was usually embroidering or sitting quietly. He hadn’t expected…

Her panic made him glance at her sleeping couch, recalling the recent investigations in the capital concerning banned books that alluded to the court or promoted the Yellow Heaven cult. He worried she might be reading such things.

He guessed she wasn’t—after all, she was from the Song family and knew what was appropriate.

“I’ve come to collect a couple of official documents I left here,” Wei Qi said, going to the desk to retrieve his items. He turned to her, “Not embroidering?”

Seeing him reminded Song Yan of her mother-in-law, and she still felt stifled. With Wei Xi and Lady Jiang, she was angry at everyone, including the man before her—their son, father, husband. She didn’t want to endure another night of conjugal duties, so she deliberately feigned weakness, saying mildly, “I had a headache this afternoon, so I didn’t embroider—just read some… light books.”

Wei Qi either understood her implication or not; he glanced at her, replied “Mm,” and said, “Then rest well. I’ll be going.” With that, he took his things and left.

Song Yan watched him leave, then returned to her storybook.

In this dynasty, the Dragon Boat Festival was a major holiday. From the end of April, officials began visiting and exchanging gifts, friends gathered, scholars went on outings, and the festivities lasted until the fifth day of the fifth month, peaking in the last two days before concluding.

The Duke’s residence saw much coming and going, and on the first day of the fifth month, the Huang family arrived.

The Huang family’s ancestral home was in Haining, where most of their clan resided, though an uncle served as an official in the capital. Thus, those visiting were the uncle, the eighth son Huang Fengyuan, and his aunt—the wife of Song Yan’s third uncle’s mentor, Madam Yuan.

In Haining, the Huang family was considered illustrious, but in the capital, they had little presence. Their desire for this marriage was largely to establish connections in the capital. Especially with Wei Xi—the eldest daughter of Wei Qi, who was himself the eldest grandson of the Duke’s main branch and likely to inherit the marquisate. Even if he didn’t inherit, he served in the Cabinet and, at thirty, was Deputy Prime Minister. If Huang Fengyuan became his son-in-law and possessed real talent, his future would be bright.

Now that Wei Xi had declined, Wei Zhi was still a good match—the second household was also of direct descent, making them kin to the Duke’s family.

With the marriage settled, the Huang family visited during the Dragon Boat Festival, showing ample sincerity.

Song Yan had already learned the details from her third aunt’s reply—

Her third aunt had only found out about the engagement between the Huang family and the second household afterwards. Initially, she had conveyed Song Yan’s response to Madam Yuan, feeling a bit embarrassed, but Madam Yuan assured her it was fine. Unexpectedly, just ten days later, Madam Yuan informed her that the engagement was already set with the second lady’s eldest daughter. It was the second lady’s family who had approached Madam Yuan about it.

When Madam Yuan first heard it was the Duke’s second household, she hesitated and mentioned Wei Xi’s situation. The second lady said it didn’t matter; there was no formal engagement, so it wasn’t an issue. Their main concern was Huang Fengyuan’s talent and character. Madam Yuan was pleased, and both sides felt genuine sincerity, so the match was made.

Both the Huang family and the second household handled the matter swiftly and discreetly, revealing the news only once everything was settled—a testament to their shrewdness.

Song Yan couldn’t help but suspect that the second lady had heard about the Huang family from Madam Zhang and then proactively had her own family approach Madam Yuan. Madam Zhang dismissed them, but the second lady saw their worth.

After marriage, she had a son and a daughter, but her son died before the age of two, leaving only her daughter. She cherished her daughter deeply and was determined to select a good husband for her.

When the Huang family arrived, the second lady hosted a banquet and invited members of the main and third households to join. Song Yan thus saw Huang Fengyuan—tall and dignified, with elegant manners and impressive speech. He was indeed an excellent young man. All the women present, whether Mrs. Feng or the daughters-in-law, were satisfied with him. Song Yan thought that if she had a daughter, she would seek such a son-in-law.

During the gathering, the second lady had Wei Zhi come out to greet Madam Yuan, and Wei Zhi also met Huang Fengyuan. The two exchanged formal greetings, their cheeks flushed, prompting teasing from their sisters-in-law and aunts. Wei Zhi fled in embarrassment, while Huang Fengyuan smiled bashfully, his brows and eyes alight with joy.