Chapter 234: Chapter 235 Song Ci: I Smell a Demon
With a heart full of concerns, Song Zhiyuan arrived at Chunhui Hall.
Song Ci was sipping on sweet soup. Seeing him arrive, she invited him to sit down and asked Hong You to bring another bowl of mung bean soup for him.
But Song Zhiyuan couldnāt taste anything.
Noticing his demeanor, Song Ci put down her bowl and glanced at the Nanny, who walked to the door, sent the servants away, and guarded the entrance from outside.
"Is there something on your mind?"
"Why has Mother become so close with Commandery Princess Dongyang?" Song Zhiyuan got straight to the point.
Song Ci was taken aback and replied, "People can become friends naturally; does there always have to be a reason for it?"
From his expression, it seemed as though her friendship with Commandery Princess Dongyang was a grave offense.
Song Ci wasnāt foolish; recalling the worries expressed by Commandery Princess Dongyang before, she furrowed her brows and tentatively asked, "Is it not okay for me to be friends with her? Is it causing you trouble?"
Civil and military officials have always been at odds; could her making a friend be causing difficulties for Song Zhiyuan?
Seeing her cautious and wounded expression, Song Zhiyuan forced a smile and said, "Donāt overthink it, Mother. Thatās not what I meant."
"Itās best if itās not. Here I thought I had just met a congenial young lady, but had to consider our status and couldnāt be too close. That would be too boring." Song Ci picked up her bowl again.
Song Zhiyuan was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mother, letās finalize Fourth Brotherās marriage soon," he subtly reminded her. "He doesnāt seem to have any proper conduct all day. Maybe marrying could settle him down a bit and give you a devoted daughter-in-law."
Song Ci suddenly found the sweet soup unsweetened.
"I do want to arrange it for him, but where can I find a girl who suits him? You know your fourth brother well; he wants a beauty with countless charms. Ha, he doesnāt think for a moment that he might be lacking; heās quite thick-skinned." Song Ci grumbled.
Song Zhiyuan chuckled, "In a few days, the Duke Ying Mansion is hosting a banquet. You should go with Madam Gu. Many ladies will be there; take a good look and find someone suitable, then seize the chance to inquire. As for Fourth Brother, marriage has always been decided by the parents, so you neednāt worry about his opinion. Otherwise, with his temperament, who knows when heāll ever marry."
Song Ci detected a hint of something unusual.
The influential figure before her was a seasoned politician, astute and perceptive. In the past, while she would remind him to find a good match for Song Zhiyu, she knew he was very busy and might not have the time to care; thus, she never fully counted on him.
But now, he brought it up himself, and there seemed to be a sense of urgency in his tone.
When something is not normal, there is often more to it.
"Why the sudden urgency? Could there be something significant regarding your fourth brotherās marriage?"
Song Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised by his motherās acuity. She hadnāt been in good health, and he didnāt want to burden her with these troubles, preferring to see her happy.
Yet she inquired.
Song Zhiyuan knew that not asking was one thing, but being asked and withholding the truth would only make her worry more. Recalling Mr. Junās words from earlier, he carefully shared his concern.
"Mother, Fourth Brother is the beloved of our Song Family. Although I am the eldest, I regard myself as a fatherly figure to him and donāt wish for him to face difficulties in the future."
Song Ci blurted out in astonishment, "I was even thinking about coaxing the Commandery Princess to become my daughter-in-law."
Just imagining it, was she nearly bringing disaster to the Song Family?
Song Ci swallowed hard, feeling as if the spirit of the old matron would appear by her bedside tonight to scold her.
Song Zhiyuan: "..."
How did his mother dare to dream of such things, thinking of making Commandery Princess Dongyang her daughter-in-law? With just his younger brotherās looks?