Song Wanning didn't rush to explain her purpose. She just looked at Yuan Xian with a smile and said, "A few days ago, my aunt sent me some portraits, saying that the girls in the portraits were willing to marry the Prime Minister as concubines. I thought the girls were really beautiful, so I wanted to come and see them with my own eyes. Now that I know what the girls look like, they are truly beautiful and unparalleled."
Seeing this, Yuan Xian thought Song Wanning was jealous and looking for trouble, so she quickly tried to shift the blame. She lowered her head and spoke to Song Wanning, "Madam Yin, my father and mother always made the decision about my daughter's marriage. I really didn't know about this matter. Please don't misunderstand me. The Prime Minister is a man of great beauty. How can a weak woman like me be worthy of him?"
Prince Song Wanning took a sip of tea from the cup in his hand and looked at Yuan Xian calmly. "If I were to take you as my concubine, would Miss Yuan Xian be willing?"
Seeing this, Yuan Xian hurriedly explained, "Madam, you really misunderstood. I never dared to dream of marrying the Prime Minister. I'm afraid it was my mother who agreed to this. Yuan Xian is very cautious at home, so I really don't dare to dream so much."
Yuan Xian's words were to blame everything on her stepmother, saying that she had no idea and that it was her stepmother who took care of the matter herself, clearing herself of all responsibility.
"I heard that you have a younger brother who wants to study and take the imperial examinations at Bishuitang, but he's been unable to find a way." Song Wanning looked up at Yuan Xian and smiled faintly, "What if I told you that I have the ability to get your brother into Bishuitang?"
Places like Bishuitang are reserved for the children of high-ranking officials; ordinary people can't enter. Hearing this, Yuan Xian felt Song Wanning had some scheme against her, so she didn't dare agree immediately. "Madam Yin, you're joking. My father is only a seventh-rank official. I'm afraid he wouldn't be qualified to enter Bishuitang."
"Not only can I get him into the Bishui Hall, but after he gets in, I can also find him a top-notch teacher. I know it's really hard to find a good teacher in the capital these days. If the young lady is willing to do me a favor, I'll take care of all these things." Song Wanning looked at Yuan Xian and smiled faintly.
She knew in her previous life that Yuan Xian was a person who only sought wealth and glory, and it didn't matter to her who she married. Now, if she could persuade Yuan Xian to marry Master Yin, Wu Junrou would definitely be in trouble.
After hearing this, Yuan Xian was also somewhat moved.
It had always been her late mother's wish to have her younger brother take the imperial examination and become a Jinshi. However, her father was completely focused on his stepmother's son and paid no attention to his younger brother. She looked at Song Wanning and asked softly, "What is it that Madam Yin wants me to do for you?"
"I know you can't decide your marriage right now, but you're capable. The Yin Mansion will probably ask you to visit in a few days. The Yin Mansion is a prestigious family, and marrying into it as a concubine would be a respectable honor. Not to mention your ability, the mistress of the Yin Mansion is a scheming woman, but she appears kind and respectable. Miss Yuan Xian is smart and clever now. She must have heard that the Prime Minister didn't want a concubine during his wedding. Now, if you don't marry into the Yin Mansion, you can't enter the Prime Minister's residence either. It's better to stay in the Yin Mansion, where you can have a respectable life. Over time, how you live will depend on your luck."
Yuan Xian's face paled even more when she heard this. She had never imagined that Madam Yin would know her position in the mansion. She must have had someone investigate her. She still remembered the moment her stepmother said she wanted to marry him off as a concubine, and her heart had already broken.
Now, as long as her brother could pass the imperial examination, she would be willing to be someone's concubine, or even a maid. However, Yuan Xian still looked at Madam Yin and said, "Madam, I'm afraid Xian'er can't make the decision on this matter right now."
"You're smart, and I know you could be someone's first wife. If you don't want to, I won't force you." Song Wanning didn't stay long. She stood up, looked at Yuan Xian, and said calmly, "Miss, if you have nothing to do, go home. If you're interested, just do it yourself. I'll naturally fulfill my promise after it's done."
Yuan Xian clenched her fists, knowing in her heart that it was probably impossible for her to marry the Prime Minister.
Now Wu Junrou and Song Wanning are competing with each other. Wu Junrou wants to make Song Wanning unhappy, and Song Wanning also wants to make Wu Junrou feel uncomfortable.
Seeing Song Wanning leave, Yuan Xian secretly made a decision. Marrying Master Yin from the Yin Mansion was much better than marrying into a family of lower status as a concubine.
-
Three days later, Wu Junrou called Song Wanning and several girls she had picked over.
Song Wanning stood beside Wu Junrou, looking at these women and nodding with satisfaction. "I've known for a long time that each of them is extraordinary in appearance, but now I see that each one is more beautiful than the other."
"That's right. If there's no problem, you can pick the one you want and bring her into the palace as soon as possible. That's the most important thing." Wu Junrou said with a smile, "Now the Prime Minister still wants to have more children. When the Prime Minister is done with his work, he will definitely be happy to know that there is a beautiful girl in his family."
"No rush, my uncle hasn't come yet. I'm just waiting for him to come and give me an eye." Song Wanning smiled faintly, and soon she saw Master Yin coming out.
Master Yin, now dressed in ochre-colored clothes, quickly came to Wu Junrou and Song Wanning and said to Song Wanning, "My niece asked me to come and take a look, so I'm here now to take a good look at what these girls look like."
"Now, I still have to count on my second uncle." Song Wanning said, and took half a step back to make room for Master Yin.
Master Yin took a few steps forward and looked at the girls. These girls were indeed more beautiful than each other, and Master Yin liked them very much. He took a few steps forward and looked at them carefully.
At this moment, Song Wanning turned her head to look at the flowers and trees planted in small pots in the yard. She looked at a small lavender flower and said to Wu Junrou, "Auntie, what is that little flower? I have never seen it before."
"They are just some purple irises. What's so special about them?" The smile on Wu Junrou's face stiffened a little.
Song Wanning, however, became interested in the iris and said, "I like it. Auntie, can you give me a pot to take away?"
Wu Junrou really liked these irises. She had someone take great pains to cultivate these pots. Now that she saw Song Wanning liked them, although she felt reluctant to part with them, she couldn't say anything. She just said lightly, "If you like them, I'll have someone send them to your house."
Song Wanning was unyielding. "This flower is probably very particular. Auntie, pick a pot for me and I'll take it home right away."
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