Chapter 104: Chapter 104 Following the Emperor
As long as they donât see through it, Song Ci quickly took a sip of tea to calm her nerves.
Song Zhiyuan sat back down and said, "Mother, not to hide anything from you, but the delay in Qiâerâs marriage has indeed made me have thoughts of looking at things from a higher perspective. Our Song Family, born from a Poor Family, lacks that noble status compared to others. I also know that behind our backs, many noble families still call us country bumpkins who have washed their feet to step onto the fields. They even deem you, Mother, as coarse and ignorant."
His tone was somewhat melancholic and pained as he spoke these words.
It was just for this one breath of dignity that he wanted to climb to higher ranksâbeing related to the royal family must be noble enough, right?
Song Ci made a noise, crossed her legs, and said, "Eldest Son, youâve already reached this position, and youâre still upset by othersâ mocking words? The claim that the Song Family is just a bunch of bumpkins is not incorrect, we are indeed such, but so what? Is it not you who sits in the Prime Ministerâs position now? Besides, the Great Qing was founded only a little over thirty years ago. Would anyone dare say that the Emperorâs family were not also bumpkins who washed their feet to step onto the fields?"
Uh.
Song Zhiyuanâs mouth twitched slightly, somewhat speechless, because his mother was right.
Indeed, the Great Qing has been founded for only a few decades. The previous Emperor, in his youth, endured a lot of hardships, seeking refuge with various feudal lords before finally raising a flag of rebellion, successfully establishing the Great Qing, and becoming the Emperor. Just a few years after ascending the throne, he died of illness, passing the throne to the current Emperor.
The current Emperor is grand in vision and strategy, magnanimous and kind, adept at recognizing talent and treating scholars well, persistently reforming despite setbacks, leading to todayâs prosperity where the people of the Great Qing live in peace and joy. Yet, even so, there are still small countries that cannot resist invading. For the Great Qing to become a top-tier, famed nation, it still requires a long time.
"So, Eldest Son, donât be provoked by those few mocking words. The Great Qing is quietly accumulating strength, and so should the Song Family. To become a noble family, it takes the effort of three generations; slow and steady wins the race is the right path. Marrying a daughter into the royal family, though it brings temporary wealth and honor, who knows if it would tie us to the royal scions? Then, we would have no choice but to strive for power. If we win, itâs good, but if we lose, itâs the end for the whole family, like your rival."
Song Zhiyuan: "Are you referring to the Fan Family?"
"Didnât the Fan Family have a concubine who bore a prince? Look at how the Emperor treats the Fan Family. Does he trust them or guard against them?" Song Ci cracked a sunflower seed and said, "The Emperor is still in his prime now, so itâs fine, but just wait a few more years. The longer one sits on the throne, the more suspicious they become."
Such has been the case since ancient times, with emperors all the same.
Sitting on the highest throne, enjoying the power over the world, who wishes to die, who doesnât wish for everlasting life?
So, by then, whoever they look at will have them thinking, is this person trying to usurp my foundation, trying to overthrow me?
"Mother, please speak softer, walls have ears." Song Zhiyuan said, somewhat helpless.
Song Ci immediately covered her mouth and whispered, "He wouldnât have spies in my courtyard, would he?"
Song Zhiyuan was amused, shook his head.
Song Ci breathed a sigh of relief, patted her chest, and said, "You frightened me. This topic ends here. In short, Eldest Son, we wonât select a concubine from our family. Itâs best to settle Qiâerâs matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, if those harem mistresses start eyeing her, whether you want to select or not, you might have to, and that would be troublesome."
"Iâll listen to you, Mother." Song Zhiyuan thought to himself, indeed, itâs time to make new plans.
"Well, I havenât achieved much, and I donât understand many grand truths. Just always remember, the Emperorâs mind is hard to predict. Eldest Son, for the Song Family to enjoy wealth and honor, just remember one thing, follow the Emperor."