Chapter 103: A Skyscraper Cannot Be Built on an Unstable Foundation

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: A Skyscraper Cannot Be Built on an Unstable Foundation

Even Song Ci would inquire about her daughter’s future marriage, could it be that someone asked her about it?

"Has someone asked you about this?" Song Zhiyuan inquired.

Song Ci shook her head, "No, at home, there’s you and her mother, it’s not my place to decide. Even if someone asked me about it, I would still say so."

Having one fourth son was enough to give her a headache, she wouldn’t meddle in her grandchildren’s marriages unless her sons and daughters-in-law consulted her, then she would consider it.

The reason she was meddling this time was her concern about this young Prime Minister’s ambitions, fearing he would lead the family to aim too high and end up shattered, and even getting her beheaded along.

Song Zhiyuan remained silent, motioned to Nanny Gong, nodding towards the door.

Nanny Gong went to the door, signaled the maids to move away, and stood guard herself.

"Since mother asked, I might as well share my plans." Song Zhiyuan fingering the prayer beads in his hand, said, "Our Song Family’s rise spans only over twenty years, compared to those centenary families, we still lag far behind. Mother, I wish to lead the Song Family further, to be more glorious."

Song Ci’s heart fluttered, she blurted out, "You have grand ideals, but what is your method? It can’t be what I’m thinking, having Qi’er enter the selection for consort?"

Song Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow, "Does mother think it’s inappropriate? To send a girl into the Royal Family, our Song Family is qualified."

His daughter, Song Zhiyuan thought, is qualified to participate in the consort selection.

Song Ci remained silent.

"Do you think Qi’er’s disposition is suitable for mixing with the Royal Family?" Song Ci considered, "It’s not that I underestimate the child, but with her temperament, entering such a place, it’s her luck if she manages, otherwise, she might harm herself first and involve the family."

Song Zhiyuan’s mouth twitched, "Mother..."

"My firstborn, the Song Family is thriving now, there’s no need to add another Prince Consort just for embellishment. You are the Emperor’s key minister, loyal to him, serving as a Royalist Party member, and the Song Family will remain stable."

Song Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised, looking at his mother, "Mother is advising me to be a Pure Minister?"

"Aren’t you a Pure Minister now, why not continue? If you marry your daughter to a prince, will you not support him in the succession struggle in the future?" Song Ci couldn’t help but be blunt.

"Mother, your words are really..."

"Did I say something wrong?" Song Ci spoke up decisively, "Once you become a prince’s father-in-law, you won’t remain a Pure Minister, and that person won’t let you stay as such."

Song Zhiyuan said, "Mother, if a consort comes from the Song Family..."

As the Prime Minister and emperor’s brother-in-law, looking further, if the daughter becomes the Empress Dowager, the Song Family could become Dukes, couldn’t they?

"Brief prosperity is nothing but a fleeting mist; do you see those centenary families like your in-laws, the Gu Family, did they ever have a consort?" Song Ci sighed, "I’ve never read books, the words I know are taught by you, yet I understand the principle of reaching for higher grounds. You have ambition, but involving the family in a succession struggle, becomes a disaster once there’s infighting. Never say wealth is found in danger; with the Song Family’s unstable foundation, building such lofty ambitions easily leads to collapse. We’ve just risen for two or three decades, so caution is paramount, absolutely shouldn’t let the child get involved in the Royal Family."

Song Zhiyuan stiffened.

Song Ci felt uneasy being studied by him, could it be she made too much sense and her cunning son saw through her act?

Ah, why can’t I control my mouth, isn’t playing dumb easy?

Just when Song Ci was lost in thoughts, Song Zhiyuan stood up and bowed to her, "Ginger is spicier when old, mother is always the clear-headed one, whereas I, sitting in this position, have gotten entangled in appearances."

Hmm?

Wasn’t seen through?