Chapter 301 - 124: Black-hearted Little Emperor (2)
Song Bu Yue wasn’t particularly close to this younger brother, but there wasn’t much conflict between them either. It was likely because his mother deeply loathed Aunt Che that he, too, was quite distant with Song Buming.
"Do you want to go?"
For a moment, Song Buming had no idea how to answer. If he said yes, he knew the Madam would stop at nothing to prevent him from going. But if he said no, he didn’t want to lie to Song Bu Yue right now.
Song Buming’s silence was all the answer Song Bu Yue needed. He said nothing more.
The atmosphere outside wasn’t exactly bustling, but inside, the Song family sisters were having a very lively time.
After marrying, Song Lirong and Song Hongjiao were much more vivacious than when they were unmarried. At the banquet, the two of them kept the mood lively, deflecting any trouble even Song Qinghan tried to stir up.
Song Jinxuan spent the entire time trying to make herself small, doing her best to avoid any and all conflict with Song Qinghan.
Song Yexi, who was about to be married herself, didn’t want to invite any bad luck, so she didn’t retort to Song Qinghan as she might have in the past. As a result, Song Qinghan found herself with no outlet for her antagonism and ended up fuming.
Before the banquet was even over, Song Qinghan claimed she felt unwell and left early. The moment she was gone, Song Jinxuan breathed a small sigh of relief. Seeing her spineless display, Song Yexi couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Song Jinxuan was on good terms with Song Yexi these days, so she said softly, "What’s so funny? I’m on the verge of getting married. Naturally, I’ll endure whatever I can."
Hearing this, Song Hongjiao glanced at Song Jinxuan. Aunt Che was quite a figure in their Song Family. She’s been favored for so many years with no sign of decline, giving birth to a son and a daughter and raising them both herself. Third Madam wasn’t tolerant like their own mother was. Not only did Aunt Che manage to raise her children, she raised them well. What other concubine could ever accomplish that?
For concubines’ daughters like Song Hongjiao and the others, everything from their daily necessities and needlework to their education in literacy and etiquette had been arranged single-handedly by the main wife. Their birth mothers couldn’t interfere, nor did they dare to.
But Song Jinxuan and Song Buming were different. Not only had Aunt Che raised them by her side, but she had also personally managed all these matters for them. How could they possibly be the same?
As daughters of concubines, they had once been very envious of Song Jinxuan. But looking back now, they felt fortunate to have been raised by the main wife.
Song Lirong, smiling, refilled everyone’s tea and said softly, "Xuan will be a fortunate one in the future."
People who know how to endure usually don’t have bad luck.
As for Song Qinghan, although she had married into the Marquis Wuxin Mansion, Xu Anxing hadn’t been seen escorting her on her visit home today. Moreover, her complexion didn’t look as good as it had when she lived at home. It was clear her life wasn’t as wonderful as she had boasted during the banquet.
Song Yexi chuckled at Song Lirong’s words. "With the Concubine looking out for us, we’ll all be fortunate in the future. But when we’re out in the world, we must also think of the Concubine. Don’t you two forget that, my dear sisters."
"Of course," Song Hongjiao said, her face all smiles. Without Yun Zhao serving as a Concubine in the palace, their lives with their in-laws would not be so easy or respectable. Besides, the Concubine had added to all their dowries when they married.
Song Lirong nodded in agreement. Song Hongjiao had married a scholar, so she might not feel the full effect yet. But Lirong’s own father-in-law was the Yucheng County Magistrate, and her husband, who had not yet passed the examinations, was still studying diligently after their marriage. With her own father serving as an official in Yucheng and the Concubine in the palace, she was held in high regard by her in-laws. Despite having only just married and not yet borne a son, she was already helping her mother-in-law manage the household.
For Ye Xi’s wedding, Lirong had rushed back from Yucheng to add to the dowry. Not only did her in-laws not object, but they had also prepared a generous gift for her to bring. All of her confidence and standing with her in-laws came from her maiden family. That was why, more than anyone, she prayed for her family and the Concubine to prosper.
In a few more years, once Hong Jiao’s husband passed the examinations to become an Advanced Scholar and received an official appointment, she too would understand this feeling.
Song Hongjiao and Song Lirong were both staying at their family home, but Song Qinghan had to return to the Marquis Wuxin Mansion the same day. So, that evening, the sisters had another small get-together.
Behind closed doors, they spoke in hushed tones. Song Lirong and Song Hongjiao taught the other two how to get along with their in-laws and their husbands. The advice from sisters of the same generation was naturally different from the teachings of their elders, and both Song Yexi and Song Jinxuan benefited greatly from it.
They all drank until they were tipsy, losing track of how much they said, how many times they laughed, and how many times they cried.
When Aunt Che had a maid bring her daughter back, she saw her red-rimmed eyes and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Song Jinxuan hugged Aunt Che’s arm. "Mother, I promise I’ll make sure you have a good life in the future."
Aunt Che chuckled. "What nonsense. As long as you live well, that will make me happier than anything. For the rest of my life, I’ll be depending on the Master and your brother, not you. You just need to live your own life well."