Madam Song was touched, but she was aware of what needed to be understood, especially regarding the marriage of her second daughter, which currently occupied her mind the most.
In the past, she could remain calm because her daughter was still young, but now she was about to come of age, and her marriage was still not settled, which truly felt inappropriate. Moreover, with the Princes visiting today, it made her heart even more fervent.
The arrival of the Princes, did it imply that she might become the mother-in-law of a Prince?
Madam Song took a sip of tea, calmed herself, and looked at Song Zhiyuan: "Prime Minister, many Madams have inquired about Qi’er today; what exactly have you decided? And those Princes, what is their reason for coming this time?"
Song Zhiyuan set down the gift list and asked in return: "Do you think Qi’er is suitable to be a Prince Consort?"
Madam Song’s heart skipped a beat, and she did not rush to speak. Instead, she glanced cautiously at Song Zhiyuan’s expression.
"Husband, it’s not just about whether Qi’er is suitable, but that she is nearing the age of maturity." Madam Song called him husband as she always did, saying: "Qi’er is not as steady as her elder sister, yet I hope even more for her to live a noble life. Even if not a Prince, then another noble son, you should at least give me some insight, shouldn’t you? How long must this child wait?"
Song Zhiyuan rubbed his large ring and said, "I have no intention of sending Qi’er into the royal family; she is not suitable."
Upon hearing this, Madam Song’s enthusiasm suddenly felt like it was doused with a basin of ice water.
Why isn’t she suitable? How is she unsuitable?
Whether she is suitable or not isn’t in her considerations; who said a Prince Consort must be considerate, steady, and flawless? The role of a Prince Consort depends on status and family background, and her Qi’er is qualified for this.
Song Zhiyuan, experienced in officialdom, knew that the person facing him was the one who had been at his side day and night, his closest companion, his wife for nearly twenty years. He could see her discontent and resentment with just a glance.
"Madam, if Qi’er were to become an Imperial Concubine, the Song Family would inevitably be forced to take sides, and I do not wish for the Song Family to one day have to participate in the struggle for the throne..." Song Zhiyuan began calmly explaining the advantages and disadvantages.
Actually, if it were another man, he might not be so meticulous in explaining things to his wife, especially those with a dominant male attitude, who would disdain to explain.
But Song Zhiyuan was not like that. He believed that the inner residence and the court were tightly connected; much information comes from within the residence, sometimes even more comprehensively. After all, men always rest within the inner quarters, and any pillow talk ten to one must be true.
And from such pillow talk, one could glean certain things.
Song Zhiyuan understood this and would not let Madam Song look like a fool who knew nothing. If she only focused on the inner quarters, it would be easier to cause trouble.
This was one reason. The second reason is that Song Zhiyuan was satisfied with this wife. After all, they were a young couple who journeyed together through trials and tribulations from nothing to something. Madame Gu gave birth and raised children for him, managed the household, and cared for his parents, for which he was grateful and appreciative.
Otherwise, over the years, had there not been more considerate and intelligent women than Madame Gu?
There were, but he was never moved; he always remembered that when Madame Gu first came into the family, as the dignified eldest daughter of the Marquis Mansion, she took out her dowry to improve the family’s conditions, leaving him without worries.
Thus, Song Zhiyuan always showed more patience and tolerance towards his wife; what she did not understand, he could teach her.
Thankfully, though Madame Gu was competitive and strong-willed in everything, when it came to important matters, she was neither vague nor dismissive and could listen to advice.
Yet now, as her imperial decree grew in stature, her ambitions grew grander, and she became somewhat conceited.