The little incident at the Duke Ying Mansion could hardly be concealed, especially when the Ministry of War suddenly received a donation of tens of thousands of taels of silver. The Minister of War was smiling so widely that lines etched his face.
Upon asking about the origin of the donation, it turned out it was due to Song Ci’s words defending the soldiers. Deeply moved, he almost wanted to write a letter of gratitude to praise the Song Family’s Matriarch.
Unable to conceal it, the news naturally reached the Emperor’s ears.
Emperor Chu listened to the whole story and was immensely pleased, laughing heartily.
"What a fine example of ’no country, no family.’ The Song Matriarch is indeed a woman of great virtue."
Song Zhiyuan bowed deeply with hands clasped: "Your Majesty flatters us. My mother has shallow knowledge, only having endured the hardships of war and unable to bear seeing soldiers suffer."
Nearby, Prime Minister Fan secretly rolled his eyes from an unseen angle.
Prime Minister Song is truly hypocritical. He’s probably overjoyed inside, yet outwardly speaks such diplomatic words, pretentious.
"Prime Minister Song, there’s no need for such modesty. I am well aware that every year the Song Matriarch makes anonymous donations of grain and goods to the Military Relief Hall," said Emperor Chu, warmth in his eyes.
The Military Relief Hall, noble in name, actually provided compensation to the families of soldiers who were disabled or died in battle, either with money, grain, or reemployment arrangements—all of which requires silver.
And every year, Song Ci would a sum of her own private funds anonymously to this cause, something scarcely known among the nobles of the capital.
Even Prime Minister Fan was surprised upon hearing this. Why had he not been informed of this?
Had none of his subordinates reported this? Or did the Military Relief Hall have people from Prime Minister Song covering up the matter thoroughly?
Prime Minister Fan looked at Song Zhiyuan, his mustache twitching. What a cunning Prime Minister Song, adept at catching others off guard—hiding it from others, yet ’not hiding’ it from the Emperor, thus making the Emperor feel that the Song Matriarch is noble in character and worth respecting.
Song Zhiyuan sensed Prime Minister Fan’s gaze and looked over, seeing the other with an expression half smirking, as if to say: I know what cunning plots you’re up to.
Song Zhiyuan smiled gently at him: I know you know, what’re you going to do about it?
Prime Minister Fan: "..."
What a brazen young fool!
"Your Majesty, the Song Matriarch is of noble character, defending the Commandery Princess... oh, I mean, defending the imperial officials. It is only fitting for a commendation," Prime Minister Fan said with a smile.
Song Zhiyuan’s gaze flickered, his little finger subtly curling; was Prime Minister Fan hinting to the Emperor about the close ties between his mother and the Commandery Princess, suggesting the Song Family had dealings with Prince Dingbei’s Mansion?
Emperor Chu watched the two’s exchange of glances with interest and asked, "Oh? What does Prime Minister Fan think would be an appropriate commendation?"
Prime Minister Fan stroked his beard in contemplation, then suddenly recalled something and said with a smile: "Prime Minister Song is already at the pinnacle of his career, and his household lacks neither gold nor silver, but the family seems a bit sparse. The elderly most enjoy having a full house of descendants. I heard that Prime Minister Song’s younger brother is yet unmarried. Perhaps Your Majesty could grant him a marriage, so the Song Matriarch might embrace another golden grandson?"
Emperor Chu narrowed his eyes: "A marriage? Prime Minister Song, what do you think?"
Silently cursing Fan Zhang for being a sly old fox, Song Zhiyuan smiled when asked by Emperor Chu: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Fan’s words are mistaken."
Emperor Chu and Prime Minister Fan raised their eyebrows.
Feigning humiliation, Song Zhiyuan said, "Prime Minister Fan said we don’t lack gold and silver, but that’s not true. Your Majesty knows well, I come from humble beginnings, with shallow foundations, unlike Prime Minister Fan’s abundant resources. My mother always says she wants to be a rich old lady. If Your Majesty were to reward us, a reward in gold and silver would make her very happy."
Emperor Chu and Prime Minister Fan: "..."