With a heart full of concerns, Song Zhiyuan arrived at Chunhui Hall.
Song Ci was sipping on sweet soup. Seeing him arrive, she invited him to sit down and asked Hong You to bring another bowl of mung bean soup for him.
But Song Zhiyuan couldn’t taste anything.
Noticing his demeanor, Song Ci put down her bowl and glanced at the Nanny, who walked to the door, sent the servants away, and guarded the entrance from outside.
"Is there something on your mind?"
"Why has Mother become so close with Commandery Princess Dongyang?" Song Zhiyuan got straight to the point.
Song Ci was taken aback and replied, "People can become friends naturally; does there always have to be a reason for it?"
From his expression, it seemed as though her friendship with Commandery Princess Dongyang was a grave offense.
Song Ci wasn’t foolish; recalling the worries expressed by Commandery Princess Dongyang before, she furrowed her brows and tentatively asked, "Is it not okay for me to be friends with her? Is it causing you trouble?"
Civil and military officials have always been at odds; could her making a friend be causing difficulties for Song Zhiyuan?
Seeing her cautious and wounded expression, Song Zhiyuan forced a smile and said, "Don’t overthink it, Mother. That’s not what I meant."
"It’s best if it’s not. Here I thought I had just met a congenial young lady, but had to consider our status and couldn’t be too close. That would be too boring." Song Ci picked up her bowl again.
Song Zhiyuan was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mother, let’s finalize Fourth Brother’s marriage soon," he subtly reminded her. "He doesn’t seem to have any proper conduct all day. Maybe marrying could settle him down a bit and give you a devoted daughter-in-law."
Song Ci suddenly found the sweet soup unsweetened.
"I do want to arrange it for him, but where can I find a girl who suits him? You know your fourth brother well; he wants a beauty with countless charms. Ha, he doesn’t think for a moment that he might be lacking; he’s quite thick-skinned." Song Ci grumbled.
Song Zhiyuan chuckled, "In a few days, the Duke Ying Mansion is hosting a banquet. You should go with Madam Gu. Many ladies will be there; take a good look and find someone suitable, then seize the chance to inquire. As for Fourth Brother, marriage has always been decided by the parents, so you needn’t worry about his opinion. Otherwise, with his temperament, who knows when he’ll ever marry."
Song Ci detected a hint of something unusual.
The influential figure before her was a seasoned politician, astute and perceptive. In the past, while she would remind him to find a good match for Song Zhiyu, she knew he was very busy and might not have the time to care; thus, she never fully counted on him.
But now, he brought it up himself, and there seemed to be a sense of urgency in his tone.
When something is not normal, there is often more to it.
"Why the sudden urgency? Could there be something significant regarding your fourth brother’s marriage?"
Song Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised by his mother’s acuity. She hadn’t been in good health, and he didn’t want to burden her with these troubles, preferring to see her happy.
Song Zhiyuan knew that not asking was one thing, but being asked and withholding the truth would only make her worry more. Recalling Mr. Jun’s words from earlier, he carefully shared his concern.
"Mother, Fourth Brother is the beloved of our Song Family. Although I am the eldest, I regard myself as a fatherly figure to him and don’t wish for him to face difficulties in the future."
Song Ci blurted out in astonishment, "I was even thinking about coaxing the Commandery Princess to become my daughter-in-law."
Just imagining it, was she nearly bringing disaster to the Song Family?
Song Ci swallowed hard, feeling as if the spirit of the old matron would appear by her bedside tonight to scold her.
How did his mother dare to dream of such things, thinking of making Commandery Princess Dongyang her daughter-in-law? With just his younger brother’s looks?