Song Zhiyu stood in the room like a little wife, slightly lowering his head, twisting his hands, and occasionally glancing at his big brother from the corner of his eye.
Wow, ever since Big Brother took the position, his presence has become even stronger. Just standing there without speaking is like being roasted over a fire.
Song Zhiyu rubbed his burning backside, grimacing. Seeing Song Zhiyuan looking over, he immediately stood up straight and put on a fawning smile.
Song Zhiyuan let out a cold chuckle.
Song Zhiyu gritted his teeth, plopping to his knees, and said, "Big Brother, I was wrong. If you’re going to punish me, just do it swiftly. I promise I won’t report it to Mother."
"Oh, you tried to climb a wall for an Oiran, and you think you still have the face to complain?" Song Zhiyuan sneered, "Song Zhiyu, you have a lot of nerve."
"Big Brother, Big Brother, I was just out of my mind, talking nonsense," Song Zhiyu crawled forward on his knees, grabbing his leg, and said, "Big Brother, my face isn’t big at all, everyone says my face is small, the size of a palm, where’s it big?"
Song Zhiyuan kicked him lightly, "Get up quickly and speak properly, don’t play stupid here."
Song Zhiyu swiftly stood up straight.
Seeing him reveal a foolish grin, Song Zhiyuan was a bit speechless but squared his expression and said, "Fourth Brother, you are sixteen this year; once the new year starts, you’ll be seventeen, and you’re already eighteen or nineteen according to lunar years."
Seeing his serious expression, Song Zhiyu gradually retracted his smile and nodded slightly.
"Big Brother won’t beat around the bush with you, I’m here regarding your marriage," Song Zhiyuan got straight to the point, "Regarding your marriage, I never intended for it to be with someone from a very noble family. You’re laid-back by nature and inherently good-hearted. Finding you a virtuous and intelligent wife will ensure your household won’t be a mess. In a well-managed family, even the children’s upbringing won’t turn out worthless or aimless..."
"Big Brother, why don’t you just say I’m a good-for-nothing spoiled second-generation?" Song Zhiyu muttered, interrupting.
Song Zhiyuan’s temple pulsed furiously.
"Mother’s health isn’t good, have you thought about letting her worry less? As long as you remain unmarried, if anything were to happen... she would leave with regrets."
Song Zhiyu’s expression changed, his smile completely vanished, as he stared fixedly at Song Zhiyuan.
Song Zhiyuan looked back at him, finally sighing after a moment: "Everyone says the Song Family is extremely influential now, yet no one knows that beneath that influence lies life on a knife’s edge. Qi’er’s marriage was appointed by the Emperor. A match arranged by the Emperor has its own reasons."
"Fourth Brother, have you ever thought that your marriage might one day be sacrificed as well?"
Song Zhiyu wasn’t a fool; understanding the implication of those words, he laughed dryly, "Big Brother, do you think too highly of your younger brother? I’m just a good-for-nothing spoiled child, what’s there worth their attention?"
"No matter how spoiled you are, you are the younger brother of Prime Minister Song. Your older brother and the entire Song Family are merely tools in the Emperor’s hands—were before, are now, and will be in the future," Song Zhiyuan said, "The Emperor wants to use us, and he would utilize everything."
Song Zhiyu fell silent.
Song Zhiyuan stood up, walked over to him, and patted his head: "Big Brother doesn’t expect you to make any great contributions to the family. The way you are now is very good. I actually feel guilty for shaping you . Fourth Brother, if you have grievances, blame your Big Brother."
"Big Brother, what grievances should I have?" Song Zhiyu shook his head and said, "As the youngest of the Song Family, I want for nothing—it’s my good fortune. You’ve said so much just for me to get married—I’ll do it."
A heartfelt plea misunderstood.