The existence of a being like Song Zhiyuan in the Song Mansion is feared by everyone, including Song Zhiyu and his own son, Song Lingsu.
Seeing this great man express his disappointment at them indifferently, Song Lingsu knelt down and lowered his head in guilt, saying, "Father, your son has let you down."
Song Zhiyu opened his mouth and said, "Elder brother, this, we, we just didn’t anticipate it, how could we know we would be manipulated."
"You didn’t know?" Song Zhiyuan squinted his eyes, "You are the sons of the Prime Minister’s Mansion; do you not understand what existence this mansion represents? The manipulations against you far exceed those against others simply because I am your elder brother, Su’er’s father, your uncle, Zhao’er, and Prime Minister Song."
"Having served in office for over twenty years, I have employed countless strategies to achieve my goals and have offended countless people as well. The number of those who want to bring me down, who wish to see me dead, is beyond measure. Otherwise, how do you think the rumor of me being the Emperor’s sword came about?"
Song Zhiyu was a bit flustered, "Elder brother..."
"For the Song Family to continue its prestige, to become even more glorious, it cannot rely solely on me; the hope lies with you all. What I can do is bear the weight of this family, but whether the glory and splendor continue depends on you and on the future generations."
"So, you are the hope of the Song Family, and if hope is destroyed, so will the Song Family be. Do you still dare say you didn’t expect to be manipulated?" Song Zhiyuan’s gaze was stern as he scoured over Song Zhiyu and the younger ones.
Song Zhiyu knelt down, "Elder brother, this younger brother was wrong."
Song Zhiyuan snorted, allowing the two to rise.
"The Song Family lacks abundant offspring. For my political rivals who want to impeach me, attacking you is the simplest approach. By orchestrating this scene, I only wish to caution you; such events will only increase, especially now as you come of age, calculations will emerge endlessly."
"Elder brother, your words make my heart uneasy," Song Zhiyu said, somewhat morosely. "Does this mean in the future, you’ll have to be wary of every stranger on the street?"
Looking at the tender faces of the young ones, Song Zhiyuan’s heart softened; after all, they were inexperienced, their trials small, untouched by great storms.
"Telling you this is not to make you skittish like startled birds, but to teach you to always be cautious, to preserve a measure in all things, because you are sons of the Song Family."
"Father (Uncle), we understand," the youngsters cupped their hands and bowed.
Song Zhiyuan nodded, thinking to himself that this wasn’t enough. Once the second brother returns, he would need to discuss with him about letting the young ones handle the accounts from the estate during the New Year, and to take them on outings for tasks. Reading ten thousand books cannot compare to traveling ten thousand miles; sons who have weathered storms will always be more resilient than those raised within the confines of a grand mansion.
"Alright, this matter is concluded. In the future, you uncles and nephews and brothers, when facing matters, don’t panic, discuss them more; after all, you are kin."
Song Zhiyuan waved his hand, letting them leave.
Song Zhiyu walked a few steps, paused, and asked, "Elder brother, was it really you who devised that trick with that Bai Family girl to fool me?"
Song Zhiyuan: "What if it was?"
"Am I still an untouched fledgling?"
"You sound as if you regret it?"
"Of course! Brother, I compensated with a hundred taels of silver, didn’t even lay a finger on her, and didn’t see a thing. We took a huge loss!"
Song Zhiyuan picked up a book from the table and hurled it at him.