Chapter 276 - 116: Third-place Scholar
With their business concluded, Song Yunzhao looked at Song Guiyi and asked, "Elder Cousin, are you planning to stay in the capital for much longer?"
Song Guiyi shook her head. "Once my husband’s new post is announced, I’ll have to leave with him. Before he takes up his duties, we also need to return to our ancestral home."
The First Madam said, "You need to decide in advance whether you’ll take your children with you to your husband’s post, or leave them in your ancestral home for your mother-in-law to care for."
Song Yunzhao also looked at Song Guiyi.
Song Guiyi smiled. "Of course, I’m taking them with me to his post."
Song Guiyi got along well with her mother-in-law, but she knew elders couldn’t help but dote on their grandchildren. She worried that leaving her children at home would lead to them being spoiled. Although it would be more difficult to take them along to the new post, she would be able to raise them properly herself.
Song Yunzhao strongly approved. ’Children should be raised by their own parents.’ It wasn’t that children raised by grandparents turned out poorly, but the special affection between generations often led to overindulgence.
"If you want to take the children to the post, Elder Cousin, you should discuss it with Brother-in-law first. Once he’s on board, it will be much easier to convince the elders back home," Song Yunzhao said with a smile.
The First Madam naturally understood Yun Zhao’s implication: it would be better for her son-in-law to speak with his own mother than for her daughter to do so. She immediately nodded in agreement.
Song Guiyi, who already had a plan, smiled and said, "You are right, Concubine. I will discuss this with my husband when I return."
The First Madam looked at Yun Zhao. "Do you know when my third brother-in-law might return to the capital, Concubine?"
Song Yunzhao shook her head. "I don’t know either. First Aunt, is something the matter?"
"You know about Qing Han’s marriage. My third sister-in-law wants your elder cousin to escort her on her wedding day. But if his appointment comes through, he’ll have to leave for his new post. If my third brother-in-law can’t return to the capital in time, then it’s very likely your elder cousin won’t be able to be there for the wedding procession."
Song Yunzhao wasn’t the least bit surprised. Mrs. Cai was always scheming for Song Qinghan’s benefit. Now that Song Buran was the third-place scholar, having him escort the bride would be incredibly prestigious.
Mrs. Cai wanted to borrow Song Buran’s prestige, but the First Madam was unlikely to agree.
’The Marquis Wuxin Mansion is a pitfall one can’t avoid fast enough. Why would she be willing to let her son walk right into it?’
Thinking of this, Song Yunzhao said, "Song Qinghan’s wedding must wait for my father to return to the capital. However, my elder cousin’s appointment is paramount; he cannot delay taking up his post for her sake."
Once an official appointment is decreed, there is a strict deadline to report for duty. Failure to arrive on time is a punishable offense.
Hearing Yun Zhao’s words, Song Guiyi felt reassured. She looked at her and said softly, "On the day of our family’s celebratory banquet, the Marchioness Wu Xin also came to offer congratulations. But even though our family produced the scholar who took third place in the imperial examination, the Marchioness didn’t seem to think much of it."
Song Yunzhao understood. The Marchioness Wu Xin must have come to the Song Family’s home to throw her weight around and put them in their place.
How could the First Madam possibly stand for that?
Just as she expected, Song Guiyi continued, "My mother saw how warmly our third aunt was treating the Marchioness, so she specially invited them to the rear hall to talk. However, I noticed the Marchioness didn’t look very pleased. I wonder if she’ll take her anger out on our third aunt."
Song Yunzhao gave a soft laugh. "Elder Cousin, when people look for excuses to cause trouble and embarrass you, we don’t need to be polite. My father never approved of the marriage between the Marquis Wuxin Mansion and the Song Family. It was all her mother and Song Qinghan’s idea. Since that’s the case, they can’t blame anyone else for the path they’ve chosen. As for the Marchioness Wu Xin, if she’s the type to throw her weight around in someone else’s home, then even if our family isn’t as wealthy or powerful as the Marquis Mansion, we have no reason to fear her."
Hearing Yun Zhao’s confident words, Song Guiyi breathed a sigh of relief. ’To dare speak with such conviction, Yun Zhao must be doing very well in the palace.’ Now she could leave with peace of mind.
"Concubine, after this farewell, who knows when we sisters will see each other again. You must take good care of yourself in the palace. If you run into any trouble, tell my mother. Don’t just endure it alone." Song Guiyi had always looked out for her younger cousin, and now that the family’s fortunes were rising because of her, she naturally felt a duty to protect her.
Song Yunzhao smiled and agreed. "You must take care of yourself too, Elder Cousin. Perhaps we’ll see each other again in a few years."
Seeing each other again in just a few years implied that Zhong Yingzhang’s official career would be smooth sailing. These words made Song Guiyi very happy.
Seeing that the hour was growing late, the First Madam and her daughter took their leave. Song Yunzhao had someone bring out a pair of boxes. "Elder Cousin, these are some small toys for the children. Please take them with you."
Song Guiyi quickly said, "You already gave the children meeting gifts when we first arrived in the capital. How can we accept more?"
"Why not? They’re just for the children to play with on the journey home, nothing valuable," Song Yunzhao said with a smile. "They were made by the Six Departments, just some simple toys."
Only then did Song Guiyi accept them, saying with a smile, "Now they won’t complain about being bored on the road."
Song Yunzhao rose to see the two of them out. Song Guiyi turned back to gaze at Yun Zhao, and the two cousins met each other’s eyes and smiled.
"Zhaozhao, you must take care. I’ll come back to the capital to visit you again one day."
"Alright. I’ll be waiting, Elder Cousin."
The First Madam left with her daughter. Song Yunzhao watched their figures recede into the distance. A person experiences many partings and reunions in their life. She wasn’t an overly sentimental person, but at this moment, she still felt a pang of sadness.
Not long after, Zhong Yingzhang left the capital with his wife and children. A few days later, Song Buran also departed. The weather grew colder, and by the end of the tenth month, the disaster relief officials were finally due to return to the capital.
Before that, Song Qinghan’s marriage had caused several stirs. The Marquis Wuxin Mansion wanted her to marry into their family as soon as possible. Mrs. Cai was hesitant, but the First Madam refused to yield, insisting they wait for Third Master Song’s return to the capital.
In the meantime, He Lan Yun’s third aunt-in-law, the Third Madam of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, visited the Song Family to propose a marriage. The proposal was for Yue Shao, a nephew from the Princess Zhenbei’s maiden family.
The First Madam entered the palace to discuss the matter with Yun Zhao. Although she and her husband had the final say in Song Yexi’s marriage, if Ye Xi were to marry into the Yue Family, they truly had to ask for Yun Zhao’s opinion.
The maiden family of the Princess Consort of the Prince Zhenbei Mansion—this connection carried significant weight for the Song Family.
"First Aunt, have you ever met this Yue Shao?" Song Yunzhao asked.
The First Madam shook her head. "We haven’t yet agreed to a marriage alliance, so it wouldn’t be proper to meet their child. However, I have made some discreet inquiries. Although Yue Shao is only an Assistant General, he is not a nobody in the army. The Yue Family also has a decent reputation in the Capital City. Because this involves the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, this matter requires your decision."
Upon hearing this, Song Yunzhao knew what the First Madam was worried about. She asked, "First Aunt, have you asked First Uncle for his opinion?"
The First Madam nodded. "Your first uncle’s opinion was also that I should ask you."
A warmth spread through Song Yunzhao’s heart. Although she and He Lan Yun were on good terms, a marriage alliance between their two families was no small matter and had to be approached with caution.
’The Yue Family... had they appeared in the book?’
She frowned, trying to recall.