Song Xiping had been away from home and was not familiar with the situation in the capital. After returning, he mostly stayed at home to handle household chores or was called by Song Xinian to help out at the shop. Now, after hearing his elder brother's words, he was somewhat bewildered.
"Brother, why are they mocking us? Didn't the Emperor say that Father was granted the title of Marquis of Sheng'en based on his merits?"
Song Xinian patted his silly younger brother.
"That's what the Emperor said, but not everyone believes it. Don't think that my sister is doing well just because she's currently the most favored concubine. In reality, she's having a tough time. Before, when the Emperor wanted to make my sister Empress, he faced opposition from the court officials. Why? Simply because our family is of low social standing!"
Speaking of this matter, Song Xinian is still very angry.
"Therefore, we need to do more and make more contributions so that those people can shut up."
Song Xinian's only regret now is that there are few people in his family. There are only himself and his younger brother, and Qianqian is the only child in the family. Even if he wanted to take the imperial examination, there was no one to help him!
Thinking of this, Song Xinian suddenly changed the subject.
"By the way, you went south before, saying you were going to find your younger brother and sister-in-law. Why did you come back alone? Did something happen?"
He had barely uttered the question when he saw Song Xiping looking dejected and listless, his spirits instantly gone.
Song Xinian frowned: "What exactly happened? Is there something you can't tell your elder brother?"
"Yes, yes! We're all family, what can't we say?"
Song Siyuan nodded in agreement.
Song Xiping took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
“I found Huanhuan and her parents; they have returned to their ancestral home.”
"Isn't this a good thing?" Song Siyuan slapped his thigh. "Why didn't you bring her back? Are your in-laws still angry?"
"No, I just arrived and saw Huanhuan holding a child from afar... so I didn't dare to go in," Song Xiping said with difficulty.
Song Siyuan and Song Xinian were both stunned.
"A child? How old is he? Could he be yours?"
“No, I asked the neighbors, and the child’s age doesn’t match. He’s not mine.” Song Xiping’s voice was suppressed. “I asked a lot of people, and they all said that the Tian family took in a man on their way back to their hometown, and he died at the hands of bandits. After Huanhuan gave birth to the child, many matchmakers came to propose marriage, but she refused them all. She said she wanted to stay with her man for the rest of her life.”
By the end, his eyes were bloodshot, and he slammed his fist on the table with a loud bang.
“We’ve been married for many years. When our family had that accident, I asked her to come home, and she said she would wait for me. How long has it been? She already has someone else in her heart!”
As he spoke, he finally couldn't hold back and started crying.
Song Xinian looked at him with a complicated expression.
Was this little brother adopted?
How can you be so stupid?
Song Xinian was speechless and helpless.
Just as she was pondering how to talk to him, Song Siyuan, who was standing next to her, suddenly slammed his hand on the table in anger.
"Since she's not waiting for you anymore, why are you still thinking about her? With our family's conditions, if you want to remarry, there are plenty of young girls to choose from! I'll go and invite a matchmaker to our house tomorrow!"
Song Xinian's eye twitched.
The case is solved.
The silly younger brother is just like his father.
Rubbing his temples, Song Xinian raised his hand and pressed down on the two of them.
"I'm truly fed up with you two... My sister-in-law has been married into this family for the past few years. Does Father not know what kind of person she is, and Xiping, don't you know either?"
Song Xiping was taken aback.
"That child is most likely yours. I'm afraid the Tian family was afraid of being investigated in the capital, so they deliberately changed the child's age and made up a son-in-law. Otherwise, what a coincidence! The man died right after the wedding, and then you just happened to get pregnant?"
Song Xinian explained, breaking it down bit by bit.
"You've already found the person, why don't you go in and take a look? Ask around? How much could an outsider possibly know?"
It took Song Xiping two minutes to come to his senses.
"But... but what if it's true?"
Song Xinian glanced at him, her eyes filled with indifference.
"Then think it over carefully. Can you let her go? If you can, then everything is fine. If you can't, then can you accept what happened to her and accept that child? Think it through, then go again! Get things straight."
With that, Song Xinian stood up, ignoring his brother's expression, and strode out.
But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped, didn't turn around, and said something in a low voice.
"At least your sister-in-law is still alive, so your relationship can continue."
After saying that, he walked away without looking back.
Song Xiping sat up all night, and when dawn broke, he suddenly had a change of heart. Without saying a word, he jumped into the carriage and headed to the Tian family again.
Meanwhile, Song Xibai was discussing the baby's full-month celebration with Granny Fangqi.
In fact, the full moon celebration had already passed for several days, but the full moon banquet that Granny Fangqi had prepared had to be abandoned because Zhao Yan became the crown prince.
The Crown Prince's banquet was of a much higher standard than that of ordinary princes, and it took a lot of time to prepare. In particular, the miniature Crown Prince's dragon robe took the most time to prepare.
Because the previous baby's third-day celebration had been done quietly, Yuan Shen specifically instructed that this full-moon banquet should be a grand affair to make up for it. Not only were members of various royal families invited, but also civil and military officials.
The date was set for October 20th.
At this moment, Song Xibai was inspecting the newly completed crown prince's dragon robe.
The difference between this imperial dragon robe and the emperor's dragon robe
Song Xibai picked up the delicate little dress and squinted at the dragon pattern on it.
"It must have been tough on those embroiderers, having to embroider dragon patterns on such small garments."
The clothes were only the size of a palm. The pattern on the chest was alright, a bit larger, but the two dragon patterns on the shoulders were barely bigger than a thumb, and you could even see the claws clearly.
Song Xibai clicked her tongue in amazement, carefully put away the little garment, and then went to check the other clothes.
Zhaojing's clothes were not as complicated, but they had more patterns, including phoenixes, peacocks, and various other designs. There were all sorts of styles to choose from.
Song Xibai was overwhelmed by the choices, and finally chose a bright red outfit.
The little skirt was embroidered with butterflies flitting among flowers, and they looked so lifelike.
"When changing clothes, remember to be careful not to scratch the child."
Song Xibai turned around and gave instructions to the two wet nurses.
Wen Niang responded with a smile, "Your Majesty, don't worry! The two young masters will only be taken out for a short while, and they will soon be changed back into their everyday clothes."
Song Xibai really wanted to complain that this dress was only to be worn once, and there was no need to make it so complicated and luxurious, but the others didn't think so.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
Song Xibai thought to herself, then perked up and listened to Granny Fangqi report on other matters.
The day before yesterday, Yuan Shen brought the Empress's golden book and phoenix seal to her.
The official statement was that Zhao Xinya was seriously ill and in a coma, unable to take charge, so Song Xibai was temporarily put in charge of the Phoenix Seal.
In this situation, who can say no?
Therefore, Song Xibai has been handling the palace affairs for the past two days.
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